Calendar

CONVENTION

Brand warns about danger of drifting from collegiate model

NCAA President Myles Brand warned during his January 11 State of the Association address about the perils of transporting the collegiate model of athletics into a system that more closely resembles the professional sports approach.

"If this movement continues, college sports as we know it will disappear, and with it, the educational value to student-athletes and the institutional good will and support from alumni and fans," Brand said.

"The danger here is most obvious in Division I, but in fact Divisions II and III are also at risk. The threat is real, and the consequences devastating. I want to go on record in calling attention to this potential disaster."

CONVENTION

Division I initially approves academic-reform measures

The Division I Management Council and Division I Board of Directors considered more than 100 proposals and amendments January 10 and 12 as part of the newly created single annual legislative cycle.

Among the proposals that gained initial approval and triggered a 60-day membership comment period were those relating to academic reform.

Four proposals in the academic-reform package -- Nos. 03-112, 03-113, 03-114 and 02-72 -- are at the core of the incentives/disincentives structure that will be considered during a final vote in April.

Proposal No. 03-112 provides the foundation of the package, establishing an Academic Progress Rate (APR) that measures academic performance for all sports teams on a term-by-term basis. Proposal No. 03-113 puts penalties (disincentives) in place for teams that do not perform according to APR parameters.

Proposal No. 03-114 establishes a contemporaneous penalty for poor academic performance by prohibiting a team from re-awarding the athletics aid of a student-athlete who fails to meet academic eligibility requirements and withdraws from the institution to an incoming prospect. Proposal No. 02-72 establishes a Graduation Success Rate (GSR).

CONVENTION

Division II adopts requirement to pass six hours previous term

During their January 12 business session, Division II delegates approved a proposal that will require any student-athlete -- whether a transfer or a currently enrolled student-athlete -- to earn six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit the preceding term.

The membership passed the proposal by a vote of 207-47 with two abstentions.

The legislation will take effect after the fall term of 2005 and will be applicable to hours earned during the 2005 fall term.

CONVENTION

Division III approves most of 'future' reform package

The Division III Presidents Council won approval of seven of its nine "reform" proposals, including measures to create an electronic financial aid reporting process, eliminate the practice of "redshirting" and permit student-athletes to "self-release" to speak to athletics departments at other Division III institutions regarding a possible transfer.

The Council's proposal to reduce the length of playing and practice seasons was defeated, but the membership adopted similarly far-reaching reductions from alternative approaches offered by conferences.

Member institutions also decided that eight institutions currently offering scholarships for competition in sports at the Division I level will be permitted to continue to do so.

BANNED SUBSTANCES

NCAA officials enthusiastic about proposed ephedra ban

NCAA officials lauded the federal government for sending a "strong and clear message" to student-athletes about the dangers of ephedra products.

The Food and Drug Administration issued the consumer alert December 30 and also notified 62 manufacturers of its intent to publish a rule stating that dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of injury or illness. That rule, which would become effective 60 days after publication, would have the effect of banning the sale of those supplements.

Staff contact: Abe Frank (afrank@ncaa.org)