"Jerry, a rule is a rule. And let's face it, without rules...there's chaos." --Cosmo Kramer
LSDBi has the details about a staff confirmation that credit earned only by examination shall not be used to satisfy the requirement of completing the minimum core curriculum for initial-eligibility purposes.
A new ARS blanket waiver permits Division I men's and women's basketball teams, during the 2007-08 academic year only, to not include contests scheduled in accordance with Bylaw 17.5.5.3-(g through j) (e.g., exhibition contests and practice scrimmages) against the limitation on the number of contests against non-NCAA Division I opponents (per Bylaws 20.9.6.1 and 20.9.6.3). It was discovered that several Division I institutions were not aware of the correct application of the rule. This time period will allow the staff to provide education to the membership regarding the correct application of the legislation. This blanket waiver does not provide relief for any previous seasons in which a Division I men's or women's basketball program exceeded the limit on the number of non-Division I opponents (i.e., four-game limit).
The report of the October 2007 meeting of the Management Council is out. So, too, is the agenda for this week's meeting of the Board of Directors.
A bit more on that ManCo meeting:
Several proposals were sent to the Board for action this week as non-controversial legislation. The asterisked items below, if adopted, would be effective immediately:
• 2007-037*--Collect and toll-free phone calls by women's basketball prospects.
• 2007-090--Changes date of first field hockey contest.
• 2007-097*--Student-athletes who test positive for use of banned drugs are ineligible for 365 days from the date of the test.
• 2007-106*--Deletes evaluation of event held at men's Final Four.
• 2007-111*--Prohibits summer evaluations at non-institutional, non-organized events, such as pick-up games.
• 2007-112*--Adds additional criteria pertaining to agents and medical care for certification of summer men's and women's basketball leagues and events.
• 2007-113*--Increases number of overall members and Division I members on the NCAA Wrestling Committee by two.
• 2007-114*--Increases the Honors Committee from eight to nine members, with one member being a current or former president or chancellor.
Proposal 2007-110 (which specifies that financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be increased, decreased, or cancelled during the period of its award because of an injury, illness, or medical condition) won't be considered as emergency or noncontroversial legislation. Instead, the Management Council has asked the Board to consider placing it into the 2007-08 legislative cycle.
The Management Council issued one modification of wording (M-2007-3) to clarify how institutions shall declare and monitor the 35 baseball student-athletes who will be eligible for varsity play in Spring 2009.
The report from the September meeting of the Championships/Competition Cabinet is out.
LSDBi has the details about the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse/NCAA Eligibility Center transition plan in its October newsletter, along with a timeline.
Just added to the NCAA's list of ARS blanket waivers is this one, posted today:
LSDBi has an EdCol today that covers some of the details pertaining to the 45-day fall period for baseball practice, competition, skill instruction, and conditioning.
With the shift in NLI signing windows in track and field and cross country, the dead periods that surround the old initial signing dates in the fall and spring no longer apply. There will be a track and field dead period (Mon., Feb. 4-Thu., Feb. 7, 2008) surrounding the sole initial NLI signing date (Wed., Feb. 6, 2008).
Also, the dead period on the day of the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships (Nov. 19, 2007) remains intact.
Proposal 2007-009 will get a third look.
The NCAA has received the 30 necessary override requests to require the Division I Board of Directors to review its August action to amend legislation regarding financial aid packages for baseball student-athletes. The Board next meets November 1 in Indianapolis.
LSDBi has the details.
The following Staff confirmation has shown up on LSDBi:
Football Student-Athletes Receiving Preseason Expenses Included in Preseason Participant Limits (I)
The membership services staff confirmed that any football student-athlete receiving preseason expenses must be included in the maximum squad-size limitation for preseason practice activities even if the student-athlete is not participating in practice activities (e.g., only participating in injury rehabilitation activities). [Reference(s): NCAA Bylaws 17.11.2.1.2 (limit on number of participants -- bowl subdivision); 17.11.2.1.3 (limit on number of participants -- championship subdivision); 17.11.2.1.3.1 (exception -- limited preseason-practice units)]