DIVISION II APPROVES PREENROLLMENT AMATEURISM LEGISLATION

ORLANDO, FLORIDA---Division II delegates at the 95th annual Convention of the National Collegiate Athletic Association enacted legislation this week that allows prospective student-athletes to participate in certain activities previously not allowed under amateurism bylaws before they enroll full-time at collegiate institutions.

By a margin of 217-29-2, delegates approved Proposal No. 12, Amateurism - Activities Prior to Initial Enrollment, during their business session on Monday, January 8. The proposal, which becomes effective August 1, is aimed at competitive balance, and will allow prospective student-athletes to engage in certain activities that previously have jeopardized collegiate eligibility.

According to the proposals, before full-time collegiate enrollment, prospects can be drafted by a professional sports organization, enter into a professional agreement, receive compensation for athletics competition, participate on a professional team, and accept prize money based on place finish without jeopardizing collegiate eligibility.

Those who participate in organized competition, such as participation on a professional team, and do not enroll at a collegiate institution in the next academic term following their high-school graduation, will begin to utilize seasons of competition. For example, if a student graduates in the spring of 2001, does not enroll in college in the fall of 2001, and participates in organized competition until enrolling in the fall of 2002, the individual will be required to fulfill a year of residence at the collegiate institution and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Division II delegates also approved a separate proposal regarding receipt of education expenses before collegiate enrollment. The proposal, which becomes effective immediately, will permit prospective student-athletes to accept education expenses, which are disbursed directly to their preparatory or private schools, from individuals or entities other than an agent, professional sports team or organization, or boosters.

A similar package of amateurism legislation and the education expenses proposal are under consideration in Division I. Division I delegates debated the amateurism proposals in a forum, also conducted on Monday. The package received initial approval from the Division I Management Council in October 2000 for purposes of allowing Division I members to provide input and comment, and is expected to receive final consideration at the group's April meeting.

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Copyright 2003 The Athlete's Advisor
Ray Lauenstein is the author of Baseball: Playing Outside the Lines and The Making of a Student Athlete. If you would like him to speak to your team, booster club or other group please contact him via the online form or call 1-617-835-1836.