NCAA Directive to DI, DII and DIII Schools Regarding COVID Concerns
The NCAA Board of Governors announced the following directives and guidelines on Wednesday.
1. Athletes in all divisions must be granted the opportunity by their university to opt out of participation this year due to concerns of COVID-19.
2. Athletes on a scholarship for their sport must have their scholarship honored by their university this year if they choose to opt out.
3. Each NCAA Division must determine no later than Aug. 14 the rules that will apply to the eligibility of athletes who choose to opt out this year or for those athletes whose seasons are cancelled or cut short due to COVID-19. (Divisions II and III have already done this to a large degree. See sections later in this newsletter regarding action already taken by Divisions II and III.)
4. NCAA schools will not be allowed to require athletes to waive their legal rights regarding COVID-19 as a condition of being allowed to participate in their sport this year (if the athlete chooses to participate this year rather than opting out).
5. The NCAA will establish a special phone number and email address where student-athletes and parents will be able to report situations in which their university is not honoring these directives and guidelines.
Regarding item #3 above, I anticipate that student-athletes who choose to opt out – especially those receiving an athletic scholarship – will be held responsible for satisfying certain conditions in order to retain their athletic scholarship and their eligibility. Certainly, maintaining their academic eligibility by continuing to make progress toward their degree will be one of those conditions. Participating in required team meetings and other team activities will also likely be required to retain their scholarship.
We will share any updated information and updates from the NCAA as they become available.
NCAA Divisions II and III Cancel Fall Championships
