Tag Archive for: NCAA DI Eligibility Requirements

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NCAA DI Cabinet Meeting Actions

Academic eligibility requirements for an athlete transferring to a Division I university from a two-year college were revised, effective immediately.  There were too many changes to list all of them here, but the main changes are:

  • Reduction of the required transferable grade-point-average from 2.500 to 2.000.
  • Elimination of certain credit hour requirements for athletes who were Non-qualifiers based on their high school academic record.
  • 4-2-4 transfers who were Qualifiers based on their high school academic record will not be required to graduate from the two-year college before transferring to a Division I athletic program.  For a detailed review and discussion of how these new rules will impact your athlete’s transfer to Division I from a two-year college, schedule a Transfer consultation online, call 913-766-1235 or write to rick@informedathlete.com.
  • Also, the requirement for a high school athlete to complete at least one natural or physical science course that included a lab component was eliminated.  At least two years of natural or physical science courses will still be required to be a Qualifier, but the need for at least one of those to be a laboratory course is no longer required.
  • A proposal from the Men’s Soccer Oversight Committee to change the playing season to both semesters of the academic year was remanded back to the Committee for further review.
  • The Division I Cabinet had concerns about midyear enrollees or transfers possibly joining a team in the middle of a two-semester playing season, as well as how scheduling discretion that had been recommended for schools and conferences would impact championship selection criteria and timing.

If you have any questions about these changes and how they could affect your student-athlete, contact us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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NCAA DI Proposed “5 for 5” Eligibility Model – What You Should Know!

The recent NCAA Compliance Seminar marked my 30th year attending this annual event. Over those three decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to the dramatic changes that have reshaped college athletics and NCAA compliance.

NCAA legislation used to change once each year, with legislation being voted on at the NCAA Convention each January, and then usually taking effect the following August 1.

With the new and evolving governance structure, legislation can be changing up to four times a year, depending upon votes at Cabinet meetings in January, April, June and October.  If action is taken by various NCAA committees, the actions don’t become “Final” until the conclusion of each Cabinet meeting.

Obviously, NCAA rules have been changing frequently over the past few years, and will continue to do so.  Rule changes adopted by Division I can filter down to Divisions II and III, and impact those athletes as well.

By far, the most discussed topic this year at this year’s Compliance Seminar was the NCAA’s proposed new Eligibility Model.  

While many sportswriters and bloggers are referring to the NCAA’s proposed new eligibility concept as a “5 for 5” eligibility rule,” NCAA staff made it clear during a recent seminar that they do not want it described that way. Instead, they emphasized that it should be referred to as an “age-based eligibility model.”

NCAA staff explained that they believe calling it a “5-for-5” model could incorrectly lead athletes to assume they are guaranteed the opportunity to compete in all five years of their college career. They stressed that coaches will still control playing time, and many athletes may not have the opportunity to compete during some seasons of the entire five-year eligibility window.

Staff also noted that the proposal is driven heavily by data.

Research compiled from NCAA Eligibility Center records and Division I roster and academic progress reporting requirements showed that 98% of Division I student-athletes earn their bachelor’s degree within five years or less, with 62% graduating within four years.

In addition, NCAA staff indicated that a final vote by the Division I Cabinet should not be expected on May 22. They said they would be very surprised if a vote occurs before the Cabinet’s June 23-24 meeting.

How This Could Affect Waivers If Passed

Another important point emphasized was the future of waiver opportunities if the proposal is adopted, which many expect will happen. NCAA staff suggested that waivers for additional seasons of eligibility would become extremely limited. Potential waiver opportunities could largely be restricted to situations involving pregnancy, military service, or official religious missions.

Waiver Deadline

While it is a foregone conclusion that there will be lawsuits filed regardless of the final decision as to when this new rule will take effect and which class of athletes it will impact most significantly, NCAA Division I staff reminded about the deadline of July 31 for submission of waivers seeking an extra year of eligibility.

If you have questions about this proposed rule or about the waiver deadline, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consultation online, contact Rick Allen at rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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New NCAA DI Transfer Waiver Being Considered

The NCAA Division I Transfer Waiver Working Group recently announced that they will likely propose a change to the Division I transfer waiver considerations.

If adopted by the Division I Council in April, scholarship athletes in the sports of baseball, basketball, football, and men’s ice hockey will essentially be able to use the One-Time Transfer Exception to be immediately eligible at their new university.

Currently, scholarship athletes in the Division I sports noted above can’t use the One-Time Transfer Exception that is available to student-athletes in all other sports. However, they can still seek waivers for immediate eligibility when they transfer due to “…extenuatlng and extraordinary circumstances.”

The Transfer Waiver Working Group noted that the large number of waivers being processed has “…strained the waiver process” hence the proposed change to the waiver criteria.

If adopted, such transfer waivers could be approved as long as the transferring student-athlete:

  • Receives a transfer release from their previous university,
  • Leaves their previous university while academically eligible,
  • Meets the academic requirements to maintain their academic progress at their new university, and
  • Is not under disciplinary suspension when they leave their previous university.

There are a couple of key points to keep in mind.

  • First, a student-athlete’s previous university will need to provide a transfer release as noted above. The university will still have the right to object to an athlete’s transfer. If they do so, they will be required to offer an opportunity for an appeal to the student-athlete.
  • Second, the Transfer Waiver Working Group will be seeking feedback from Division I student-athlete representatives, coaches associations, athletic directors, and conference offices prior to the Division I Council’s April meeting. Given the concerns of some high-profile coaches and athletic directors, it’s quite possible that additional conditions could be required of transferring student-athletes, such as a minimum GPA.

If adopted by the Division I Council at their April meeting, the new waiver criteria will be available for scholarship student-athletes to be immediately eligible when transferring to a Division I baseball, basketball, football, or men’s ice hockey program for Fall 2020.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn of new developments.

To discuss a possible transfer for your athlete, schedule a confidential transfer consult online or contact us at 913-766-1235 or by sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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