LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2019-86
PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- FOOTBALL -- FIRST CONTEST AND NUMBER OF CONTESTS EXEMPTION -- JOINT PRACTICE SESSION WITH FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION
Status: Defeated Final
Intent: In football, to permit a joint practice session to occur after the five-day acclimatization period and before the first permissible contest, as specified; further, to specify that the joint practice session is exempted from the maximum number of football contests.
A. Bylaws: Amend 12.8.3, as follows:
12.8.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.
12.8.3.1 Minimum Amount of Competition. Any competition, regardless of time, during a season in an intercollegiate sport shall be counted as a season of competition in that sport, except as provided in Bylaws 12.8.3.1.1, 12.8.3.1.2, 12.8.3.1.3, 12.8.3.1.4, 12.8.3.1.5 and 12.8.3.1.6. This provision is applicable to intercollegiate athletics competition conducted by a two-year or four-year collegiate institution at the varsity or subvarsity level.
[12.8.3.1.1 through 12.8.3.1.3 unchanged.]
12.8.3.1.4 Preseason Exhibitions/Preseason Practice Scrimmages Participation. A student-athlete may compete in preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages (as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17) without counting such competition as a season of competition. In football, a student-athlete may participate in a joint practice session with a four-year institution per Bylaw 17.11.4.1 without counting such participation as a season of competition.
[12.8.3.1.5 through 12.8.3.1.7 unchanged.]
[12.8.3.2 through 12.8.3.7 unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 17.11, as follows:
[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]
17.11 Football. Regulations for computing the football playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)
[17.11.1 through 17.11.3 unchanged.]
17.11.4 First Contest. An institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition in football prior to the Thursday preceding Labor Day (see Figure 17-2).
17.11.4.1 Exception -- Joint Practice Session With Four-Year Institution. A joint practice session may occur after the seven-day acclimatization period and before the first permissible contest, provided it meets the following criteria:
(a) The joint practice session may only be conducted with another four-year institution;
(b) The joint practice session must be included within the limit of 25 on-field, preseason practices and is subject to applicable preseason practice period regulations (e.g., length of on-field practice) (see Bylaw 17.11.3.5);
(c) The joint practice session may consist of only drills and skill-instruction. Scrimmages are not permitted;
(d) All practice activities must follow the Interassociation Consensus: Year-Round Football Practice Contact for College Student-Athlete Recommendations;
(e) The joint practice session must be conducted in privacy and without publicity. Individuals other than athletics department staff members and those necessary to conduct a football practice may not be present during the practice. The institution shall ensure that the practice is free from public view; and
(f) No class time shall be missed by football student-athletes in conjunction with the joint practice session, including all associated activities (e.g., travel, pregame and post-game activities).
[17.11.4.1 through 17.11.4.2 renumbered as 17.11.4.2 through 17.11.4.3, unchanged.]
[17.11.5 unchanged.]
17.11.6 Number of Contests.
[17.11.6.1 unchanged.]
17.11.6.2 Annual Exemptions.
17.11.6.2.1 Bowl Subdivision. In bowl subdivision football, the maximum number of football contests shall exclude the following:
[17.11.6.2.1-(a) through 17.11.6.2.1-(h) unchanged.]
(i) Joint Practice Session With Four-Year Institution. One joint practice session that meets the criteria of Bylaw 17.11.4.1.
17.11.6.2.2 Championship Subdivision. In championship subdivision football, the maximum number of football contests shall exclude the following:
[17.11.6.2.2-(a) through 17.11.6.2.2-(j) unchanged.]
(k) Joint Practice Session With Four-Year Institution. One joint practice session that meets the criteria of Bylaw 17.11.4.1.
[17.11.7 through 17.11.9 unchanged.]
Source: Mid-American Conference
Effective Date:August 1, 2022
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons
Rationale: Student-athletes in many sports other than football have an opportunity to test themselves and measure their preparation by facing an opponent in scrimmages or exhibitions. A joint practice with another institution during the preseason would allow football student-athletes an opportunity to better prepare for the upcoming season. The joint practice would not be an additional day of practice and would be subject to all preseason practice legislation (e.g., length of practice, one on-field practice per day); therefore, no additional time demands would be made on student-athletes other than travel for the visiting team.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Student-Athlete Well-Being.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. This proposal is significant for all institutions that sponsor football.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. The benefits of a joint practice would outweigh the minimal additional monitoring burdens.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: A joint practice would provide an opportunity for student-athletes to better understand their skills and needs, and an opportunity to better transition into the season without adding additional competition.
Estimated Budget Impact: Variable, would depending on travel.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): Minimal, would depend on travel.
Position Statement(s):
| Football Oversight Committee | Opposes | |
| Legislative Committee | Opposes | |
| Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports | Opposes | The committee noted the proposal may increase opportunity for injury to student-athletes. |
History
| Jul 15, 2019: | Submitted to National Office | |
| Nov 14, 2019: | In Progress | |
| Feb 1, 2020: | In Progress | Proposal updated to clarify that, in football, a student-athlete may participate in a joint practice session with a four-year institution per Bylaw 17.10.3.1 without counting such participation as a season of competition. |
| Feb 7, 2020: | Ready for Vote | |
| Apr 1, 2020: | Tabled | Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council tabled the proposals that remained in the 2019-20 legislative cycle. |
| Jul 1, 2021: | In Progress | The Council moved the remaining tabled proposals from the 2019-20 legislative cycle to the 2021-22 legislative cycle. |
| Feb 7, 2022: | Ready for Vote | |
| Apr 13, 2022: | Tabled | Tabled based on the pending work of the Transformation Committee. |
| Apr 13, 2023: | Defeated Final | Based on application of the sunset provision. |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 12.8.3 | Criteria for Determining Season of Competition. |
| I | 12.8.3.1 | Minimum Amount of Competition. |
| I | 12.8.3.1.4 | Preseason Exhibitions/Preseason Practice Scrimmages. |
| I | 17.11 | Football. |
| I | 17.11.4 | First Contest. |
| I | 17.11.6 | Number of Contests. |
| I | 17.11.6.2 | Annual Exemptions. |
| I | 17.11.6.2.1 | Bowl Subdivision. |
| I | 17.11.6.2.2 | Championship Subdivision. |