PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- TIME LIMITS FOR ATHLETICALLY RELATED ACTIVITIES -- EXCEPTION -- INDIVIDUAL WORKOUTS -- ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: To specify that a student-athlete who has been designated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sport-affiliated national governing body (or the international equivalent) as an elite athlete may participate in an individual workout session conducted by a coaching staff member without such activity being considered countable athletically related activity, provided the student-athlete initiates the request to participate in the workout session and does not miss class.

Bylaws: Amend 17.1.7, as follows:

Source: NCAA Division I Council (Legislative Committee)

Effective Date:Immediate

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons

Rationale: Student-athletes who are members of national teams frequently request more flexibility to train with their coaches as a means of utilizing the coaching staff's experience and expertise to prepare for national team events and to follow national team training plans. Currently, additional opportunities for a student-athlete to train with coaches are limited by restrictions on athletically related activities in season and out of season. An individual-sport student-athlete is permitted to train with his or her coach, at the student-athlete's request, during institutional vacation periods and/or the summer. However, training for national team events occurs throughout the calendar year and also applies to team-sport student-athletes. Additional access to training with coaches throughout the year would greatly enhance a student-athlete's preparation and likelihood for success. This proposal would provide flexibility to identified elite student-athletes to better manage their academic responsibilities and national team training plans according to the fluctuations of the international quadrennial calendar. Finally, specifying that a student-athlete shall not miss class for additional voluntary training will continue to ensure an appropriate balance between academic and athletic activity. If adopted, this legislation will apply and will be added to the appropriate autonomy bylaws.

Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Student-Athlete Well-Being.

Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Expanding training opportunities for elite student-athletes to prepare for national team events is nationally significant.

Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. This proposal would require additional monitoring to ensure the identified student-athletes are not missing class and are initiating the workouts. However, this burden is outweighed by the significant advantage of allowing the student-athlete to better prepare for national team events.

How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal would allow an identified student-athlete to take advantage of additional opportunities to train with his or her college coach in preparation for national team events.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): Additional time spent in voluntary workout sessions as initiated by the student-athlete.

Position Statement(s):

Student-Athlete Experience Committee	Supports
Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports	No Formal Position
Women's Basketball Oversight Committee	Supports
Olympic Sports Liaison Committee	Supports

History

Nov 15, 2019:	In Progress
Jan 22, 2020:	Adopted by Council
Jan 23, 2020:	No Board Action
Jan 23, 2020:	Adopted Final

Legislative References

Division	Number	Title
I	17.1.7	Time Limits for Athletically Related Activities.
I	17.1.7.1	Daily and Weekly Hour Limitations -- Playing Season.
I	17.1.7.1.1	Exception -- Elite Athlete Training.
I	17.1.7.2	Weekly Hour Limitations -- Outside the Playing Season.
I	17.1.7.2.1	Exception -- Elite Athlete Training.