LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2026-24
PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- FIELD HOCKEY AND GOLF -- IN-SEASON FOREIGN COMPETITION
Status: In Progress
Intent: In field hockey and golf, to eliminate the limitations on in-season foreign competition.
A. Bylaws: Amend 17.12, as follows:
17.12 Field Hockey. Regulations for computing the field hockey playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)
[17.12.1 through 17.12.4 unchanged.]
17.12.5 Number of Contests and Dates of Competition.
17.12.5.1 Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. A member institution shall limit its total playing schedule with outside competition during the institution's field hockey playing season in any one year to 20 contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted and five dates of competition during the nonchampionship segment, except for those contests or dates of competition excluded under Bylaws 17.12.5.3 and 17.12.5.4. Travel to competition in the nonchampionship segment shall be restricted to ground transportation, unless there are no Division I institutions that sponsor the sport located within 400 miles of the institution.
[17.12.5.1.1 through 17.12.5.1.2 unchanged.]
17.12.5.1.3 In-Season Foreign Competition. A member institution may play one or more of its countable field hockey contests or dates of competition in one or more foreign countries on one trip during the prescribed playing season. However, except for contests or dates of competition played in Canada and Mexico or on a certified foreign tour (see Bylaw 17.34), the institution may not engage in such in-season foreign competition more than once every four years.
[17.12.5.2 through 17.12.5.4 unchanged.]
[17.12.6 through 17.12.8 unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 17.14, as follows:
17.14 Golf. Regulations for computing the golf playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)
[17.14.1 through 17.14.4 unchanged.]
17.14.5 Number of Dates of Competition.
17.14.5.1 Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. An institution shall limit its total playing schedule with outside competition in golf during the permissible golf playing season to 24 dates of competition, except for those dates of competition excluded under Bylaws 17.14.5.2 and 17.14.5.3 (see Bylaw 20.9.6.3 for minimum contests and participants requirements).
[17.14.5.1.1 through 17.14.5.1.2 unchanged.]
17.14.5.1.3 In-Season Foreign Competition. An institution may play one or more of its countable dates of competition in golf in one or more foreign countries on one trip during the prescribed playing season. However, except for competition in Canada and Mexico or on a certified foreign tour (see Bylaw 17.34), the institution may not engage in such in-season foreign competition more than once every four years.
[17.14.5.1.4 renumbered as 17.14.5.1.3, unchanged.]
[17.14.5.2 through 17.14.5.3 unchanged.]
[17.14.6 through 17.14.8 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Field Hockey Oversight Committee and NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Golf Oversight Committee
Effective Date:August 1, 2026
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons
Rationale: The recommendation to eliminate the in-season foreign competition limitations will permit institutions to participate in foreign competition on a more frequent basis.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Fair Competition.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Consistent playing and practice season legislation is nationally significant.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. This proposal eliminates a monitoring burden.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal enhances the student-athlete experience by providing additional opportunities to travel internationally and have cultural experiences.
Estimated Budget Impact: Varies based on institutional decisions to participate in in-season foreign competition.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): Varies based on institutional decisions to participate in in-season foreign competition.
History
| Mar 31, 2026: | In Progress |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 17.12 | Field Hockey. |
| I | 17.12.5 | Number of Contests and Dates of Competition. |
| I | 17.12.5.1 | Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. |
| I | 17.12.5.1.3 | In-Season Foreign Competition. |
| I | 17.14 | Golf. |
| I | 17.14.5 | Number of Dates of Competition. |
| I | 17.14.5.1 | Maximum Limitations -- Institutional. |
| I | 17.14.5.1.3 | In-Season Foreign Competition. |