LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2026-42
PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL -- FIRST CONTEST DATE
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: In women's volleyball, to specify that an institution shall not play its first contest with outside competition until the Thursday preceding the Saturday that is 15 weeks before the first Saturday in December, and to eliminate the first contest date exception for the AVCA Showcase.
Bylaws: Amend 17.29, as follows:
17.29 Volleyball. Regulations for computing the volleyball playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)
[17.29.1 through 17.29.2 unchanged.]
17.29.3 First Contest -- Women. A member institution shall not engage in its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition in women's volleyball until the Friday prior to September 1 Thursday preceding the Saturday that is 15 weeks from the first Saturday in December. If September 1 falls on a Friday, the first permissible contest shall be the preceding Friday. If September 1 falls on a Saturday, the first permissible contest shall be two Fridays prior to September 1. (See Figure 17-2.) An alumni match may be played during the week (Saturday-Friday) prior to the first permissible contest. An institution may not begin competition in its segment in which the NCAA championship is not conducted until January 1.
[17.29.3.1 unchanged.]
17.29.3.2 Exception -- American Volleyball Coaches Association Showcase. An institution may participate in the AVCA Showcase before the first permissible contest date per Bylaw 17.29.3. An institution may not participate in the AVCA Showcase more than two times in a four-year period.
[17.29.4 through 17.29.13 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Oversight Committee
Effective Date:August 1, 2027
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons
Rationale: This proposal will promote the continued growth of women's volleyball by allowing institutions and conferences flexibility to schedule contests earlier in the fall. Scheduling contests earlier in the fall is expected to meaningfully increase the number of televised women's volleyball contests and decrease scheduling conflicts for institutions that sponsor football. The proposal also provides a consistent first contest date for all Division I women's volleyball programs. Standardizing the first contest date removes potential competitive advantages gained by the few institutions that participate in contests prior to the legislated first contest date. This proposal does not increase the 132-day playing season or eliminate the permissibility of participating in one scrimmage or exhibition contest or an alumni match that does not count toward the institution's won-lost record.
Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Value-Based Legislation.
Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. The first contest date in women's volleyball is nationally significant.
Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. This proposal will not increase the monitoring burden.
How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal promotes the growth of women's volleyball, which directly promotes the athletic success of women's volleyball student-athletes.
Estimated Budget Impact: Dependent on institutional and conference scheduling decisions.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): Dependent on institutional and conference scheduling decisions.
History
| May 21, 2026: | In Progress | The Women's Volleyball Oversight Committee introduced the proposal. The committee recommends that the Cabinet adopt the proposal as expedited legislation during its June 23-24, 2026, meeting. |
| Jun 24, 2026: | Adopted Final | Adopted by the cabinet as expedited legislation. |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 17.29 | Volleyball. |
| I | 17.29.3 | First Contest -- Women. |
| I | 17.29.3.2 | Exception -- American Volleyball Coaches Association Showcase. |