PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS -- WOMEN'S BASKETBALL -- PRESEASON PRACTICE -- ON-COURT PRACTICE -- 30 DAYS OF COUNTABLE ACTIVITIES WITHIN 40 DAYS PRIOR TO FIRST CONTEST

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: In women's basketball, to specify that an institution shall not commence on-court preseason basketball practice sessions prior to 5 p.m. on the date that is 40 days prior to the date of the institution's first regular-season contest; further, to specify that an institution shall not engage in more than 30 days of countable athletically related activities prior to its first regular-season contest.

Bylaws: Amend 17.3.2, as follows:

Source: Southeastern Conference and Big East Conference

Effective Date:August 1, 2010

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Playing and Practice Seasons

Rationale: Recent modifications to the first permissible contest date in women's basketball have reduced the number of preseason practice opportunities by up to seven practice days. This proposal allows the number of practice days in women's basketball to remain at a constant level of 30, which is generally consistent with the number of practice opportunities permitted prior to the adoption of the current legislation. Additionally, this proposed flexible preseason practice schedule permits coaches to best use practice and "off" days to benefit student-athletes prior to the first contest. While the existing preseason practice schedule essentially dictates that practice must occur during every possible day, the flexible approach offered in this proposal provides each coach with the ability to determine when to use the practice opportunities depending on the team, the team's needs and the academic calendar. For example, a coach may provide the team days off to study for midterm exams, to take advantage of fall vacation periods or to recover from injuries.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): On-court practice will begin on an earlier date, but additional days off will be included during the preseason practice period.

Position Statement(s):

Women's Basketball Issues Committee		The committee took no formal position. The committee cited the recommendation of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Academic Enhancement Group (BAEG) regarding a staggered schedule for the start of team practice and noted that such a model may also be appropriate for women's basketball. It was noted that it agrees conceptually with the flexibility that the proposal and the BAEG recommendation offers to institutions and that both concepts should be reviewed and considered by the membership.
Championships/Sports Management Cabinet		The cabinet supports the proposal. The cabinet agrees with the sponsor's rationale, but notes the position of the Women's Basketball Issues Committee and the potential change to preseason practice that may come as a result of their review.

History

Jun 23, 2009:	Submit; Submitted for consideration.
Aug 21, 2009:	Women's Basketball Issues Committee, No Formal Position
Sep 16, 2009:	Championships/Sports Management Cabinet, Recommends Approval
Jan 13, 2010:	Leg Council Init Review, Forwarded for Membership Comment
Jan 17, 2010:	Comment Period; Start of Comment Period
Mar 17, 2010:	Comment Period; End of Comment Period (Official Comment Totals: Support = 1, Oppose = 3, Abstain = 0)
Apr 13, 2010:	Leg Council Final Review, Adopted; Pending Possible Board of Directors Review
Apr 29, 2010:	Adopted, Override Period; No Action Taken by the Board of Directors
Apr 30, 2010:	Adopted, Override Period; Start of Override Period
Jun 28, 2010:	Adopted, Override Period; End of Override Period (Number of Override Requests = 3)
Jun 28, 2010:	Adopted; Adopted - Final

Legislative References

Division	Number	Title
I	17.3.2	Preseason Practice -- On-Court Practice.
I	17.3.2.1	Men's Basketball.
I	17.3.2.2	Women's Basketball.
I	17.3.2.3	Permissible Conditioning Activities.
I	17.3.2.4	Prohibited Activities.