The Council tabled a proposal that would allow football student-athletes to participate in up to four games per year without using a season of competition. Proponents argue that late-season injuries and other factors often require student-athletes who hadn’t played all season to burn a year of eligibility for a small number of games. Others wonder whether the proposal could be applied to other sports, as well, whether the number of games in the proposal is appropriate, and whether the timing of the four games matters.
The Football Oversight and Student-Athlete Experience Committees will review the proposal and provide feedback.
The Football Championship Subdivision removed restrictions on employing individuals associated with prospective student-athletes at a school’s camp or clinic and struck rules preventing noncoaching staff members with football-specific duties from working at camps or clinics at their own school or other four-year NCAA member schools. Proponents argued that the rules, adopted last year, were not needed in the FCS because hiring people to secure recruits is not an issue in that subdivision.
Council members from Football Bowl Subdivision schools defeated the same proposals for that subdivision, with some calling the proposals a “weakening” of the comprehensive football recruiting package adopted last year.
Both subdivisions adopted proposals preventing former student-athletes from participating in practice at their former schools. Sponsored by the Atlantic Coast Conference, the proposal is intended to negate competitive and recruiting advantages schools potentially could gain by allowing former student-athletes to practice with the current team.