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Sept. 15, 2003
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Athletics Directors Launch Coordinated Effort To Eliminate NCAA Proposal
A coordinated effort to stop an NCAA proposal to eliminate the waiver that allows Division III schools sponsoring a Division I sport to offer athletics scholarships was announced Sept. 8 following a meeting of the athletics directors from seven of the eight institutions affected by the proposal.
Athletics directors from Clarkson University, Colorado College, Hartwick College, Johns Hopkins University, Rensselaer, Rutgers University-Newark, and St. Lawrence University gathered on the Rensselaer campus to coordinate a strategy to defeat the proposed rule change. |
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Rensselaer athletics director Ken Ralph, speaking at press conference (photo by Trish Galvin)
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The group reaffirmed the academic excellence and strong traditions and history that have been attached to their various programs. Discussion also centered on the importance of these particular programs to their local communities. The group also focused on the importance of raising the awareness of this issue among all interested parties.
"We had a very productive meeting, and are confident that we have a strategy that will benefit all of our institutions," said Rensselaer Athletic Director Ken Ralph. "We are committed to working together to ensure that all parties understand what is at stake here, and to develop alternatives to proposals now on the table."
The NCAA proposal in question is part of a sweeping package of reforms aimed at Division III athletics departments including adjusting playing seasons, financial aid and recruiting. However, NCAA officials made it clear that they continue to seek comment on the proposals. As noted in the NCAA statement when the reform package was approved in August, "the [President's] Council also noted that its word was not the last on any of these proposals since the membership has the next five months to consider the merits of the proposals, including the amendment-to-amendment process, before it will vote on them at the 2004 NCAA Convention. The Council further noted that it would be communicating with the eight affected Division III institutions that give scholarship aid in their Division I programs and receiving their feedback to its October meeting."
The proposal, announced in August, is scheduled to be discussed at an October meeting of the NCAA President's Council. Unless the proposal is withdrawn or amended, it is scheduled for a vote by the 424 Division III institutions at a NCAA Convention in January in Nashville, Tenn.
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