Jan 2, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; A general view of the Pac 12 logo before the start of the game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Colorado Buffaloes at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Associated Press just broke a story in regards to the Pac-12 calling for “sweeping changes to the NCAA model”. Last week the presidents of the Pac-12 Conference had sent a letter to the the presidents of every school in the SEC, B1G, Big 12 and ACC. The letter, which appears to be in response to the Northwestern University football team attempting to unionize, calls for change to the current state of college athletics governed by the NCAA.
According to the AP article, here are the 10 points the Pac-12 presidents laid out:
"— Permit institutions to make scholarship awards up to the full cost of attendance.— Provide reasonable ongoing medical or insurance assistance for student-athletes who suffer an incapacitating injury in competition or practice. Continue efforts to reduce the incidence of disabling injury.— Guarantee scholarships for enough time to complete a bachelor’s degree, provided that the student remains in good academic standing.— Decrease the demands placed on the athlete in-season, correspondingly increase the time available for studies and campus life, by preventing the abuse of organized “voluntary” practices to circumvent the limit of 20 hours per week and more realistically assess the time away from campus and other commitments during the season.— Similarly decrease time demands out of season by reducing out-of-season competition and practices, and by considering shorter seasons in specific sports.— Further strengthen the Academic Progress Rate requirements for postseason play.— Address the “one and done” phenomenon in men’s basketball. If the NBA its Players Association are unable to agree to raising the age limit for players, consider restoring the freshman ineligibility rule in men’s basketball.— Provide student-athletes a meaningful role in governance at the conference and NCAA levels.— Adjust existing restrictions so that student-athletes preparing for the next stage of their careers are not unnecessarily deprived of the advice and counsel of agents and other competent professionals, but without professionalizing intercollegiate athletics.— Liberalize the current rules limiting the ability of student-athletes to transfer between institutions."
Some of these proposals seem like they would have been instituted anyway but some take a big leap in the direction of change. The fact that the Pac-12 is attempting to make all ten of these regulation is a huge step overall for the future of college sports. The Pac-12 asked the other schools and conferences to respond to the changes by June 4, making this a very interesting couple of weeks for the NCAA.
Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we follow this situation and any updates they bring.
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco