NCAA considers easing demands on student-athletes

Leaders around the NCAA are considering new rules that would diminish the amount of time student-athletes spend on their respective sport.

Brad Wolverton at The Chronicle of Higher Education reported today that representatives from the five most powerful conferences are bouncing around a few ideas that would decrease the demands on players’ time, something student-athletes suggest has become a real problem at some colleges. Athletes have compared training and playing their sport to a full-time job, and that has helped in recent years to fuel the argument that college athletes should be paid.

Wolverton reported that discussions about these new proposals are likely to continue at next week’s NCAA convention in San Antonio.

From the article:

One idea calls for a ban on practices and other mandatory athletics activities, not including competition, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Another proposal would create a three-week break at the end of the traditional playing season, allowing athletes to take time off.

…

The proposed changes, which are set for a vote next Friday, are seen as a starting point in a broader discussion about giving players more opportunities to be regular students. Former athletics officials say those discussions have been prompted by lawsuits seeking more benefits for players.

In recent months, NCAA leaders have called for more scrutiny of how athletic departments monitor demands on students and how many hours of sports are appropriate. NCAA rules limit teams to 20 hours a week of organized practice and competition. But many players, coaches, and compliance staffers agree that those limits are regularly exceeded.

Wolverton’s complete story goes more in depth on the issue, and it’s certainly worth reading. Click here to check it out.