WELCOME to the Winter 2007 Compliance Corner!

Welcome to Compliance Corner – the official WBCA publication for Division I legislation! In collaboration with the NCAA membership services staff, this publication will be distributed on a quarterly basis and will contain NCAA Division I legislative news and notes affecting women’s basketball, recruiting basics, questions from our coaches, Q & A, and other legislative information you need to know. The primary purpose of this publication is to help our coaches navigate the complexity of NCAA bylaws and legislation and serve as a quick and convenient reference. In this issue, we cover the beginning of the 2007-2008 basketball season (December, January, February).  In order to eliminate repetition, previous issues of Compliance Corner can be found on our website wbca.org under DI Legislation. If new legislation affects time periods we will note those legislative changes, otherwise we will focus on hot topics and keeping you abreast of the current legislative actions. Feel free to offer any suggestions or feedback to make this tool more useful. However, we encourage you to contact your compliance officers on campus with any questions.

Thank you,
WBCA
From the News Front

Override Vote: Text Messaging NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2006-40

  • The override vote will occur during the Division I business session, which will be conducted at the conclusion of the legislative forum, on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the 2008 NCAA National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. A five-eighths majority vote of individual active members present and voting shall be required to override the legislative action taken by the Board. A “yes” vote would indicate support for the override.  A “no” vote will indicate support for the action taken by the Board of Directors.

Division I Legislative Proposals

  • The Official Notice containing all legislation for initial consideration by the NCAA Division I Management Council at its January 13, 2008 meeting and for possible consideration and adoption by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors at its January 14, 2008 meeting were distributed via mail November 15, 2007. During the January 13, 2008 Management Council meeting the Council can approve proposals and forward them directly to the Board of Directors without further review, defeat proposals or forward proposals to the membership for review and comment. The membership has 60 days to respond to proposals that have been forwarded to the membership for additional comments.
  • There will be two women’s basketball specific proposals considered by the NCAA Management Council in January that DID NOT come through the WBCA Foresight Committee and therefore have not been voted on by the WBCA membership. Submission of women’s basketball specific proposals directly from conferences is highly discouraged because regardless of the proposal merit, the WBCA is not able to voice a position due to the fact the membership has not debated and voted on the issue prior to submission. This practice then leads to women’s basketball fatigue in the legislative process and negatively impacts the association’s inclusive “one voice” approach to affect legislation specific to women’s basketball.
  • WBCA CEO, Beth Bass, will ask the NCAA Management Council to “not adopt” Proposal No. # 2007-38 and Proposal No. #2007-88 due to lack of opportunity for the membership to voice their opinion and vote on the issues. Proposal No. #2007-38 would increase the number of recruiting opportunities form 5 to 7. Proposal No. #2007-88 would allow a 30 days of practice prior to first regular season contest within a 40 day window prior to the date of the institution’s first regular-season contest. This would eliminate the current consistent “official” first practice date for Division I.

New ADOPTED Legislative Proposals

  • The NCAA Board of Directors used their authority during their November 1, 2007 meeting to adopt a number of proposals considered “noncontroversial or emergency legislation”. Two of these proposals directly impact women’s basketball:
  • Proposal No. 2007-37 Recruiting-Telephone Calls to PSA’s-Collect and Toll-Free-Women’s Basketball. The NCAA Board of Director’s adopted as noncontroversial legislation, effective immediately in women’s basketball to permit institutional coaching staff members to accept collect and toll-free telephone calls placed by a psa and the psa’s parents and legal guardians, provided the calls are not placed earlier than the date on which an institution may begin placing telephone calls to psa’s. This proposal was originated by the WBCA Foresight Committee feedback and vote of the membership at the 2007 WBCA National Convention Division I Business Session.
  • Proposal No. 2007-112 Administrative Regulations-Summer Basketball Leagues and Basketball Summer Certified Events. The NCAA Board of Director’s adopted as noncontroversial legislation, effective immediately to specify that the following additional criteria must be satisfied in order for a summer basketball league or a basketball summer event to be certified: (1) No individual or agency involved in the marketing of any individual’s athletics reputation or ability shall be associated in any capacity with the league or event: and (2) The league or event operator is required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage for participants.

Other NCAA News

  • The NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet approved a recommendation to revise the current DI women’s basketball tournament format from eight (8) sites with eight teams to 16 sites with four teams effective in the 2009 championship.

Male Practice Players

    1. The NCAA Board of Directors received an update regarding the Championships/Competition Cabinet approved approach to education regarding the use of male practice players. The NCAA Management Council had earlier accepted the four pronged approach designed to enhance the participation experience for women versus proposing legislation that could have eliminated or restricted the use of male practice players in Division I. The four prongs are: 1. Statement of Expectation. 2. Education Materials 3. Best Practices 4. Periodic Oversight

The WBCA continues to support this approach and reminds coaches to regularly evaluate your use of male practice players and refer to proposed practice plans listed on the wbca.org website.

New Division I Governance Structure

  • During its November 1 meeting the NCAA Board of Directors approved a new leadership-based model for the Division I governance structure. The Board hopes the new governing bodies will provide more effective support for presidential leadership from the substructure. The restructuring will take effect in September 2008. NCAA Membership Services staff will review the new governance structure during the WBCA National Convention Division I Business Meeting.

WBCA Foresight Committee

  • The WBCA Foresight Committee has completed compiling issues submitted by the WBCA membership and will begin accumulating the pros and cons of each issue to better inform the membership prior to debate and electronic vote on issues during the Business Meeting in Tampa. A complete list of Issues can be found in this issue under “For Your Information” and pro/con documents will be distributed in January.
  • In addition to NEW issues, those proposals considered by NCAA Management Council for the first time in January 2008 and were sent out for 60 day membership comment prior to final vote during  April 15-16 meetings, will also be discussed and voted on during the WBCA DI Business Meeting in Tampa.
Questions From Our Coaches

Q: Are coaches allowed to use golf carts to tour recruits around campus on official or unofficial visits?
A: Yes, IF golf carts are used to transport prospective students ALSO while they are visiting campus. An institution transporting a psa (and those accompanying a psa) around campus must use institutional vehicles normally used to transport prospective students while visiting campus.

Q: Are prospects allowed to participate in informal scrimmages with the team on official or unofficial visits?
A: Yes. Prospects may participate in scrimmages while on official or unofficial visits but the activities may not be organized or observed by members of the athletic department coaching staff and may not be designed to test the athletics ability of the prospect. (Bylaw 13.11.2.2)

Q: If prospects participate in informal scrimmages with the team during an official or unofficial visit, may the prospect be taped by one of the athletic trainers?
A: Yes. IF the institution and athletic trainer provides the same service to any prospect or member of the general public regardless of athletic recruitment or involvement. Providing the service only to a psa would be considered an offer and inducement. (Bylaw 13.2)
See Bylaw 13.2.7 for information relating to the use of training-room facilities for prospects that have signed a NLI (or for an institution that does not use the NLI) and who is enrolled in summer school.

Q: Are staff members allowed to host a meal for a prospect at their home during an official visit?
A: Yes. A luncheon, dinner or brunch is permissible while a prospect is on an official visit provided the entertainment is on a scale comparable to that of normal student life, is not excessive in nature and occurs on only ONE occasion during the visit. (Bylaw 13.6.7.7.1)

Q: Were coaches allowed to attend open gyms during the September 16- October 6 contact period?
A: Yes. Evaluations during the academic year may occur at regularly scheduled high school, prep school and two year college contests/tournament, practices, pick-up games and open gyms. Open gym refers to a designated time period in which any member of the general public may participate in activities occurring in the gym under the supervision of the high-school or two-year college coach. An activity IS NOT considered ”open” if the participants are limited in any manner (e.g. invitation only) or if organized activities are conducted in the facility during the open gym. (Bylaw 13.1.8.8-(c)-(2))

Q: Are non-scholastic teams allowed to practice in college facilities if they pay and established rental fee?
A: Yes. There are no rules that prohibit the use of college facilities by AAU, high school, local sports clubs or non-scholastic teams. However, any team comprised of prospects must pay the going rate for use of those same facilities. Free use of an institutional facility such as a gym may only occur if ANY group also may use the facility free of charge. (Bylaw13.2). In addition, Bylaw 13.11.3.2 permits the use of a member institution’s facilities for physical activities by a group that includes psa’s, provided the institutions  athletics department staff members (including coaches) or representatives or athletics interests are not involved in the conduct, promotion or administration of the activity (other than activities incidental to supervising the use of the facility) and are subject to all applicable NCAA recruiting legislation.  

Q: Are the permissible number of women's basketball scholarships (e.g., counters) being decreased from 15 to 13 next year?
A: No. Although there has been discussion surrounding the reduction in scholarships from 15 to 13 in women’s basketball, the concept is just starting to be evaluated by the NCAA governance structure and membership. All institutions should be prepared to discuss this concept during the DI Business Session in Tampa.

Q: Is it true the WBCA has supported this scholarship reduction concept?
A: No. Although there has been discussion surrounding the reduction in scholarships from 15 to 13 in women’s basketball, the concept is just starting to be evaluated by the NCAA governance structure and membership. All institutions should be prepared to discuss this concept during the DI Business Session in Tampa.

Q: Does the WBCA have a video exchange policy in addition to the NCAA policy?
A: No. The NABC has been working on a policy and the WBCA will introduce this model during the DI Business Meeting in Tampa.

 
For Your Information

Foresight Committee 
2007-2008 WBCA Coaches Issues

Committee Discussion and Conference Reports as of 11-30-07
The cost of summer event packets was the topic of discussion by a WBCA Subcommittee 2 years ago. With the assistance of NCAA staff and NCAA legal counsel, it was determined the only course of action advisable was to require event operators to post their event packet cost prior to events so that coaches could decide to pay the price listed or not attend the event. That rule was adopted in the 2006-2007 NCAA legislative cycle. Coaches comments:

  •  Seek independent counsel advice.
  •  Boycott events this summer.
  •  WBCA meet with independent event operators to discuss prices.

RECRUITING PERIOD

  • Reduce scholarship from 15 to 13.
  • Reduce scholarships from 15 to 14.
  • July recruiting time – don’t want to touch home before they go out again and this can be costly.
  • Move contact period to Tuesday after Labor Day. Limit to 3 weeks.
  • Eliminate signing date after the season starts.
  • Add a June signing period in prospect’s senior year.
  • Change the dead period in July to a quiet period, allowing psa’s to visit campuses while in route from event to event.
  • Add a June signing period in prospect’s senior year.
  • NCAA coaches should be able to attend any state or scholastic sponsored All Star Games in which psa’s participate, regardless of when they occur.
  • Add more days in the spring and fall so coaches can see more kids earlier and in a shorter period of time.
  • Add 2nd weekend to fall and spring evaluations at non-scholastic events.
  • Allow one (1) phone call during July evaluation period.
  • Adopt phone call system similar to MBB: 1 call/month beginning June prior to junior year then 2 calls/week beginning August prior to senior year.
  • Allow National AAU to be an exempt event again. Be able to attend qualifying state AAU events that count against the 100 recruiting person days.
  • Cut back on July dates but AAU National Championship is exempt.
  • Allow all 4 coaches out during the summer recruiting period.
  • Allow all 4 coaches out during fall and spring weekends as well as summer period.
  • Stricter rules on permissible recruiters at certified events. Some family members with school logos sitting in coaches’ area looking like taking notes, etc. Unfair recruiting advantage for school logo, etc.
  • In favor of adding to the spring recruiting period and potentially cutting back on the July period.
    •

    Rationale:
    1. During the spring your players on campus are winding down and you have more time available to recruit.
    2.  July is a time when a number of coaches run camp.
    3.  Once July is finished and you have your final "working list" of recruits it is sometimes difficult to set up unofficial visits because the players are on their vacations in early August and then a number of them are involved in fall sports.
    Add a second spring recruiting weekend respecting WFF/Convention and test dates.
    Allow the following:

    • September 15 through March 31 (100 recruiting person days)
    • Five (5) day contact period in April
    • Exempt the April evaluation and contact days from 100 recruiting person days

  • Eliminate the September evaluation period entirely. Takes away from official visit weekends when there is football, just got done being out in July, takes away from spending time with current student-athletes.
  • Go 20 straight days in July to allow for camps.
  • In response to definition of a psa being studied by NCAA subcommittee suggest limiting summer camp employment compensation for psa’s room & board only to eliminate the possibility of a potential recruiting “bidding war” for recruits.
  • Allow more time in the summer with our student-athletes. Establish better relationships in less busy time.
  • Eliminate the idea of four coaches on the road. Eliminates the need for “babysitting” and more days to recruit.
  • Be able to send material directly to PSA’s at an earlier date than September 1 of junior year. Make it academic material only to get PSA’s familiar with programs.
    •

    PHONE CALLS DURING JULY
    It was requested to allow one (1) phone call in July if you know that your recruit is not participating in an event.
    Add a call in July. Agree we need to call signed PSA’s.

    TEXT MESSAGING
    Text messaging that the coaches want it back with restrictions:

    SUGGESTIONS

    •  Maybe hourly for each day.
    • Only in the summer.
    • Only on weekends.
    • Only during the hours of 4-9 PM
    • Only 2 texts per week
    • Text only from June 1 through September 1 (not during school year)
    • Monday through Saturday from 3 pm till midnight
    • Unlimited text messaging beginning on the day before official visit until they arrive home. Only for school psa is visiting.
    • Unlimited texting WEEK of official visit.
    • Unlimited texting once signed NLI.
  • Allow unlimited text messaging beginning June 1 prior to prospects senior year. Allow text messaging to juniors from June 1 to August 31.
    • If we can’t text then we need more and earlier phone calls. Propose (like the men) one call a month starting June 15 prior to junior year and two calls a week beginning August 1 prior to senior year.

    PLAYING & PRACTICE SEASON

  • Moving practice time from 7pm….the concern for the smaller schools and they are dealing with MBB, WBB and VBB.  
  • Allow 4 hours of skill instruction instead of 2 hours.
  • Allow exhibition games to be played any time after official practice date.
  • Allow teams not able to go on foreign tours an additional 10 days of practice.
  • Would like to bring up is prohibiting non scholastic teams (AAU teams) from practicing at division I institutions.
  • Support legislation that would cap the amount of money paid to teams to play exhibition games. Unfair recruiting advantage.
  • Like the men….can only play four year collegiate institutions. No more AAU or club teams for exhibition games. Unfair recruiting advantage and money paid is outrageous.
  • In response to #2007-87, if NCAA committees are considering this change then start first practice to begin no sooner than October 1 with a maximum of 30 practice days before first official contest.
  • Allow team building activities such as Ropes Course, permissible at the beginning of fall classes as opposed to waiting until the official start of practice in October. These activities would count against the 8 hours/wk allowed in the preseason.

    • ADDITIONAL ISSUES

  • Monitor the amount AAU coaches can be paid for working institutional camps. Recruiting advantage.

    •  
    Recruiting Basics

    Contact: Permissible during official visits and unofficial visits. Unofficial visits may occur earlier than a prospect’s senior year.

    Correspondence: Recruiting materials, both printed recruiting materials and written correspondences, such as e-mail, may be sent to a prospect beginning September 1st of the prospect’s junior year. Hardcopy correspondence may only be sent first-class or lesser rate.

    Evaluations: Permissible during 100 recruiting-person days from September 16, 2007 – April 22, 2008.

    Official Visits: Permissible at any time, except during Dead Periods, during the July evaluation periods and only once the prospect has begun her senior year. A prospect may not make more than five expense-paid visits to NCAA Division I and Division II institutions. Institutions may provide 12 official visits on an annual basis August 1-July 31.

    Unofficial Visits: Permissible at any time except Dead Periods, during the July evaluation periods and unlimited number of visits at the prospect’s expense. May occur before and during the prospect’s senior year.
    Dead Period: Permissible to make telephone calls, e-mail, fax or write to a prospect. No in-person recruiting contacts or evaluation are permitted on or off campus. No official or unofficial visits by the prospect to the campus.
    Important Dates
    Women's Basketball Recruiting Calendar (www.ncaa.org)

    September 16 through April 22, 2008: Evaluation Period (Except below)
    Women’s basketball staff members shall not exceed 100 recruiting-person days.

    1. Those days from September 16, 2007 through April 22, 2008 not designated above for contact or evaluation: Quiet Period

    2. December 24-26, 2007: Dead Period

    3. March 1 through April 3, 2008: Contact Period

    4. April 4-17, 2008: Dead Period (except for (a) and (b) below:

      (a) One women’s basketball event certified by the NCAA held in conjunction with, and conducted in the host city of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
      (b) April 11-13, 2008: Quiet Period

    Note: Evaluations permitted at nonscholastic women’s basketball events April 18-20, 2008.

    2007 National Testing Dates:
    SAT:   December 1, 2007   January 26, 2008   March 1, 2008   May 3, 2008   June 7, 2008
    ACT:  December 8, 2007   February 9, 2008   April 12, 2008   June 14, 2008