The Division I Council approved a resolution today intended to streamline transfer decisions and make them more uniform by January.
The new legislative package intends to adopt "uniform, modernized rules governing eligibility after transfer for student-athletes in all sports."
The release reads, in part:
“The transfer environment has long been an issue of much discussion in Division I. The Division I Council is committed to a uniform and equitable approach to transfer rules that considers student-athlete well- being and the opportunities available after transfer,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania. “We will not simply change the rule, but we will consider a comprehensive package designed to address the multiple complexities involved.”
What exactly does all this mean? Well, that's yet to be seen, but I think we can expect the NCAA to address situations like how recently a handful of high profile quarterbacks were granted immediate eligibility after a transfer, while guys at other positions who cited their reason to transfer to be closer to a family member battling health issues had their case heard, only to be told they had to sit out a year before becoming eligible to play at the new school.
Other relevant changes the Division I council announced also include:
- Waiving the minimum football attendance requirement for Football Bowl Subdivision members for two years.
- In sports other than football, basketball, cross country, men’s swimming and diving, indoor and outdoor track and field, and wrestling, teams will not be required to play 50% of contests above the required minimum number of contests against Division I opponents. Those sports are still required to play 100 percent of the minimum number of contests against Division I opponents.
- Football Championship Subdivision teams will not be required to play at least 50% of football games against FBS or FCS opponents.
- Financial aid minimums for FBS schools were waived to permit an institution to award at least 75% of the maximum FBS financial aid limit for three years. In addition, institutions will be permitted to award a minimum of 150 athletics grants-in-aid or expend a minimum of $3 million on grants-in-aid to student-athletes for a period of three years. Gender equity requirements and rules governing nonrenewal/cancellation of aid remain in effect.
- FBS schools will not be required to play 60% of their games against FBS members or play five home games against FBS opponents.
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