OleMissSports.com publishes biweekly blogs by the Ole Miss athletics department's senior administrators and key personnel to offer fans added insight into the overall operation of the department. David Wells has a long history with Ole Miss as a player, coach, academic support director, and for the past fourteen years, as the director of compliance and student services.

August 8, 2009

The summer is a time in which one academic year is being closed and a new one begins.  One of the most significant tasks performed by the compliance office during the early summer is preparing reports to the NCAA confirming that the University has satisfied its membership requirements, thus eligible to qualify for revenue sharing.  It is also a time in which returning student-athletes enroll in summer school to correct eligibility deficiencies and signees complete their admission requirements and process through the NCAA Eligibility Center.  It is sometimes a daunting ordeal for all parties.

Now that a new academic year is about to begin, there is excitement in anticipation of the new seasons.  NCAA rules permit football, soccer, and volleyball to begin formal practices prior to the start of classes.  All other sports must wait until classes begin. 

This year I have received many questions as to why the Ole Miss football team is beginning practice later than other schools that open their seasons on the same weekend.  The actual start date is based upon a formula in which teams are permitted a maximum of 29 practice opportunities within a prescribed period.  Prior to the start of classes, teams may conduct multiple practice sessions every other day after they have completed a required five day acclimatization period.  Once classes begin, teams are limited to only one practice per day.  Therefore, while some schools may report earlier than others, no school is permitted to have more than 29 practice opportunities.  Not only are the number of practices controlled, the number of hours per day are prescribed, as are safety measures such the number of recovery hours between practice sessions. 

The second most frequently asked question relates to who has met their eligible requirements and why some signees may not report on the first day of preseason practice.  The NCAA restricts the number of student-athletes who may participate in football preseason practice to a maximum of 105.   Once classes begin, the number of participants may be expanded to the limit established by the institution.  If the institution has reached its initial scholarship limit, a signee may elect to delay initial full-time enrollment until the spring semester (or fall) when he would be counted against the next academic year’s initial 25 scholarship limit.  

Many prospects are taking longer to complete their academic requirements to be certified.  Two years ago, the NCAA increased the number of core courses required for initial eligible from 14 to 16.  Partly because of the increase, the NCAA subsequently expanded the time period in which the core could be completed.  Previously a prospect could not take a course after graduation for eligibility purposes except those who were diagnosed as learning impaired.  The new legislation permits all high school graduates to take one course after graduate to satisfy eligibility requirements.  As a result of the increase in the number of core requirements and the ability to take courses after graduation, more prospects continue to take classes in the summer, which delays both their admission and eligibility certification.

Another question asked when a prospect does not report as anticipated.  Is the institution making a unilateral decision to withhold the signee from practice or is it an NCAA rules?  

NCAA rules require that a prospect must be admitted by the institution and certified as a qualifier by the NCAA Eligibility Center before they are permitted to practice (or be in camp). However, in some cases, an institution at its discretion may permit a prospect that has been admitted to practice, without competition, for a maximum of 14 days. 

In the past, the University has exercised this NCAA exception and permitted prospects that were not yet certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center to report.  Some have eventually been certified within 14 days, but a few have not, which then poses a dilemma because their room and board can no longer be provided and they have no financial resources for subsistence and no way to return home.  As benevolent as we may wish to be, any extension of aid would constitution a violation. 

However, in some cases it is neither a NCAA nor institutional decision which prevents the uncertified prospect from reporting.  In 2006, the SEC adopted legislation commonly referred to as “9A” which now requires institutions to “flag” any prospect whose records reflect academic inconsistencies (defined by SEC Bylaw 14.1.2..2).  The bylaw requires that the member institution’s academic review committee examine the credentials in question and determine if the credentials are “. . .valid, accurate, and fairly reflect the academic abilities and qualifications . . .” of the prospect before admitting the prospect.  Obviously such reviews are not possible until the Admissions Office receives all documents necessary to make an admissions decision.

After the committee’s evaluation, the institution must submit a report signed by the institution’s chancellor or president accepting the validity of the prospect’s credentials. The report must be submitted to the SEC Commissioner before the prospect is permitted to participate in any preseason practice. 

Not knowing who will be certified eligible heightens the anxiety about the distribution of the 25 initial scholarship limit.  That’s a worry which will be diminished next year since the SEC adopted legislation at its 2009 meeting capping the number of scholarship offers an institution may make at 28.  While some of the same issues will exist next summer, new legislation may create more and different summer drama for coaches and compliance staff. 

In conclusion, alumni and friends of the University are reminded that the NCAA holds the institution responsible for their actions.  A few reminders:

-          Student-athletes may not be provided with benefits, services, gifts because of their athletic ability or reputation.

-          Student-athletes are not permitted to sell their complimentary admission passes.

-          A student-athlete’s name, likeness, or photograph may not be used to sell or promote a commercial product or service (i.e. the sale of autographed merchandise, etc.).

-          NCAA rules do not permit any person other than full-time coaches to contact a prospect for recruiting purposes.   

January 30, 2009

From media stories, radio talk shows, and internet chat boards, one might get the impression that sport fans enjoy the college recruiting season almost as much as they enjoy attending games.  Perhaps for some, the possibility of landing a blue chip prospect translates into a better season, while for others there is anticipation of championships.  

Each academic year there are four National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing periods.  The first is in November for basketball and sports other than football, track, and soccer.  This is referred to as the “early” signing period and is limited to only one week.  The regular signing date for these same sports is April and lasts into the spring and summer.  There is a December date for football mid-year, two year college graduates only.  However, it is the February date which generates the most attention, because this is when football teams, as well as soccer and track, can begin signing prospects for next years teams.

The NLI was created in 1964 by the College Commissioner’s Association, not the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  For decades, it was administered first by the old Southwest Conference, and later by the Southeastern Conference.  In 2007, the NCAA Eligibility Center was conferred the responsibility of daily administration while the CCA continues to govern the NLI.

The NLI is not a financial aid document, but it must be accompanied by a financial aid offer. Therefore, a prospect must also sign a financial aid agreement for the NLI to be valid. Each conference has its own financial aid document used by its member institutions.  

The purpose of the NLI is to ensure that the prospect has a scholarship, and that the prospect will attend the institution with whom he/she signed for at least one year. Once a prospect has signed an NLI, all other institutions must cease recruiting the prospect.  Prior to the creation of the NLI, a prospect signed only the conference or institution’s financial aid agreement.  Unfortunately, institutions from other conferences could continue recruiting the prospect.  As recruiting evolved from regional to national in scope, it was not unusual for a prospect to change his/her mind in August and sign with an institution in another conference.  The institution with whom the prospect originally signed now was left with a scholarship, but no quality prospect to sign in August. 

After the student has attended the signing institution for one academic year, the NLI conditions have been fulfilled. A prospect that does not honor his/her NLI one year obligation is ineligible the first year upon enrolling at another institution and loses one year of eligibility.

This blog article is very timely in that National Signing Day is just around the corner.  NCAA rules do not permit an institution to comment on a prospect other than to confirm the prospect is or is not being recruited.  That restriction in itself makes it difficult for any institution to provide responses to questions from the public.  However, I have prepared a list of generic questions frequently asked with responses which might be helpful in understanding the NLI and the admission process.

1.  Question:  What makes an NLI invalid?

Answer:  Any one of the following conditions would render a NLI null and void.

(a) If the institution with whom the prospect signed notifies the prospect in writing that he/she has been denied admission.  Institutions do not make admission decisions until they have all necessary applications, transcripts, test scores, and confirmation of high school graduation.  If the institution is unable to make an admissions decision because one or more document is missing, the NLI remains valid.  Not sending an admission notification letter is not the same as denying admission.

(b)  If by the opening day of classes the next fall, the student has not satisfied all the requirements for admission, financial aid, and eligibility, the NLI is voided, but this is conditional upon the student having provided all documents to the institution’s admissions office and the NCAA Eligibility Center so a decision can be made. If the institution or the NCAA has not received these documents, then the NLI continues to be valid.

(c)  If the student has not enrolled at the signing institution one full academic year (i.e., the following fall and spring) after signing the NLI, the letter becomes null and void, provided the institution informs the prospect in writing that it does not have a scholarship for him and the letter is filed at the institution’s conference office.

(d)  There are three other situations which will cause an NLI to be null and void, but these are not as common:  12 or more months of service in the armed forces or church mission; an institution dropping the sport in which the prospect signed; or a recruiting violation by the institution who signed the prospect.

The most common method for a prospect to seek relief from NLI penalties is for a prospect to request that the institution with whom he/she signed, grant him/her a full release.   Such releases are then filed with the NCAA Eligibility Center.  This must be initiated by the student, not another institution.

2.  Question:  Why can some prospects be admitted while others must wait to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center?  If a student is cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center, can they be admitted?

Answer:  All institutions have their own admissions standards.  It is possible for a student to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, but not admissible by institutional standards. Likewise, it is possible for a student to be admitted who has not yet been certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. At Mississippi’s public institutions of higher learning (IHL) there are several different paths (criteria) to admission. One such path permits a student to be admitted who has satisfied the NCAA initial eligibility standards. This is usually the admission criteria applied by the Admissions Office when the applicant is not admissible under any of the other admission criteria. Thus, if certified as a qualifier by the NCAA Eligibility Center, a student, athlete or non-athlete, is admissible to the University and any other IHL institution.  However, it is not unusual for a student to meet another admission criteria before they have been certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.  Such a student may enroll in classes and permitted to participate in athletic activities for a limited period, but they are not eligible to receive athletically related financial aid or compete until they are certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.   

3. Question:  Does the Athletics Department take an aggressive stance in seeking admission for prospective student-athletes?

Answer:  Once a prospect has signed an NLI, the institution’s athletic staff may provide information to the signee on what steps are needed for admissions, etc.  Designated athletics staff members may interact with the Admissions Office.  Certainly such persons may advocate for a prospective student-athlete, but admissions standards are not subjective. 

Specific admissions standards are published in each institution’s undergraduate catalogue and must be met to be admitted.  However, some institutions outside of Mississippi have “special admit” provisions under which a prospect who does not meet the regularly published admissions requirements may seek admission.  Sometimes these are called “presidential admits” because it takes the approval of the institution’s CEO to approve the admission.  Such admits are also limited to a certain percentage of the total number of the admitted class.  The Mississippi IHL does not provide for such exceptions.  All students must meet one of the published admission standards. 

Being able to use the NCAA’s initial eligibility standard for admissions purposes is actually an advantage for Mississippi institutions of higher learning.  If a student is a qualifier by NCAA standards, regardless of whether they are an athlete or not, they are eligible to be admitted to any IHL institution.  There have been cases in this conference where a prospect was certified eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center, but learned in August they were not admitable to the institution.  Mississippi coaches can confidently inform prospects that if the prospect is a qualifier under NCAA eligibility standards, they will be admitted.  

The NCAA principle of “institutional control” requires that institutions exercise control over their athletic operations and assure that athletics complies with institutional regulations and policies.  One of the most feared charges which can be levied by the NCAA enforcement staff against an institution is that of “a lack of institutional control.”    

4.  Question:  Is graduation from an accredited high school required for admission?

Answer:  The IHL requires that freshmen students graduate from an accredited secondary school for admission purposes.  This is not usually a problem with most public and private high schools, but occasionally new institutions have not yet satisfied accreditation standards.  The NCAA does not specifically require that a secondary institution be accredited, but often the work completed by a prospect at an institution which has not been accredited is more closely scrutinized by the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to granting eligibility certification. This is especially true when the work is submitted shortly before anticipated enrollment. 

5.  Question:  Why have players from the same high schools been admitted at other universities?

Answer:  We cannot speak for other institutions, but more often than not there are other issues which are not public knowledge.

6.  Question:  What are the options for someone who is not admitted and/or certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center? 

Answer:   Enroll in a two year college.  If while enrolled the NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the student as a qualifier, the student may transfer to a four year college after one semester, 12 hours credit, and a 2.00 GPA at the two year college.  If the NCAA Eligibility Center concludes the student is a non-qualifier, the student must remain at the two year college for a minimum of three semesters, earn 48 transferable hours, produce a 2.00 GPA, and graduate.  If the student does not wish to enroll in a two year college, the student may retake an ACT or SAT for eligibility purposes provided he/she has not enrolled full time in a two or four year college.  The student may also take a maximum of one additional core course for eligibility purposes after his/her high school class has graduated. There are exceptions for those with documented learning disabilities. 

7.  Question:  If a prospect signs an NLI during their junior year in high school, is it valid?

Answer:  Define “junior year?”  For academic purposes, both in the secondary school system and institutions of higher learning, the student’s academic class is more about credits or hours earned rather than the number of years spent at the institution.  It is not uncommon for a high school student to be listed in a class which is actually below the number of years spent at the school.  For athletics purposes, however, the NCAA and the Mississippi High School Activities Association classifies a student by the number of academic years they have spent at the school and not how they are classified academically (note: NCAA exception for early high school graduates).  Therefore, once a student has been in high school for four years, they are considered a “senior” for eligibility and recruiting purposes.  NLIs signed during the fourth year are valid even if the high school lists the student as a junior academically.  If otherwise, then many NCAA member institutions would be guilty of violating recruiting rules by calling, visiting, and providing official visits to students in their fourth year but who academically are listed only as a junior.  You can’t have it both ways i.e., argue that such students can be recruited because they are in their fourth year, but that the NLI is invalid because they were only listed as a junior academically! 

8. Question:  Is the University too stringent in its interpretation of the rules when other institutions appear to apply a more liberal standard?

Answer:  For the most part, the issues discussed in this article are not matters subject to interpretation.   The answers to many of these questions are published and understood by those who have the responsibility to apply them.  However, in an effort to be compliant without putting the University at a competitive disadvantage, the University’s Admissions Director, Registrar, Compliance Office, etc., spend much time researching and communicating with appropriate governing bodies to verify the correct application of rules and “interpretations.”  

Perhaps this article has answered some questions and perhaps dispelled some myths circulated by well intentioned, but less informed individuals. All of us want an Ole Miss which excels both academically and athletically and does it with integrity.

As we approach National Signing Day (and thereafter), remember that a prospect remains a prospect until after they have enrolled full-time.  Congratulatory notes, phone calls, etc., must be delayed until after the prospect (signee) has enrolled full-time.

Your support of the University and its commitment to rules compliance is appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit the OleMissSports.com compliance website.

May 25, 2008

“What do ya’ll do in the summer?” That is a question coaches and staff frequently hear. Summers have always been busy, but more so now than ever before. There has been a huge surge in the number of student-athletes attending summer school. NCAA rules now permit signees to receive financial aid in the summer before their first fall, provided they meet certain conditions. Many returning student-athletes attend one or both terms of summer school. Attendance helps student-athletes complete academic requirements with less pressure, rehab injuries, and improve their physical conditioning. While practices being supervised or observed by coaches are prohibited, student-athletes may participate in conditioning workouts under the supervision of the strength and conditioning staff, and they may participate in voluntary workouts. Coaches stay busy conducting on-campus sports camps, and in some sports, they are permitted to evaluate prospects during the summer.

For the administrative staff, summer is especially very busy. At one time, the university had three terms: fall, spring, and summer. A few breaks existed between semesters. Now the breaks have been replaced with three intersessions (two weeks each) wedged between fall-spring, spring-summer, and summer-fall. The administrative staff (i.e., academic support, compliance, business, strength and conditioning, athletic training, equipment room, etc.) is constantly working with student-athletes year round.

Late spring is coaches test time. NCAA rules require all coaches to successfully complete a coaches recruiting test before being permitted to participate in any off-campus recruiting activities. The compliance staff is responsible for assisting coaches in test preparation. The 2008-09 test was administered to our coaches this month by the SEC, and all coaches present passed.

In early May, the compliance staff, working with the Registrar and Academic Support Office, finished verifying the eligibility status of teams and individuals who qualified for postseason competition. Now the same offices are calculating the eligibility status of student-athletes for the 2008-09 academic year. Each returning student-athlete must meet at least four different academic requirement categories. Most student-athletes with deficiencies have the summer and intersessions to “get well.”

Spring and summer are the times we validate various NCAA requirements. For example, we are required to conduct exit interviews with seniors. Student-athletes with eligibility remaining must be notified in writing whether their scholarship will be renewed, reduced, or non-renewed. Those whose scholarship is not renewed must be afforded an opportunity to request a hearing before a non-athletic board. Finally, various membership certification reports must be submitted to the NCAA before we may receive our share of NCAA revenue distribution.

The 2008 freshman class is in the process of completing admission and eligibility requirements. All applicants must meet the admission requirements established by the IHL Board of Trustees. Freshmen also must be certified eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse). Two years ago, the NCAA began requiring all first-year student-athletes to validate their amateurism status through the NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse. Now students must register with the Amateurism Clearinghouse and respond to a set of on-line questions. Until all of these requirements have been completed, the student is not eligible.

Many waiver requests are processed between now and the fall semester. When a prospect, student-athlete, or institution has not satisfied a particular NCAA or SEC bylaw, institutions may seek relief through a waiver request, which requires thorough documentation. A recent medical hardship case we submitted which was approved consisted of over 175 pages!

So you thought nothing happened in the summer! This may not be the entertaining part of athletics, but it is essential.

Listed below are several summer reminders: