RECENT GOVERNANCE MEETINGS AND KEY COVID-19 DISCUSSIONS AND OUTCOMES

Championships Committee, Sept. 14-15

Minimum contests. The committee reduced the winter sports contest minimums to 50% for championship eligibility this year. The resulting minimums for championships consideration are:

Baketball: 9
Ice hockey: 9
Swimming and diving: 4
Indoor track and field: 2
Wrestling: 3

Winter and spring championships bracket reduction recommendations. Due to expenses associated with COVID-19 testing, the need for predetermined sites and related administrative challenges, the committee recommends that the winter and spring 2021 championship brackets and field sizes, team and individual, should not exceed 75% of existing brackets and field sizes. The only exception is if a sport’s maximum number of allocated automatic qualifiers is greater than 75%. Sport committees will review the recommendations and provide feedback. The committee will finalize its recommendations in late September, with a final decision by the governance structure no later than late October.

COVID-19 Playing and Practice Season Internal Working Group

COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group. The NCAA has established a new COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group that brings together professionals from all three NCAA divisions. This group of infectious disease, public health and medical experts includes some members from the original advisory panel , plus representatives from organizations and medical groups that have been working collaboratively with the advisory panel and NCAA schools. The Medical Advisory Group will tap further into the expertise on university campuses across the country and ensure close communication.

As a body reflecting independent experts and the broad membership of the Association, the Medical Advisory Group, to be chaired by NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline, will meet weekly and will provide reports to NCAA President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Governors. In addition, the group will provide reports to all the divisional governance bodies and sport oversight committees and conduct biweekly videoconferences in which Hainline, and other panel members will update representatives from each member conference and engage in question-and-answer discussions.

The COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group is not a policymaking body but rather will provide guidance to the entire NCAA membership. The group will continue to provide protocols for health and safety in a manner consistent with Resocialization of Collegiate Sport documents. It is anticipated the group’s first report, due in early October, will address men’s and women’s basketball.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND ANTICIPATED DISCUSSIONS

Administrative Committee, September 22

Resocialization principles. The committee will receive an update on the COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group’s preliminary recommendations regarding men’s and women’s basketball.

Championships Committee, September 29

Winter and spring championships recommendations. The committee will finalize its recommendations regarding winter and spring championships.

RESOURCES

With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to d3identity@ncaa.org. Stay healthy and safe and thank you for your continued collaboration and leadership.