Registered: Jan 2001
Location: anywhere but here
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Bill could deem California athletes NCAA-ineligible

By Angelee Field Daily Californian

(U-WIRE) BERKELEY, Calif. -- Collegiate sports in California are facing an uncertain future with the introduction of Senate Bill 193, also known as the Student Athletes' Bill of Rights.

Introduced by state Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Los Angeles and state Sen. John Burton, D-San Francisco in conjunction with Ramogi Huma and Ryan Roques, co-founders of the College Athletes Coalition, the bill addresses the student athletes' grievances with the NCAA system.

But in the eyes of the NCAA, the bill would make California student athletes ineligible for participation due to violations of the extra-benefits rule under current NCAA guidelines.

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"The intention is to make the NCAA and student athletes' environment better and we applaud that," Cal's Executive Associate Athletic Director Dan Coonan said. "But the method used to achieve that end is what we have a problem with."

The proposed legislation is scheduled for vote Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and will determine if the bill will move forward for vote to become an actual law.

Bill 193's main points are to remove limits of scholarships and stipends, giving athletes more money for cost of living expenses as opposed to covering only the cost of tuition, and offering health care during off-season training.

In addition, the bill seeks to allow athletes more choice in their athletic careers-allowing athletes to leave a program or rescind a letter of intent if a coach leaves or joins the program -- and aims to protect the athletes from punishment of violations they were not directly involved with.

"We want to see change," legislative aide to Murray Mike Mistretta said. "We felt that the NCAA was not going far enough. We are concerned with what the state of California is doing to protect their students," Mistretta said.

According to Mistretta, the bill's biggest effect would be to cover the $2000 to $3000 gap in financial aid. If the bill does not pass, however, its greatest achievement would be voicing California's concerns and starting a possible wave throughout the nation.

Senate Bill 193 would also lift the limits on the amount and type of employment a student athlete can undergo, allowing athletes to benefit from additional income. Currently, the NCAA is reworking its rules to accommodate previous complaints.

The bill would also "prohibit an institution of higher education from agreeing to abide by any rules of any organization", which includes the voluntary association to the NCAA.

The NCAA expressed disappointment with the legislation and could not only make California student athletes ineligible but also deem California schools ineligible for participation in games against NCAA-eligible teams.

"If allowed to run its course, (the bill) will force California out of the NCAA," the NCAA said in a statement. "The bill ignores the rights of colleges and universities across the nation to deliberate and act on intercollegiate athletics."

Being eliminated from the NCAA also means a loss of a $327 million-per-year industry through advertising, television revenue and bowl payouts.

If the bill passes into law California athletics programs are placed into a compromising situation.

"It puts us in a position where we have to choose between California law and NCAA rules," Coonan said. "Obviously, we'll have to follow California law."

However, due to a section of legislation that is unclear, the University of California Regents may have the ability to sidestep the law due to its status as an independent governing body.

Private institutions, such as Stanford, would not have such protection.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1170

I don't think student athletes should get any special treatment. They are there to get an education, not give me something to watch on weekends. What happens if they blow out a knee... their done. That is why I respect schools like Notre Dame who place higher academic standards on their student athletes because they are there for an education. Unlike schools like Florida State who let convicts in because they can run fast.

Also, what about the person there on an academic scholarship who spends every waking moment in the library or in some lab. Do they get any special treatment for bust their ass to make the world a better place or come up with a groundbreaking achievement

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Registered: May 2002
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quote:

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Originally posted by quins
That is why I respect schools like Notre Dame who place higher academic standards on their student athletes because they are there for an education. Unlike schools like Florida State who let convicts in because they can run fast.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35561

Why would a college not admit a convict? As long as they were up to the course of study academically?

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Registered: May 2002
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Granted, I was later placed on academic probation... but my spotty record shouldn't poison the well for all of our nations convicts!

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