NCAA Committee Gives Teeth to Academic Rules: In addition to the mascot controversy, the NCAA executive committee added stronger penalties to the new academic standards. If a team falls below the standards based on the new scoring system, it will receive a warning first. A second consecutive year of non-compliance would produce restrictions on scholarships, recruiting and playing time. Three consecutive years would initiate a ban on post-season play. And four years would mean that all teams at the school are ineligible for post-season play.
On the other hand, the NCAA will reward teams that consistently excel in the classroom with public recognition and additional money. Significant improvement will also receive special recognition.
The NCAA also tweaked the academic point system. It will not penalize schools if an athlete leaves because of situations like a death of a family member or the elimination of a program or major at a school. However, the NCAA will not make exceptions for players that leave a school because of a coaching change. Schools won’t lose a point if a player is academically eligible when drafted, and they can receive a bonus point if a drafted player returns to complete his or her degree.
[8/5/05]
