1. Division I Playing and Practice Seasons Hot Topics
DJ Brown
Danielle Teetzel

2. Session Overview New Legislation Discussion Topics. Time Management.
Foreign Tours.
Case Studies.
Technology.
Missed Class Time.
Outside Competition.

3. New Legislation Bylaw 17

4. Time Management 2016-135: Effective Date: 8/1/17
SAs must receive 8 continuous hours off.
No RARA (other than activities associated with competition) after 9:00 p.m.
: Effective Date: 8/1/17
Defines Required Athletically Related Activity (RARA).
Following championship segment, SAs must receive a minimum of 7 consecutive discretionary days.
14 additional discretionary days during the academic year.
In Season may occur while classes are in session or during a vacation period.
Out of Season must occur while classes are in session.

5. Time Management 2016-136-1: Effective Date: 8/1/17
A travel day may not be considered a day off.
Arriving back on campus between Midnight and 5:00 a.m. may be considered a day off, provided no activities occur for at least 24 hours following release from travel.
: Effective Date: 8/1/17
Multisport Life Skills Programing Exception.

6. Time Management 2016-137: Effective Date: 8/1/17
Student-Athlete Time Management Plan.
Collaborative process with SAs, Coaches, and Senior Athletics Department Staff Members.
Annual Review at conclusion of year with AD, FAR, Coach, and SA, reviewed by President/Chancellor.
: Effective Date: 8/1/17
During the playing season, a minimum of one day off per week when classes are not in session.
: Effective Date: 8/1/17
Outside the championship segment, off-campus practice during a vacation period may not occur unless the practice is in conjunction with an away from home contest.

9. Foreign Tours 2016-97: Effective Date: 8/1/17
A tour to U.S. commonwealth or U.S. territory may be considered a foreign tour.
: Effective Date: Immediate
An incoming SA (freshman or transfer) may participate in practice associated with a foreign tour and the foreign tour, provided the SA is eligible to represent the institution in competition during the academic year following the foreign tour.
: Effective Date: Immediate
A transfer SA subject to the year in residence requirement may participate on foreign tour, provided the SA is otherwise eligible for competition.

10. Case Studies Bylaw 17

11. Technology Bylaw

12. RSRO Interpretive Question
The institution’s cross country coaching staff created a training group profile using an online system.
The website offers an online and app based way for individuals to record their runs and track improvement.
The cross country teams record all runs in the system.
When runs were logged on off days, the coaches could view the log.
No punishment for those who do not log runs, however, coaches can view all runs logged, including voluntary activities, and activities on required day off.
Does request from coaches to use an online workout log which then be viewed by coaches constitute reporting back and a countable activity?

13. Interpretive Response
NCAA legislation does not preclude a SA from recording information specific to his or her training (e.g., running logs) into an application of this nature during any countable athletically related activities. The information can then be shared with the coaching staff.
However, information specific to training during voluntary workouts conducted by a SA may not be shared with the coaching staff as Bylaw (c) specifically states a SA’s participation in the activity may not be recorded for the purposes of reporting such information to coaching staff members or other SAs.

14. Resource Information
Bylaw – Voluntary Athletically Related Activity.
Bylaw – Countable Athletically Related Activity.
Staff Interpretation February 12, 2015.
Educational Column October 10, 2012.

15. Discussion

16. RSRO Interpretive Question
If data (e.g., heart rate, steps taken) collected by a wearable fitness device that is related to voluntary athletically related activity is viewed by a countable coach or a noncoaching staff member with sport specific responsibilities, does it trigger countable athletically related activity?

17. Interpretive Response
Bylaw (c) would preclude SAs from opting-in to sharing voluntary workout data from wearable devices. Specifically, a SA’s attendance and participation in an activity may not be recorded for the purposes of reporting the information to the coaching staff, or noncoaching staff members (e.g., Director of Operations, Director of Player Personnel) regardless of whether the SAs opt-in.
The team’s medical staff (e.g., team doctor, athletic trainer) may review the data, and if there is a specific health and safety issue identified from the data during the voluntary workout share and explain the data to the coaches.

18. Resource Information
Bylaw – Voluntary Athletically Related Activity.
Bylaw – Countable Athletically Related Activity.
Official Interpretation October 21, 1993.

19. Discussion

20. Missed Class Time Bylaw 17.1.7.6.2

21. RSRO Interpretive Question
In the event that a professor made it known that the professor would provide an accommodation for any student (such as allowing a student to take an exam on an alternate date) would it be permissible for a SA to receive such an accommodation to miss class (or exam) for practice?

22. Interpretive Response
No. Bylaw does not permit SAs to miss class time at any time for practice activities. That requirement applies even if the professor would provide accommodations for any student to make up the missed class.

23. Resource Information
Bylaw – No Missed Class Time for Practice Activities.

24. Discussion

25. RSRO Interpretive Question
If a SA is traveling for practice and a professor grants an accommodation so that a SA does not need to be present for the scheduled exam, can the SA participate in practice during that time?

26. Interpretive Response
No. Bylaw does not permit SAs to miss class for practice unless:
(a) the team is traveling for an away-from-home contest and that practice is in conjunction with the contest, or
(b) if institution is hosting a conference or NCAA championship in the SA’s sport and the practice was the day before the team’s competition in the conference or NCAA championship.

27. Resource Information
Bylaw – No Missed Class Time for Practice Activities.

28. Discussion

29. Foreign Tours Bylaw 17.29

30. RSRO Interpretive Question
If the institution took a foreign tour August 2013, does this tour count during the academic year or academic year?

31. Interpretive Response
The foreign tour counts toward the academic year and the institution would be eligible for its next foreign tour summer 2017 given that foreign tour would count toward the academic year.

32. Resource Information Bylaw 17.29.1.2 – Timing of Tour.
Bylaw – Summer Vacation Period.
Bylaw – Time Lapse Between Tours.
Staff Interpretation June 28, 2012.

33. Discussion

34. RSRO Interpretive Question
Men’s basketball wants to participate in a foreign tour August 24, 2016, through September 2, The first permissible practice date for men’s basketball is September 30, Can the team participate in the foreign tour?

35. Interpretive Response
No. Given the first permissible practice date in men’s basketball is September 30, 2016, and the dates of the foreign tour extend into the 30-day prohibition period, the timing of the institution’s foreign tour does not meet the legislation.

36. Resource Information Bylaw 17.29.1.2.2 – Timing of Tour.
Bylaw – Prohibition Prior to Championship Segment.

37. Discussion

38. RSRO Interpretive Question
When summer access overlaps with the 10 practice days leading up to a foreign tour, which CARA limitations govern?

39. Interpretive Response
SAs may engage, either concurrently or separately, in both required summer activities and permissible practices for a foreign tour. The institution should monitor the type of activity occurring and apply the legislation as appropriate. SAs may only participate in the activities for which they are eligible.

40. Resource Information
Bylaw – Summer Athletic Activities- Basketball.
Bylaw – Practice Limitation.
Educational Column June 27, 2014.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

41. Discussion

42. RSRO Interpretive Question
Is there a minimum number of competitions an institution must engage in during a foreign tour?

43. Interpretive Response
Yes. In order for an institution to utilize a foreign tour and to be permitted to engage in practice associated with a foreign tour or during a foreign tour, an institution must engage in at least one contest or date of competition during the tour. If no competition occurs then the tour is not considered a foreign tour.

44. Resource Information Bylaw 17.29.1.5 – Practice Limitation.
Bylaw – Maximum Number of Contests/Competition Dates.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

45. Discussion

46. RSRO Interpretive Question
Can a men’s basketball team publicize one or more of the permissible 10 practice days associated with the foreign tour?

47. Interpretive Response
Yes. It is permissible for the institution to publicize practices associated with a foreign tour.
The staff notes that the prohibition on publicizing skill related instruction (Bylaw ) was not intended to apply to practice activities associated with a foreign tour.

48. Resource Information Bylaw 17.29.1.5 – Practice Limitation.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

49. Discussion

50. RSRO Interpretive Question
Do the daily and weekly hour limitations apply to teams participating in practice for a foreign tour outside of the regular academic year?
Does it matter if summer classes are in session?

51. Interpretive Response
Provided the foreign tour occurs outside of the regular academic year (e.g., summer), daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to SAs participating in foreign tour practice activities.
A SA’s enrollment in summer classes does not change the analysis.

52. Resource Information
Bylaw – Computation and Recording of Hour Limitations – Vacation Periods and Between Terms.
Bylaw – Practice Limitation.
Official Interpretation June 18, 1991.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

53. Discussion

54. RSRO Interpretive Question
Are SAs who are ineligible for a foreign tour permitted to attend foreign tour practices and watch/run the scoreboard, etc.?

55. Interpretive Response
No. Because the SAs are not eligible to participate in practice in preparation for the foreign tour, they would not be allowed to attend the practices, unless the practices are open to the general public and anyone could attend sessions.

56. Resource Information
Bylaw – Eligibility of Student-Athletes.
Bylaw – Practice Limitation.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

57. Discussion

58. RSRO Interpretive Question
Is it permissible to hold a foreign tour practice outside the locale of the institution and provide expenses to eligible, participating SAs?

59. Interpretive Response
Yes. It is permissible for the institution to engage in a practice activity associated with a foreign tour outside of the locale of the institution and provide actual and necessary expenses per

60. Resource Information
Bylaw – Expenses Provided by the Institution for Practice and Competition – Permissible.
Bylaw – Practice Limitation.
Educational Column February 15, 2016.

61. Discussion

62. Outside Competition Bylaw 17.31

63. RSRO Interpretive Question
May an unattached SA travel with a team on a team bus to an away contest but pay the institution for the travel cost and be able to use the exception specific to competition as an individual/not representing the institution?

64. Interpretive Response
No. Given the athletics department is arranging the mode of transportation (i.e., team bus), if the SA was to ride on the team bus to the event, the SA would be considered representing the institution and thus, not participating unattached.

65. Resource Information
Bylaw – Outside Competition – Sports other than Basketball – Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution.
Educational Column November 17, 2005.

66. Discussion

67. RSRO Interpretive Question
Is it permissible for a coach to provide transportation (e.g., driver) to SAs competing unattached using one of the SA’s automobile’s to transport them to the competition site?

68. Interpretive Response
No. In order for a SA’s participation to meet Bylaw , an institution may not provide any expenses to the participating SA, which includes the provision of transportation. Therefore, if the coach provides transportation to SAs, those SAs are considered to be representing the institution and therefore, would not meet Bylaw

69. Resource Information
Bylaw – Outside Competition – Sports other than Basketball – Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution.
Educational Column November 17, 2005.

70. Discussion

71. RSRO Interpretive Question
Does outside competition legislation apply to a SA who, during the academic year, voluntarily withdraws from the team and remains enrolled at the institution for the remainder of the term/academic year.

72. Interpretive Response
Once an individual becomes a SA, the provisions of Bylaw are applicable only while the SA is enrolled during a regular term as a full-time student in an NCAA Division I or II institution.
If the SA who has voluntarily withdrawn from the team is enrolled part time or not enrolled, outside competition legislation is not applicable.

73. Resource Information
Bylaw – Outside Competition – Sports other than Basketball – Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution.
Official Interpretation November 21, 1991.

74. Discussion

75. RSRO Interpretive Question
May an institution’s track and field coach provide coaching and instruction to a SA, who has exhausted eligibility in their sport, while competing unattached at USA Indoor National Championships? May expenses be provided to the coach?

76. Interpretive Response
A coaching staff member may engage in coaching activities with a SA during the SA’s participation in events listed in Bylaws (a) and (b) and the institution may provide expenses to the coach in order for him or her to travel to the event and provide coaching.

77. Resource Information
Bylaw – General Playing-Season Regulations – Playing Season.
Bylaw – Outside Competition – Sports other than Basketball – Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution.
Educational Column November 17, 2005.

78. Discussion

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