NACWAA Action Regarding Recent NCAA Division I Legislation

November 15, 2011

Dear Members,

We would like to make you aware of our recent activity in response to significant reform recommended by the NCAA Division I Presidential Retreat working groups and passed by the NCAA Board of Directors. While NACWAA appreciates the leadership of NCAA President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Directors in recognizing the need for substantive change, great concern has arisen surrounding the cost of attendance legislation that affects all sports and student-athletes based primarily on issues related to football and men's basketball.

In late October, NACWAA implemented a working group made up of Division I Board of Directors members. The group meets via conference call on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, and on October 25, sent a letter to President Emmert expressing concern for the recent legislation and specifically, its impact on women's sports.

President Emmert responded on November 8, encouraging NACWAA to share its feedback with the appropriate leadership. On November 10, NACWAA sent a letter to University Presidents Judy Genshaft (University of South Florida), Chair of the NCAA Board of Directors, and Sidney McPhee (Middle Tennessee State), Vice Chair of the Student-Athlete Well-Being working group.

NACWAA President Julie Hermann and Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips will also meet with President Emmert on December 5 in Indianapolis to further discuss these concerns.

In the meantime, we invite you to send us your feedback about the recent changes, as well as the recommendations currently under review, and how they will affect your sports programs, department and institution, no later than Wednesday, November 23.

In addition, we have included the following information from other national organizations that may assist in your campus assessment:

AVCA letter: Structure of Cuts to the Competitive Season for Women's Volleyball
AVCA memo: Increasing Financial Aid for Women's Volleyball, Softball & Track & Field
AVCA memo: Increase Sports Sponsorship at BCS AQ Institutions
AVCA letter to NCAA Resource Allocation Working Group
Impact on Competitive Opportunities of Elimination of Non-Traditional + 10% Reduction
Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Non-Traditional Season Survey
Letter from John Daley, Women's Soccer Coach, William & Mary, to W&M University President
NCAA Division I Newly Adopted Financial Aid Legislation Q&A Document - NEW
NCAA Post-Presidential Retreat Working Group Updates (November 11, 2011) - NEW
NCAA Post-Presidential Retreat Working Group Updates (October 28, 2011) - NEW
NFCA letter to NCAA Resource Allocation Working Group
NSCAA recommendations to NCAA President's Resource Allocation Work Group

We appreciate and value your feedback as we move forward together in advocating for positive change in intercollegiate athletics.

Sincerely,

Patti Phillips
Chief Executive Officer, NACWAA

Julie Hermann
NACWAA President
Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, The University of Louisville