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The Coalition of Intercollegiate Athletics -- an alliance of 63 faculty senates at Football Bowl Subdivision institutions -- is calling on the presidents and chancellors of Division I colleges and universities to request a vote to override the new governance structure approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Board of Directors in August. The new structure granted a greater level of autonomy to the five wealthiest conferences, with the stated goal of allowing those colleges more freedom to address athlete issues like scholarship terms, medical coverage, and support for degree completion.
"However, it has become clear in the month since the restructuring model was announced that for the vast majority of Big 5 schools -- those whose programs do not generate profits -- the costs of the new athlete benefits are likely beyond their means without resorting to cuts in precisely those sports that most clearly reflect the academic mission of the NCAA," the coalition wrote in a letter to Division I leaders, warning that colleges may have to eliminate Olympic and other non-revenue sports to accommodate the benefits for athletes playing in revenue sports.
At least 75 Division I presidents have to agree to call for an override vote by Oct. 6 in order for one to take place.
