Eastern Michigan Athletics
MAC Announces Time Obligations Requirements For 2017-18 Academic Year
9/8/2016 10:53:00 AM | General
Time Obligation regulations established for 2017-18 academic year
CLEVELAND, Ohio (MAC-Sports.com) – The Mid-American Conference has adopted four time obligation proposals developed by the Conference's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for full implementation by MAC membership by the 2017-18 academic year.
The MAC Council of Presidents voted unanimously to adopt time obligation proposals that were unanimously recommended by the MAC Council of Directors of Athletics. These time obligation proposals originated from the 'White Paper' drafted by the MAC-SAAC this past Spring and reviewed with MAC presidents, directors of athletics, senior administrators and faculty athletic representatives during the recent 2016 MAC Spring Meetings (May 31-June 2) in Cleveland, Ohio, with review and discussion continuing throughout the summer.
The time obligation proposals address important issues for students that participate in intercollegiate athletics:
1. Establish a two-week time off period from required athletics activity following the end of a championship season segment.
2. Require student-athletes that are out-of-season to have a week off with no athletics obligations at the beginning of each semester.
3. Prohibit athletics obligations between away-from-home travel and practice for at least eight hours following the return to campus.
4. Require practice schedules be shared with student-athletes weekly and followed by coaching staffs, and, if changes are required, they must be known by student-athletes 24 hours prior to the scheduled practice time.
The original White Paper was designed for the students to have a voice in this discussion, present their position, and provide potential solutions to the time obligations issue currently under review by NCAA Division I member institutions.
"I am pleased with this outcome as our students took the initiative to put forth proposals and engaged in in-depth conversations with our governance groups," said MAC Commissioner, Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "I applaud our administrators for their collaborative efforts in working with the students to address issues raised relative to time obligations. The end result should be an enhanced experience, academically, athletically, and socially for Mid-American Conference students who participate in athletics."
NCAA President Mark Emmert commented on the MAC time obligation requirements. "The MAC has taken some important steps to help student-athletes balance their time and take full advantage of their college experience. I'm especially impressed with how the conference worked with its student-athletes on these changes and help strengthen the opportunities that come through college sports. I believe these changes could serve as a model for the NCAA and its members to consider as we promote fairness for student-athletes," said Emmert.
Nationally, this discussion will continue throughout the 2016-17 academic year as autonomous legislation is expected to be presented and reviewed at the 2017 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in January.
The MAC SAAC is comprised of 26 students across the 12 MAC full member institutions. The intention of the recent 'White Paper' was to provide personal perspectives, opinions and a greater understanding of their concerns in the time obligations conversation.
Quotes from MAC Students, Presidents and Directors of Athletics:
Kelsi White, Miami University, Senior (2016-17), Field Hockey, MAC SAAC President:
"As student-athletes, we are all very appreciative for the support and consideration of our voice we have received from the Athletic Directors up to this point. The recognition and reconsideration of the time demands of student-athletes is truly a step in the right direction with the coming '17-'18 implementation and we are especially appreciative of those who are moving to fully implement them for the '16-'17 seasons. Ultimately, in order for true and effective change to occur there must be a cultural change and though there may be some trepidation, I believe that the MAC is capable of leading that charge and will be able to easily follow suit come January."
Cassie Oursler, University at Buffalo, Senior (2016-17), Women's Basketball:
"As a student athlete, it's nice to see how the MAC is willing to hear what we have to say. With these four changes implemented fully by the 2017-18 year, it will create a standard for all sports when it comes to these changes to help athletes well-being. I am thankful that our proposals were thoroughly discussed and these four adjustments will create better knowledge about these situations for athletes and coaches. With these changes beginning in the MAC I believe that other conferences will soon follow and ultimately leading to a complete change in all collegiate athletics."
Treyvon Mask, University at Buffalo, Senior (2016-17), Men's Track & Field:
"The support we have received from all of the Athletic Directors is truly outstanding. It displays how greatly they care for our likes, dislikes and our needs. I feel it would be a great opportunity for student-athletes to take a step back from all the stress of being a student-athlete and enjoy some time off to recharge and relax. This can be an effective change as long as we all embrace it with a positive attitude. The upcoming years will be something to look forward to especially starting off with some of the 2016-17 season leading into the 2017-18 season with our time demands."
Dr. John M. Dunn, President, Western Michigan University; Chair MAC Council of Presidents:
"We respect the members of our Student Athletic Advisory Council and appreciate their thoughtful input about ways we can best support them and their need and desire for better balance in their lives."
Dr. Roderick J. McDavis, President, Ohio University; NCAA D-I Board of Directors:
"I applaud the Mid-American Conference for soliciting and listening to the concerns of our student-athletes! Student-athletes often lead very busy lives, juggling academics and athletics; many struggle to excel in both. These much-deserved breaks will increase success in both realms. While participation in Division I intercollegiate athletics is a major accomplishment, completing a college education leads you to a profession and knowledge that lasts a lifetime. For this reason, we stress the importance of student over athlete at Ohio University. It is refreshing to see the Mid-American Conference mirror those priorities."
Kathy Beauregard, Director of Athletics, Western Michigan University; Chair MAC Council of Directors of Athletics:
"Once again, the Mid-American Conference has proven to be a leader in student-athlete well-being. The Directors of Athletics unanimously approved the adoption of the conference student-athlete advisory committee time obligation proposals for full implementation by 2017-18. We are extremely proud of our SAAC passion for change."
David Heeke, Director of Athletics, Central Michigan University; former Chair MAC Council of Directors of Athletics:
"This initiative illustrates the respect we have for our student-athlete's time and emphasizes the importance of providing a balanced experience. I appreciate the feedback we have received directly from our student-athletes, especially members of the SAAC, as we work together to address appropriate changes to the in-season and out-of-season schedules for all programs. Providing Mid-American Conference student-athletes with a voice has always been a critical component to our success and this will continue in the future."
Heather Lyke, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Eastern Michigan University:
" I commend the Mid-American Conference for taking important steps to ensure that we provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. Our student-athletes should always be at the core of our decision making to ensure that we best promote a balance between academic integration and competitive excellence in Division I athletics."
The MAC Council of Presidents voted unanimously to adopt time obligation proposals that were unanimously recommended by the MAC Council of Directors of Athletics. These time obligation proposals originated from the 'White Paper' drafted by the MAC-SAAC this past Spring and reviewed with MAC presidents, directors of athletics, senior administrators and faculty athletic representatives during the recent 2016 MAC Spring Meetings (May 31-June 2) in Cleveland, Ohio, with review and discussion continuing throughout the summer.
The time obligation proposals address important issues for students that participate in intercollegiate athletics:
1. Establish a two-week time off period from required athletics activity following the end of a championship season segment.
2. Require student-athletes that are out-of-season to have a week off with no athletics obligations at the beginning of each semester.
3. Prohibit athletics obligations between away-from-home travel and practice for at least eight hours following the return to campus.
4. Require practice schedules be shared with student-athletes weekly and followed by coaching staffs, and, if changes are required, they must be known by student-athletes 24 hours prior to the scheduled practice time.
The original White Paper was designed for the students to have a voice in this discussion, present their position, and provide potential solutions to the time obligations issue currently under review by NCAA Division I member institutions.
"I am pleased with this outcome as our students took the initiative to put forth proposals and engaged in in-depth conversations with our governance groups," said MAC Commissioner, Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "I applaud our administrators for their collaborative efforts in working with the students to address issues raised relative to time obligations. The end result should be an enhanced experience, academically, athletically, and socially for Mid-American Conference students who participate in athletics."
NCAA President Mark Emmert commented on the MAC time obligation requirements. "The MAC has taken some important steps to help student-athletes balance their time and take full advantage of their college experience. I'm especially impressed with how the conference worked with its student-athletes on these changes and help strengthen the opportunities that come through college sports. I believe these changes could serve as a model for the NCAA and its members to consider as we promote fairness for student-athletes," said Emmert.
Nationally, this discussion will continue throughout the 2016-17 academic year as autonomous legislation is expected to be presented and reviewed at the 2017 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in January.
The MAC SAAC is comprised of 26 students across the 12 MAC full member institutions. The intention of the recent 'White Paper' was to provide personal perspectives, opinions and a greater understanding of their concerns in the time obligations conversation.
Quotes from MAC Students, Presidents and Directors of Athletics:
Kelsi White, Miami University, Senior (2016-17), Field Hockey, MAC SAAC President:
"As student-athletes, we are all very appreciative for the support and consideration of our voice we have received from the Athletic Directors up to this point. The recognition and reconsideration of the time demands of student-athletes is truly a step in the right direction with the coming '17-'18 implementation and we are especially appreciative of those who are moving to fully implement them for the '16-'17 seasons. Ultimately, in order for true and effective change to occur there must be a cultural change and though there may be some trepidation, I believe that the MAC is capable of leading that charge and will be able to easily follow suit come January."
Cassie Oursler, University at Buffalo, Senior (2016-17), Women's Basketball:
"As a student athlete, it's nice to see how the MAC is willing to hear what we have to say. With these four changes implemented fully by the 2017-18 year, it will create a standard for all sports when it comes to these changes to help athletes well-being. I am thankful that our proposals were thoroughly discussed and these four adjustments will create better knowledge about these situations for athletes and coaches. With these changes beginning in the MAC I believe that other conferences will soon follow and ultimately leading to a complete change in all collegiate athletics."
Treyvon Mask, University at Buffalo, Senior (2016-17), Men's Track & Field:
"The support we have received from all of the Athletic Directors is truly outstanding. It displays how greatly they care for our likes, dislikes and our needs. I feel it would be a great opportunity for student-athletes to take a step back from all the stress of being a student-athlete and enjoy some time off to recharge and relax. This can be an effective change as long as we all embrace it with a positive attitude. The upcoming years will be something to look forward to especially starting off with some of the 2016-17 season leading into the 2017-18 season with our time demands."
Dr. John M. Dunn, President, Western Michigan University; Chair MAC Council of Presidents:
"We respect the members of our Student Athletic Advisory Council and appreciate their thoughtful input about ways we can best support them and their need and desire for better balance in their lives."
Dr. Roderick J. McDavis, President, Ohio University; NCAA D-I Board of Directors:
"I applaud the Mid-American Conference for soliciting and listening to the concerns of our student-athletes! Student-athletes often lead very busy lives, juggling academics and athletics; many struggle to excel in both. These much-deserved breaks will increase success in both realms. While participation in Division I intercollegiate athletics is a major accomplishment, completing a college education leads you to a profession and knowledge that lasts a lifetime. For this reason, we stress the importance of student over athlete at Ohio University. It is refreshing to see the Mid-American Conference mirror those priorities."
Kathy Beauregard, Director of Athletics, Western Michigan University; Chair MAC Council of Directors of Athletics:
"Once again, the Mid-American Conference has proven to be a leader in student-athlete well-being. The Directors of Athletics unanimously approved the adoption of the conference student-athlete advisory committee time obligation proposals for full implementation by 2017-18. We are extremely proud of our SAAC passion for change."
David Heeke, Director of Athletics, Central Michigan University; former Chair MAC Council of Directors of Athletics:
"This initiative illustrates the respect we have for our student-athlete's time and emphasizes the importance of providing a balanced experience. I appreciate the feedback we have received directly from our student-athletes, especially members of the SAAC, as we work together to address appropriate changes to the in-season and out-of-season schedules for all programs. Providing Mid-American Conference student-athletes with a voice has always been a critical component to our success and this will continue in the future."
Heather Lyke, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Eastern Michigan University:
" I commend the Mid-American Conference for taking important steps to ensure that we provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. Our student-athletes should always be at the core of our decision making to ensure that we best promote a balance between academic integration and competitive excellence in Division I athletics."
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