California legislators are considering SB 193, a bill that would have a profound impact on UC Davis' student-athletes, coaches and sports programs.
If passed, the bill would ask the UC system and its campuses to withdraw membership from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA.
The California Senate recently approved the bill 26 to 10. The California Assembly is due to consider the bill in early July. Before it would become law, the governor also must approve the proposed legislation.
The bill proposes a "Student Athletes' Bill of Rights," which, in essence, would remove NCAA authority over California's student-athletes. The bill claims intercollegiate athletics generate revenue for institutions while student-athletes face greater restrictions than non-athletes in areas such as financial aid, work, and the ability to retain professional representation (an agent), to comply with NCAA rules.
"For an institution to be a member of the NCAA, it must adhere to strict academic and athletic requirements -- these rules are good for student-athletes as they help enforce academic and competitive integrity evenly across the nation," said Greg Warzecka, UC Davis director of intercollegiate athletics. "Mandating that California colleges and universities must remove themselves from membership in the NCAA would do great harm to UC Davis' student-athletes," he said.
In March, UC Davis announced next year it will join the Big West Athletic Conference, moving from Division II to Division I of the NCAA.
"The tangible benefits for student-athletes competing within the NCAA far outweigh any perceived drawbacks," said Warzecka. "Take for example opportunities for women student-athletes and compliance with Title IX. Division I institutions are required to have a gender-equity plan as part of their certification, which helps to ensure fairness, welfare and sportsmanship. These safeguards would no longer apply to the female student-athletes at those institutions forced out of the NCAA."
UC Davis has 800 student-athletes competing in 25 NCAA sports -- their graduation rates are significantly higher than the general student body, noted Matthew Hargrove, director of government and community relations, who has been advocating on behalf of the campus regarding SB 193.
In addition, the campus has been awarded the NACDA Directors' Cup -- formerly called the Sears Directors' Cup -- for best overall Division II athletic program six times in the past eight years (see related story below).
Last year, UC Davis track and field student-athlete Tanisha Silas won the NCAA Woman of the Year award -- an honor that could not be earned under this legislation, Hargrove said. In addition to male student-athletes being denied participation in the 12 NCAA sports at UC Davis, female student-athletes at UC Davis like Silas would not be able to compete in NCAA basketball, cross country, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track, and volleyball.
The NCAA is a membership-led association of about 1,200 colleges and universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations. The organization also is currently working to address issues related to SB 193 on its own.
State Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Los Angeles, introduced the bill this year.
-- Dateline staff report