The NCAA Division I Council will vote today on eligibility relief for spring student-athletes whose seasons were cut short due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The vote is expected to also reveal some set of guidelines for how eligibility relief could work if the vote passes. There are more than few questions regarding this topic, and US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Justin Feil highlighted many of the concerns of some of the most prominent minds in lacrosse and college athletics. You can read that in-depth piece here.
On Monday morning, Nicole Auerbach of the Athletic tweeted that student-athlete leaders from the Power 5 conferences (ACC, Pac-12, Big 10, Big 12 and SEC) released a joint statement with recommendations for the NCAA ahead of the vote. Not all of these are lacrosse conferences, obviously, but this shows unity between some of the largest programs in college sports.
NEW: Student-athlete leaders from across the Power 5 met (virtually) over the weekend and have released this joint statement in advance of the Division I Council's vote on eligibility relief: pic.twitter.com/1Ttw53a2xC
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 30, 2020
Also, I didn't post it because it's easier to share just one screenshot, but pages 2 & 3 of their statement include 60 athlete signatures.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 30, 2020
Among the handful of points, notable recommendations include aid for student-athletes struggling to pay for food and housing because of the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting shutdown of many businesses across the country.
Secondly, the Power 5 leaders suggested that returning seniors should have their scholarships renewed, but those scholarships should not count toward financial aid limits.
The Power 5 closed the statement with this poignant message: "Now, more than ever, it is imperative for our college athlete community to unify and support each other by standing up for what accurately represents the unified voice of college athletes. We are united as one."