Letter to D1 Council

Colleagues,

As representatives of the Intercollegiate Coach Association Coalition (ICAC) we write to express opposition to the request by the Group of Five Commissioners to reduce the sports sponsorship requirement minimum for Division I membership.

While we recognize that we are facing unprecedented challenges, we are deeply troubled with the thought that the NCAA would consider using these uncertain times to circumvent the normal Division 1 legislative process on this critical issue. Making sweeping changes to forever alter campus life without thorough discussion between all relevant stakeholders is contradictory to the NCAA’s mission to “ensure fair competition from every participant.”

Therefore, we respectfully request that members of the council demand that any conversation related to the Division 1 sports sponsorship requirement follow the protocol of legislative procedure that allows for discussion and collaboration.

Our first and most important commitment must continue to be the present and future student athletes. They need us, and the far-reaching benefit of collegiate sports, now more than ever. We stand ready to work with the NCAA to pursue every possible creative avenue to make needed financial sacrifices while still maintaining investment in our student-athletes.

Moving forward, we need creativity over cuts. Time is needed to develop a resourceful strategy to ease budget shortfalls but continue to prioritize our student-athletes.

Sincerely,

Kathy DeBoer, Executive Director

American Volleyball Coaches Association

Robert Kehoe, Director of Collegiate Programs

United Soccer Coaches

Mike Moyer, Executive Director

National Wrestling Coaches Association

Greg Earhart, Executive Director

College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America