NCAA Grants Waiver of Non-DI Schedule Rule, Forfeited Games Will be Played
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference has learned the NCAA Division I Subcommittee for Legislative Relief (SLR) has granted a blanket waiver of Bylaw 20.9.8.1, allowing the league to play what had presumed to be forfeited men’s and women’s basketball games. The NCAA reached out to the Southland and other affected conferences late last week regarding the Bylaw, offering a waiver opportunity that temporarily sets aside the rule’s limits on the number of allowable contests in a season against non-Division I teams.
The SLR, part of the Division I Legislative Council, met Thursday morning at the NCAA Convention in San Diego, reviewed the request and issued the waiver. The subcommittee has the authority to review rules issues that come from extenuating circumstances and have a reasonably demonstrated widespread impact.
“We are very pleased the NCAA staff and the SLR saw fit to review this issue, and that our student-athletes aren’t harmed by the possibilities of forfeitures,” Southland Commissioner Tom Burnett said. “The Southland’s Executive Committee has reviewed the outcome of the waiver request, and has rescinded its previous actions, and we are excited that all games we planned to cancel, or were canceled, will be played fully as scheduled or rescheduled.”
NCAA Bylaw 20.9.8.1 states: “An institution may schedule and play not more than four basketball games, including any contest (e.g., scrimmage, exhibition), in an academic year against institutions that are not members of Division I. (Revised: 3/1/12)” This language is also reinforced by Southland Operating Code 3.02.02 (Non-Division I Opponents).
Southeastern Louisiana’s women’s team has played three non-Division I teams this season, an exhibition game against William Carey (Miss.), and regular-season contests vs. Mobile (Ala.) and Grand Canyon (Ariz.), a program that’s transitioning into Division I but is not yet a countable DI opponent.
Oral Roberts’ men’s team has played four non-Division I teams this season, exhibition games against Northwood (Texas) and Rogers State (Okla.), and then regular season games against Cameron (Okla.) and Dallas Baptist. Stephen F. Austin men’s team has played three non-Division I teams this season, an exhibition game against Arkansas Tech, and regular season games against Texas-Tyler and Elmhurst (Ill).
The Southland had previously announced four forfeitures to avoid violating the Bylaw, including Southeastern Louisiana’s Jan. 11 women’s game against Abilene Christian. The Conference’s Executive Committee actions mean the forfeiture is no longer recognized, and the two programs will find a suitable date to play the game in Hammond, La., prior to the end of the regular season.
As originally scheduled, Oral Roberts’ men’s team will play at Abilene Christian tonight, and at Incarnate Word on Jan. 18. Also, Stephen F. Austin’s home game with UIW on Feb. 1, will now be played as originally planned.
During the 2013-14 academic year, Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word are not Division I schedule-counters as the new Southland programs transition from Division II. All Southland teams have single games against ACU and UIW in 2013-14, and have had to adjust to the non-countable scheduling aspect of playing these teams. In 2014-15, ACU and UIW will be Division I schedule counters.