On Sept. 1, 2015, the Big Ten proposed legislation that would amend the age at which a player qualifies for four years of eligibility. Here’s the language of the proposed amendment:
AMATEURISM AND ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY — DELAYED ENROLLMENT — SEASONS OF COMPETITION AND FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY — MEN’S ICE HOCKEY
Intent: In men’s ice hockey, to specify that an individual who does not enroll in an NCAA institution that sponsors Division I men’s ice hockey as a full-time student in a regular academic term during a two-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete’s country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate competition and a year of his five-year period of eligibility for each subsequent year in which the individual does not enroll in such an institution.
A. Bylaws: Amend 12.8.3.2, as follows:
12.8.3.2 Delayed Enrollment — Seasons of Competition.
12.8.3.2.1 Sports Other Than Men’s Ice Hockey, Skiing and Tennis. In sports other than men’s ice hockey, skiing and tennis, a student-athlete who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in a regular academic term during a one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete’s country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be subject to the following:
[12.8.3.2.1-(a) through 12.8.3.2.1-(b) unchanged.]
[12.8.3.2.1.1 through 12.8.3.2.1.3 unchanged.]
12.8.3.2.2 Men’s Ice Hockey. In men’s ice hockey, an individual who does not enroll in an NCAA institution that sponsors Division I men’s ice hockey as a full-time student in a regular academic term during a two-year period after his high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete’s country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate competition and a year of his five-year period of eligibility for each subsequent year in which the individual does not enroll in such an institution.
[12.8.3.2.2 renumbered as 12.8.3.2.3, unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 12.8.3.5, as follows:
12.8.3.5 Participation After 21st Birthday — Men’s Ice Hockey and Skiing. In men’s ice hockey and skiing, any participation as an individual or a team representative in organized sports competition by a student during each 12-month period after the student’s 21st birthday and prior to initial full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution shall count as one year of varsity competition in that sport. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the U.S. armed services shall be excepted.
Source: Big Ten Conference
Effective Date: August 1, 2017
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Amateurism
Rationale: In men’s ice hockey, it is not uncommon for individuals to delay collegiate enrollment while continuing to participate in organized ice hockey. Such individuals can then enroll prior to their 21st birthday and still maintain four seasons of competition. As a result, it is not uncommon for men’s ice hockey rosters to include 20- or 21-year-old freshmen and upperclassmen who are reaching their mid-twenties. This recommended change is an attempt to more closely align men’s hockey with the traditional collegiate model, while respecting the relationship with and importance of the U.S. junior hockey system in the development of athletes.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student-Athlete’s Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
