Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 10, 1990 TAG: 9005100273
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The immediate impact, if the proposal is adopted, would be to allow collegians who still have athletic eligibility to declare themselves available for the NFL or NBA draft, but then go back and play in school if they do not make it to the pros.
"It's a drastic change from the present rules of amateurism," said Rick Evrard, the NCAA's director of legislative services.
Evrard explained that colleges had defined amateurism the same way since the turn of the century: If a player declared his intent to play for money - by entering his name in a draft, for instance - he would lose any remaining playing eligibility and, in effect, his amateur standing.
If adopted, the new rule would have its greatest impact on pro football and basketball, but not on baseball and hockey, sports in which players have more maneuverability.
Basketball, like football, requires the athlete declare himself available for the draft. In baseball, a player can be drafted out of high school, but can decide he does not want to play and then is not drafted again until after he plays three years of college.
In hockey, not all college players who are drafted are asked to turn pro immediately. Many finish their college careers.
Prompted by the fact that only 18 of the 38 who declared themselves eligible for this year's NFL draft were chosen, the NCAA's professional sports liaison committee voted last month to recommend the rules change.
The proposal will be submitted to the NCAA Council in August. But even if adopted, it is unlikely to affect the 20 juniors who were not selected in this year's draft.
by CNB