In an executive order signed hours before the women’s Final Four tipped off one of the biggest weekends in college sports, Donald Trump went took aim at collegiate eligibility rules, transfers and the soaring costs associated with competing at the college level.
The order calls on federal agencies to ensure schools are following the rules and threatens to cut federal funding if they don't.
Trump’s latest order was his second since last July and it included a laundry list of proposed fixes, many of which lawmakers and college leaders have been pushing for since the approval of a $2.8 billion settlement changed the face of games that were once played by pure amateurs.
One of the more specific demand in this latest order focuses on eligibility limits, calling for “a five-year participation window,” that limits athletes to one transfer with one more available once they get a four-year degree.
“I’m extremely supportive of the President’s order,” Cody Campbell, the Texas Tech regent and billionaire who is helping shape policy, told the Associated Press. “I’m very excited that we’re making progress and look forward to continued work in the (Congress) to permanently preserve a system that’s done so much for America.”
Another area of concern addressed by the order lies in the need to protect women's and Olympic sports.
Commissioners from the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 all released statements on social media Friday evening unanimously thanking Trump for his executive action. All of the commissioners were grateful for the action taken by Trump.
Big 10 Commissioner Tony Petitti wrote, "The Big Ten Conference would like to thank President Trump for his leadership and continuing efforts to protect college athletics and joins him in urging Congress to quickly pass legislation addressing the critical issues undermining its long-term stability.
"Consistent with President Trump’s executive order, the bipartisan SCORE Act thoughtfully addresses name, image, and likeness for student-athletes, protecting academic and athletic opportunities provided through women’s and Olympic sports programs, and expands resources to support student-athletes on and off the field.
"We will continue to work with a broad coalition of college sports stakeholders and members of Congress to enact this legislation."
