NCAA Floats Additional Eligibility for Spring Athletes

Ramifications of the COVID-19 response continue for college athletics, as the NCAA is now trying to figure out how to address student-athletes who lost eligibility this spring due to cancellations.

"Council leadership agreed that eligibility relief is appropriate for all Division I student-athletes who participated in spring sports," the Division I Council Coordination Committee said in a statement, according to USA Today. 

In a letter to member schools, the council acknowledged that it will have to address the need for an additional season of competition for those affected, as well as financial aid concerns.

Spring sports include baseball, softball, and men's and women's lacrosse. The letter also said that scholarship relief would be considered for all winter student-athletes, which includes men’s and women’s basketball players who missed out on participating in NCAA tournaments or championships.

USA Today cited an anonymous source who said that the were still “lots of details” to work out before any solutions can be implemented.

"The committee recognizes that student-athletes are making life decisions that will be helped by understanding whether an additional season of competition would be available," the letter said, "and as such, will work in a timely manner to make informed decisions."

While considering options for athletes who have lost eligibility due to cancellations, the NCAA is also suspending all on-campus and off-campus recruiting for all Division I sports through April 15. 

ESPN reports that the ban on recruiting is one more measure the NCAA is putting in place to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. The suspension eliminates unofficial visits through at least April 15.