MAC approves plan to reduce time obligations for student-athletes

The Mid-American Conference has adopted four proposals designed to lessen the time obligations for student-athletes for the 2017-18 academic year.

Here are the new rules:

►Establish a two-week time off period from required athletics activity following the end of a championship season segment.

►Require student-athletes that are out of season to have a week off with no athletics obligations at the beginning of each semester.

►Prohibit athletics obligations between away-from-home travel and practice for at least eight hours following the return to campus.

►Require practice schedules be shared with student-athletes weekly and followed by coaching staffs, and, if changes are required, they must be known by student-athletes 24 hours prior to the scheduled practice time.

“I am pleased with this outcome as our students took the initiative to put forth proposals and engaged in in-depth conversations with our governance groups,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement. “I applaud our administrators for their collaborative efforts in working with the students to address issues raised relative to time obligations. The end result should be an enhanced experience, academically, athletically, and socially for Mid-American Conference students who participate in athletics.”

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced his approval.

“The MAC has taken some important steps to help student-athletes balance their time and take full advantage of their college experience," Emmert said in a statement.

"I’m especially impressed with how the conference worked with its student-athletes on these changes and help strengthen the opportunities that come through college sports. I believe these changes could serve as a model for the NCAA and its members to consider as we promote fairness for student-athletes.”

Nationally, this discussion will continue throughout the 2016-17 academic year as autonomous legislation is expected to be presented and reviewed at the 2017 NCAA Convention in Nashville in January.

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