Editor's Note: The ACC voted to withdraw Proposal 2003-88 (prohibit the printing of media guides) from voting by the NCAA membership. Historically, when a sponsor withdraws its own proposal from consideration, that particular item is not voted on by the membership.
However, if another league feels strongly enough about proceeding with a vote on proposal 2003-88, it could (at this stage) request that a membership vote be taken - and it would. However, generally when a sponsor withdraws it own proposal, that issue is not considered.
The ACC voted to withdraw Proposal 2003-88 (prohibit the printing of media guides) from voting by the NCAA membership. Historically, when a sponsor withdraws its own proposal from consideration, that particular item is not voted on by the membership.
However, if another league feels strongly enough about proceeding with a vote on proposal 2003-88, it could (at this stage) request that a membership vote be taken - and it would. However, generally when a sponsor withdraws it own proposal, that issue is not considered.
Many Division I SIDs have been pondering what they will do for next fall’s sports if 03-32 (the elimination of media guides as a recruiting tool) and/or 03-88 (the elimination of the printing of media guides) passes in at the end of April.
Below are some frequently asked questions that have been reviewed and answered by the Membership Services Staff, who have been in on some of the recruiting deregulation discussions. The answers below are not formal interpretations by the Legislative Review Interpretations Sub Committee, but as a quick reference to start planning for the next year. SIDs would have to work through their conferences or through Membership Services for formal rulings.
Questions regarding the potential new rules regarding the abolishment of printed media guides.
Regarding the web
1. Can the web-posted media guides use color? Currently, the NCAA Division I rule is that only the front and back covers, inside and outside, can be in color.
Answer: In the web environment, color would no longer be restricted.
2. Can the web-poster media guides be changed within the season to reflect things such as roster moves, departmental changes, and coaching changes? Currently, the rule in NCAA Division I is that only one media guide per sport per year.
Answer: This specific issue wasn’t discussed, but obviously the benefit of an electronic version would be to allow for real-time modification.
3. Can web-posted media guides contain media not normally found in media guides such as active video and audio?
Answer: Active audio/video would continue to be precluded unless Proposal 03-36 (Recruiting Materials- Video/Audio Materials) is adopted.
4. Can web-posted media guides contain weblinks to other sections of a website imbedded within the guide, such as email links for coaches in their biographies, or links to player webstories on their bio pages.
Answer: Weblinks would be permissible provide audio/video is not included (unless 03-36 is adopted).
5. Do web-posted media guides have to conform to normal page sizes for media guides, or can they become poster-sized?
Answer: Typical page size restrictions have been rendered moot in a web environment, but this issue hasn’t been discussed specifically.
6. Can a university provide the links for the software necessary to view the web-posted media guide?
Answer: Yes.
7. Can the web-posted media guide be emailed to recruits and/or media members?
Answer: Both proposal would allow permit the media guides to be e-mailed to prospects.
8. Can the links to the web-posted media guide be emailed to recruits and/or media members?
9. Can the web-posted media guide links be emailed to friends and family of a recruit?
Answer 8 and 9: This would be considered general correspondence to prospects and would be permissible.
Regarding CDs
1. Can a CD be burned with the media guide on as well as any other files, such as pictures, logos, and video, and if so, can those pictures, logos, and videos can in color?
Answer: The intent of the proposals was in part to limit production costs so they stipulate web or e-mail delivery only.
Reproduction of web-posted media guides and CDs
1. Can the page printouts of the web-posted media guides be given to the media?
Answer: Yes, pursuant to 03-32, but no under 03-88.
2. Can the page printouts of the web-posted media guides be given to recruits?
3. Can the page printouts of the web-posted media guides be accessible in a binder or otherwise, for recruits to look at during a campus visit?
Answer to 2 and 3: It is intended under either proposal that prospects will not receive a hard copy of a media guide or a section of the media guide.
4. Can the page printouts of the web-posted media guides be utilized in any fashion for postseason awards publicity?
Answer: Certainly given without more facts