In an attempt to lessen time demands on college athletes, the commissioners of the five power conferences released a proposal Thursday that, if enacted, would legislate more time away from their sports during the academic year.
The plan calls for 21 more days in the academic year in which athletes are free of required athletic activities, seven of which would take place at the conclusion of the season. The remaining 14 days can be applied during or outside the season.
NCAA rules already require one day off during the season and two per week out of season. The plan, called Flex 21, would add 21 more days off to that structure and possibly be even more restricting on time demands.
For instance, during the season, a travel day can be considered an off day, but the proposal would prohibit that.
The proposals followed a survey of almost 50,000 Division I coaches, athletics administrators and athletes on time demands. Interestingly, in the survey, a majority of athletes did not find traveling on a day off to be appropriate, while a large majority of coaches were comfortable with that interpretation.
The proposal would appear to be a considerable advancement for the welfare of college athletes, a topic that has gained importance in recent years, as witnessed by the cost-of-attendance stipends that Division I scholarship athletes have been eligible to receive since the 2015-16 academic year.
The proposal is an agreement in concept by the membership of the Power 5 conferences. Each conference can adjust it as it sees fit before making a formal proposal to the NCAA before its January convention.
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