Troy, N.Y. - A coordinated effort to stop an NCAA proposal to eliminate the waiver that allows Division III schools sponsoring a Division I sport to offer athletics scholarships was announced today following a meeting of the athletics directors from seven of the eight institutions affected by the proposal.

Athletics directors from Clarkson University (Sean T. Frazier), Colorado College (Joel Nielsen), Hartwick College (Betty Powell), Johns Hopkins University (Tom Calder), Rensselaer (Ken Ralph), Rutgers University-Newark (John K. Adams), and St. Lawrence University (Margie Strait) joined in the discussion today at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y., to coordinate a strategy to defeat the proposed rule change. Nielsen and Adams took part via telephone.

The group reaffirmed the academic excellence and strong traditions and history that have been attached to their various programs. Discussion also centered on the importance of these particular programs to their local communities. The group also focused on the importance of raising the awareness of this issue among all interested parties.

"We had a very productive meeting, and are confident that we have a strategy that will benefit all of our institutions," said Ralph of Rensselaer. "We are committed to working together to ensure that all parties understand what is at stake here, and to develop alternatives to proposals now on the table."

The NCAA proposal in question is part of a sweeping package of reforms aimed at Division III athletics departments including adjusting playing seasons, financial aid and recruiting. As noted in the NCAA statement when the reform package was approved, "the [President's] Council also noted that its word was not the last on any of these proposals since the membership has the next five months to consider the merits of the proposals, including the amendment-to-amendment process, before it will vote on them at the 2004 NCAA Convention. The Council further noted that it would be communicating with the eight affected Division III institutions that give scholarship aid in their Division I programs and receiving their feedback to its October meeting."

The proposal, announced in August, is scheduled to be discussed at an October meeting of the NCAA President's Council. Unless the proposal is withdrawn, it is scheduled for a vote by the 424 Division III institutions at a NCAA Convention in January in Nashville, Tenn.

CONTACT: Clarkson University: Chris Ritter at (315) 268-6487
Colorado College: Lisa Ellis at (719) 389-6466
Hartwick: Rob Clark at (607) 431-4031
Johns Hopkins: Dennis O'Shea at (410) 516-7109
Rensselaer: Theresa Bourgeois at (518) 276-2840 or Kevin Beattie at 276-2187
Rutgers-Newark: John Stallings at (973) 353-5474
St. Lawrence: Lisa Cania at (315) 229-5567

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu