INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA's five largest conferences approved sweeping changes in everything from medical care to basketball during the holidays on Friday, dashing through the agenda with little opposition and virtually no debate.
Extended medical benefits for former athletes, a three-day break for basketball players over the holiday season, more money for student hosts, and allowing men's hockey players to receive before enrolling in college without losing eligibility were all approved. The Division I autonomy group passed all four measures - and 11 in all - in just 35 minutes at the NCAA's annual convention.
"It's a great day, all the proposals passed," said Taylor Ricci, a former gymnast and undergraduate assistant coach at Oregon State who serves on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.