Sports briefs
NCAA Council to vote on added eligibility
The NCAA Division I Council is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to allow another year of eligibility for spring sport athletes such as baseball, softball and lacrosse players, who had their seasons wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
Providing similar relief to winter sport athletes, such as basketball and hockey players and wrestlers, will also be considered. According to a memo recently sent to college sports administrators from the NCAA, there does not appear to be support for that.
“(W)inter sports had either concluded their regular season competition or substantially concluded their regular season competition,” said the memo, a portion of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
Division II has already approved legislation to provide an extra season of eligibility and financial aid for its spring sport athletes, according to the memo.
Around Division I, conference-level discussions on the subject of restoring eligibility have been ongoing.
The Division I Council has representatives from all 32 conferences. After it votes, the Division I Board of Directors, made up of mostly university presidents and chancellors, will have the opportunity to weigh in and could kick it back to the council for further consideration.
While there is momentum toward giving spring athletes another year of eligibility, there are plenty of administrators with reservations.
“I know I could capably argue either side of it,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Thursday during a conference call with reporters.
NCAA bylaws regarding scholarship limits would have to be worked around, which becomes especially tricky in the many sports where most players do not receive full scholarships. Paying for those extra scholarships is potentially costly for schools.
Bowlsby said with so much unknown regarding the outbreak and when sports will be able to resume, delaying a decision on giving back eligibility might be the best option.
Second Avalanche player tests positive
The Colorado Avalanche say a second player has tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The team said it was informed Friday night and the player is in self-isolation.
In their statement Saturday, the Avalanche say those who came in close contact with the player have been informed and remain isolated.
The team says no other Avalanche player or staff member has shown symptoms at this time.
The unidentified player has become the fourth known NHL player to test positive for the virus. The other two are with Ottawa.