October 27, 2011

AUTHOR OF CT’S STUDENT ATHLETE “RIGHT TO KNOW”
LAW HAILS NCAA SCHOLARSHIP REFORMS
Four-year athletic scholarships OK’d

Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) hailed the NCAA’s decision to change its policy on athletic scholarships.

Since 1973, NCAA policy has been that athletic scholarships are binding for one year only, subject to renewal. Today, NCAA officials approved multi-year scholarships up to the full term of eligibility, though one-year grants will remain the minimum.

“This is incredible news,” said rep. Dillon. “The NCAA has made an important first step in fairness to student athletes here in Connecticut and around the country.”

The NCAA announced reforms to its scholarship policy following a meeting of the Division I Board of Directors.

Connecticut this year enacted groundbreaking legislation (PA 11-92), authored by Rep. Dillon, that requires schools to clearly disclose to student athletes the fine print of their scholarship agreements. The legislation standardizes the information that schools must disclose to recruits and their families concerning such issues as sports-related medical expenses and the fine print of their scholarship agreements.

Rep. Dillon said, “The Connecticut Student Athlete Right to Know Law was born from the fact that many recruits don’t get the information they need to make an informed choice about their future. They were led to believe that athletic scholarships were binding for four years, when in fact – up until now – they were binding for one year only.”