Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 16, 1994                   TAG: 9408160103
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: OVERLAND PARK, KAN.                                 LENGTH: Medium

ATHLETES MIGHT HAVE MORE SAY-SO

The NCAA already had said it would seek to make athletes the main recipients of legislative regard during its convention in San Diego in January.

The items will be voted upon by NCAA schools, which historically follow the direction of the council.

Much of the legislation came from a special committee's review of welfare, access and equity for athletes.

One committee proposal endorsed by the council would add two athletes to NCAA committees dealing with academic requirements, financial aid and amateurism, minority opportunities, recruiting and women's athletics.

Other legislation forwarded from the special committee and endorsed by the council would prevent schools from reducing financial aid based on the amount of money paid to athletes under the Pell Grant program.

The council said it also would support a proposal that allows schools to give local transportation to athletes in bad weather. Previously, under the so-called extra-benefits rule, schools could not provide transportation for athletes if it was not available to students in general. The relaxed rule would permit transportation to and from residences and classes ``on an occasional basis'' in dangerous situations or bad weather.

Additionally, the council voted to support a proposal allowing athletes to earn as much as $1,500 in outside employment in excess of the full scholarship value. Another suggestion that the council will sponsor, from the minority opportunities and interests committee, would allow schools to participate in the Martin Luther King Classic without it counting against the maximum number of basketball games.

The Division II steering committee of the council will support legislation to ban spring football practice as part of a cost-cutting program.

The council declined to take a stand on most legislation proposed by member schools, including a measure to create a fourth division of major programs. The council will have another opportunity to endorse or oppose legislation when it meets in October.