NCAA talks the talk on Junior College Transfers

Coaches attempting to strengthen teams whether for routine purposes, or to fill gaps caused by transfers, coaching changes, or academic disqualification have increasingly turned towards recruiting players from two-year colleges. This process is often not in the best interests of the student-athletes involved, and has placed several Universities in hot water, most recently the University of New Mexico. This is one of several issues upon which the NCAA is now talking the talk. Do not hold your breath on them walking the walk:

Division I Academic Cabinet members determined that transfers from two-year colleges, nontraditional coursework and academic support services at institutions are among their top priorities in the coming months.

The new cabinet met for the first time September 8-9 in Indianapolis.

One of the major issues the group will tackle will be the challenges presented by student-athletes who transfer from a two-year to a four-year institution.

Cabinet members will examine the recommendations of the Division I Transfer Issues Ad Hoc Group, and consider items like additional core-course requirements for 2-4 transfers, the idea of an academic year in residence and other recommendations. The cabinet emphasized the importance of data on which to base decisions, and went so far as to ask the Committee on Academic Performance to collect more data related to the academic profile of a successful 2-4 transfer.

The group would also like to learn more about nontraditional coursework on campuses, including best practices, and academic support programs available to student-athletes. The cabinet identified a few members to work with the NCAA research staff and representatives from academic partner organizations on developing a survey to find out more about academic support programs in Division I.

Cabinet members also said they would focus on student-athlete time demands and degree-selection issues.