Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Corner: Summer Student-Athlete Workouts
5/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
May 29, 2014
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Over the next month many student-athletes in all 24 sports will be reporting back to campus in order to enroll in summer classes and/or participate in voluntary summer workouts with the Indiana University Strength and Conditioning Staff. In addition to voluntary workouts, the NCAA rules have recently changed in the sports of Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Football to allow head and assistant coaches to conduct required summer workouts for both incoming and returning student-athletes in these sports.
Men’s Basketball was the first sport to adopt this new “summer access” model allowing for coaches to work with their student-athletes for a limited timeframe during the summer months. We are now entering the third summer of required activities for Men’s Basketball, with Women’s Basketball and Football following suit in each of the next two summers, respectively.
What does this mean for student-athletes in Basketball and Football?
- Workouts are limited to eight (8) weeks. Weeks do not have to be consecutive or the same declared weeks for each student-athlete.
- Only Eight (8) hours per week of required athletic activities may occur.
- BASKETBALL: Two (2) hour weekly limit of skill instruction (i.e. on-court activities with a basketball).
- FOOTBALL: Two (2) hour weekly limit of film review and position meetings. “Walk-throughs,” on-field skill instruction, or activities involving football equipment (i.e. footballs, pads, helmets) are not permitted.
- All remaining weekly hours may include required weight training and conditioning activities.
- Head and assistant coaches may be present during any or all required activities.
- All activities that occur in addition to the maximum of eight (8) hours must be considered voluntary. Head and assistant coaches may NOT be present for voluntary workouts.
- IU may not publicize or conduct any required summer workouts in view of the general public.
- The NCAA has established academic and/or summer enrollment criteria for student-athletes participating in required workouts.
- INCOMING STUDENT-ATHLETES: MUST be enrolled in at least 6 credits of summer classes and may only participate in required activities during the time period in which they are enrolled.
- RETURNING STUDENT-ATHLETES: Must meet NCAA established benchmarks to “opt out” of taking summer classes. Otherwise, the NCAA mandates that returning student-athletes must be enrolled in summer classes in order to participate.
- Athletics scholarships paying tuition, fees, room, board and books may extend through the summer for scholarship student-athletes enrolled in summer classes.
As one would imagine, summer is an important time both academically and athletically for Indiana University student-athletes. The IU Athletics Compliance Offices hopes this information provides a brief snapshot into the life of a student-athlete, even during the “off-season.” If you have questions regarding the information presented above or have ANY compliance related questions, please do not hesitate to contact the IU Athletics Compliance Office (iucomply@indiana.edu or visit the IU Compliance Website).
The Athletics Compliance Office thanks you for your continued assistance and support in helping the Indiana University Athletics Department play by the rules!
