Jan. 20, 2017 Boilermaker Athletic Council
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue student-athletes will soon see changes to their schedules, giving them, in most cases, at least an additional 21 days away from athletics so they can study, pursue an internship, or get additional rest and recovery.
The changes are the result of a vote taken by a group of student-athlete representatives and administrators of the Autonomy Five conferences Friday at the annual NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of these reforms is to enhance the student-athlete experience so these individuals can spend more time engaging in non-athletic activities on campus.
The changes, known as "Flex 21" will give these student-athletes, in most cases, at least an additional 21 days in which they are free from required athletic activities during the academic year. Flex 21 days are in addition to current rules related to time off.
"We expect our student-athletes to excel in multiple ways, so it's a real positive that this reform provides the opportunity to better balance their academic and athletic endeavors," Purdue athletics director Mike Bobinski said. "In addition, the hope is that time will be available to pursue other interests and simply rest and recover in a healthier manner. Our coaches, many of whom are former student-athletes at this level themselves, certainly understand and appreciate the value of this legislation."
Recognizing that every sport has different needs, the proposal includes flexibility so coaches, student-athletes and athletics directors can develop an appropriate student-athlete time management plan that best suits each sport. The changes are the result of in-person meetings and survey feedback from student-athletes, head coaches, faculty and athletics administrators.
"Flex 21 will allow Boilermaker student-athletes to have more time to recover both mentally and physically," said Christa Szalach, president of the Boilermaker Athletic Council and soccer player who completed her eligibility last fall. "This substantial extra time away from our sports will also encourage more student-athletes to get involved with extracurricular activities and prepare themselves for their careers upon graduating from Purdue. Whether it be internships, becoming involved with campus organizations, or simply taking more time to focus on academics, I think this will tremendously benefit our student-athletes.
"Some of our athletes have voiced the concern that these extra 21 days off are not necessary and might hurt them in the long run due to the training demands of their individual sports. But I think this change allows athletes to truly have an 'optional' practice if that is what they feel is best for their personal progress at the time. I am confident that Purdue student-athletes will do what is right for them and use this extra time off in the best way possible."
The changes apply to four time periods:
In Season: Beyond Flex 21, every student-athlete playing a sport will have at least one day a week free from sports, including travel, during the season. While current rules require one day off per week, teams may currently use travel days to meet that requirement. The new legislation recognizes that individual circumstances may require a flexible approach in its application, but is intended to provide these student-athletes with more time away from athletic activities (e.g., travel delays, etc.).
Overnight: In addition, student-athletes will have a consecutive eight-hour block of free time overnight, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Academic Year: To allow student-athletes to engage in other collegiate activities, each student-athlete will be provided at least 14 additional days during the academic year during which there would be no required athletic activity. These days off may take place either during the playing season or outside the playing season when classes are in session.
Postseason: Under the plan, all student-athletes will be free of required athletic activities for at least one week (seven consecutive days) at the conclusion of their season in order to provide additional rest and recovery. Exceptions would exist for student-athletes participating in elite national/international events. For spring teams that end their season in summer break, the seven-day period is not necessary as the summer break would accomplish the goal of this requirement - recovery directly after the season.
To implement the changes and to assist student-athletes in managing their time, head coaches and athletics directors will be required to develop a time management plan that would provide adequate notice of all scheduled athletic activities as well as any subsequent changes to that schedule. Further, the plan must also provide an opportunity for these student-athletes to collaborate with their coaches in scheduling such required athletic activities. The definition of "required athletic activities" is intended to be broader than the current definition of countable hours which includes activities such as practice, games, and conditioning. For example, this expanded definition would include, but not be limited to, activities such as media requirements and mandatory community service.
The five autonomy conferences that voted to change the time balance requirements are the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12 and SEC.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue student-athletes will soon see changes to their schedules, giving them, in most cases, at least an additional 21 days away from athletics so they can study, pursue an internship, or get additional rest and recovery.
The changes are the result of a vote taken by a group of student-athlete representatives and administrators of the Autonomy Five conferences Friday at the annual NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of these reforms is to enhance the student-athlete experience so these individuals can spend more time engaging in non-athletic activities on campus.
The changes, known as "Flex 21" will give these student-athletes, in most cases, at least an additional 21 days in which they are free from required athletic activities during the academic year. Flex 21 days are in addition to current rules related to time off.
"We expect our student-athletes to excel in multiple ways, so it's a real positive that this reform provides the opportunity to better balance their academic and athletic endeavors," Purdue athletics director Mike Bobinski said. "In addition, the hope is that time will be available to pursue other interests and simply rest and recover in a healthier manner. Our coaches, many of whom are former student-athletes at this level themselves, certainly understand and appreciate the value of this legislation."
Recognizing that every sport has different needs, the proposal includes flexibility so coaches, student-athletes and athletics directors can develop an appropriate student-athlete time management plan that best suits each sport. The changes are the result of in-person meetings and survey feedback from student-athletes, head coaches, faculty and athletics administrators.
"Flex 21 will allow Boilermaker student-athletes to have more time to recover both mentally and physically," said Christa Szalach, president of the Boilermaker Athletic Council and soccer player who completed her eligibility last fall. "This substantial extra time away from our sports will also encourage more student-athletes to get involved with extracurricular activities and prepare themselves for their careers upon graduating from Purdue. Whether it be internships, becoming involved with campus organizations, or simply taking more time to focus on academics, I think this will tremendously benefit our student-athletes.
"Some of our athletes have voiced the concern that these extra 21 days off are not necessary and might hurt them in the long run due to the training demands of their individual sports. But I think this change allows athletes to truly have an 'optional' practice if that is what they feel is best for their personal progress at the time. I am confident that Purdue student-athletes will do what is right for them and use this extra time off in the best way possible."
The changes apply to four time periods:
In Season: Beyond Flex 21, every student-athlete playing a sport will have at least one day a week free from sports, including travel, during the season. While current rules require one day off per week, teams may currently use travel days to meet that requirement. The new legislation recognizes that individual circumstances may require a flexible approach in its application, but is intended to provide these student-athletes with more time away from athletic activities (e.g., travel delays, etc.).
Overnight: In addition, student-athletes will have a consecutive eight-hour block of free time overnight, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Academic Year: To allow student-athletes to engage in other collegiate activities, each student-athlete will be provided at least 14 additional days during the academic year during which there would be no required athletic activity. These days off may take place either during the playing season or outside the playing season when classes are in session.
Postseason: Under the plan, all student-athletes will be free of required athletic activities for at least one week (seven consecutive days) at the conclusion of their season in order to provide additional rest and recovery. Exceptions would exist for student-athletes participating in elite national/international events. For spring teams that end their season in summer break, the seven-day period is not necessary as the summer break would accomplish the goal of this requirement - recovery directly after the season.
To implement the changes and to assist student-athletes in managing their time, head coaches and athletics directors will be required to develop a time management plan that would provide adequate notice of all scheduled athletic activities as well as any subsequent changes to that schedule. Further, the plan must also provide an opportunity for these student-athletes to collaborate with their coaches in scheduling such required athletic activities. The definition of "required athletic activities" is intended to be broader than the current definition of countable hours which includes activities such as practice, games, and conditioning. For example, this expanded definition would include, but not be limited to, activities such as media requirements and mandatory community service.
The five autonomy conferences that voted to change the time balance requirements are the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12 and SEC.