Before the cross country and track and field committee's this December Ben Thomas is proposing to limiting the maximum of distance scholarships spent to 5 men and 6 women. How could this affect the teams on the NCAA cross country podium in coming years? It could drastically change the sport and set interesting precedents in the coming years.
Proposal:
USTFCCCA Division I Track & Field Submitted Proposals – For Distribution
Ben Thomas, Virginia Tech,
Proposal For Scholarship Equity In M/W NCAA Division I Cross Country
I propose that all schools participating in NCAA DIV I Cross Country can declare a roster maximum of 5.0 scholarships for men and 6.0 scholarships for women †(including all countable athletic aid). The 5.0/6.0 scholarship figure is what the NCAA currently allows Cross Country only programs for men/women. These scholarships would come from the current allotment of 12.6MEN/18WOMEN allowed for schools sponsoring Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field.
The counter roster (all scholarship kids) must be set prior to the first countable competition weekend (Sep. 9 for fall 2016). Walkâ€ons could be added later in the season.
This counter roster cannot change after the first countable competition weekend (Sep. 9), and the total countable athletic aid total cannot exceed the 5.0/6.0max limit. Schools could choose to have less than the max limits