Cavalier Corner

Dec. 2019

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28 CAVALIER CORNER On October 29, 2019, the NCAA Board of Governors ap- proved for each NCAA Division to review and develop proposals for their membership to vote on regarding the use of a student-athlete(s) name, image and/or likeness. Recent media reports suggested the NCAA will permit student-athletes to immediately benefit from their name, image or likeness. Those reports are inaccurate and mis - leading. Each NCAA Division will develop proposals for their membership vote. The following principles and guidelines will be considered when developing the proposals: • Student-athletes should be treated similarly to non-athlete students • Education and the collegiate experience remain priorities for student-athlete success • Rules developed by the membership are enforce - able and maintain fair and balanced competition • There are clear lines of distinction between colle- giate and professional opportunities • Student-athletes may not be compensated for ath- letics performance or participation • Student-athletes are students, not employees of an institution • We will enhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity • We will create an environment in which recruiting influences or inducements are not the reason a student-athlete selects, remains or transfers to a specific institution. The NCAA Board of Governors requested that proposals and rules begin to be developed immediately for review. The earliest any proposal can be effective is January 2021. Stay tuned over the course of the next year to see how this develops for UVA student-athletes. Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Update Eric Baumgartner, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance compliance corner Last year, Virginia notched its sixth top-10 finish of the decade in the Direc- tor's Cup, which measures the top ath- letic programs nationally. Along the way, the Cavaliers captured two more ACC championships — bringing its league- best total since the spring of 2002 to 81 (now 82 after men's soccer's crown this fall) — and a pair of national titles (the 26th and 27th in school history). And none of it would have possible if not for the generous contributions of Virginia Athletics Foundation members. "Every one wants to compete for championships — every conference, every school, including UVA," Virginia director of athletics Carla Williams said. "It is a super competitive endeavour. "We have a responsibility and an obli - gation to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia, the University of Virginia and the athletics department at the highest levels. And we want to out-pace our com- petitors and differentiate Virginia. The scholarship dollars allow us to do that." Since 1948, raising money to support scholarships for UVA student-athletes has been the core mission of the VAF. As the needs of the athletics department have expanded over the decades to include facility and operational budget support from private contributions, the VAF has always remained dedicated to provid - ing maximum support for scholarships. "Without a fully funded scholarship program, our head coaches would be at a competitive disadvantage," VAF executive director Dirk Katstra said. "If they're not able to offer a full complement of scholarships that other schools are, then they won't have the top-quality stu- dent-athletes they need in order to compete at this high level of competition." The VAF currently funds 316.6 scholarships, which is the maximum number allowed by the NCAA for the varsity sports it offers. The cost of those scholarships will exceed $20 million in 2019-20. That is an increase of more than 100 percent from 2005-2006, the last time VAF increased its giving levels, far outpacing the growth in funds raised to support UVA athlet - ics. As a result, there is a shortfall in funding for scholarships. Each year, the VAF Board of Trustees evaluates the giving levels to review the contribution requirements and associ - ated benefits. In February, in an effort to close the scholarship funding gap, the Board approved the first giving level increase since 2006. This increase will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, and will affect all associated ben - efits beginning in the 2020-21 academic year. "This decision was not made with- out intense deliberation, analysis and discussion of other options," Katstra said. "In order to remain committed to funding all scholarships allowed by the NCAA in each of our sports, we must raise more money through our Annual Fund. "We realize that increases to our giv - ing levels may create additional finan- cial burdens on some of our donors, which is why the Board has delayed any increase as long as possible, despite fac- ing annual tuition increases." In addition to giving UVA the ability to compete at the highest levels in athletics, the scholarship funding allows student-athletes — who might not otherwise get the opportunity — to enjoy a world-class academic experi - ence. In addition to its athletic successes last year, UVA graduated 146 student-athletes and amassed 1,382 volunteer hours in over 93 programs. "An athletics scholarship literally changed my life," Williams noted. "… I would not be here in this position today but for donors giving an athletic scholarship to me. It changes lives." *Cost of attendance (travel expenses, personal expenses, and school supplies) not included in scholarship cost until 2015-16 Annual Giving Levels To Increase In 2020

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