Proposal seeks athletes' rights

Bob Timmons, a retired track coach, has proposed an NCAA Student-Athletes' Bill of Rights.
By JAYME RAMSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association exists to preserve the welfare of student-athletes. However, in light of NCAA actions and the occurrence of the word "athlete" too-often being taking out of student-athlete, a man with a plan decided to take action.
Bob Timmons, a retired track and field coach from the University of Kansas, has proposed the NCAA Student-Athletes' Bill of Rights, a researched publication sent to the presidents of every NCAA member institution.
Refocusing
In an attempt to refocus the NCAA's attention on the welfare of student-athletes, Timmons filled the 64-page publication with a rationale for accepting the Bill of Rights, documents that show how some NCAA actions have adversely affected student-athletes, and examples of violations the NCAA has punished schools for; incidents that he claims are injustices to student-athletes.
NCAA Rule 2.2 states "intercollegiate athletic programs shall be conducted in a manner designed to protect and enhance the physical and educational welfare of student-athletes."
Timmons coached track and field for 24 years at the University of Kansas and experienced the silencing effect the NCAA can have on university athletics and how sometimes NCAA decisions do not "protect and enhance the physical and educational welfare of student-athletes."
Indiana incident
One example is what happened at Indiana University in 1960. The university's football team violated NCAA recruiting policies and the NCAA subsequently imposed a four-year post-season ban on every sport at Indiana University. Chet Jastremski and other future U.S. Swimming stars were on the Indiana swim team at the time and were banned from competing in the national championships during their collegiate careers. Jastremski competed in the Olympics and broke numerous world records during his career.
Violations similar to the Indiana incident are only some of the reasons for Timmons' proposal.
Student-athletes and coaches that are affected by NCAA policies and rulings do not have a voice in the NCAA but the presidents of their universities do because they are direct members of the NCAA.
The office of Youngstown State University president Dr. David Sweet sent the Timmons publication to YSU Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo. Strollo will review the information and discuss it with Sweet. The members of the Horizon League conference will come to a conclusion and send their opinion to the NCAA.
Long process
Strollo admitted the process involved in these situations is long but also said, "We're here for the student-athlete and anything that can help the student-athlete grow as a person and academically we're going to be in favor of."
The student-athletes at NCAA member institutions are represented by members of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). According to the Mid-American Conference SAAC representative Kelly Given, the bill was not on the agenda at last month's national conference. However Given intends to discuss the idea with members of the MAC and has already e-mailed the proposal to members of the SAAC national committees.
Timmons met with University of Kansas chancellor Robert Hemenway, a member of the NCAA's executive committee, earlier this month. The meeting is consistent with Timmons' goal of working with the NCAA, not against it.
"I intend to give the NCAA a copy of everything I find," said Timmons. "I don't intend to fight the NCAA because I'm not an opponent of the NCAA."
jramson@vindy.com