JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time in its 155-year history, Edward Waters University (EWU) has become a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The exciting news chronicling EWU’s inclusion as a new member of America’s premiere collegiate athletic association at the Division II level was shared during a university press conference Monday afternoon.

Relatedly, EWU has also officially accepted an invitation to become a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after an 86-year separation. Edward Waters was previously a member of the SIAC from 1930-1935. Notably, Monday’s historic announcement distinctively marks Edward Waters University as the only NCAA Division II Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the State of Florida.

“This incredibly significant achievement is yet another important milestone in our continued ascendancy and transformation towards becoming one of America’s “best-in-class” higher educational institutions of choice,” said EWU President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr.

“Today’s announcement is demonstrable evidence of our progress in realizing our Eminence 2025 strategic vision and aim towards advancing our overall institutional brand and comprehensively raising our collective competitive profile through the platform of athletics,” Dr. Faison said. “This is a truly watershed moment for our entire university community, athletics program and our dynamic student-athletes.”

As a new NCAA Division II member, Edward Waters will begin the first year of a three-year provisional process in August. When all benchmarks are met, the University will be eligible for full membership in the NCAA in August of 2024. Nevertheless, the recent announcement and acceptance of EWU by the NCAA into the NCAA transitional process affords the university and its student-athletes the ability to compete at the NCAA Division II level in all sports effective immediately (i.e., Fall 2021).   

“Our diligent work in this process has brought us to this historic moment in the long and storied history of EWU Athletics,” remarked Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant. “We are overjoyed to be accepted as a provisional member of the NCAA Division II and even more so excited to be returning home to the SIAC.

“The opportunities for success for our athletic programs are endless and we look forward to working with and competing against such storied programs in the conference.”

The addition of Edward Waters will increase the SIAC’s membership to 15 institutions. The conference’s current membership includes Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University.

“We are pleased to welcome back Edward Waters University as a member institution of the SIAC and congratulate President Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., Athletic Director Paul Bryant and the entire EWU community as they make their transition into NCAA membership.” remarked SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore.

The SIAC sponsors 14 championship sports, including six women’s sports (Basketball, Cross Country, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball) and eight men’s sports (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball).

As the second oldest historically black college and university athletic conference, the SIAC has one of the most storied histories in all of the NCAA. Many of the conference’s former athletes and coaches have transcended to larger-than-life characters that continue to be monumental in the world of sports. Furthermore, the chronicles of many SIAC programs have been vital to the foundation of American society.

The SIAC has a rich history on the gridiron, as some of the biggest names in college and professional sports began their careers in the conference. Headlining the list are Pro Football Hall of Famers “Bullet” Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), David “Deacon” Jones (South Carolina State), Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M) and Rayfield Wright (Fort Valley State). Overall, the conference has produced more than 300 NFL players.

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INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Softball Rules Committee, which met virtually last week, proposed implementing video review and allowing coaches to have two video review challenges beginning in the 2021-22 academic year.

There would be no requirement to use the video review rule, but if approved, it would be optional for all schools, conferences and tournaments to implement.

All rules proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss softball recommendations Aug. 12.

Over the past few years, conferences have experimented with video review in conference tournament games, including the Atlantic Coast, Southeastern and Sun Belt conferences during the recently completed 2021 season. Rules committee members have received positive feedback about the experimental rule and are recommending that video review become a permanent aspect of the game.

Under the proposal, each head coach would have two challenges to initiate a review for the entirety of the game. A coach must verbally or visually indicate a challenge request before the next pitch, before the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal fielding position and left fair territory, or before the umpires have left the field of play.

The umpire crew chief also has the discretion to initiate a review of designated plays beginning with the sixth inning of a game.

The following plays can be subject to review via initiation by the crew chief or via a head coach’s challenge:

• Regarding batted balls (any ball higher than the top of the foul pole when it leaves the field cannot have that aspect reviewed):

• Deciding if a batted ball called fair is fair or foul.
• Deciding if a batted ball called foul should be a ground rule double, home run or hit-by-pitch.

• Deciding if a batted ball called fair and ruled not to have left the field of play did leave the field.  
• Regarding pitched balls at the plate:
  • Deciding if a pitch ruled a dropped third strike was caught before the ball touched the ground. 
  • Deciding whether a live or dead ball should be changed to a foul ball.
  • Deciding whether a foul ball should be changed to a foul tip only with no base runners, or if it would result in a third out.
  • Deciding whether a batter is hit by a pitch. 
• Spectator interference. 
• Obstruction and interference (including collisions). 
• Deciding if malicious/flagrant contact occurred. Umpires may initiate this review without requiring a coach’s challenge at any point in the game to ensure student-athlete safety. 
• Timing plays (deciding whether the base runner scored ahead of a third out). 
• Force/tag play calls: Plays involving all runners acquiring the base before the defensive player’s attempt to put the runner out at any base. 
• Blocked or dead ball/placement of runners: Deciding whether a ball not ruled blocked should be ruled blocked, and the proper placement of runners after any blocked or dead ball call. 
• With no base runners, a no catch can be changed to a catch at any time. With runners on base, a no catch can be changed to a catch only if it results in a third out. 

The following criteria would be used in games using video review:

• All equipment should be tested by appropriate personnel before each game.
• A ruling on the field will only be changed if there is indisputable video evidence to reverse the call. Absent that evidence, the original ruling on the field will stand.
• A review must be verbally or visually indicated before the next pitch, before the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal fielding position and left fair territory, or before the umpires leave the field of play.
• Coaches have 30 seconds to verbally or visually lodge a challenge.
• The video review may be conducted on-site by the crew chief or by an off-field official at a centralized video review location.
• If video review is conducted on-site by the crew chief, the video review area shall not require an umpire to walk through spectators or dugouts to view the coverage. At least one umpire must remain on the field.
• During the video review, the defensive team shall maintain its position on the field and may warm up if desired. Offensive base runners and the on-deck hitter shall maintain their position. Other personnel shall remain in the dugout. Any defensive or offensive conferences will be charged as during any other part of the game.
• Once the review is completed, the crew chief will communicate the ruling to both head coaches and the official scorer. This should also be communicated to the broadcasting booth, if applicable, via the umpire who has a microphone. The following rulings are allowed:
  • Ruling on the field is confirmed.
  • Ruling on the field is reversed.
  • Ruling stands due to no indisputable evidence to reverse it.
• If the reversing of a call results in the need for decisions on the placement of base runners, the crew chief shall use good judgment and/or the appropriate rule to determine where to place the runners as if the call had been made correctly.
• The final decision may not be argued by either coach. A coach who argues the final decision shall be immediately ejected.

Team conferences during play

With thoughts of increasing pace and flow of the game, the committee proposed allowing a total of seven charged coach-to-player conferences to occur during a game, beginning with the 2022 season.

Teams would be allowed a maximum of one per half inning. An additional defensive conference would be allowed for each pitching change if that pitcher has not already pitched in the half inning, which would count toward one of the seven allowable conferences.

In addition, teams would be allowed seven charged player-to-player conferences per game with a maximum of two per half inning. 

Time between innings

To further improve the pace and flow of the game, the committee recommended a standard time between innings — 90 seconds — for all games (media or nonmedia) and allowing pitchers to throw any number of warmup pitches during this time.

Hitter’s out of the batter’s box

Committee members recommended that if the umpire rules a hitter is out of the batter’s box at the moment of bat-ball contact, the play would become a dead ball immediately, and a strike would be added to the count. With two strikes, the batter would be declared out, and all runners would return to the base they legally occupied at the time of the pitch. 

Other recommendations

• The committee also recommended adding to the rules book that a runner will be out, including ejected, for a deliberate collision with a fielder regardless of if the fielder has possession of the ball. Also, a runner who slides out of the baseline to slide directly at a fielder may be issued a team warning rather than immediate ejection if the action is not egregious enough to warrant an ejection. The action could result in an additional runner being ruled out if it is deemed interference.  
• Committee members also proposed that the stride foot of the pitcher can be on the lane line/pitcher’s plate at the start of the pitching motion rather than within the pitcher’s plate.  
• The committee recommended standardizing ball specifications with the National Federation of State High School Associations and USA Softball (maximum compression of 275-375 pounds) by Jan. 1, 2024, to improve inventory availability and assist in cost containment.

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INDIANAPOLIS – NCAA college athletes will have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness beginning Thursday. Governance bodies in all three divisions today adopted a uniform interim policy suspending NCAA name, image and likeness rules for all incoming and current student-athletes in all sports.

“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve.”

The policy provides the following guidance to college athletes, recruits, their families and member schools:

• Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities may be a resource for state law questions.
• College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
• Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
• Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

“Today, NCAA members voted to allow college athletes to benefit from name, image and likeness opportunities, no matter where their school is located,” said Division I Board of Directors chair Denise Trauth, president at Texas State. “With this interim solution in place, we will continue to work with Congress to adopt federal legislation to support student-athletes.”

While opening name, image and likeness opportunities to student-athletes, the policy in all three divisions preserves the commitment to avoid pay-for-play and improper inducements tied to choosing to attend a particular school. Those rules remain in effect.

“The new policy preserves the fact college sports are not pay-for-play,” said Division II Presidents Council chair Sandra Jordan, chancellor at the University of South Carolina Aiken. “It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements. It’s important any new rules maintain these principles.”

Division III Presidents Council chair Fayneese Miller, president at Hamline, said the Association will continue to work with Congress to develop a national law that will help colleges and universities, student-athletes and their families better navigate the name, image and likeness landscape.

“The new interim policy provides college athletes and their families some sense of clarity around name, image and likeness, but we are committed to doing more,” Miller said. “We need to continue working with Congress for a more permanent solution.”

The temporary policy will remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted. With the NIL interim policy, schools and conferences may choose to adopt their own additional policies. Click here to access educational materials.

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The NCAA issued this statement Monday following the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision regarding the association’s limits on benefits for athletes related to education:

While today’s decision preserves the lower court ruling, it also reaffirms the NCAA’s authority to adopt reasonable rules and repeatedly notes that the NCAA remains free to articulate what are and are not truly educational benefits, consistent with the NCAA’s mission to support student-athletes. 

 “Even though the decision does not directly address name, image and likeness, the NCAA remains committed to supporting NIL benefits for student-athletes,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “Additionally, we remain committed to working with Congress to chart a path forward, which is a point the Supreme Court expressly stated in its ruling.”

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After losing in the opening game of the D-II College World Series, Wingate (38-13) staved off elimination time after time after time and hung on to take the title

Logan McNeely’s single in the bottom of the fifth brought in McCann Mellett to tie the game at 3-3. McNeely then scored what proved to be the game-winning runoff the Bulldogs when two batters later, Gehrig Christopher’s single brought him home from second.

Sam Broderson earned the win for the Bulldogs. Broderson came into the game in the fifth and gave up no runs or hits in his five innings of work, striking out five and walking only one.

The top-seeded Mules finished the year at 48-7.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) is proud to welcome Johnson University as a full member effective for the 2021-22 season.

Located in Knoxville, Tenn., Johnson gives the AAC 16th full members. The AAC Council of Presidents approved Johnson for membership earlier this spring pending admittance into the NAIA, which was granted during the NAIA Convention in May .

“We are very happy to welcome Johnson University to the AAC,” said Commissioner John Sullivan. “We have watched Johnson grow over the past years to the point that they were ready for the AAC and the NAIA. They bring a sizable and growing number of teams sponsored by the AAC, they sit in the geographic center of our conference, and we have compatible philosophies on the role of college athletics and faith. I know that they are excited to be able to compete for championships in their first year and we look forward to having them.”

Johnson is the fourth member of the AAC from Tennessee, joining Bryan College, Milligan University, and Tennessee Wesleyan University.

“We are so excited about the AAC, and I was personally impressed about so many aspects of the conference,” said Johnson Director of Athletics Brandon Perry. “Obviously, there are great teams to compete against who are in our geographic region. I felt strongly that the AAC gives us a great opportunity for continual athletic department growth because of the great reputation and brand the AAC carries. I love that the leadership is just as concerned with academics and student-athlete as they are concerned with athletic success. However, the thing that impressed me the most was the true sense of partnership shared between the members. Each administrator cares about the well-being of the other institutions. We wanted more than just an athletic conference to compete in. We wanted partnership, and I believe that we have found it in the AAC. We can’t wait to see what the future looks like for Johnson and the AAC.”

Found as the School of Evangelists in 1893, the institution was renamed to Johnson Bible College in 1909 and eventually to Johnson University in 2011. From its beginning, Johnson has been a place of deep faith, consistent prayer, and hard work.

Currently, Johnson sponsors nine intercollegiate athletic programs, all of which will compete in the AAC. Johnson competes in baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball.

Here are more facts about Johnson:

• Enrollment: 774
• Institution website: www.johnsonu.edu
• Athletic website: www.johnsonroyals.com
• Mascot: Royals
• School Colors: Navy, Gray, and White
• President: Dr. Thomas L. Smith

The NAIA recently passed a resolution at the most recent convention to allow first-year members of the association to compete in postseason play. Therefore, Johnson will be able to vie for championships in the AAC and the NAIA immediately.

The AAC has full members in six southeastern states. The other full members included: Bluefield College (Va.), Brenau University (Ga.), Bryan College (Tenn.), Columbia International University (S.C.), Columbia College (S.C.), Kentucky Christian University, Milligan University (Tenn.), Montreat College (N.C.), Point University (Ga.), Reinhardt University (Ga.), SCAD Atlanta (Ga.), St. Andrews University (N.C.), Tennessee Wesleyan University, Truett McConnell University (Ga.) and Union College (Ky.).

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INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel today approved allowing the transmission of live statistics to the bench area for coaching purposes in men’s basketball, beginning with the 2021-22 season.

Conferences have experimented with live stats for the past two seasons and received positive feedback.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee supported an experimental rule for the upcoming season to allow teams to view live video and preloaded video on their bench during conference games only should the conference submit a waiver request for the experimental rule.

If a conference chooses to use this experimental rule, it will be a conference’s decision as to the type of appropriate technology that may be used.

Teams would not be allowed to use the rule in nonconference games.

Teams competing in the 2021 National Invitation Tournament experimented with this expanded use of technology, and the rules committee received positive feedback.

Shot clock

The panel approved allowing shot clocks to have tenths of seconds be displayed next season. It would not be required, but schools could choose to use this optional rule.

Experimental foul-structure rule

During its meeting last month, the Men’s Basketball Rules Committee voted to recommend to the NIT board to use an experimental rule regarding foul structure during the 2022 NIT.

Players could be allowed a maximum of six fouls instead of the current five, in some scenarios, before being disqualified from a game. Under the experimental rule, any player called for four personal fouls in one half would be disqualified from playing the rest of the game.

For example, a player who picks up four fouls in the first half would have to sit out the rest of the game. If a player has one foul in the first half, the player would be disqualified after picking up four in the second half.

If a player has three fouls in the first half, the player would be disqualified after being called for three fouls in the second half.

The rationale behind the experiment is to offer players a chance to remain on the court if they happen to be called for two fouls in the first half. Most college coaches limit their players’ time on the floor in this scenario. Committee members want to see how the change to the foul structure could impact the game.

Flopping proposal tabled

The panel did not support a proposal that would have allowed officials to immediately assess a Class B technical foul to a player who faked being fouled.

The recommendation would have eliminated the warning officials must currently give before assessing a technical foul. This rule began being implemented before the 2019-20 season.

The panel would like for the Men’s Basketball Rules Committee to gather more feedback from coaches over the next year on this proposal.

The Men’s Basketball Rules Committee proposed the change because members think adding the technical foul component is the next step in hopes of eliminating this tactic from the game.

Examples of what the committee wanted officials to watch for included players involved in block/charge plays, players falling to the court despite not being contacted after field goal attempts, dribblers who bob their heads to simulate being contacted and players who act like they were the recipient of contact despite not being touched.

Timeouts

After receiving feedback from the membership, the Men’s Basketball Rules Committee rescinded a proposal regarding the structure of media timeouts.

Men’s college basketball games generally have media timeouts after play is whistled dead for the first time under the 16-, 12-, eight- and four-minute marks of each half.

Under the rescinded proposal, a timeout called by a coach at the 18-minute mark would have served as the under-16-minute media timeout. If either team called a timeout under the 16-minute mark, it would have served as the under-12-minute media timeout. Under this scenario, the next media timeout wouldn’t occur until the under-eight-minute mark.

The Men’s Basketball Rules Committee determined that this proposal should not move forward without further study of its potential impact on schools and conferences. The committee will continue to explore ways to improve the pace and flow of games.

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INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel today approved moving the 3-point line to the international distance of 22 feet, 1¾ inches in women’s basketball, beginning with the 2021-22 season.

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee proposed the change after studying statistical trends that showed the number of attempted and successful 3-point field goal attempts reached all-time high levels in all three divisions during the 2020-21 season.

In Division I, women’s teams attempted 16.4 3-point field goal attempts per game last season and made an average of 6.1 shots beyond the arc, which had been set at 20 feet, 9 inches.

Division II statistics showed an average of 20.5 3-point field goals attempted per game, with 6.4 made on average during the 2020-21 season. The Division III statistics were 19.3 and 5.7, respectively.

The panel approved allowing the transmission of live statistics to the bench area for coaching purposes.

In its meeting last month, the Women’s Basketball Rules Committee also supported an experimental rule for the upcoming season to allow teams to view live video in conference games only should a waiver request be submitted. Currently, women’s basketball teams already can view preloaded video on their bench during games.

If a conference chooses to use this experimental rule, it will be the league’s decision as to the type of appropriate technology that may be used.

Teams would not be allowed to view live video in nonconference games.

The panel approved two adjustments to the replay rules in effect during the last two minutes of the game and added a third replay situation.

Officials now may use instant replay on an out-of-bounds play, regardless of the number of players involved. Previously, a review was permitted only when there was a deflection involving two players.

Coaches now may challenge two additional plays that would require officials to use instant replay to review them. The first involves the result of a restricted area/lower defensive box play.

Previously, officials could use replay in the last two minutes of the game to determine the location of the players involved in the play. Now, at any time during the game, a coach may ask officials to review the play.

The new replay situation permits officials to use replay to determine whether a basket should count when a foul is not committed on or by a player with the ball. This play may be challenged at any time during the game by the coach, but officials may use replay on their own only in the last two minutes of the game.

If the review does not change the call, the team will lose a timeout.

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INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Thursday approved a change to overtime rules for the 2021 football season.

Teams will be required to run a 2-point conversion play after a touchdown when a game reaches a second overtime period. Previously, a 2-point attempt was required after the third overtime period.

Also, if the game reaches a third overtime, teams will run alternating 2-point plays, instead of starting another drive at the opponent’s 25-yard line. This is a change from the previous rule, which started to use 2-point plays in the fifth overtime period.

This rules change is being made to limit the number of plays from scrimmage and bring the game to a quicker conclusion. Teams can still choose whether to kick the point after touchdown or run a 2-point conversion play during the first overtime period.

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INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Division II Championships Committee has chosen predetermined regional sites for the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.

Due to the health and safety protocols surrounding the pandemic, it is necessary to conduct all NCAA championship competition at predetermined sites. The committee believes the sites and hosts chosen will provide an exceptional and safe experience for all participants.

The following sites and hosts were chosen for the men’s championship:

Regional quarterfinal games will begin Saturday, March 13, followed by the semifinals Sunday, March 14, and the regional championship Tuesday, March 16. Winners will advance to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana, on March 24-27.

“We were very pleased with the quantity and quality of the options the committee was able to select from under the circumstances,” said Fran Reidy, chair of the Division II Men’s Basketball Committee and Saint Leo vice president and director of athletics. “We are confident that while predetermined sites are new for our regional format, that each host site has a history of successfully hosting NCAA events and that our basketball student-athletes will have a championship experience at each of the venues.”

The following sites and hosts were chosen for the women’s championship:

Regional quarterfinal games will begin Friday, March 12, followed by the semifinals Saturday, March 13, and the regional championship Monday, March 15. Winners will advance to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight in Columbus, Ohio, on March 23-26.

“On behalf of Division II women’s basketball, we are excited for the upcoming championship and thankful to the hosts of this year’s predetermined sites,” said Lori Hopkins, chair of the Division II Women’s Basketball Committee and deputy athletics director at Northwest Missouri State. “Though we are doing things a little different this year, I have no doubt the quality and excellence of the championship will remain the same for all the participants. A great student-athlete experience is one of our highest priorities, and making sure it is safe and secure for all will go a long way in making this year’s championship memorable for all involved.”

Participating teams will be announced Sunday, March 7. The women’s basketball selection show will be broadcast on ncaa.com at 10 p.m. Eastern time followed by the men’s basketball selection show at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time.

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