Takedown Report

DI Board of Directors directs Cabinet to advance age-based eligibility rules

After a robust discussion, the Division I Board of Directors on Monday directed the Division I Cabinet to advance an age-based eligibility concept that, if adopted in its current form, would permit student-athletes up to five years of eligibility beginning the regular academic year after they turn 19 or graduate from high school, whichever happens earlier. Under that model, Division I student-athletes would no longer be limited to only four seasons of competition within their five-year eligibility window. 
“The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes’ experiences,” said Tim Sands, president at Virgina Tech and chair of the board. “The board fully supports student-athletes receiving the unprecedented financial benefits now available to them and emphasized these changes would protect opportunities for high school student-athletes to access the benefits only college sports can provide, while delivering predictable outcomes for student-athletes and our schools.”

The board also expressed support for two key elements to be included in future changes:   

• Maintain the Division I core guarantees — including degree-completion funding for up to 10 years after a student-athlete’s eligibility expires if they have not yet earned a degree.
• Maintain existing rules — allowing four seasons of competition in five years of eligibility … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/4/27/media-center-di-board-of-directors-directs-cabinet-to-advance-age-based-eligibility-rules.aspx

May 7, 2026 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment