Buckeye Insider – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 17, 2001
With the recent tragedies involving student-athletes during voluntary workouts, these types of voluntary activities are under increased scrutiny. The NCAA has detailed information regarding what constitutes a voluntary athletically related activity in Bylaw 17.02.13. The following is a brief overview intended to increase your knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations in this area.
Q. Is it permissible for an institution’s coaching staff to require student-athletes to attend a voluntary workout?
A. No, the workout must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athletes. Neither the institution nor any athletics department staff member may require the student-athlete to participate in the voluntary activity at any time.
Q. Is it permissible for a coach to require a student-athlete to report on the activities performed during a voluntary workout?
A. No, a student-athlete cannot be required to report back to a coach or other athletics department staff member (e.g., strength coach, manager or trainer) any information related to the activity.
Q. Is it permissible for an athletics department staff member to assign a specific time and secure an institutional facility to be used during a voluntary workout?
A. Yes, for student-athletes who opt to engage in voluntary activities, the institution or an athletics department staff member may reserve facilities and assign specific times for student-athletes to use the institutional facilities.
Q. Is it permissible for coaches to be present when student-athletes engage in voluntary workouts?
A. No, it is not permissible for a coach to be present during a voluntary workout, except for those sports with a safety exception (e.g., Fencing, Gymnastics, Rifle, Rowing, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Track & Field and Wrestling), and then the coach may only provide safety or skill instruction but cannot conduct the individuals workout.
Q. Is it permissible for strength and conditioning coaches to be present when student-athletes engage in voluntary workouts?
A. Yes, it is permissible for strength and conditioning coaches, during vacation periods (e.g., summer), to design and conduct specific workout programs for student-athletes, provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the student-athlete.
Q. Is it permissible for a coach to subject a student-athlete to penalties for not participating in voluntary activities?
A. No, a student-athlete may not be subject to penalty if he or she elects not to participate in a voluntary activity.
Q. Is it permissible for a coach to provide awards or recognition to student-athletes who attend voluntary workouts?
A. No, neither the coach nor the institution may provide recognition or incentives to a student-athlete based on his or her attendance or performance in a voluntary activity.
Please remember that the above information addresses only the main compliance issues concerning voluntary activities and is not an exhaustive discussion. For questions or to receive more information, please contact Heather Lyke, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at (614) 292-2681.
