COLLINS RELEASES FINDINGS FROM INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON NCAA PROPOSIONS 48 AND 16

August 9, 1994

SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMPETIVENESS
Energy and Commerce Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Cardiss Collins, Chairwoman

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Cardiss Collins released the preliminary findings from a scientific conference for Re-examination of the Academic Performance Study today.

Congresswoman Collins said, “Preliminary findings from their analysis provide evidence corroborating my initial concerns about the relationship of test scores and grade point averages to athletic eligibility, which in turn has an effect on opportunities, particularly for socially disadvantaged students, including minorities.”

The scientific conference, which was held in Washington, D.C. from August 4 to August 6, 1994, was comprised of 13 distinguished scientists and scholars from NCAA colleges.

According to Dr. Jerry Hirsch from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the ad hoc group was put together to address Congresswoman Collins' concerns regarding the adverse impact of Propositions 48 and 16 on the African American student-athlete and the students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Collins wrote NCAA President Joseph N. Crowley requesting a delay in the implementation of Proposition 16, “First of all, the NCAA Committee to Review Initial-Eligibility Standards recommended a delay of implementation of Proposition 16. Secondly, this NCAA Committee to Review recommended changes in Division I academic standards that are scheduled to go into effect August 1995.”

Congresswoman Collins continued, “Given the preliminary and new scientific information, I cannot see any justification for the NCAA Council not delaying implementation of Proposition 16 until additional studies can be completed. Exclusionary policies will only further contribute to the widening social and economic inequalities that have characterized American society in recent decades.”

"Collins releases findings from independent scientific conference in NCAA propositions 48 and 16." Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer protection and competiveness-press release.