If ever you doubted that the NCAA was a membership-driven organization, you may now consider your fears allayed. The NCAA national office has received enough override requests to require the Division I Board of Directors to reconsider adoption of three proposals at its upcoming August meeting.

The controversial proposals relate to the elimination of electronic communication with prospective student-athletes (other than e-mail or fax), the change of financial aid distribution in the sport of baseball and dates-of-competition legislation for men’s and women’s golf.

Thirty override votes are needed for the Board to reconsider a proposal. If the Board decides to uphold its previous decision, the piece of legislation will be considered by the Division I membership in a one-school, one-vote capacity at the annual Convention in January. If the Board amends any of the proposals, a new 60-day window is opened for the membership to enact another override.

I think the Board made an excellent decision with the elimination of text messaging, as student-athletes reported that the recruiting practice adversely affected their lives. With regard to baseball, the Board increased minimum scholarship allotments to 33 percent per player. This has been quite controversial in the baseball community, but I like it – something needs to be done to help fix the academic struggles afflicting baseball student-athletes.

We will make sure to examine each of the controversial pieces of legislation prior to the Board of Directors meeting in August and before the NCAA Convention this winter.