IRVING, Texas (April 28, 2015) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today highlighted NFF Board Member and Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany’s plan for freshman ineligibility in an effort to balance athletics and academics. He laid out his plan in a 12-page letter titled “Education First, Athletics Second: The Time for a National Discussion is Upon Us,” which was sent to media members on April 17.

“The National Football Foundation is extremely supportive of Jim Delany and the Big Ten’s efforts to strengthen the balance between athletics and academics,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “Promoting the scholar-athlete ideal remains the centerpiece of the NFF’s mission, and anything that can aid in giving young people the opportunity to have meaningful experiences as both students and athletes must be discussed at the national level. I strongly encourage everyone to read Commissioner Delany’s letter in full.”

In the letter, which can be read in full by clicking here, Delany reiterates why he believes a so-called year of readiness would be beneficial at this “critical moment in the evolution of intercollegiate athletics.”

“If we cannot defend—through an examination of actions and results as opposed to words—that education is the paramount factor in our decision-making process (rivaled only by the health and safety of our student-athletes), then the enterprise stands as a house of cards,” Delany wrote. “Accordingly, the more educationally sound the collegiate experience, the more sustainable intercollegiate athletics becomes.”

Though not an official proposal, Delany did lay out a plan to raise scholarship limits in FBS football and Division I men’s basketball and add scholarships in women’s sports to stay compliant with Title IX. Under his plan, athletes would still have four years of eligibility. Freshmen would be able to practice with their teams, though participation and travel would be limited.

For more news from the Big Ten Conference, please visit www.bigten.org.


About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, the NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards presented by Fidelity Investments, the NFF High School Showcases, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF Faculty Salutes presented by Fidelity Investments, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Alumni Association, and scholarships of more than $1.3 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF also collaborates with the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to release the FWAA-NFF Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll; awards The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments and prominently displayed at its official home inside the New York Athletic Club; and bestows several other major awards at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner. NFF corporate partners include Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.