The statement, released on bigten.org, notes that the conference wants input and feedback from other "thought leaders" on problems affecting academics on campus.
"Those areas include the potential establishment of a year of readiness for all sports-- or select sports; student-athlete time demands; playing seasons; initial eligibility requirements; and other areas impacting academics on college campuses across the country."
The idea is gaining steam and has already been supported by Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, ACC commissioner John Swofford and Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby.
Football and Men's Basketball are the Main Sports Being Considered for the New Rule
While the Big Ten says they are open to idea for all sports, it appears that the focus is really on football and men's basketball. These sports generate the most revenue for universities, but also lag behind other sports in academics.
According to an internal Big Ten document, acquired by The Diamondback, football and men's basketball ranked at the bottom of all sports in "graduation success rate" from 2004-2007 and were last in "academic progress rate" from 2009-2013.
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby told CBSSports.com's Jon Solomon that ruling freshmen ineligible would greatly ease the transition from high school to college for football and basketball players who have trouble balancing coursework with their game schedule.
Senior Tyler Troise works in Maryland's Gossett Football Team House, and thinks the proposal would improve academic performance.
Though the intentions of this proposal seem valiant, part of the reason may be linked to the 'one-and-done' phenomenon occurring in college basketball. The NBA requires players entering their draft to be at least 19 years old and one year out of high school, while the NFL requires draftees to be out of high school for three years. This results in many of the best basketball recruits attending college for one year and leaving without a diploma.
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott told CBSSports that making freshmen basketball players ineligible would send an important message. "It would demonstrate they're students first on those teams and they're in class and getting grades that would keep them eligible. The reality of one-and-done is it's not even one. It's like half or three-quarters [of a school year] and done."
Freshmen Basketball Players get Drafted at the Top Each Year, But it is not Their Only Option After High School
A freshman has been the number one overall pick in the NBA draft each of the past five years. Freshmen made up 36% of NBA lottery picks in the same span, and an average of 10 true freshmen entered the draft in each of those years, according to CBSSports.com.
Basketball players who do not want to attend college in the gap between the end of high school and the day they become draft eligible can go overseas to play and get paid. Brandon Jennings of the Detroit Pistons played in Italy before entering the draft, and Emmanuel Mudiay, formerly a commit at Southern Methodist University, decided to play in China before entering the draft later this year.
Junior Ryan Bern thinks the proposal is a bad idea because the athletes are focused on becoming professionals.
They can also enter the NBA Developmental League, but both options have drawbacks. If adjusting to college is hard, adjusting to a foreign country and new language might be even tougher. The D-League pays their players, but the top salary is only $25,500, according to NBCSports.com. It is hard
Freshmen athletes were ineligible to compete in the NCAA until 1972, and the idea is not as far fetched as it may seem according to ACC commissioner John Swofford. Making freshmen ineligible could help
"I don't think it's looked upon as radical an idea as it seemed to people five years or 10 years ago because it makes so much sense educationally. We're in a period now where everybody's trying to get a hold of the student-athlete experience and a recommitment, if you will, to balance academics and athletics," he told CBSSports.
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