By: Rhiannon Rubio
Dominican University student-athletes could get an additional season of eligibility under a rule change the NCAA will be considering in January. The potential change could affect athletes at Dominican and colleges across the country.
It would give some student-athletes the opportunity to compete in their sport for an additional year while continuing their college education.
However, players, coaches and athletic administrators have different opinions about what this change could mean. While an extra year could give athletes more time to compete, it could also create financial challenges. Division III schools, like Dominican, do not offer athletic scholarships, meaning students would have to pay for another year of tuition, housing and other college expenses themselves.
“We have no scholarships as a DIII, so financially, it’s a burden at DIII compared to DI/DII,” said Athletic Director John Planek.
The proposed change would shift Division III toward an age-based eligibility model. Under the proposal, an athlete’s five-year eligibility period would begin when they turn 19 or enroll in college full-time, whichever happens first.
Student-athletes would now have five continuous years to compete in college sports once their eligibility clock begins. This would change how the NCAA determines how long an athlete can compete. The proposal is scheduled for a vote at the 2027 NCAA Convention, according to the NCAA’s Division III Strategic Analysis: Age-Based Eligibility Model.
For many current student-athletes, the possibility of playing an additional year sounds exciting. However, most say they are not planning to stay for a fifth year. One of the biggest reasons is the cost. Many students have already planned their finances around graduating in four years and may not be able to afford another year of college.
Senior baseball player Langdon Downing sees the positive side of the proposal, especially for athletes who have dealt with injuries during their college careers.
“It’s a great opportunity. A lot of athletes spend a lot of years injured,” Downing said.
An additional year could allow athletes who missed time because of injuries to continue playing instead of having their college sports careers end earlier than expected.
Women’s basketball coach Tethnie Carrillo also sees benefits for athletes who choose to stay longer.
She said the proposed change provides“an opportunity for younger athletes to learn from experienced athletes.”
Having older and more experienced players on a team could help younger athletes improve their skills, learn how college sports work and become better teammates.
If the rule passes, student-athletes would not be required to play for a fifth year. Instead, it would give them the choice to continue competing if they meet the eligibility requirements and can afford another year of school.
For many Division III athletes, college sports are finished once they graduate, so the proposal could give them more time to participate in something they have spent years working toward.
Planek said the proposed change could have a bigger impact on future student-athletes than current ones. Incoming freshmen would have more time to understand the new rules and plan financially if they decide they want to stay in college for an additional year.
Dominican’s academic programs could also make the possibility of a fifth year more appealing. The university offers 18 master’s degree programs, three doctoral programs, two post-baccalaureate programs and one post-master’s program.
Students who decide to stay an additional year could have the opportunity to continue playing their sport while also working toward a higher degree. For example, a student who finishes their bachelor’s degree could choose to begin a master’s program while using their additional year of athletic eligibility.
Although the proposed rule could create new opportunities for Division III athletes, the cost of another year of college remains a major concern. Whether the change passes or not, it could affect how future student-athletes plan their college careers, their education and their time playing the sports they love.
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