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Jim Harbaugh’s spring break plans don’t sit right with the SEC, and now it’s clear that they don’t sit right with the NCAA.
In a story by The State’s Josh Kendall, NCAA president Mark Emmert voiced his displeasure of the Michigan coach’s plans to hold spring practices during spring break at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., while speaking to the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees on Friday.
“There is a big debate going on among administrators right now about how to provide more time off for student-athletes so the use of spring break for practices caused a lot of people to be concerned about it, and that’s an appropriate concern,” Emmert said. “We are trying to find ways to dial back the demands on student-athletes, not ramp them up.”
While the plans don’t violate any rules, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has asked the NCAA to put one in place. However, Emmert isn’t sure that can happen in time, much to his chagrin.
“There’s a difference between not being prohibited and being OK,” Emmert added.
In response to USC board member Chuck Allen, a former player with the Gamecocks, expressing that players need to use that time to recover, Emmert had this to say:
“I think the opinion you are expressing is right on the mark,” Emmert told Allen. “I haven’t talked to one student-athlete yet that thinks it’s a good idea.”
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
