For Immediate Release—Thursday, August 14, 2014



Cleveland, Ohio – As collegiate athletics continues to be redefined by recent NCAA governance changes and various legal challenges, the Mid-American Conference has been working diligently over the summer months to focus on the details of redefining a grant-in-aid to include full cost of attendance.

Earlier this summer, MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher organized a Cost of Attendance Task Force with the specific goal to research possible full cost of attendance models and to identify and review legal and institutional issues for the various models. The six-member MAC Cost of Attendance Task Force includes an athletic director, senior women’s administrators, a faculty athletics representative, compliance director and financial aid expert from across MAC member institutions.

“It is clear that there will be NCAA legislation proposed in the coming months that would permit a student-athlete’s grant-in-aid to take into account the full cost of attendance. So that our membership is prepared to manage this issue, we have taken the proactive step of studying potential models to better understand the financial, governmental and legal issues that this entails. While we do not know at this time what the actual legislation will look like, the Mid-American Conference intends to remain a strong and vibrant FBS conference, committed to competing at the highest level. Our membership will be prepared to address this issue,” said Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher, Mid-American Conference Commissioner.

While much has been made about the issue of cost of attendance, very little has been mentioned about the specific details regarding this issue. Areas such as Title IX, tax implications and legal issues or the affect on Pell Grants are all examples of specific details that need to be detailed and understood before such legislation is considered.

“It is a privilege to serve as the Chair of this task force which is made up of a diverse, broad based group of colleagues who bring tremendous expertise to the subject. Our goal is to analyze the various nuances to cost of attendance and be prepared to share our findings with Commissioner Steinbrecher and our Presidents. Our Conference continues to be proactive and provide leadership on the important issues within collegiate athletics and the MAC Cost of Attendance Task Force is just another example,” said Heather Lyke, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Eastern Michigan University.

Perhaps the entire FBS should weigh "What has the NCAA done to us?" vs "What does the NCAA do for us?"

Does anyone know what they're talking about???? Is it the cost of an athlete attending College?

Besides, what does EMU's athletic director know about attendance???
Since there is never is any in Eastern's stands.....

Yes, Terry, cost of an athlete attending. I suspect this is a response to various proposals to pay student athletes a stipend.

This probably will be an unpopular position. Anyway, 5 years ago I would of said "HELL" no to another penny to football players. The "FULL RIDE" was enough. Now, after having a much better understanding of requirements and demands that these guys face and the holes that are present for them financially, I would support a well formulated plan that helps them out especially during the "so called" off season. Also, walk ons need and deserve better treatment then currently allowed by the NCAA. Just my observations.