Pac-12 presidents announce broad-based reforms for athletes

Pac-12 Conference presidents on Monday started delivery on a series of promises by announcing sweeping reforms for athletes.

The moves are part of a campaign by the Power 5 conferences to improve conditions for athletes before more drastic changes are possibly imposed on them by pending lawsuits against the NCAA.

Pac-12 presidents announced these changes for all students in all sports:

--Guaranteed four-year scholarships

--Students who leave before graduating can use the remainder of their academic grant to return to school at a later date.

--Medical expenses for athletes who are injured during their college careers will be covered up to four years after departure.

--Athletes who transfer between Pac-12 schools will immediately receive their athletic scholarships.

Not included in Monday’s announcement was the “full cost of attendance” stipend that was passed last summer.

Pac-12 presidents reaffirmed their support for the stipend but will hold off on that announcement until a meeting of the five major conferences next January.

The power football conferences were granted “autonomy” last summer by the NCAA board of directors.

The Power 5 leagues sought the freedom to use their burgeoning television revenues to relieve costs to their athletes.

Details of “full cost of attendance” have to be fleshed out as the amount could vary greatly between schools. The average stipend is expected to range between $2,000 and $5,000 per year.