State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) applauded the passing of House Resolution 268 calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to end its recent ban on satellite training camps. These camps — usually set up in another state from the host school — have been popular for years and help athletes increase their visibility to different schools as well as helping many smaller schools evaluate a larger number of potential recruits.
“While many things are partisan in the Legislature, it has been an honor to work in a bipartisan way with Republicans and Democrats to support our student athletes,” said Schor. Schor worked with several Democrats, as well as Republican Reps. Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) to have the resolution taken up and adopted quickly in order to get it to the NCAA before their final consideration.
“In the Legislature, one focus should always be making higher education opportunities easier and more accessible for high school students, and while we don’t have control over the NCAA and their policies, satellite camps are a perfect opportunity for young student-athletes,” Schor said. “I’m happy my colleagues recognized the need for these camps to continue, and I urge the NCAA to listen to our collective voice and end the ban.”
The satellite camps ban also hurts smaller or geographically isolated schools that either lack the resources to host larger camps or the ability to draw a large number of athletes due to the travel considerations.
“You can see across the nation what kind of negative impact this has caused, with both coaches and student-athletes speaking out against the ban,” Schor said. “These students have a great opportunity to pursue their educational dreams through the gift they’ve honed over years of practice and dedication, but the NCAA must give them the opportunity to put financial stress aside and have access to all schools.”