“In the meantime, institutions in the hurricane zone are working to continue with their sports seasons, often using facilities at other locations.

“When deciding which rules the NCAA could adjust, we carefully considered all the possible outcomes of our actions and whether those outcomes are best for all affected student-athletes and institutions.

“For example, student-athletes at institutions that do not have classes are allowed to attend classes elsewhere and still compete for their original institution. Also, we have lifted the ban on extra aid and benefits going to affected student-athletes.

“We also considered whether it would be appropriate to suspend our normal transfer rules, including the one-year residency requirement, a rule designed to promote the educational interests of student athletes, prevent a free-agency type environment more analogous to professional sports and protect institutions from unethical recruiting practices.

“First, it’s critical to mention that a process already exists whereby an institution may seek a waiver of the normal transfer rules for student-athletes. Those waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis by reviewing any extenuating circumstances affecting the student-athlete.

“When deciding whether it would be possible to eliminate the waiver application process altogether and grant blanket waivers to all student-athletes in the hurricane zone, we considered the possible outcomes and had detailed discussions with affected institutions and coaches. Their message was clear: Most plan to continue with their athletics seasons and NCAA rules changes should protect their ability to do that. The NCAA also considered the effects on individual student-athletes; questions such as:

-- If a large portion of a team should elect to leave for other schools, what happens to those student-athletes left behind who are then unable to field a team?

-- What happens to the student-athletes at the institutions they’re going to? How many participation opportunities would be lost?

“We believe that suspending this rule, even on a temporary basis, would take participation opportunities away. It could create an open season for recruiters hoping to attract prized student-athletes to other schools.

“Through the efforts of affected schools to continue their sports seasons and the adjustment of NCAA rules to empower those schools to do what’s best for their student-athletes, student-athletes in the hurricane zone will have an opportunity to compete this season.”