Fwd: Legal Statement

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From: Charlie Baker <>
Date: Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Subject: Legal Statement
To: <mcandrse@wvstateu.edu>

Web Version

Colleagues, Today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an Executive Order attempting to give Ohio institutions the option to permit certain former student-athletes from the Class of 2022 to participate during the 2026-27 academic year, notwithstanding NCAA eligibility rules. The Governor of Ohio cannot legislate NCAA eligibility rules. One elected official seeking to make their own rules for their own schools’ advantage is a terrible way to run athletic competitions and precisely why Congress must pass the PCSA as soon as possible.  And not only did NCAA members vote unanimously to implement the aged based eligibility change in this way, the Ohio Court of Appeals just recently agreed with that decision.  The Ohio Court of Appeals isn’t alone in siding with the NCAA on this issue as multiple appellate courts have now recognized the importance of consistent application of NCAA eligibility rules and the significant disruption that results when eligibility standards vary from institution to institution or state to state.  The NCAA will protect the interests of all member institutions and student-athletes. Eligibility rules established through the Association's governance process have been and will continue to be applied consistently across the membership by the NCAA including in the state of Ohio. Charlie Baker NCAA President This email was sent to NCAA athletics directors, conference commissioners, presidents and chancellors, general counsel, faculty athletics representatives, senior compliance administrators, senior woman administrators and sports information directors in all three divisions, the Division I Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee, the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as NCAA staff.

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