local
NCAA panel approves new eligibility rules giving Division I athletes 5 years to play 5 seasons
By Eric Olson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era and court fights with players trying to extend their careers, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enro...
Key takeaway “While previous NCAA rules have served college sports well for a long time, we heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The new NCAA eligibility rules will have a direct impact on local athletes in the San Antonio area, particularly those competing at the University of Texas at San Antonio and other Division I schools in the region. With the five-in-five model, student-athletes will have more clarity on their eligibility status, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming waiver requests. This change may also affect the recruitment strategies of local coaches, who will need to adapt to a more predictable roster management system. As the rules take effect this fall, it will be interesting to see how local athletes and teams navigate the new landscape, and whether the changes will lead to increased competitiveness and success for San Antonio's Division I programs. The local sports community will be watching closely to see how the new rules play out, and how they will shape the future of college athletics in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Eager to lessen the chaos of the transfer portal era and court fights with players trying to extend their careers, the NCAA approved a new eligibility model for Division I athletes on Tuesday that will allow five seasons of competition over a five-year period that begins with their full-time enro...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Olson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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