SAN FRANCISCO ― A policy that would nearly triple the number of University of California student-athletes guaranteed continued financial aid in the event of a career-ending sports injury received unanimous approval Wednesday from a committee of the university’s governing board.
The proposal came from a working group of UC athletic directors tasked with making recommendations for improving the academic and emotional well-being of students who participate in college sports at the highest levels.
A number of other universities and athletic conference are wrestling with the issue amid concerns over low graduation and high injury rates among student-athletes.
A 2012 state law required the four California universities in the Pacific 12 Conference, including UC Berkeley and UCLA, to continue providing financial support to athletes permanently side-lined by injuries. The policy considered Wednesday would extend the protections to students receiving athletic scholarships at the Davis, Irvine, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Diego campuses.
It must still be approved by the full UC Board of Regents, which is set to consider it Thursday.
Elizabeth Hendrix, 19, a water polo player at UC Santa Barbara, said student-athletes would be reassured to know they don’t have to worry about losing scholarship money as they struggle to excel in their sport and their studies.
Hendrix’ gets $1,000 a year to compete for the Gauchos and has teammates who receive much larger scholarships.
