BJ Merriam Appointed to NCAA Initial Eligibility Waivers Committee
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – BJ Merriam, the MAAC’s Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Services, was recently appointed to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Waivers Committee. The committee is composed of 20 individuals across the NCAA's Division I membership. The appointment runs from January 2017 through December 31, 2020. Merriam will serve on the GPA/Transcript Change sub-committee.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to serve amongst an accomplished group of peers” said Merriam. “I have a strong passion for academics and I look forward to being a contributor on the committee.” “Additionally, I want to thank Commissioner Ensor for supporting me with this nomination.”
According to NCAA.com, the initial eligibility waiver process may assist student-athletes who do not meet the legislated academic initial eligibility standards. Division I or Division II institutions may submit an initial-eligibility waiver on behalf of a student-athlete; however, a student-athlete may not submit a waiver.
The NCAA eligibility center staff reviews the student-athlete's overall academic record and evidence of mitigating circumstances, applies guidelines approved by the Division I and Division II membership and decides whether to fully approve (allowing the student-athlete to receive an athletics scholarship, practice and compete), partially approve (allowing the student-athlete to receive an athletics scholarship and/or practice) or deny the waiver.
Merriam enters his second year with the MAAC as the Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Services. Merriam was hired in August of 2015.