NABC members,
It’s a privilege to write to you as we approach the defining months of an already captivating season. The quality of the on-court product and the caliber of competition present this year across all levels of basketball have never been more pronounced. As momentum builds toward the postseason, the NABC Convention, and a marquee Final Four in Indianapolis that will crown champions from all three NCAA divisions, there is much to celebrate in our game.
And yet, amidst these positives, an undercurrent of instability permeates every corner of the sport.
We currently operate in an environment where lawsuits and court rulings alter the application and understanding of policies almost daily. Roster turnover rates are growing exponentially without common-sense guardrails. The dividing lines between amateur and professional are more blurred than ever. And eligibility is bordering on indefinite – undoubtedly at the expense of opportunities for graduating high school seniors.
I share your frustration over these legislative and governance challenges. The impacts are felt throughout the coaching community, not just at the Division I level, and I often field questions from coaches asking who is looking out for the interests of our sport. As college football continues to drive the bus for most industry administrators, who is working to secure a sustainable future for basketball?
While NABC advocacy efforts have successfully improved coach representation on the sport-specific NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, that group’s authority to implement broad reform remains constrained. Meanwhile, coaches are still denied a seat at the table on the NCAA system’s most influential committees.
Let me be clear: the NABC is not sitting idly while others determine the fate of our sport. Rather than waiting to be invited into committee rooms, we’re embracing a position of leadership on our own.
The NABC Board of Directors and the NABC Congresses are populated by a diverse collection of basketball’s most impactful coaching leaders. These groups are working tirelessly – even now, in-season – to offer perspectives and identify potential solutions to stabilize our game. We have also initiated dialogue and established trust between coaches and elected officials who have become increasingly engaged with college athletics.
We’ll have more specifics to share in the future – candidly, these issues are complex, and our efforts remain ongoing. But take confidence that the NABC is ensuring the voices of coaches – your voices – are heard loud and clear.
I’ll conclude with a word of encouragement. Controversial officiating calls, ill-timed media questions, even disagreements with fellow coaches – the challenges of our job can feel more acute as the unsteadiness in the sport grows. And yet, these moments present an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment as Guardians of the Game and to lead with integrity on and off the court.
I’m confident in our members’ ability to rise to the occasion. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to go to work on your behalf.
Sincerely,
Craig Robinson
NABC Executive Director
