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Tennessee Vols morning report: NCAA extends recruiting dead period

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Another move by the NCAA amidst coronavirus leads our Tennessee Vols news for May 28, 2020.

May is drawing down, and although the Tennessee Vols still manage to make news on a regular basis, organizations encompassing them make the news when they don’t. That’s what happened in a big way on Wednesday, a day that was supposed to be relatively quiet for the program as a whole. It didn’t happen.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with a decision by the NCAA amid COVID-19 that could have a major impact on UT. It’s undoubtedly going to draw some controversy, but that doesn’t mean it was the wrong move. However, we also have a story to cover on the NCAA’s relationship with a group of schools and conferences, including Big Orange Country.

Beyond that, we do have some news specific to the Tennessee Vols program to bring you, including a bit of recognition for the softball team that is well-deserved. We’ll get to that, but let’s start with the national news.

NCAA extends recruiting dead period – Michelle Brutlag Hosick, NCAA.org

As the nation continues to figure out ways to reopen amid COVID-19, the NCAA took another precaution on Wednesday by extending the recruiting dead period through July 31. This comes a week after the organization’s decisions to allow certain athletes to return to campus on June 1.

"“The extension maintains consistent recruiting rules for all sports and allows coaches to focus on the student-athletes who may be returning to campus,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania. “The committee is committed to reviewing the dead period again in late June or early July.”The committee will regularly evaluate the dead period, continuing to be guided by medical experts."

Talk of Power Five breakaway growing – Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports

Coronavirus-related shutdowns by the NCAA have reopened conversations in a big way of the Power Five conferences potentially breaking off from the organization. The cancelation of the NCAA Tournament and now potential cancelation of football season has changed things for a lot of major players.

"To put it more plainly, a separation of the Power Five conferences from the NCAA has long been possible. Those 65 schools, including independent Notre Dame, already exist as separate entities — financially, competitively and even corporately. But with the coronavirus ratcheting up the stakes, a tipping point may be at hand."

Tianna Batts earns SEC Community Service Award – UTSports

Senior outfielder Tianna Batts represented the Tennessee Lady Vols on the SEC Softball Community Service Team. Batts played in 129 games and earned a Sports Management degree with a 3.33 GPA.

"The Taylorsville, N.C., native accumulated more than half of her 111.5 service hours this past season. She has focused extensively on tutoring and working with elementary-age students. Batts has read to children in the Knoxville community, taught cursive to the elementary students, and discussed the importance of safety and rules. She has also assisted with P.E. classes and talked about the importance of physical activity."

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