Sports Media Report
In a bid to reassure NCAA student-athletes, the ISL has decided to grant a special “cooling-off” period of 3 weeks for NCAA swimmers who have registered for the ISL Draft. This three-week period will begin on 1 June, after the ISL Draft registration deadline, and end on 22 June 2021. During this “cooling-off” period, NCAA student-athletes will be allowed to still decide whether to remain in the ISL Draft pool for Season 3 or withdraw so as to maintain their NCAA status.
The ISL has made this special exemption taking into account the NCAA Division I Council decision last year to extend eligibility for student-athletes by one more year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dilemma faced by some swimmers whether to register for the ISL Draft (and compete in Season 3) or continue competing in NCAA competitions for another 12 months.
ISL Founder Konstantin Grigorishin said, ‘’We have listened to the worries and concerns of some NCAA student swimmers who are undecided about registering for the ISL Draft. This is a unique situation for a handful of swimmers that requires understanding and a proactive solution on our part. We want to reassure these swimmers that if they sign up before the deadline of 31st May we will understand and wish them well if they subsequently decide to withdraw ahead of the draft itself in order to continue as an NCAA student-athlete.
“In all cases, swimmers will miss out on competing in ISL Season 3 if they do not register for the ISL Draft by the 31stMay deadline,” added Grigorishin.
With just 3 days to go until the closing of the registration period, the world’s best swimmers have continued to sign up to the revolutionary selection process for ISL clubs that will take place ahead of Season 3. ISL will unveil the latest superstar names to have signed up early next week following the closing of the registration process.
The ISL Draft is scheduled to take place during the week of 28 June 2021.
