The NCAA sent out a press release over the past few days announcing that the early signing period for track and field/cross country has been eliminated.  While the NCAA did not provide a statement on why it had been eliminated, nevertheless, this is big news for athletes around the country hoping to compete at the D1 level.   

CC / T&F Early Signing Period Eliminated

Press Release

October 1, 2007

NCAA Division I Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches,

  Please be advised that by action of the Collegiate Commissioners Association, the early signing period in the sports of track and field/cross country has been eliminated, effective immediately.  As such, prospective student-athletes in these sports will no longer be permitted to sign National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, established as November 14-21, 2007 for the current academic year.  Instead, these prospects will only be permitted to sign an NLI from February 6, 2008 to August 1, 2008, which coincides with the signing opportunities currently available for field hockey, soccer and men's water polo.

  All other National Letter of Intent policies and provisions related to track and field/cross country remain unchanged.  Furthermore, the National Letter of Intent, 

www.national-letter.org, and all other applicable NLI forms and documents will be updated accordingly.