HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the University of Connecticut to continue paying for the education of athletes who lose their scholarships due to injury, illness or even a coach’s decision.
The bill is now before the legislature’s Higher Education committee and is modeled after a law passed in California. It would require any school that receives more than $5 million through the sale of media rights to use some of that revenue to educate students who have lost athletic scholarships.
State Sen. Martin Looney, the bill’s author, acknowledges the bill is targeted at UConn.
UConn opposes the bill. Athletic Director Warde Manuel says the law is redundant with school and NCAA policy. He says the school also needs flexibility in managing scholarships.
