Tiffani Baublitz
Staff Writer
Dr. Jim Glovach serves as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at East Stroudsburg University Athletics, where he plays a critical role in ensuring NCAA compliance for more than 700 student-athletes across 30 athletic programs.
Dr. Glovach sat down with the Stroud Courier to discuss notable National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changes.
New Redshirt Flexibility for First-Year Athletes
One of the most significant NCAA changes this year is the expanded redshirt participation rule for true freshmen. Under the updated policy, first-year athletes may now compete in up to 30 percent of their season without losing their redshirt status.
“This is the biggest thing that’s happened this year,” Glovach said. He explained that football has operated under a similar model for several seasons, and NCAA wrestling recently proposed the same change.
Rather than applying the rule sport by sport, the NCAA extended it to all sports — but only for true freshmen.
“If you’re a redshirt freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, it does not apply,” Dr. Glovach emphasized.
A Five-Year Eligibility Clock? Coaches Are Watching Closely
Looking ahead, Glovach said the most impactful potential change for the 2025–2026 seasons is a proposal to adopt a five-year eligibility clock in Division II, mirroring the model used in Division I. The change would give athletes five calendar years to complete four seasons of competition.
“This is what everyone is talking about,” he said. “Coaches are trying to figure out whether they should redshirt kids this year, but they won’t know until the spring if that fifth year is coming.”
He noted that winter and spring sports would likely get clarity sooner than fall sports, whose seasons begin before the final vote.
“It’s really 50/50 right now,” Glovach added. “But if it passes, it will be the most impactful change for next year.”
NIL in Division II: Slow Changes, State-Driven Policies
While NIL continues to dominate national headlines, Glovach said the impact on Division II student-athletes remains limited.
“When it comes to NIL, a lot of the big changes are really Division I specific,” he explained. “Your Big Ten, SEC, and ACC schools have the money and donor support. Division II is very different.”
At this level, most NIL rules are shaped by state policy, with each state — Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Florida, and others — establishing its own regulations.
For now, Glovach said NIL activity depends more on “what the school wants to do and what the individual athlete wants to do.”
He expects that Division II could eventually feel ripple effects, especially as schools transition between divisions or undergo legal and financial restructuring.
Women’s Wrestling on the Rise: What Happens After the Divisional Split?
Women’s wrestling is preparing for a major structural change as the NCAA moves toward separate divisional championships.
“A lot of women’s wrestling programs are at Division II schools, and Division III has quite a few as well,” he said. “Division I has the fewest right now.”
The divisional split, he noted, will address a significant competitive imbalance. “Division I schools can offer scholarships, while Division III schools can’t. That puts smaller programs at a disadvantage.”
Glovach predicts the sport will eventually mirror college hockey, where regional leagues and mixed-conference partnerships allow programs to compete and grow.
“I think you’ll see regional structures,” he said. “Wrestling is very East Coast heavy, so schools in that region may form their own group. The Big Ten will likely lead the charge in Division I.”
Although the division will almost certainly come with growing pains, it is a critical step in securing the sport’s long-term stability and growth.
Common Compliance Challenges
When asked about frequent compliance issues, Dr. Glovach said most challenges relate to eligibility and participation misunderstanding, particularly surrounding redshirt rules.
State-specific NIL regulations also create confusion, along with transitions for schools changing athletic divisions.
A Message to ESU Students: Show Up and Support Each Other
Dr. Glovach concluded with a call for greater campus engagement.
He added that students can get involved beyond spectating. The athletics department regularly needs student workers for event operations, and teams complete service projects throughout the region.
“I’m always big on our students and our student athletes going to see all of our contests, whether it’s for a half or for a full game, I think that’s what really makes the home court advantage thing work for whatever sport you play. Support helps make us the best we can be,” he said. “Get involved, show up, and be part of the experience.”
Official Athletics Website for the East Stroudsburg University Warriors