Ohio governor signs order letting state's colleges allow 2022 athletes a 5th year of eligibility

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order on Tuesday granting the state's colleges and universities the authority to permit student-athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth year of eligibility. The directive provides institutions with the option to extend these athletic careers despite conflicting regulations established by the NCAA.

The order serves as a formal state-level intervention regarding collegiate sports participation requirements. By authorizing this additional year, the governor has created a policy path for Ohio schools to bypass current NCAA eligibility restrictions for the affected cohort of student-athletes.