College athletics is no stranger to change, and the pace has only accelerated in recent years. Since the dawn of the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era in July 2021, athletes have been able to earn money through endorsements and camps. Then, in April 2024, the NCAA made a seismic shift by granting immediate eligibility to all transfers, scrapping the old rule that required a year-long sit-out. And just this past July, the revenue-sharing era kicked off, allowing schools like the University of Dayton to share ticket revenue with their athletes.

Now, another major shake-up could be on the horizon: the NCAA is considering giving athletes five years of eligibility instead of the traditional four. This potential change has already sparked discussion, and for Flyers fans, it could reshape the Dayton basketball landscape.

Neil Sullivan, Dayton's athletic director, is all for it. "We've seen inconsistent waivers for six-year, seven-year, even eight-year players," Sullivan explained. "It's tough to know who gets a waiver and who doesn't. Anything that brings clarity and consistency to rosters is a win, because right now, our business is being guided by federal judges in different districts depending on the state. That's no way to run a program."

The NCAA's Division I Cabinet met in April to hash out the details and will revisit the topic on May 22. Jon Steinbrecher, MAC commissioner and vice chair of the Cabinet, noted in a press release, "Division I is undergoing an extensive review of all eligibility rules to see what makes sense in this new era. These changes are the first phase, intended to provide immediate clarity for schools finalizing rosters for the upcoming academic year."

If adopted, the new rule would replace the "seasons of competition" model with an "age-based model." Essentially, student-athletes would have a five-year window to compete in Division I, starting the academic year after high school graduation or their 19th birthday—whichever comes first. Exceptions would be considered for pregnancy, military service, and religious missions.

For Dayton basketball, this could bring more stability to roster building, giving coaches and players a clearer path forward in an ever-evolving college sports world. As the Flyers continue to navigate these changes, one thing is certain: the game is changing fast, and staying ahead of the curve is key.