There's a recruiting proposal in the NCAA legislative pipeline with Pat Summitt's name on it.



A comprehensive package of changes submitted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association includes prohibiting a coach from being employed in any capacity by a women's professional basketball league or team.

Summitt, Tennessee's women's basketball coach, has been a paid consultant the past three seasons with the WNBA's Washington Mystics.

"I've enjoyed being a consultant," Summitt said, "but if the majority of the coaches are against it and think it's the best thing, that will be the reality of the situation."

Summitt's perceived reality is that her work with the Mystics hasn't benefited UT's recruiting.

The sales pitch already was fairly comprehensive. Let's see, six national championships, 15 Final Fours, 852 career coaching victories, an SEC school with a well-funded, well-supported women's athletic department, etc.

"I don't think that it's signed me any recruits in my personal opinion," Summitt said of her WNBA work. "I don't know if they (recruits) even know it. I never talked about it in recruiting. I'm selling Tennessee, not being a consultant."

Summitt's peers likely have their view of the situation. To begin with, they were contending with a collegiate coaching legend who casts a long shadow. Then they see something like last week's Washington Post story giving Summitt "full credit" for the Mystics' late-season playoff push and referring to her sage advice. It's enough to make them spit up their morning coffee and say: "Enough already."

Summitt, who has one year left on her contract with the Mystics, doesn't seem overly concerned about possibly losing the extra paycheck. If anything, she seemed genuinely optimistic about some of the other proposals, which also address access and the well-being of student-athletes.

Proposals would allow skill-related instruction outside of the playing season and flexibility in off-season practice activities. Incoming freshmen also would be able to participate in summer foreign tours, receive medical expenses and work summer camps.

Among the other recruiting suggestions are cutting a recruit's official visits from five to four and prohibiting text-messaging contact with prospects.

Along with prohibiting work for professional teams, the Summitt proposal regarding recruiting also would prohibit coaches from serving as commentators for pro league broadcasts.

Summitt was one of 19 coaches who served on a committee that helped develop the revisions.

Ely Update: Two days after having Lasik surgery, Tennessee senior forward Shyra Ely was back on the court doing some individual drills. She was wearing goggles to protect her eyes.

Because of her particular astigmatism, Ely said that her recovery period will be longer, and she might need enhancement surgery in six months. No matter, this beats wearing contact lenses.

"They were never straight, and they'd pop out all the time," Ely said. "This is like perfect."

She said the entire Lasik procedure took about five minutes and had a distinct feel to it.

"I felt like he (the doctor) was shooting gusts of air into my eye," she said.

Down In Front: UT has sold 44 courtside seats for the upcoming season.

Everyone from longtime donors to first-time ticket buyers has taken advantage of the first-time opportunity for women's games. It requires a $40,000 initial donation and yearly contributions in the $10,000 range.

Notebook: Lady Vols freshman Candace Parker is receiving high marks from UT medical officials for her knee rehabilitation work. ... The knee surgery for fellow freshman Alex Fuller is planned for Oct. 13. ... Texas received verbal commitments this week from top point guard Erika Arriaran from Norco, Calif., and shooting guard Crystal Boyd from Little Rock, Ark., The Longhorns have five commitments and the makings of one of the top recruiting classes for 2005. ... The condition of Lady Vols fan Gerry Campbell, who is recuperating in a hospital in Athens, Greece, has improved. A friend talked to Campbell via cell phone this week and thought he heard him say, "Go Lady Vols."