A pair of U.S. lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at limiting the number of International student-athletes on college rosters, and it could have a major impact on college golf.
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) have introduced a bill called the Training and Education for Americans Members in University Sports and Athletics (TEAM USA) Act. The bill, which is aimed at protecting American student-athletes, would limit the number of international student-athletes on any roster to no more than 20 percent of each team. In college golf, where rosters are made of eight or nine college players, that means rosters would be allowed to have only one international golfer if the bill was passed.
“As Congress considers the future of
NIL and college sports, protecting opportunities for American student-athletes must come first," Husted said in a release. "American colleges and universities are increasingly giving scholarships and limited roster spots to foreign athletes, and the growth of NIL money only creates more incentive for foreign athletes to cash in on the American system. If the U.S. Congress is being asked to ‘save college sports’ we should save it for American student-athletes."
The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by tying federal student-aid eligibility to new limits on the number of international athletes allowed on college varsity sports teams. The growing recruitment of international athletes has reduced roster spots and scholarship opportunities for American athletes and may limit the traditional role of college sports as a development pathway for athletes representing the United States in international competition, according to the bill's findings, which you can read here.
“American colleges and universities should first and foremost provide opportunities for American students," Walberg said. "College athletics provides a pathway to world-class education and opportunities that last a lifetime. This bill restores balance by protecting roster spots for American student-athletes. America has built the strongest collegiate athletic system in the world, and we should make sure it continues to develop the next generation of American students and American Olympians."
The Team USA act wold take effect beginning with the 2029-30 academic year to minimize disruption to current student-athletes give schools and athletic programs time to adjust recruiting practices.
Since 2001, the number of international student-athletes receiving scholarships has nearly tripled, from approximately 8,945 to roughly 25,000 today. In sports like college golf and tennis, many rosters are composed of numerous international athletes.
And if the bill were passed, college golf would look a lot different by the end of the decade.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: TEAM USA Act could reshape college golf by limiting international players on rosters
