Representatives of the Black Coaches Association and the NCAA will meet today in Chicago to discuss the issues that led to the BCA's threatened boycott of the collegiate basketball season in January. The Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice will mediate the talks.

Ron Tomalis, a representative of the CRS, said both parties and the Department of Justice have agreed not to comment on the issues or on today's meeting until an agreement is reached.

"We offered our services to both parties in this dispute," Tomalis said. "We are here to help the parties address the issues."

He added that the CRS is not involved in law enforcement and is present only for remediation.

The BCA representatives will include BCA Executive Director Rudy Washington; John Chaney, coach at Temple Universtiy; John Thompson, coach at Georgetown University; Nolan Richardson, coach at the University of Arkansas; and George Raveling, coach at the University of Southern California.

The NCAA representatives will include Judith Albino, chair of the NCAA Presidents Commission; NCAA President Joe Crowley; NCAA Executive Director Cedric Dempsey; NCAA Secretary-Treasurer Prentice Gautt; and Charles Whitcomb, chair of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.

The concerns the BCA has raised in the past include the reduction of basketball scholarships to 14, the lack of black representation in head coaching and administrative positions, and the increase of academic standards for student-athletes.