14.2.5 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of participation (per Bylaw 14.2.4) by the conference or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of "hardship." Hardship is defined as an incapacity resulting from a season-ending injury or illness (including a mental health condition) that has occurred under all of the following conditions: (Revised: 1/12/04 effective 8/1/04 for any athletics participation occurring on or after 8/1/04, 8/23/07, 7/23/25)

(a) The season-ending injury or illness occurs before the completion of the first half of the traditional playing season in that sport for the season being waived and results in incapacity to compete for the remainder of the traditional playing season. The first half of the traditional playing season is measured by the maximum contest or date of competition (whichever is applicable to that sport) limitation in each sport as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one contest or date of competition (excluding exempted scrimmages, exhibitions and/or joint practices). For cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, see Bylaw 14.2.5.2.5.1; and (Revised: 1/10/05 for any competition occurring on or after 8/1/04, 1/9/06, 8/23/07, 1/16/10 effective for injuries or illnesses that occur before 8/1/10, 4/13/10, 7/24/19)

(b) The season-ending injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not competed in more contests or dates of competition than a number equivalent to one-third of the standard denominator, where the standard denominator is determined by the maximum number of contests or dates of competition plus one contest or date of competition (see Bylaw 14.2.5.2.5.1). For cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, see Bylaw 14.2.5.2.5.1. Only competition (excluding exempted scrimmages, exhibition contests and/or joint practices ) against outside participants during the traditional playing season, or, if so designated, during the official NCAA championship playing season in that sport (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), shall be countable under this limitation in calculating the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has competed. [See Figure 14-1] (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 1/10/05 for any competition occurring on or after 8/1/04, 4/7/05, 1/9/06, 8/23/07, 1/16/10 effective for injuries or illnesses that occur before 8/1/10, 4/13/10, 10/18/16, 7/24/19)