31.1 Administration of NCAA Championships.
31.1.1 Authority for Conduct of Championships. As specified in Bylaw 18.1, all NCAA championships shall be conducted in accordance with the general policies established by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee and shall be under the control, direction and supervision of the appropriate sports committees, subject to the standards and conditions set forth in these executive regulations. Additional policies of an administrative nature are set forth in the respective championships handbooks and are to be followed in the administration of NCAA championships. (Revised: 8/9/07, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/30/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.1.1 Waivers. The NCAA president shall be authorized to grant waivers of executive regulations governing the conduct of an NCAA championship when warranted by special and unusual circumstances.
31.1.1.2 Appeal of Decisions of Sports Committees. An appeal of a decision of a governing sports committee, or a subcommittee designated by it, concerning questions of individual or institutional eligibility or the conduct of a championship will not be considered by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee at any time during the championship or 48 hours immediately preceding the beginning of the championship. During such period, the governing sports committee, or a subcommittee designated by it, shall be the final authority in acting upon appeals concerning the conduct of the championship, subject to the provisions of Bylaw 31.2 regarding institutional and individual eligibility questions. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.2 Games Committee. The governing sports committee shall appoint a games committee to supervise actively the conduct of each championship session. The games committee conducting any NCAA championship shall limit participation to eligible student-athletes and may limit the number of entries or reject any application for entry in any event in order that the competition shall best promote the welfare and interest of the sport involved.
31.1.3 Sites and Dates. The governing sports committees recommend to the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee the sites and dates for all NCAA championships. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.3.1 Approval. Approval shall be obtained before final site commitments are made to the host institution or any other individual or organization associated with the management of an NCAA championship. However, in baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball, the governing sports committees are authorized to select sites for preliminary rounds of competition without prior approval. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.3.2 Site Selection. The governing sports committees shall evaluate prospective sites for NCAA championships in terms of the specific criteria approved by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. The division championships committees may assign specific priorities to these criteria for their respective championships. These criteria shall be specified in the appropriate championships handbooks. A governing sports committee that desires to use additional criteria shall obtain approval before doing so. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.3.2.1 Criteria for Site Determination. The following criteria are to be used in the evaluation of sites for all competition in NCAA championships: (Revised: 11/1/01, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
(a) Quality and availability of the facility and other necessary accommodations;
(b) Revenue potential (e.g., a financial guarantee or guideline that ensures fiscal responsibility and is appropriate for the particular event, as recommended by the governing sports committee and approved by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee);
(c) Attendance history and potential;
(d) Geographical location; and
(e) Championships operating costs.
31.1.3.2.1.1 Site Bid Information. Sports committees shall submit information related to championships site bids in a format approved by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. (Adopted: 11/1/01, Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.3.2.2 Nonpredetermined Site. If a championship site is not predetermined, the governing sports committee may award the site to the higher-ranked team if the above criteria, and any priorities established by the respective division championships committee, are met.
31.1.3.2.3 On-Campus Versus Off-Campus Sites. Preference shall be given to conducting competition on the grounds or in the buildings of educational institutions unless there are compelling reasons, based on evaluation of the criteria in Bylaw 31.1.3.2.1 (which shall be applied to both on-campus and off-campus sites), to conduct the competition in an off-campus facility. In those instances in which it is advisable to conduct the competition at off-campus sites, the host institution(s) shall have complete control, supervision and management of the facility being used. (Revised: 12/3/90)
31.1.3.2.4 Reconsideration of Host Institution. The applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee may reconsider the designation of a host institution for an NCAA championship if that institution's team or individual student-athletes are not eligible to compete in the championship. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.3.2.5 Nonrevenue Championships Site Assignment. In championships that do not generate revenue and for which only 25 percent of the bracket is seeded, seeded teams shall have the opportunity to host preliminary rounds. Conference opponents shall be avoided in the first two rounds of the championships. (Adopted: 4/28/11 effective 8/1/11)
31.1.3.3 Concluding Dates. NCAA championships competition shall be concluded not later than May 31 each year unless later dates are approved by the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. (Note: Waivers have been granted for the Division I Baseball Championship, the Division I Men's Golf Championships, the Division I Softball Championship, and the Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships.) (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.4 Day of Competition. NCAA championships competition may be scheduled or conducted on any day, provided the governing sports committee has received the prior approval of the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee and the following regulations are applied. (Revised: 4/22/98, 8/11/98, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.4.1 Institutional Policy. If a participating institution has a written policy against competition on a particular day for religious reasons, it shall submit its written policy to the governing sports committee on or before September 1 of each academic year in order for it or one of its student-athletes to be excused from competing on that day. The championship schedule shall be adjusted to accommodate that institution. (Adopted: 4/22/98, Revised: 8/11/98, 10/28/99, 5/2/13)
31.1.4.2 Individual Championships. In individual championships, an athlete must compete according to the institution's policy regarding Sunday competition (if the institution has no policy against Sunday competition, the athlete shall compete on Sunday if required by the schedule).
31.1.4.3 Rescheduling. If an emergency develops that causes postponement of an NCAA championship, or if the competitive situation dictates a more expeditious completion of the meet or tournament, Sunday competition may be permitted, provided the competing institutions are agreeable and advance approval is obtained from the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14, 10/4/17)
31.1.4.4 Noon Start Time. NCAA competition conducted on Sunday may not begin prior to noon, local time.
31.1.4.4.1 Exception. Sports committees may reschedule competition to begin prior to noon on Sunday if extenuating circumstances arise (e.g., weather) that would affect the health and safety of the participants or otherwise cause postponement of the championship. (Adopted: 4/25/02, Revised: 10/30/03)
31.1.4.4.2 Exception -- Men's Golf and Women's Rowing Championships. In instances in which the final day of the men's golf or women's rowing championships occurs on a Sunday, competition may begin prior to noon. (Adopted: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, Revised: 1/14/12)
31.1.4.4.3 Exception -- Women's Golf Championships. Competition conducted on Sunday in the women's golf championships may begin prior to noon. (Adopted: 10/29/15)
31.1.4.4.4 Exception -- Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. Competition conducted on Sunday in the men's and women's fencing championships may begin prior to noon. (Adopted: 10/29/15)
31.1.5 Squad Limits. In any championship in which a squad limit has been established by the governing sports committee or by the bylaws, the number of eligible student-athletes in competitive uniform at the start of the competition shall not exceed the prescribed number. An institution that is advised that it is in violation of this regulation and that does not promptly conform to it automatically shall forfeit the competition. There shall be no inordinate delay of the competition to allow the institution to conform to the rule.
31.1.6 Playing Rules.
31.1.6.1 Non-NCAA Rules, Men's Sports. In those men's sports in which the Association does not publish rules, the NCAA championships shall be conducted according to the following, except where those rules are superseded by modifications recommended by the appropriate governing sports committee and approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (see Bylaw 18.6): (Revised: 4/20/11, 1/23/19, 5/2/19)
(a) Fencing -- U.S. Fencing Association Rules;
(b) Golf -- U.S. Golf Association Rules;
(c) Gymnastics -- International Gymnastics Federation Rules;
(d) Rifle -- USA Shooting Rules;
(e) Skiing -- International Ski Federation and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Competition Guides;
(f) Tennis -- U.S. Tennis Association Rules; and
(g) Volleyball -- U.S. Volleyball Association Rules.
31.1.6.2 Non-NCAA Rules, Women's Sports. In those women's sports in which the Association does not publish rules, the NCAA championships shall be conducted according to the following, except where those rules are superseded by modifications recommended by the appropriate governing sports committee and approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (see Bylaw 18.6): (Adopted: 1/14/97, Revised: 4/20/11, 1/23/19, 5/2/19)
(a) Fencing -- U.S. Fencing Association Rules;
(b) Field Hockey -- International Field Hockey Rules;
(c) Golf -- U.S. Golf Association Rules;
(d) Gymnastics -- International Gymnastics Federation Women's Code of Points with the U.S. Gymnastics Federation Class I, Competition I-B rules and the USGF modifications;
(e) Rifle -- USA Shooting Rules;
(f) Rowing -- U.S. Rowing Rules;
(g) Skiing -- International Ski Federation and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Competition Guides; and
(h) Tennis -- U.S. Tennis Association Rules.
31.1.6.3 Modifications to Non-NCAA Rules -- Consistency Among Divisions. Rules modifications for sports in which the Association does not publish rules must be consistent among all three divisions. (Adopted: 1/23/19)
31.1.7 Logo Restrictions -- Bench Personnel. The logo restrictions on student-athletes' apparel set forth in Bylaw 12.5.4 shall apply during NCAA championships to all personnel (e.g., coaches, trainers, managers) who are on the team bench for practices and games or who participate in NCAA news conferences. (Adopted: 8/11/98 effective 8/1/99 those contracts between institutions and apparel manufacturers or distributors that include logo specifications may be honored provided such contracts were in effect before 8/11/98)
31.1.8 Logo Restrictions -- Noncompeting Participants. The logo restriction on student-athletes' apparel set forth in Bylaw 12.5.4 shall apply to commercial logos on uniforms worn by band members, cheerleaders, dance team members and the institution's mascot during NCAA championship events. (Adopted: 8/11/98 effective 8/1/99)
31.1.9 Medical Disqualification. The student-athlete’s team physician shall examine each athlete injured during NCAA competition and make a recommendation to the athlete, the coach and the chair of the governing sports committee, or the chair’s designated representative, as to the advisability of continued participation or disqualification of the athlete. In the absence of said team physician, the NCAA tournament physician, as recommended by the host institution and approved by the governing sports committee, shall examine the injured athlete and make a recommendation as noted above. The chair of the governing sports committee, or the chair’s designated representative, shall be responsible for enforcement of the medical recommendation if it involves disqualification.
31.1.10 Misconduct. Each games committee shall hold a pretournament meeting with the coaches of participating institutions to review and explain the policies related to misconduct (as defined in Bylaw 31.02.4).
31.1.10.1 Hearing Opportunity. An act of misconduct may be found upon an administrative hearing granted to the student-athlete or the institutional representative involved by the governing sports committee or the games committee authorized to act for it.
31.1.10.2 Misconduct Incident During Competition. If the act of misconduct occurs during the competition, under normal circumstances the individual shall be allowed to complete the competition in which the individual is participating at the time of the incident. An administrative hearing shall be held at the conclusion of the day’s competition, during a break in the continuity of the championship (e.g., between rounds of a basketball tournament) when no competition is being conducted or at the conclusion of the championship. However, if the act of misconduct is so flagrant that it obviously violates the principles of fair play and sportsmanship, the games committee may immediately withdraw the student-athlete or institutional representative from the competition and conduct the hearing following this action. Other acts of misconduct may be dealt with at the governing sports committee’s convenience. (Revised: 8/13/92)
31.1.10.3 Penalty for Misconduct. A governing sports committee (or the games committee authorized to act for it) may impose any one or a combination of the following penalties on an institution or any student-athlete or representative of an institution guilty of misconduct: (Revised: 8/13/92, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14)
(a) Public or private reprimand of the individual;
(b) Disqualification of the individual from further participation in the NCAA championship involved;
(c) Banishment of the individual from participation in one or more following championships of the sport involved;
(d) Cancellation of payment to the institution of the Association's travel guarantee for the individuals involved;
(e) Withholding of all or a portion of the institution's share of revenue distribution;
(f) Banishment of the institution from participation in one or more following championships in which its team in that sport otherwise would be eligible to participate;
(g) Disqualification of an institution for a period of time from serving as host institution for one or more NCAA championships;
(h) Cancellation of all or a portion of the honorarium for hosting an NCAA championship; and
(i) Financial or other penalties different from (a) through (h) above, but only if they have prior approval of the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee.
31.1.10.4 Ban from Subsequent Championship. When a student-athlete or institutional representative is banned from participation in a subsequent championship, such penalty shall be applied to the next tournament(s) in which the individual’s team is involved and the individual otherwise is eligible to participate. In the case of an individual event, the penalty shall be applied to the next meet(s) or tournament(s) for which the individual qualifies and otherwise is eligible to participate.
31.1.10.5 Review of Action. Any action related to misconduct may be reviewed by the governing sports committee upon request of any institution participating in the championship.
31.1.11 Failure to Adhere to Policies and Procedures.
31.1.11.1 Financial Penalties. Pursuant to established policies and procedures, a governing sports committee may assess a financial penalty against an institution for failure of any of its representatives to adhere to the policies and procedures governing championships administration, subject to review by and appeal to the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. (Revised: 5/7/90, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 10/29/09, 8/7/14, 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17)
31.1.11.2 Late-Entry Fines. Institutions shall not be charged entry fees for teams or student-athletes competing in NCAA championships, but governing sports committees may establish late-entry fines, subject to the approval of the applicable sport oversight committee or the Competition Oversight Committee. (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14)
31.1.12 Awards. The Association has created standard participant and commemorative awards for individuals and teams that participate in NCAA championships. The number of such awards for each championship shall be determined by the governing sports committee, subject to the approval of the applicable sport oversight committee (men's basketball, women's basketball or football) or the Competition Oversight Committee (for all other sports). These official NCAA awards shall be the only awards presented by the Association to teams and individuals for participation in NCAA championships competition and shall be the only awards presented at the site of an NCAA championship. "At the site" is intended to include the period from the time access to the site is available to spectators until all patrons have left the facility or area used for competition. (See Figure 16-1, Figure 16-2 and Figure 16-3 for additional limitations on awards.) (Revised: 8/8/02, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 8/7/14)
31.1.12.1 Additional Awards. Subject to the director of athletics' discretion, an institution may purchase standard participant or commemorative awards at the level in which the institution competed. The NCAA awards form shall be used to purchase additional awards. (Adopted: 8/8/02, Revised: 10/28/04, 5/18/05)
31.1.12.2 Other Permissible Awards. The above provision places no restriction on the presentation of awards at banquets or meetings held in conjunction with the championship or at sites other than that of the championships competition itself.
31.1.13 Admission and Tickets. Admission shall be charged at all NCAA championships unless a governing sports committee determines that charging admission is not feasible because of facility configuration or the expense relative to the event's attendance history. Ticket prices shall be determined by the respective games committees with the approval of the governing sports committee.