NCAA LSDBi

Division I Proposal - 2017-20

ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY -- SEASONS OF COMPETITION: FIVE-YEAR RULE -- DELAYED ENROLLMENT -- SEASONS OF COMPETITION -- SERVICE EXCEPTIONS

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: To specify that participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government are exempt from the application of the delayed enrollment and seasons of competition legislation.

A.    Bylaws: Amend 12.8.3.2, as follows:

12.8.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.

12.8.3.2.1 Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey, Skiing and Tennis. In sports other than men's ice hockey, skiing and tennis, a student-athlete who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in a regular academic term during a one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete's country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be subject to the following:

[12.8.3.2.1-(a) through 12.8.3.2.1-(b) unchanged.]

[12.8.3.2.1.1 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.1.2 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1.

[12.8.3.2.1.2 through 12.8.3.2.1.3 renumbered as 12.8.3.2.1.3 through 12.8.3.2.1.4, unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.2 Tennis. In tennis, a student-athlete who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in a regular academic term within six months (or the first opportunity to enroll after six months have elapsed) after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class (as determined by the first year of high school enrollment or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and based on the prescribed educational path in the student-athlete's country), whichever occurs earlier, shall be subject to the following:

[12.8.3.2.2-(a) through 12.8.3.2.2-(b) unchanged.]

[12.8.3.2.2.1 unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.2.2 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.

12.8.3.2.2.23 Matriculation After 20th Birthday -- Tennis. In tennis, a student who is eligible under Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2, but who participates in organized tennis events after his or her 20th birthday and before full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be subject to the following:

[12.8.3.2.2.2-(a) through 12.8.3.2.2.2-(b) renumbered as 12.8.3.2.2.3-(a) through 12.8.3.2.2.3-(b) unchanged.]

[12.8.3.2.2.2.1 renumbered as 12.8.3.2.2.3.1, unchanged.]

12.8.3.2.2.3.2 Service Exceptions. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.

B.    Bylaws: Amend 12.8.3.5, as follows:

12.8.3.5 Participation After 21st Birthday -- Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing. In men's ice hockey and skiing, any participation as an individual or a team representative in organized sports competition by a student during each 12-month period after the student's 21st birthday and prior to initial full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution shall count as one year of varsity competition in that sport. Participation in organized competition during time spent in the U.S. armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government shall be excepted.

Source: NCAA Division I Council (Student-Athlete Experience Committee)

Effective Date:Immediate; may be applied retroactively to a student-athlete with eligibility remaining in his or her five-year period of eligibility.

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Athletics Eligibility

Rationale: Currently, time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions, or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is exempted from a student-athlete's five-year period of eligibility. However, if a student-athlete participates in any organized competition during that time, which could be as informal as a military recreational league or a fun run, the student-athlete loses a season of eligibility for each year in which he or she participates in such organized competition. This application unfairly penalizes a student-athlete who has spent time serving his or her country or religious organization. A student-athlete who engages in these types of service, whether voluntary or required, should not be penalized by losing a season of eligibility for participation in any organized competition during their time of service. Men's ice hockey and skiing already permit an exception to the 21st birthday rule for organized competition during time spent in the U.S. armed services. The concept of that exception should be broadened and applied to a greater number of sports in order to match the spirit of the five-year rule and the recognition of these important forms of service.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.

Position Statement(s):

Legislative Committee Supports

History

Sep 29, 2017: In Progress
Jan 27, 2018: In Progress The Council modified the effective date of the proposal from August 1, 2018 to immediate and specified that it may be applied retroactively to a student-athlete with eligibility remaining in his or her five-year period of eligibility.
Feb 8, 2018: Ready for Vote
Apr 18, 2018: Adopted by Council
Apr 25, 2018: No Board Action
Apr 25, 2018: Adopted Final

Legislative References

Division Number Title
I 12.8.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.
I 12.8.3.2.1 Sports Other Than Men's Ice Hockey, Skiing and Tennis.
I 12.8.3.2.1.2 Service Exceptions.
I 12.8.3.2.2 Tennis.
I 12.8.3.2.2.2 Matriculation After 20th Birthday -- Tennis.
I 12.8.3.2.2.2 Service Exceptions.
I 12.8.3.2.2.3.2 Service Exceptions.
I 12.8.3.5 Participation After 21st Birthday -- Men's Ice Hockey and Skiing.
References