12 Amateurism and Athletics Eligibility

[12.01 unchanged.]

12.02 Definitions and Applications.

[12.02.1 through 12.02.6 unchanged.]

12.02.7 Organized Competition. Athletics competition shall be considered organized if any of the following conditions exists:

(a) Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

(b) Official score is kept;

(c) Individual or team standings are maintained;

(d) Official timer or game officials are used;

(e) Admission is charged;

(f) Teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined;

(g) Team uniforms are used;

(h) A team is privately or commercially sponsored; or

(i) The competition is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, an organization or any other agency.

[12.02.7 through 12.02.9 renumbered as 12.02.8 through 12.02.10, unchanged.]

12.02.11 Religious Mission, Official. An official religious mission is one that is established by the religious organization of which the individual is a member and that results in the individual being unable to attend a collegiate institution during the period of the mission.

[12.02.10 renumbered as 12.02.12, unchanged.]

12.02.113 Volleyball and Sand Volleyball. Volleyball and sand volleyball are considered the same sport for the purposes of Bylaw 12 Bylaws 12.1, 12.2 and 12.8.3.2.

[Bylaw 12.1 through 12.6 unchanged.]

12.7 General Eligibility Requirements.

12.7.1 Postseason and Regular-Season Competition. To be eligible for regular-season competition, NCAA championships, and for postseason football bowl games, the student-athlete shall meet all general eligibility requirements.

12.7.2 Student-Athlete Statement.

12.7.2.1 Content and Purpose. Prior to participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a statement in a form prescribed by the Legislative Council in which the student-athlete submits information related to eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status, previous positive-drug tests administered by any other athletics organization and involvement in organized gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics competition under the Association's governing legislation. Failure to complete and sign the statement shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation in all intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight, and the student-athlete subsequently signs the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1.

12.7.2.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form:

(a) The statement shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee prior to the student's participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year; and

(b) The statement shall be kept on file by the athletics director and shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of the NCAA.

12.7.2.3 Institutional Responsibility -- Notification of Positive Test. The institution shall promptly notify in writing the NCAA vice president for student-athlete affairs regarding a student-athlete's disclosure of a previous positive test for banned substances administered by any other athletics organization.

12.7.3 Drug-Testing Consent Form.

12.7.3.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Council in which the student consents to be tested for the use of drugs prohibited by NCAA legislation. Failure to complete and sign the consent form prior to practice or competition, or before the Monday of the fourth week of classes (whichever occurs first) shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation (practice and competition) in all intercollegiate athletics.

12.7.3.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form (see Constitution 3.2.4.7):

(a) The consent form shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee each academic year;

(b) The athletics director or the athletics director's designee shall disseminate the list of banned drug classes to all student-athletes and educate them about products that might contain banned drugs. All student-athletes are to be notified that the list may change during the academic year, that updates may be found on the NCAA website (www.ncaa.org) and informed of the appropriate athletics department procedures for disseminating updates to the list; and

(c) The consent form shall be kept on file by the athletics director and shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of the NCAA.

12.7.3.3 Exception -- 14-Day Grace Period. A student-athlete who is "trying out" for a team is not required to complete the form until 14 days from the first date the student-athlete engages in countable athletically related activities or before the student-athlete participates in a competition, whichever occurs earlier.

12.7.3.4 Effect of Violation. A violation of Bylaw 12.7.3 or its subsections shall be considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided the student-athlete signs the consent form.

12.7.4 Student-Athlete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Authorization/Buckley Amendment Consent Form -- Disclosure of Protected Health Information.

12.7.4.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete may voluntarily sign a statement in a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Council in which the student-athlete authorizes/consents to the institution's physicians, athletics directors and health care personnel to disclose the student-athlete's injury/illness and participation information associated with the student-athlete's training and participation in intercollegiate athletics to the NCAA and to its Injury Surveillance Program (ISP), agents and employees for the purpose of conducting research into the reduction of athletics injuries. The authorization/consent by the student-athlete is voluntary and is not required for the student-athlete to be eligible to participate. [D]

12.7.4.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form: [D]

(a) The authorization/consent form shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee before the student-athlete's participation in intercollegiate athletics each academic year.

(b) Signing the authorization/consent shall be voluntary and is not required by the student-athlete's institution for medical treatment, payment for treatment, enrollment in a health plan or for any benefits (if applicable) and is not required for the student-athlete to be eligible to participate.

(c) Any signed authorization/consent forms shall be kept on file by the athletics director.

12.7.5 Eligibility Requirements for Male Students to Practice With Women's Teams. Male students may engage in practice sessions with women's teams under the following conditions:

(a) Male students who practice with an institution's women's team on an occasional basis must be verified as eligible for practice in accordance with Bylaw 14.2.1 and must have eligibility remaining under the five-year rule (see Bylaw 12.8.1);

(b) Male students who practice with an institution's women's teams on a regular basis must be certified as eligible for practice in accordance with all applicable NCAA eligibility regulations (e.g., must be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies, must sign a drug-testing consent form, must be included on the institution's squad list);

(c) It is not permissible for an institution to provide male students financial assistance (room and board, tuition and fees, and books) in return for practicing with a women's team. A male student who is receiving financial aid or any compensation for serving in any position in the athletics department may not practice with a women's team. A male student-athlete who is a counter in a men's sport may not engage in practice sessions with an institution's women's team in any sport;

(d) It is not permissible for an institution to provide male students room and board to remain on campus during a vacation period to participate in practice sessions with a women's team;

(e) It is not permissible for a male student-athlete who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier to participate in practice sessions with a women's team; and

(f) It is permissible for an institution to provide practice apparel to male students for the purpose of practicing with a women's team.

12.8 Seasons of Competition: Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 17.02.8 and 14.3.3). An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate competition unless the individual completes all of his or her seasons of participation in all sports within the time
periods specified below:

12.8.1 Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall complete his or her seasons of participation within five calendar years from the beginning of the semester or quarter in which the student-athlete first registered for a minimum full-time program of studies in a collegiate institution, with time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government being excepted. For international students, service in the armed forces or on an official religious mission of the student's home country is considered equivalent to such service in the United States.

12.8.1.1 Determining the Start of the Five-Year Period. For purposes of starting the count of time under the five-year rule, a student-athlete shall be considered registered at a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign; see Bylaw 14.02.4) when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term (semester or quarter) of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the institution, and attends the student's first day of classes for that term (see Bylaw 12.8.2).

12.8.1.2 Service Exceptions to the Five-Year Rule. Time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is excepted from the application of the five-year rule. Among such services that qualify a student-athlete for an extension of the five-year rule are:

(a) Military Sea Transport Service;

(b) Peace Corps; or

(c) Service as a conscientious objector ordered by the Selective Service Commission (or the equivalent authority in a foreign nation) in lieu of active military duty.

12.8.1.2.1 Elapsed Time/Service to Enrollment. If a student-athlete enrolls in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of any one of the commitments described in the exceptions to this bylaw, the elapsed time (the exact number of calendar days) between completion of the commitment and the first opportunity for enrollment may be added to the exact number of days served on active duty in the armed services, with foreign aid services or on official religious missions and will not count toward the student-athlete's five years of eligibility. It is not permissible to extend the five-year period by any additional time beyond the first opportunity to enroll (the opening day of classes of the first regular term at the institution in which the student-athlete enrolls as a regular student immediately following the termination of the active-duty commitment).

12.8.1.2.2 Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent With Service Assignment. Any time in which a student-athlete is enrolled for a minimum full-time load as a regular student in a collegiate institution while simultaneously on active duty in the U.S. military, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government shall count against the five calendar years in which the studentathlete's seasons of eligibility must be completed.

12.8.1.3 Pregnancy Exception. A member institution may approve a one-year extension of the five-year period of eligibility for a female student-athlete for reasons of pregnancy.

12.8.1.4 Athletics Activities Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or a committee designated by it, shall have the authority to waive this provision by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting to permit student-athletes to participate in:

(a) Official Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games, World University Championships and Olympic training, tryouts and competition;

(b) Officially recognized training and competition directly qualifying participants for final Olympic tryouts; or

(c) Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

12.8.1.4.1 Athletics Activity Waiver Criteria. Extensions of the five-year period of eligibility for student-athletes by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, shall be based on the following criteria: The member institution in which the student-athlete is enrolled must establish to the satisfaction of the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement (by objective evidence) that the student-athlete was unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of participation in one of the activities listed in the above legislation for a specific period of time. Further, such an extension shall be limited to one time and for a period not to exceed one year per student-athlete, per sport. 

12.8.1.5 Five-Year Rule Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers of the five-year rule as it deems appropriate.

12.8.1.5.1 Waiver Criteria. A waiver of the five-year period of eligibility is designed to provide a student-athlete with the opportunity to participate in four seasons of intercollegiate competition within a five-year period. This waiver may be granted, based upon objective evidence, for reasons that are beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution, which deprive the student-athlete of the opportunity to participate for more than one season in his or her sport within the five-year period. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement reserves the right to review requests that do not meet the more-than-one-year criteria detailed in this bylaw for circumstances of extraordinary or extreme hardship. A student-athlete who has exhausted his or her five years of eligibility may continue to practice (but not compete) for a maximum of 30 consecutive calendar days, provided the student-athlete's institution has submitted a waiver request. The student-athlete may not commence practice until the institution has filed such a request. Further, if such a request is denied prior to exhausting the 30-day practice period, the student-athlete must cease all practice activities upon the institution's notification of the denial..

12.8.1.5.1.1 Circumstances Beyond Control. Circumstances considered to be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution and do not cause a participation opportunity to be used shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Situations clearly supported by contemporaneous medical documentation, which states that a student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate competition as a result of incapacitating physical or mental circumstances;

(b) The student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of a life-threatening or incapacitating injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, which clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;

(c) Reliance by the student-athlete upon written, contemporaneous, clearly erroneous academic advice provided to the student-athlete from a specific academic authority from a collegiate institution regarding the academic status of the student-athlete or prospective student-athlete, which directly leads to that individual not being eligible to participate and, but for the clearly erroneous advice, the student-athlete would have established eligibility for intercollegiate competition;

(d) Natural disasters (e.g., earthquake, flood); and

(e) Extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in the family) experienced by the student-athlete or by an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent, which prohibit the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent.

12.8.1.5.1.2 Circumstances Within Control. Circumstances that are considered to be within the control of the student-athlete or the institution and cause a participation opportunity to be used include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) A student-athlete's decision to attend an institution that does not sponsor his or her sport, or decides not to participate at an institution that does sponsor his or her sport;

(b) An inability to participate due to failure to meet institutional/conference or NCAA academic requirements, or disciplinary reasons or incarceration culminating in or resulting from a conviction;

(c) Reliance by a student-athlete upon misinformation from a coaching staff member;

(d) Redshirt year;

(e) An inability to participate as a result of a transfer year in residence or fulfilling a condition for restoration of eligibility; and

(f) A student-athlete's lack of understanding regarding the specific starting date of his or her five-year period of eligibility.

12.8.2 Additional Applications of the Five-Year Rule.

12.8.2.1 Athletics Competition. Even though a student is enrolled for less than a minimum full-time program of studies at a collegiate institution, the student's five-year period of eligibility begins if the individual represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics.

12.8.2.2 Nonrecognized College. Enrollment in a postsecondary, noncollegiate institution (e.g., technical school, seminary or business college) in the United States that is not accredited at the college level by an agency or association recognized by the secretary of the Department of Education and legally authorized to offer at least a one-year program of study creditable toward a degree, constitutes enrollment in the application of the five-year rule only if:

(a) The student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies at such an institution that conducts an intercollegiate athletics program; or
(b) The student, whether enrolled for a minimum full-time program of studies or not, represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics.

12.8.2.3 Joint College/High School Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while a student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in a joint high school/college academic program for high school students in which the courses count as both high school graduation credit and college credit, provided the student has not officially graduated from high school and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics while enrolled in the joint program.

12.8.2.4 Vocational Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while the student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies as a part of a special vocational program that combines enrollment in regular college courses and participation in vocational training courses, provided the student is not considered to be regularly matriculated by the institution, does not go through the customary registration and testing procedures required of all regular entering students and is not eligible for the institution's extracurricular activities, including athletics.

12.8.2.5 Eligibility for Practice. A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having engaged in four seasons of intercollegiate competition in a sport may continue to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport without being a counter (see Bylaw 15.02.3), provided the individual has eligibility remaining under the five-year rule. [D]

12.8.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.

12.8.3.1 Minimum Amount of Competition. Any competition, regardless of time, during a season in an intercollegiate sport shall be counted as a season of competition in that sport, except as provided in Bylaws 12.8.3.1.1, 12.8.3.1.2, 12.8.3.1.3 and 12.8.3.1.4. This provision is applicable to intercollegiate athletics competition conducted by a two-year or four-year collegiate institution at the varsity or subvarsity level.

12.8.3.1.1 Two-Year College Scrimmages. A two-year college prospective student-athlete may compete in a scrimmage as a member of a two-year college team without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the competition meets all of the following conditions:

(a) The scrimmage is approved by the two-year college;

(b) No official score is kept;

(c) No admission is charged;

(d) No official time is kept;

(e) The scrimmage is played prior to the two-year college's first regularly scheduled outside competition; and

(f) The prospective student-athlete participates in not more than two such scrimmages or dates of competition per academic year.

12.8.3.1.2 Exception -- Nonchampionship Segment Competition -- Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball and Men's Water Polo. In field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo, a student-athlete may engage in outside competition during the segment of the playing season that does not conclude with the NCAA championship without using a season of competition, provided the student-athlete was academically eligible during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship.

12.8.3.1.3 Preseason Exhibitions/Preseason Practice Scrimmages During Initial Year. During a student-athlete's initial year of enrollment at the certifying institution, he or she may compete in preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages (as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17) without counting such competition as a season of competition.

12.8.3.1.4 Alumni Game, Fundraising Activity or Celebrity Sports Activity. A student-athlete may engage in outside competition in either one alumni game, one fundraising activity or one celebrity sports activity during a season without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the event is exempted from the institution's maximum number of contests or dates of competition as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17.

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:

(a) The student-athlete shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate eligibility for each calendar year after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 12.02.7.

(b) After the one-year time period, if the student-athlete has engaged in competition per Bylaw 12.02.7, on matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition.

12.8.3.2.1.1 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1:

(a) Official Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships competition;

(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may directly qualify for final tryouts for a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation).

12.8.3.2.1.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 12.8.3.2.1.1.

12.8.3.2.1.2 Track and Field and Cross Country. A student-athlete who has participated in organized competition after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during a cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field season (as opposed to general road racing events) shall be charged with a season of competition in the sport in which the student has participated for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which he or she participated in organized competition.

12.8.3.2.1.3 Road Racing. A student-athlete who has participated in road racing activities after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment shall be charged with a season of competition in each of the sports of cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which he or she participates in organized competition.

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:

(a) The student-athlete shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate eligibility for each calendar year after the six-month period has elapsed (or the next opportunity to enroll) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 12.02.7.

(b) After the six-month period, if the student-athlete has engaged in organized competition per Bylaw 12.02.7, on matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition.

12.8.3.2.2.1 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the six-month time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2:

(a) Official Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships competition;

(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may directly qualify for final tryouts for a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation.)

12.8.3.2.2.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.1.

12.8.3.2.2.2 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:

(a) The student will be charged with one season of intercollegiate tennis competition for each calendar year after his or her 20th birthday and prior to full-time enrollment at the certifying institution during which the student-athlete has participated in organized tennis competition per Bylaw 12.02.7. [Note: This includes participation in intercollegiate tennis while enrolled full time in another two-year or four-year institution; however, this provision replaces the season of competition counted in Bylaw 12.8 (only one season is used in any one year).]

(b) Upon matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate tennis, unless the student transfers to the certifying institution with a minimum of 24 semester hours (or equivalent) of transferable degree credit. (Note: All other NCAA transfer and academic eligibility requirements apply.)

12.8.3.2.2.2.1 Exception -- Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships Participation. Participation in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships is exempt from the application of Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.2.

12.8.3.2.2.2.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 12.8.3.2.2.2.1.

12.8.3.3 Track and Field and Cross Country. Cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field shall be considered separate sports.

12.8.3.4 Intercollegiate Competition. A student-athlete is considered to have engaged in a season of intercollegiate competition when he or she competes in an athletics event involving any one of the conditions characterizing intercollegiate competition (per Bylaw 17.02.8).

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 shall be excepted.

12.8.3.6 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who did not compete during the institution's season just completed and who represents the institution in a certified foreign tour after that intercollegiate season and prior to the start of the next academic year shall not be charged with a season of eligibility (see Bylaw 17.29.1.4).

12.8.3.7 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. An individual is charged with a season of competition for participation in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 17.02.8) as a member of an institution's club team if that institution sponsored the sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport and as a club sport at the time of participation.

12.8.4 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of "hardship." Hardship is defined as an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness that has occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition at any two-year or four-year collegiate institutions or occurs after the first day of classes in the student-athlete's senior year in high school; )

(b) The injury or illness occurs prior to the first competition of the second half of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport (see Bylaw 12.8.4.3.4) and results in incapacity to compete for the remainder of that playing season;

(c) In team sports, the injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three contests or dates of competition (whichever is applicable to that sport) or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in his or her sport. Only scheduled or completed competition against outside participants during the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship, 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 both the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated and the number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition during that season in the sport. Dates of competition that are exempted (e.g., alumni contests, foreign team in the United States) from the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition shall count toward the number of contests or dates in which the student-athlete has participated and the number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in the season, except for scrimmages and exhibition contests that are specifically identified as such in the sport's Bylaw 17 playing and practice season regulations. Scrimmages and exhibition contests that are not exempted from the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition may be excluded from the calculation only if they are identified as such in the sport's Bylaw 17 playing and practice season regulations; and

(d) In individual sports, the injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three dates of competition or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the maximum permissible number of dates of competition as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one date for a conference championship (e.g., gymnastics: 13+1=14, wrestling: 16+1=17), regardless of whether the team participates in the conference championship, provided the institution is a member of a conference and the conference holds a championship event in the applicable sport. Dates of competition that are exempted per Bylaw 17 (e.g., alumni contests, foreign team in the United States) from the maximum permissible number of dates of competition do not count toward the number of dates in which the student-athlete has participated.

12.8.4.1 Additional Criteria -- Two-Year College Hardship. Institutions shall apply the following additional conditions if the injury or illness occurred at a two-year college:

(a) The appropriate two-year college athletics association (e.g., National Junior College Athletic Association, Community College League of California) shall review and approve each hardship waiver request;

(b) After approval by the appropriate two-year college athletics association, the request shall be reviewed and approved by the appropriate NCAA member conference or, in the case of an independent member institution, by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, to ensure compliance with the provisions of NCAA legislation;

(c) Waiver requests shall be submitted only from two-year college organizations that apply the same or more stringent rules related to the administration of hardship waivers (compliance with all of the regulations of Bylaw 12.8.4); and

(d) Each waiver request must be accompanied by a signed statement by the physician who treated the student-athlete, indicating the reason(s) why the injury or illness was incapacitating.

12.8.4.2 Administration of Hardship Waiver. The hardship waiver shall be administered by the member conferences of the Association or, in the case of an independent member institution, by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

12.8.4.2.1 Review of Denied Waiver. A conference that denies an institution's hardship waiver may submit the waiver to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. The committee shall have the authority to review and determine whether to approve the waiver based on circumstances that may warrant relief from the application of the legislated waiver criteria.

12.8.4.3 Criteria for Administration of Hardship Waiver.

12.8.4.3.1 Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

12.8.4.3.2 Nature of Injury/Illness. It is not necessary for the incapacitating injury or illness to be the direct result of the student's participation in the institution's organized practice or game competition.

12.8.4.3.3 Medical Documentation. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation, from a physician (a medical doctor) who administered care at the time of the injury or illness, that establishes the student-athlete's inability to compete as a result of that injury or illness shall be submitted with any hardship-waiver request.

12.8.4.3.4 First-Half-of-Season Calculation.

12.8.4.3.4.1 Team Sports. In team sports, the first half of the season is measured by the number of scheduled contests or dates of competition not exceeding the maximum limitations in each sport as set forth in Bylaw 17 as set prior to the first scheduled contest or date of competition of the designated official NCAA championship playing season in the applicable sport or the number of completed contests or dates of competition. In determining if an injury or illness occurs prior to the first competition of the second half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship in a sport with an odd number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, the injury or illness must have occurred prior to the beginning of the scheduled or completed varsity contest or date of competition that starts the second half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship (e.g., an injury or illness occurring at any time after the beginning of the scheduled sixth game of an 11-game schedule would be considered to be after the first half of the institution's season and would not qualify the student-athlete for a hardship waiver).

12.8.4.3.4.1.1 Contests or Dates of Competition Based on Championship Selection. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., ice hockey), the first half of the season shall be measured by the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments). In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition during only one segment of the season (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), the first half of the season shall be measured by the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for only the championship segment.

12.8.4.3.4.2 Individual Sports. In individual sports, the first-half-of-the-season calculation is based on the number of days in the season that concludes with the NCAA championship, as declared by the institution, between the first date of competition used by any individual on the team and the last date of competition used by any individual on the team at the end of the declared playing season, including a conference championship and any regular-season competition scheduled after the conference championship (e.g., "last chance" meet). Any break in the declared season shall not be counted (e.g., institutional vacation period in which no practice or competition occurs). The total number of days in the championship season shall be divided by two in order to determine the first half of the season. A fractional portion of a day shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

12.8.4.3.4.2.1 Championship Selection Based on Entire Season. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., golf, tennis), the first half of the season is based on the number of days in the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments), as declared by the institution between the first date of competition used by any individual on the team and the last date of competition used by any individual on the team at the end of the declared playing season, including a conference championship and any regular-season competition scheduled after the conference championship (e.g., "last chance" meet).

12.8.4.3.5 Reinjury in Second Half of Season. A student-athlete who suffers an injury in the first half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship or who suffers an injury after the first day of classes in his or her senior year of high school, attempts to return to competition during the second half of that season and then is unable to participate further as a result of aggravating the original injury does not qualify for the hardship waiver.

12.8.4.3.6 Percent Calculation. The following requirements are to be met in determining the percent calculation under this waiver provision: (Note: The percent calculation requirements set forth in Bylaws 12.8.4 and 12.8.4.3.6 apply only to the waiver provisions of this section and do not apply to the maximum- and minimum-contests requirements in Bylaws 17 and 20.)

12.8.4.3.6.1 Denominator in Percent Computation.

12.8.4.3.6.1.1 Team Sports. The denominator in the institution's percent calculation shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition [see Bylaw 12.8.4-(c)] as computed for playing and practice season purposes in Bylaw 17 for the applicable sport. [Note: Exempted events in Bylaw 17 are included in the percent calculation, except as provided in Bylaw 12.8.4-(c).] An institution participating in a single-elimination event may only count the actual contests in which the institution participates (as opposed to the number of contests scheduled in the event) in determining the number of scheduled or completed contests in the denominator.

12.8.4.3.6.1.1.1 Conference Championships. A conference championship shall be counted as one contest or date of competition in determining the institution's scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in that sport, regardless of the number of days or games involved in the championship. However, for purposes of this regulation, the calculation of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in a particular season does not include postseason competition conducted after the completion of the institution's regular-season schedule and conference tournament.

12.8.4.3.6.1.1.2 Contests or Dates of Competition Based on Championship Selection. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., ice hockey), the denominator shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments). In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition during only one segment of the season (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), the denominator shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for only the championship segment.

12.8.4.3.6.1.2 Individual Sports. The denominator in the institution's percent calculation shall be the maximum permissible number of dates of competition as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one date for a conference championship (e.g., gymnastics: 13+1=14, wrestling: 16+1=17), regardless of whether the team participates in the conference championship, provided the institution is a member of a conference and the conference sponsors a championship in the applicable sport. For institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and field, the denominator for indoor track and field shall be nine, plus one date for a conference championship, if applicable, and the denominator for outdoor track and field shall be nine, plus one date for a conference championship, if applicable.

12.8.4.3.6.2 Fraction in Percent Computation. Any computation of the percent limitation that results in a fractional portion of a contest or date of competition shall be rounded to the next whole number (e.g., 30 percent of a 29-game basketball schedule -- 8.7 games -- shall be considered nine games).

12.8.4.3.7 Transfer Student-Athletes. The application of the hardship legislation for a transfer student- athlete may be based on the method that would be most beneficial to the student-athlete (the rule applicable to the division in which the injury or illness occurred or the Division I rule). The application of a particular division's legislation must include all the applicable elements of that division's legislation. It is not permissible to use selected elements of the legislation of more than one division.

12.8.4.3.8 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who qualifies for a hardship for the previous academic year would not use a season of competition if the student-athlete represents the institution on a certified foreign tour during the summer-vacation period at the conclusion of that academic year.

12.8.5 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Ineligible. In conjunction with a request for restoration of eligibility and any conditions imposed thereon per Bylaw 12.12, a student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement when the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition as a result of a good-faith, erroneous formal declaration of eligibility by the institution's appropriate certifying authority; or the student-athlete's good-faith, erroneous reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete into competition prior to the coaching staff member receiving a formal declaration of the student-athlete's eligibility from the institution's appropriate certifying authority. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA member institution;
(b) The competition occurred within 60 days of the date the student-athlete first reported for athletics participation;

(c) The student-athlete did not participate in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport;

(d) The student-athlete was involved innocently and inadvertently in the erroneous determination or declaration of eligibility, which permitted the student-athlete to compete while ineligible; and

(e) In the case of a coaching staff member's erroneous decision, the student-athlete had reason to believe he or she would be eligible to participate, and the student-athlete did not contribute to the coaching staff member's erroneous decision to allow the student-athlete to participate.

12.8.5.1 Administrative Criteria. The following criteria shall be employed in the administration of the season-of-competition waiver:

12.8.5.1.1 Application—Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

12.8.5.1.2 Ten-Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.8.4.3.6 shall apply to the 10-percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.8.6 Season-of-Competition Waiver -- Competition While Eligible. A student-athlete may be
granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a case in which the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition while eligible due to a coach's documented misunderstanding of the legislation or other extenuating circumstances. In cases in which a student-athlete does not meet the criteria of this waiver, the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement shall have authority to review and grant a waiver based on additional documented extenuating circumstances.

12.8.6.1 Application -- Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

12.8.6.2 Coach's Documented Misunderstanding. The student-athlete participated as a result of good faith, reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete in an alumni contest, exhibition contests, scrimmages, or nonchampionship segment contests based on the coach's documented misunderstanding of NCAA legislation and the competition occurred under the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA institution;
 

(b) The competition occurred prior to the completion of the first 20 percent of the championship segment of the institution's declared playing and practice season; and

(c) The student-athlete did not compete in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of scheduled or completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport.

12.8.6.2.1 Penalty. A student-athlete who is granted a waiver pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.6.2 shall be withheld from two contests of intercollegiate competition for each contest in which he or she competed.

12.8.6.2.2 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.8.4.3.6 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.8.6.3 Extenuating Circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of a life-threatening injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, that clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;

(b) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in family) experienced by the student-athlete or an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent and prohibited the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent;

(c) The student-athlete's institution dropped the sport (in which the student practiced or competed) from its intercollegiate program.

12.8.6.3.1 Conditions of Competition. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred prior to the completion of the first half of the championship segment of the institution's declared playing and practice season; and

(b) The student-athlete did not compete in more than three events or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of scheduled or completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport.

12.8.6.3.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 12.8.4.3.6 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

12.9 U.S. Service Academy Exceptions, Special Eligibility Provisions.

12.9.1 Five-Year Rule. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers to the five-year rule (see Bylaw 12.8) for student-athletes of the national service academies who have exhausted eligibility in one sport but wish to compete in another sport or sports in which they have eligibility remaining.

12.9.2 Transfer Status. A student who has attended as a freshman (plebe) only in the official summer-enrollment program of one of the four national service academies is not considered a transfer in the application of the transfer regulations of Bylaw 14.5.

12.10 Certification of Eligibility.

12.10.1 Institutional Responsibility for Eligibility Certification. The president or chancellor is responsible for approving the procedures for certifying the eligibility of an institution's student-athletes under NCAA legislation. The president or chancellor may designate an individual on the institution's staff to administer proper certification of eligibility. Certification of eligibility must occur prior to allowing a student-athlete to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 14.01.1). A violation of this bylaw in which the institution fails to certify a student-athlete's eligibility prior to allowing him or her to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided all the necessary information to certify the student-athlete's eligibility was available to the institution and the student-athlete otherwise would have been eligible for competition.

12.10.2 Squad-List Form. The institution's athletics director shall compile on a form maintained by the Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet and approved by the Legislative Council a list of the squad members in each sport on the first day of competition and shall indicate thereon the status of each member in the designated categories. A student-athlete's name must be on the official institutional form in order for the student to be eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight and the student-athlete is subsequently added to the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1. (See Bylaw 15.5.11 for details about the administration of the squad list.)

12.11 Ineligibility.

12.11.1 Obligation of Member Institution to Withhold Student-Athlete From Competition. If a student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations of the Association, the institution shall be obligated to apply immediately the applicable rule and to withhold the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 12.12 if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration.

12.11.2 Ineligibility Resulting From Recruiting Violation. An institution shall not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or as a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the Association's infractions process that the institution or representative(s) of its athletics interests violated the Association's legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 12.12 if it concludes that circumstances warrant restoration.

12.11.2.1 Payment of Legal Fees During Appeal. A member institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete to attend proceedings conducted by the institution, its athletics conference or the NCAA that relate to the prospective student-athlete's eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the prospective student-athlete either has signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution or (if the institution is not a subscribing member of the National Letter of Intent program) the prospective student-athlete has been accepted for enrollment by the institution and has provided written confirmation of his or her intent to enroll at the institution. The cost of legal representation in such proceedings also may be provided by the institution (or a representative of its athletics interests).

12.11.3 Application of Ineligibility Ruling Pending Appeal. Once an interpretation (per Constitution 5.4.1.2) applicable to a member institution has been issued and results in the ineligibility of a student-athlete, it is necessary for the institution to apply the rule to the eligibility of the student-athlete, even if review of the interpretation (per Constitution 5.4.1.2.1.1 or 5.4.1.2.2) at the request of the institution is pending. Failure to withhold such a student-athlete from competition is a violation of the conditions and obligations of membership.

12.11.4 Ineligible Participation.

12.11.4.1 Loss of Eligibility. A student-athlete shall be denied eligibility for intercollegiate competition in a sport if he or she participates in intercollegiate competition in that sport while ineligible under this bylaw or other applicable NCAA legislation. The certifying institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration (see Bylaw 12.12).

12.11.4.2 Penalty for Ineligible Participation or Receipt of Improper Aid. A student-athlete who practices or competes in intercollegiate athletics and/or receives institutional financial assistance (based in some degree on athletics ability) while ineligible for such aid, practice or competition per Bylaw 14.3 shall be charged with the loss of one year of eligibility for practice and varsity competition for each year gained improperly. The student-athlete shall be declared ineligible at the time it is determined that eligibility was gained improperly. Prior to declaring the student-athlete ineligible, the institution may provide the student-athlete an opportunity for a hearing. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for a reduction in the period of ineligibility.

12.12 Restoration of Eligibility.

12.12.1 Basis for Appeal. When a student-athlete is determined to be ineligible under any applicable provision of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations of the Association, the member institution, having applied the applicable rule and having withheld the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition, may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student's eligibility, provided the institution concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration of eligibility.

12.12.2 Participation in Appeal Hearing. Any appeal to restore a student-athlete's eligibility shall be submitted in the name of the institution by the president or chancellor (or an individual designated by the president or chancellor), faculty athletics representative, senior woman administrator or athletics director (for the men's or women's program). At least one of those individuals must participate in any hearing of the appeal that involves direct participation by the student-athlete or other individuals representing the institution or the student.

12.12.3 Student Responsibility, Relationship to Restoration of Eligibility. A student-athlete is responsible for his or her involvement in a violation of NCAA regulations (as defined in Bylaw 19), and the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement may restore the eligibility of a student involved in any violation only when circumstances clearly warrant restoration. The eligibility of a student-athlete involved in a major violation shall not be restored other than through an exception authorized by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a unique case on the basis of specifically stated reasons.

14 Academic Eligibility: Academic and General Requirements

[14.01 unchanged.]

14.02 Definitions and Applications.

[14.02.1 through 14.02.8 unchanged.]

14.02.9 Intercollegiate Competition. Intercollegiate competition occurs when a student-athlete in either a two-year or a four-year collegiate institution:

(a) Represents the institution in any contest against outside competition, regardless of how the competition is classified (e.g., scrimmage, exhibition or joint practice session with another institution's team) or whether the student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies;

(b) Competes in the uniform of the institution or, during the academic year, uses any apparel (excluding apparel no longer used by the institution) received from the institution that includes institutional identification; or

(c) Competes and receives expenses (e.g., transportation, meals, room or entry fees) from the institution for the competition.

14.02.9.1 Exempted Events. Participation in events listed in Bylaw 16.8.1.1 is exempted from the application of this legislation.

14.02.9.2 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. Participation on a collegiate institution's club team is exempted from the application of this legislation, provided the institution did not sponsor the sport on the varsity intercollegiate level at the time of participation.

14.02.10 National Team. A national team is one selected, organized and sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport). The selection for such a team shall be made on a national qualification basis, either through a defined selective process or by actual tryouts, publicly announced in advance. In addition, the international competition in question shall require that the entrants officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary to require team scoring by nation.

14.02.11 Organized Competition. Athletics competition shall be considered organized if any of the following conditions exists:

(a) Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

(b) Official score is kept;

(c) Individual or team standings are maintained;

(d) Official timer or game officials are used;

(e) Admission is charged;

(f) Teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined;

(g) Team uniforms are used;

(h) A team is privately or commercially sponsored; or

(i) The competition is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, an organization or any other agency.

14.02.12 Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics. Participation in intercollegiate athletics occurs when a student-athlete either practices in a sport (see Bylaw 17.02.1) or competes in a sport, as defined in Bylaw 14.02.9. Eligibility rules for competition may differ from those for practice.

[14.02.13 renumbered as 14.02.10, unchanged.]

14.02.14 Religious Mission, Official. An official religious mission is one that is established by the religious organization of which the individual is a member and that results in the individual being unable to attend a collegiate institution during the period of the mission.

[14.02.15 through 14.02.17 renumbered as 14.02.11 through 14.02.13, unchanged.]

14.1 General Eligibility Requirements Admission, Enrollment and Academic Credentials.

14.1.1 Postseason and Regular-Season Competition Admission. To be eligible for regular-season competition, NCAA championships, and for postseason football bowl games, the student-athlete shall meet all general eligibility requirements. A student-athlete shall not represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition unless the student has been admitted as a regularly enrolled, degree-seeking student in accordance with the regular, published entrance requirements of that institution.

14.1.1.1 Special Admission. A student-athlete may be admitted under a special exception to the institution's normal entrance requirements if the discretionary authority of the president or chancellor (or designated admissions officer or committee) to grant such exceptions is set forth in an official document published by the university (e.g., official catalog) that describes the institution's admissions requirements.

[14.1.2 unchanged.]

14.1.3 Student-Athlete Statement.

14.1.3.1 Content and Purpose. Prior to participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a statement in a form prescribed by the Legislative Council in which the student-athlete submits information related to eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status, previous positive-drug tests administered by any other athletics organization and involvement in organized gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics competition under the Association's governing legislation. Failure to complete and sign the statement shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation in all intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight, and the student-athlete subsequently signs the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1.

14.1.3.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form:

(a) The statement shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee prior to the student's participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year; and

(b) The statement shall be kept on file by the athletics director and shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of the NCAA.

14.1.3.3 Institutional Responsibility -- Notification of Positive Test. The institution shall promptly notify in writing the NCAA vice president for student-athlete affairs regarding a student-athlete's disclosure of a previous positive test for banned substances administered by any other athletics organization.

14.1.4 Drug-Testing Consent Form.

14.1.4.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Council in which the student consents to be tested for the use of drugs prohibited by NCAA legislation. Failure to complete and sign the consent form prior to practice or competition, or before the Monday of the fourth week of classes (whichever occurs first) shall result in the student-athlete's ineligibility for participation (practice and competition) in all intercollegiate athletics.

14.1.4.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form (see Constitution 3.2.4.7):

(a) The consent form shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee each academic year;

(b) The athletics director or the athletics director's designee shall disseminate the list of banned drug classes to all student-athletes and educate them about products that might contain banned drugs. All student-athletes are to be notified that the list may change during the academic year, that updates may be found on the NCAA website (www.ncaa.org) and informed of the appropriate athletics department procedures for disseminating updates to the list; and

(c) The consent form shall be kept on file by the athletics director and shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of the NCAA.

14.1.4.3 Exception -- 14-Day Grace Period. A student-athlete who is "trying out" for a team is not required to complete the form until 14 days from the first date the student-athlete engages in countable athletically related activities or before the student-athlete participates in a competition, whichever occurs earlier.

14.1.4.4 Effect of Violation. A violation of Bylaw 14.1.4 or its subsections shall be considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided the student-athlete signs the consent form.

14.1.5 Student-Athlete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Authorization/Buckley Amendment Consent Form -- Disclosure of Protected Health Information.

14.1.5.1 Content and Purpose. Each academic year, a student-athlete may voluntarily sign a statement in a form maintained by the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and approved by the Legislative Council in which the student-athlete authorizes/consents to the institution's physicians, athletics directors and health care personnel to disclose the student-athlete's injury/illness and participation information associated with the student-athlete's training and participation in intercollegiate athletics to the NCAA and to its Injury Surveillance Program (ISP), agents and employees for the purpose of conducting research into the reduction of athletics injuries. The authorization/consent by the student-athlete is voluntary and is not required for the student-athlete to be eligible to participate. [D]

14.1.5.2 Administration. The following procedures shall be used in administering the form: [D]

(a) The authorization/consent form shall be administered individually to each student-athlete by the athletics director or the athletics director's designee before the student-athlete's participation in intercollegiate athletics each academic year.

(b) Signing the authorization/consent shall be voluntary and is not required by the student-athlete's institution for medical treatment, payment for treatment, enrollment in a health plan or for any benefits (if applicable) and is not required for the student-athlete to be eligible to participate.

(c) Any signed authorization/consent forms shall be kept on file by the athletics director.

14.1.6 Admission and Enrollment.

14.1.6.1 Admission. A student-athlete shall not represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition unless the student has been admitted as a regularly enrolled, degree-seeking student in accordance with the regular, published entrance requirements of that institution.

14.1.6.1.1 Special Admission. A student-athlete may be admitted under a special exception to the institution's normal entrance requirements if the discretionary authority of the president or chancellor (or designated admissions officer or committee) to grant such exceptions is set forth in an official document published by the university (e.g., official catalog) that describes the institution's admissions requirements.

[14.1.7 renumbered as 14.2, unchanged.]

14.1.8 Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation. A student-athlete who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree, a student-athlete who is enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate or equivalent degree at the same institution, or a student-athlete who has graduated and is continuing as a full-time student at the same institution while taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major or degree as defined and documented by the institution, may participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the student has eligibility remaining and such participation occurs within the applicable five-year period set forth in Bylaw 14.2 (see Bylaw 14.1.7.2.1.4).

14.1.8.1 One-Time Transfer Exception. A graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 14.2. A graduate student who does not meet the one-time transfer exception due to the restrictions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10-(a) shall qualify for this exception, provided:

(a) The student fulfills the remaining conditions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10;

(b) The student has at least one season of competition remaining; and

(c) The student's previous institution did not renew his or her athletically related financial aid for the following academic year.

14.1.8.2 International Student Exception. The remaining eligibility of a student who has received a foreign postsecondary degree that is identified as a "baccalaureate" but is not equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate and who is entering an undergraduate program must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the International-Student Records Committee.

14.1.8.3 Postseason Event Following Last Term of Eligibility. A student-athlete who is eligible during the term in which degree work is completed (or is eligible as a graduate, per Bylaw 14.1.8) remains eligible for any postseason event that begins within 60 days after the end of the term in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility).

14.1.8.4 Disciplinary Suspension. A graduate student who transfers to the certifying institution while disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for disciplinary reasons (as opposed to academic reasons) must complete one calendar year of residence at the certifying institution before he or she may be eligible for competition.

14.1.9 Change in Eligibility Status. If a student-athlete's academic eligibility changes at the end of a quarter or semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date his or her eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution's official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. In any case, if the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete at the time of the student-athlete's or the institution's first participation in an NCAA championship, he or she shall remain eligible for the remainder of the championship.

14.1.9.1 Exception.

14.1.9.1.1 Institutions With Official Posting Date for Grades. An institution whose official posting date for grades falls within three days of the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have three business days from the official date on which grades must be posted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have satisfied the grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3. For those institutions that post grades on a rolling basis, the three-business-day period shall begin within the first week of classes.

14.1.9.1.2 Institutions With no Official Posting Date for Grades. An institution whose official submission date for grades falls on or after the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have five business days from the date on which grades are submitted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have maintained grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3.

14.1.9.1.3 Certification of Eligibility. During the three-business day or five-business-day period, a student-athlete who is otherwise eligible under NCAA, conference and institutional requirements, shall be permitted to compete. If during the exception period, a student-athlete is certified ineligible, the student-athlete shall be declared immediately ineligible for competition. If the three-business-day or five-business-day period concludes prior to the certification of eligibility for any student-athlete, the student-athlete shall be ineligible until such time the student-athlete is declared eligible for competition.

14.1.9.1.4 Notification to NCAA National Office. As a condition of the exception, an institution shall provide to the NCAA national office, the number of student-athletes who were ultimately declared ineligible for the academic term but competed during the exception period.

14.1.9.2 Eligibility for Postseason Competition -- Between Terms. To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, National Invitation Tournament, NCAA championship) that occurs between regular terms (including summer) a student-athlete shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1).

14.1.9.2.1 Less Than Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete who was enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies pursuant to an exception or waiver during the term immediately prior to the postseason event is subject to the following requirements:

(a) If the student-athlete was enrolled in at least six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit; or

(b) If the student-athlete was enrolled in less than six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed the number of semester or quarter hours of academic credit in which he or she was enrolled.

14.1.9.2.2 Timing of Certification. A student-athlete's eligibility under this provision shall be determined within 14 business days (see Bylaw 14.02.3) (regardless of the date on which grades are posted or submitted) after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution's official calendar for the term that is ending. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14 business days, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the immediately preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall term if certifying for a bowl game), provided a sufficient number of grades from the term have been posted. All grades posted in accordance with institutional procedures by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the postseason event must be considered. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14 business days and an insufficient number of grades from the immediately preceding term have been posted, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the most recent regular academic term for which a sufficient number of grades have been posted.

14.1.9.2.2.1 Certification for Multiday Events. A student-athlete who is certified eligible for the first day of a multiday event (e.g., conference track and field championship) remains eligible for the entire event regardless of whether additional grades are posted after the certification deadline, provided the event concludes prior to the start of the next regular academic term. If an insufficient number of grades are posted for a student-athlete to be certified eligible based on the immediately preceding term and he or she will participate in another postseason event (e.g., NCAA championship) that occurs during the same period between regular terms, the institution must recertify the student-athlete with grades available by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the start of the additional postseason event.

14.1.9.3 Eligibility for Postseason Competition -- Postseason Football Bowl Game During an Institution's Second Academic Term. If an institution is selected to participate in a postseason bowl game that will occur during the institution's second regular term (e.g., winter quarter, spring semester) of the academic year, a student-athlete's eligibility to compete in the bowl game shall be certified consistent with the standards applicable to postseason competition that occurs between terms (see Bylaws 14.1.9 and 14.1.9.2). However, a student-athlete must meet full-time enrollment requirements applicable to term-time competition (see Bylaw 14.1.7.2).

14.1.10 Eligibility Requirements for Male Students to Practice With Women's Teams. It is permissible for male students to engage in practice sessions with women's teams under the following conditions:

(a) Male students who practice with an institution's women's team on an occasional basis must be verified as eligible for practice in accordance with Bylaw 14.1.7.1 and must have eligibility remaining under the five-year rule (Bylaw 14.2.1);

(b) Male students who practice with an institution's women's teams on a regular basis must be certified as eligible for practice in accordance with all applicable NCAA eligibility regulations (e.g., must be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies, must sign a drug-testing consent form, must be included on the institution's squad list);

(c) It is not permissible for an institution to provide male students financial assistance (room and board, tuition and fees, and books) in return for practicing with a women's team. A male student who is receiving financial aid or any compensation for serving in any position in the athletics department may not practice with a women's team. A male student-athlete who is a counter in a men's sport may not engage in practice sessions with an institution's women's team in any sport;

(d) It is not permissible for an institution to provide male students room and board to remain on campus during a vacation period to participate in practice sessions with a women's team;

(e) It is not permissible for a male student-athlete who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier to participate in practice sessions with a women's team; and

(f) It is permissible for an institution to provide practice apparel to male students for the purpose of practicing with a women's team.

14.2 Seasons of Competition: Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 14.02.9 and 14.3.3). An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate competition unless the individual completes all of his or her seasons of participation in all sports within the time periods specified below:

14.2.1 Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall complete his or her seasons of participation within five calendar years from the beginning of the semester or quarter in which the student-athlete first registered for a minimum full-time program of studies in a collegiate institution, with time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government being excepted. For international students, service in the armed forces or on an official religious mission of the student's home country is considered equivalent to such service in the United States.

14.2.1.1 Determining the Start of the Five-Year Period. For purposes of starting the count of time under the five-year rule, a student-athlete shall be considered registered at a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign; see Bylaw 14.02.4) when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term (semester or quarter) of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the institution, and attends the student's first day of classes for that term (see Bylaw 14.2.2).

14.2.1.2 Service Exceptions to the Five-Year Rule. Time spent in the armed services, on official religious missions or with recognized foreign aid services of the U.S. government is excepted from the application of the five-year rule. Among such services that qualify a student-athlete for an extension of the five-year rule are:

(a) Military Sea Transport Service;

(b) Peace Corps; or

(c) Service as a conscientious objector ordered by the Selective Service Commission (or the equivalent authority in a foreign nation) in lieu of active military duty.

14.2.1.2.1 Elapsed Time/Service to Enrollment. If a student-athlete enrolls in a regular term of a collegiate institution at the first opportunity following completion of any one of the commitments described in the exceptions to this bylaw, the elapsed time (the exact number of calendar days) between completion of the commitment and the first opportunity for enrollment may be added to the exact number of days served on active duty in the armed services, with foreign aid services or on official religious missions and will not count toward the student-athlete's five years of eligibility. It is not permissible to extend the five-year period by any additional time beyond the first opportunity to enroll (the opening day of classes of the first regular term at the institution in which the student-athlete enrolls as a regular student immediately following the termination of the active-duty commitment).

14.2.1.2.2 Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent With Service Assignment. Any time in which a student-athlete is enrolled for a minimum full-time load as a regular student in a collegiate institution while simultaneously on active duty in the U.S. military, on an official religious mission or with a recognized foreign aid service of the U.S. government shall count against the five calendar years in which the student-athlete's seasons of eligibility must be completed.

14.2.1.3 Pregnancy Exception. A member institution may approve a one-year extension of the five-year period of eligibility for a female student-athlete for reasons of pregnancy.

14.2.1.4 Athletics Activities Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or a committee designated by it, shall have the authority to waive this provision by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting to permit student-athletes to participate in:

(a) Official Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games, World University Championships and Olympic training, tryouts and competition;

(b) Officially recognized training and competition directly qualifying participants for final Olympic tryouts; or

(c) Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

14.2.1.4.1 Athletics Activity Waiver Criteria. Extensions of the five-year period of eligibility for student-athletes by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, shall be based on the following criteria: The member institution in which the student-athlete is enrolled must establish to the satisfaction of the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement (by objective evidence) that the student-athlete was unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of participation in one of the activities listed in the above legislation for a specific period of time. Further, such an extension shall be limited to one time and for a period not to exceed one year per student-athlete, per sport.

14.2.1.5 Five-Year Rule Waiver. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, or its designated committee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers of the five-year rule as it deems appropriate.

14.2.1.5.1 Waiver Criteria. A waiver of the five-year period of eligibility is designed to provide a student-athlete with the opportunity to participate in four seasons of intercollegiate competition within a five-year period. This waiver may be granted, based upon objective evidence, for reasons that are beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution, which deprive the student-athlete of the opportunity to participate for more than one season in his/her sport within the five-year period. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement reserves the right to review requests that do not meet the more-than-one-year criteria detailed in this bylaw for circumstances of extraordinary or extreme hardship. A student-athlete who has exhausted his or her five years of eligibility may continue to practice (but not compete) for a maximum of 30 consecutive calendar days, provided the student-athlete's institution has submitted a waiver request. The student-athlete may not commence practice until the institution has filed such a request. Further, if such a request is denied prior to exhausting the 30-day practice period, the student-athlete must cease all practice activities upon the institution's notification of the denial.

14.2.1.5.1.1 Circumstances Beyond Control. Circumstances considered to be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution and do not cause a participation opportunity to be used shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Situations clearly supported by contemporaneous medical documentation, which states that a student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate competition as a result of incapacitating physical or mental circumstances;

(b) The student-athlete is unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a result of a life-threatening or incapacitating injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, which clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;

(c) Reliance by the student-athlete upon written, contemporaneous, clearly erroneous academic advice provided to the student-athlete from a specific academic authority from a collegiate institution regarding the academic status of the student-athlete or prospective student-athlete, which directly leads to that individual not being eligible to participate and, but for the clearly erroneous advice, the student-athlete would have established eligibility for intercollegiate competition;

(d) Natural disasters (e.g., earthquake, flood); and

(e) Extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in the family) experienced by the student-athlete or by an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent, which prohibit the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent.

14.2.1.5.1.2 Circumstances Within Control. Circumstances that are considered to be within the control of the student-athlete or the institution and cause a participation opportunity to be used include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) A student-athlete's decision to attend an institution that does not sponsor his/her sport, or decides not to participate at an institution that does sponsor his/her sport;

(b) An inability to participate due to failure to meet institutional/conference or NCAA academic requirements, or disciplinary reasons or incarceration culminating in or resulting from a conviction;

(c) Reliance by a student-athlete upon misinformation from a coaching staff member;

(d) Redshirt year;

(e) An inability to participate as a result of a transfer year in residence or fulfilling a condition for restoration of eligibility; and

(f) A student-athlete's lack of understanding regarding the specific starting date of his or her five-year period of eligibility.

14.2.2 Additional Applications of the Five-Year Rule.

14.2.2.1 Athletics Competition. Even though a student is enrolled for less than a minimum full-time program of studies at a collegiate institution, the student's five-year period of eligibility begins if the individual represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics.

14.2.2.2 Nonrecognized College. Enrollment in a postsecondary, noncollegiate institution (e.g., technical school, seminary or business college) in the United States that is not accredited at the college level by an agency or association recognized by the secretary of the Department of Education and legally authorized to offer at least a one-year program of study creditable toward a degree, constitutes enrollment in the application of the five-year rule only if:

(a) The student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies at such an institution that conducts an intercollegiate athletics program; or

(b) The student, whether enrolled for a minimum full-time program of studies or not, represents the institution in intercollegiate athletics.

14.2.2.3 Joint College/High School Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while a student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in a joint high school/college academic program for high school students in which the courses count as both high school graduation credit and college credit, provided the student has not officially graduated from high school and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics while enrolled in the joint program.

14.2.2.4 Vocational Program. A student-athlete's eligibility under the five-year rule does not begin while the student is enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies as a part of a special vocational program that combines enrollment in regular college courses and participation in vocational training courses, provided the student is not considered to be regularly matriculated by the institution, does not go through the customary registration and testing procedures required of all regular entering students and is not eligible for the institution's extracurricular activities, including athletics.

14.2.2.5 Eligibility for Practice. A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having engaged in four seasons of intercollegiate competition in a sport may continue to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport without being a counter (see Bylaw 15.02.3), provided the individual has eligibility remaining under the five-year rule. [D]

14.2.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.

14.2.3.1 Minimum Amount of Competition. Any competition, regardless of time, during a season in an intercollegiate sport shall be counted as a season of competition in that sport, except as provided in Bylaws 14.2.3.1.1, 14.2.3.1.2, 14.2.3.1.3 and 14.2.3.1.4. This provision is applicable to intercollegiate athletics competition conducted by a two-year or four-year collegiate institution at the varsity or subvarsity level.

14.2.3.1.1 Two-Year College Scrimmages. A two-year college prospective student-athlete may compete in a scrimmage as a member of a two-year college team without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the competition meets all of the following conditions:

(a) The scrimmage is approved by the two-year college;

(b) No official score is kept;

(c) No admission is charged;

(d) No official time is kept;

(e) The scrimmage is played prior to the two-year college's first regularly scheduled outside competition; and

(f) The prospective student-athlete participates in not more than two such scrimmages or dates of competition per academic year.

14.2.3.1.2 Exception -- Nonchampionship Segment Competition -- Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball and Men's Water Polo. In field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo, a student-athlete may engage in outside competition during the segment of the playing season that does not conclude with the NCAA championship without using a season of competition, provided the student-athlete was academically eligible during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship.

14.2.3.1.3 Preseason Exhibitions/Preseason Practice Scrimmages During Initial Year. During a student-athlete's initial year of enrollment at the certifying institution, he or she may compete in preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages (as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17) without counting such competition as a season of competition.

14.2.3.1.4 Alumni Game, Fundraising Activity or Celebrity Sports Activity. A student-athlete may engage in outside competition in either one alumni game, one fundraising activity or one celebrity sports activity during a season without counting such competition as a season of competition, provided the event is exempted from the institution's maximum number of contests or dates of competition as permitted in the particular sport per Bylaw 17.

14.2.3.2 Delayed Enrollment -- Seasons of Competition.

14.2.3.2.1 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:

(a) The student-athlete shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate eligibility for each calendar year after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 14.02.11.

(b) After the one-year time period, if the student-athlete has engaged in competition per Bylaw 14.02.11, on matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition.

14.2.3.2.1.1 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the one-year time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 14.2.3.2.1:

(a) Official Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships competition;

(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may directly qualify for final tryouts for a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation).

14.2.3.2.1.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 14.2.3.2.1.1.

14.2.3.2.1.2 Track and Field and Cross Country. A student-athlete who has participated in organized competition after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during a cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field season (as opposed to general road racing events) shall be charged with a season of competition in the sport in which the student has participated for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which he or she participated in organized competition.

14.2.3.2.1.3 Road Racing. A student-athlete who has participated in road racing activities after the one-year time period (the next opportunity to enroll after one calendar year has elapsed) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment shall be charged with a season of competition in each of the sports of cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field for each calendar year after the one-year time period in which he or she participates in organized competition.

14.2.3.2.1.4 Volleyball and Sand Volleyball. Volleyball and sand volleyball are considered the same sport for purposes of Bylaw 14.2.3.2.

14.2.3.2.2 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:

(a) The student-athlete shall be charged with a season of intercollegiate eligibility for each calendar year after the six-month period has elapsed (or the next opportunity to enroll) and prior to full-time collegiate enrollment during which the student-athlete has participated in organized competition per Bylaw 14.02.11.

(b) After the six-month period, if the student-athlete has engaged in organized competition per Bylaw 14.02.11, on matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition.

14.2.3.2.2.1 Exception -- National/International Competition. For a maximum of one year after a prospective student-athlete's first opportunity to enroll full time in a collegiate institution following the six-month time period after his or her high school graduation date or the graduation date of his or her class, whichever occurs earlier, participation in the following organized national/international competition is exempt from application of Bylaw 14.2.3.2.2:

(a) Official Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships competition;

(b) Officially recognized competition from which participants may directly qualify for final tryouts for a national team that will participate in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World University Championships and final tryout competition from which participants are selected for such teams; or

(c) Official competition involving a national team sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation.)

14.2.3.2.2.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 14.2.3.2.2.1.

14.2.3.2.2.2 Matriculation After 20th Birthday -- Tennis. In tennis, a student who is eligible under Bylaw 14.2.3.2.2, 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:

(a) The student will be charged with one season of intercollegiate tennis competition for each calendar year after his or her 20th birthday and prior to full-time enrollment at the certifying institution during which the student-athlete has participated in organized tennis competition per Bylaw 14.02.11. [Note: This includes participation in intercollegiate tennis while enrolled full time in another two-year or four-year institution; however, this provision replaces the season of competition counted in Bylaw 14.2 (only one season is used in any one year).]

(b) Upon matriculation at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must fulfill an academic year in residence before being eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate tennis, unless the student transfers to the certifying institution with a minimum of 24 semester hours (or equivalent) of transferable degree credit. (Note: All other NCAA transfer and academic eligibility requirements apply.)

14.2.3.2.2.2.1 Exception -- Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships Participation. Participation in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games and World University Championships is exempt from the application of Bylaw 14.2.3.2.2.2.

14.2.3.2.2.2.1.1 Junior Level Competition. The national/international competition exception does not apply to junior level national/international competition (e.g., Youth Olympic Games, U20 World Cup, Junior National Teams) that may be associated with the events specified in Bylaw 14.2.3.2.2.2.1.

14.2.3.3 Track and Field and Cross Country. Cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field shall be considered separate sports.

14.2.3.4 Intercollegiate Competition. A student-athlete is considered to have engaged in a season of intercollegiate competition when he or she competes in an athletics event involving any one of the conditions characterizing intercollegiate competition (per Bylaw 14.02.9).

14.2.3.5 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 shall be excepted.

14.2.3.6 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who did not compete during the institution's season just completed and who represents the institution in a certified foreign tour after that intercollegiate season and prior to the start of the next academic year shall not be charged with a season of eligibility (see Bylaw 17.28.1.4).

14.2.3.7 Participation on an Institution's Club Team. An individual is charged with a season of competition for participation in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 14.02.9) as a member of an institution's club team if that institution sponsored the sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport and as a club sport at the time of participation.

14.2.4 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of "hardship." Hardship is defined as an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness that has occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition at any two-year or four-year collegiate institutions or occurs after the first day of classes in the student-athlete's senior year in high school;

(b) The injury or illness occurs prior to the first competition of the second half of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport (see Bylaw 14.2.4.3.4) and results in incapacity to compete for the remainder of that playing season;

(c) In team sports, the injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three contests or dates of competition (whichever is applicable to that sport) or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in his or her sport. Only scheduled or completed competition against outside participants during the playing season that concludes with the NCAA championship, 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 both the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated and the number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition during that season in the sport. Dates of competition that are exempted (e.g., alumni contests, foreign team in the United States) from the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition shall count toward the number of contests or dates in which the student-athlete has participated and the number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in the season, except for scrimmages and exhibition contests that are specifically identified as such in the sport's Bylaw 17 playing and practice season regulations. Scrimmages and exhibition contests that are not exempted from the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition may be excluded from the calculation only if they are identified as such in the sport's Bylaw 17 playing and practice season regulations; and

(d) In individual sports, the injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three dates of competition or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the maximum permissible number of dates of competition as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one date for a conference championship (e.g., gymnastics: 13+1=14, wrestling: 16+1=17), regardless of whether the team participates in the conference championship, provided the institution is a member of a conference and the conference holds a championship event in the applicable sport. Dates of competition that are exempted per Bylaw 17 (e.g., alumni contests, foreign team in the United States) from the maximum permissible number of dates of competition do not count toward the number of dates in which the student-athlete has participated.

14.2.4.1 Additional Criteria -- Two-Year College Hardship. Institutions shall apply the following additional conditions if the injury or illness occurred at a two-year college:

(a) The appropriate two-year college athletics association (e.g., National Junior College Athletic Association, Community College League of California) shall review and approve each hardship waiver request;

(b) After approval by the appropriate two-year college athletics association, the request shall be reviewed and approved by the appropriate NCAA member conference or, in the case of an independent member institution, by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, to ensure compliance with the provisions of NCAA legislation;

(c) Waiver requests shall be submitted only from two-year college organizations that apply the same or more stringent rules related to the administration of hardship waivers (compliance with all of the regulations of Bylaw 14.2.4); and

(d) Each waiver request must be accompanied by a signed statement by the physician who treated the student-athlete, indicating the reason(s) why the injury or illness was incapacitating.

14.2.4.2 Administration of Hardship Waiver. The hardship waiver shall be administered by the member conferences of the Association or, in the case of an independent member institution, by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

14.2.4.2.1 Review of Denied Waiver. A conference that denies an institution's hardship waiver may submit the waiver to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. The committee shall have the authority to review and determine whether to approve the waiver based on circumstances that may warrant relief from the application of the legislated waiver criteria.

14.2.4.3 Criteria for Administration of Hardship Waiver.

14.2.4.3.1 Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

14.2.4.3.2 Nature of Injury/Illness. It is not necessary for the incapacitating injury or illness to be the direct result of the student's participation in the institution's organized practice or game competition.

14.2.4.3.3 Medical Documentation. Contemporaneous or other appropriate medical documentation, from a physician (a medical doctor) who administered care at the time of the injury or illness, that establishes the student-athlete's inability to compete as a result of that injury or illness shall be submitted with any hardship-waiver request.

14.2.4.3.4 First-Half-of-Season Calculation.

14.2.4.3.4.1 Team Sports. In team sports, the first half of the season is measured by the number of scheduled contests or dates of competition not exceeding the maximum limitations in each sport as set forth in Bylaw 17 as set prior to the first scheduled contest or date of competition of the designated official NCAA championship playing season in the applicable sport or the number of completed contests or dates of competition. In determining if an injury or illness occurs prior to the first competition of the second half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship in a sport with an odd number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, the injury or illness must have occurred prior to the beginning of the scheduled or completed varsity contest or date of competition that starts the second half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship (e.g., an injury or illness occurring at any time after the beginning of the scheduled sixth game of an 11-game schedule would be considered to be after the first half of the institution's season and would not qualify the student-athlete for a hardship waiver).

14.2.4.3.4.1.1 Contests or Dates of Competition Based on Championship Selection. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., ice hockey), the first half of the season shall be measured by the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments). In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition during only one segment of the season (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), the first half of the season shall be measured by the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for only the championship segment.

14.2.4.3.4.2 Individual Sports. In individual sports, the first-half-of-the-season calculation is based on the number of days in the season that concludes with the NCAA championship, as declared by the institution, between the first date of competition used by any individual on the team and the last date of competition used by any individual on the team at the end of the declared playing season, including a conference championship and any regular-season competition scheduled after the conference championship (e.g., "last chance" meet). Any break in the declared season shall not be counted (e.g., institutional vacation period in which no practice or competition occurs). The total number of days in the championship season shall be divided by two in order to determine the first half of the season. A fractional portion of a day shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

14.2.4.3.4.2.1 Championship Selection Based on Entire Season. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., golf, tennis), the first half of the season is based on the number of days in the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments), as declared by the institution between the first date of competition used by any individual on the team and the last date of competition used by any individual on the team at the end of the declared playing season, including a conference championship and any regular-season competition scheduled after the conference championship (e.g., "last chance" meet).

14.2.4.3.5 Reinjury in Second Half of Season. A student-athlete who suffers an injury in the first half of the season that concludes with the NCAA championship or who suffers an injury after the first day of classes in his or her senior year of high school, attempts to return to competition during the second half of that season and then is unable to participate further as a result of aggravating the original injury does not qualify for the hardship waiver.

14.2.4.3.6 Percent Calculation. The following requirements are to be met in determining the percent calculation under this waiver provision: (Note: The percent calculation requirements set forth in Bylaws 14.2.4 and 14.2.4.3.6 apply only to the waiver provisions of this section and do not apply to the maximum- and minimum-contests requirements in Bylaws 17 and 20.)

14.2.4.3.6.1 Denominator in Percent Computation.

14.2.4.3.6.1.1 Team Sports. The denominator in the institution's percent calculation shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition [see Bylaw 14.2.4-(c)] as computed for playing and practice season purposes in Bylaw 17 for the applicable sport. [Note: Exempted events in Bylaw 17 are included in the percent calculation, except as provided in Bylaw 14.2.4-(c).] An institution participating in a single-elimination event may only count the actual contests in which the institution participates (as opposed to the number of contests scheduled in the event) in determining the number of scheduled or completed contests in the denominator.

14.2.4.3.6.1.1.1 Conference Championships. A conference championship shall be counted as one contest or date of competition in determining the institution's scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in that sport, regardless of the number of days or games involved in the championship. However, for purposes of this regulation, the calculation of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in a particular season does not include postseason competition conducted after the completion of the institution's regular-season schedule and conference tournament.

14.2.4.3.6.1.1.2 Contests or Dates of Competition Based on Championship Selection. In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition throughout the season (e.g., ice hockey), the denominator shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for the entire season (e.g., nonchampionship and championship segments). In sports in which the playing season may be divided into two segments, but championship selection is based on competition during only one segment of the season (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), the denominator shall be based on the institution's number of scheduled or completed varsity contests or dates of competition for only the championship segment.

14.2.4.3.6.1.2 Individual Sports. The denominator in the institution's percent calculation shall be the maximum permissible number of dates of competition as set forth in Bylaw 17 plus one date for a conference championship (e.g., gymnastics: 13+1=14, wrestling: 16+1=17), regardless of whether the team participates in the conference championship, provided the institution is a member of a conference and the conference sponsors a championship in the applicable sport. For institutions that sponsor both indoor and outdoor track and field, the denominator for indoor track and field shall be nine, plus one date for a conference championship, if applicable, and the denominator for outdoor track and field shall be nine, plus one date for a conference championship, if applicable.

14.2.4.3.6.2 Fraction in Percent Computation. Any computation of the percent limitation that results in a fractional portion of a contest or date of competition shall be rounded to the next whole number (e.g., 30 percent of a 29-game basketball schedule -- 8.7 games -- shall be considered nine games).

14.2.4.3.7 Transfer Student-Athletes. The application of the hardship legislation for a transfer student-athlete may be based on the method that would be most beneficial to the student-athlete (the rule applicable to the division in which the injury or illness occurred or the Division I rule). The application of a particular division's legislation must include all the applicable elements of that division's legislation. It is not permissible to use selected elements of the legislation of more than one division.

14.2.4.3.8 Foreign-Tour Competition. A student-athlete who qualifies for a hardship for the previous academic year would not use a season of competition if the student-athlete represents the institution on a certified foreign tour during the summer-vacation period at the conclusion of that academic year.

14.2.5 Season-of-Competition Waiver—Competition While Ineligible. In conjunction with a request for restoration of eligibility and any conditions imposed thereon per Bylaw 14.11, a student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement when the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition as a result of a good-faith, erroneous formal declaration of eligibility by the institution's appropriate certifying authority; or the student-athlete's good-faith, erroneous reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete into competition prior to the coaching staff member receiving a formal declaration of the student-athlete's eligibility from the institution's appropriate certifying authority. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA member institution;

(b) The competition occurred within 60 days of the date the student-athlete first reported for athletics participation;

(c) The student-athlete did not participate in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport;

(d) The student-athlete was involved innocently and inadvertently in the erroneous determination or declaration of eligibility, which permitted the student-athlete to compete while ineligible; and

(e) In the case of a coaching staff member's erroneous decision, the student-athlete had reason to believe he or she would be eligible to participate, and the student-athlete did not contribute to the coaching staff member's erroneous decision to allow the student-athlete to participate.

14.2.5.1 Administrative Criteria. The following criteria shall be employed in the administration of the season-of-competition waiver:

14.2.5.1.1 Application -- Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

14.2.5.1.2 Ten-Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 14.2.4.3.6 shall apply to the 10-percent calculation specified in this waiver.

14.2.6 Season-of-Competition Waiver—Competition While Eligible. A student-athlete may be granted an additional season of competition by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a case in which the student-athlete participated in a limited amount of competition while eligible due to a coach's documented misunderstanding of the legislation or other extenuating circumstances. In cases in which a student-athlete does not meet the criteria of this waiver, the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement shall have authority to review and grant a waiver based on additional documented extenuating circumstances.

14.2.6.1 Application -- Use of Scheduled or Completed Contests. An institution may use scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition, but it is not permissible to combine the two methods of calculation.

14.2.6.2 Coach's Documented Misunderstanding. The student-athlete participated as a result of good faith, reliance on a coaching staff member's decision to put the student-athlete in an alumni contest, exhibition contests, scrimmages, or nonchampionship segment contests based on the coach's documented misunderstanding of NCAA legislation and the competition occurred under the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred while the student-athlete was representing an NCAA institution;

(b) The competition occurred prior to the completion of the first 20 percent of the championship segment of the institution's declared playing and practice season; and
(c) The student-athlete did not compete in more than two events or 10 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of scheduled or completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport.

14.2.6.2.1 Penalty. A student-athlete who is granted a waiver pursuant to Bylaw 14.2.6.2 shall be withheld from two contests of intercollegiate competition for each contest in which he or she competed.

14.2.6.2.2 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 14.2.4.3.6 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

14.2.6.3 Extenuating Circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of a life-threatening injury or illness suffered by a member of the student-athlete's immediate family, that clearly is supported by contemporaneous medical documentation;

(b) The student-athlete failed to complete the entire season of competition at the institution as a result of extreme financial difficulties as a result of a specific event (e.g., layoff, death in family) experienced by the student-athlete or an individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent and prohibited the student-athlete from participating in intercollegiate athletics. These circumstances must be clearly supported by objective documentation (e.g., decree of bankruptcy, proof of termination) and must be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the individual upon whom the student-athlete is legally dependent;

(c) The student-athlete's institution dropped the sport (in which the student practiced or competed) from its intercollegiate program.

14.2.6.3.1 Conditions of Competition. The competition must have occurred under all of the following conditions:

(a) The competition occurred prior to the completion of the first half of the championship segment of the institution's declared playing and practice season; and

(b) The student-athlete did not compete in more than three events or 30 percent (whichever number is greater) of the institution's scheduled or completed events in his or her sport. All competition (including a scrimmage) against outside participants shall be countable under this limitation in calculating both the number of events in which the student-athlete participated and the number of scheduled or completed events during that season (both segments) in the sport.

14.2.6.3.1.1 Percent Calculation. The requirements specified in Bylaw 14.2.4.3.6 shall apply to the percent calculation specified in this waiver.

[14.3 unchanged.]

14.4 Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements.

[14.4.1 through 14.4.2 unchanged.]

14.4.3 Eligibility for Competition.

[14.4.3.1 through 14.4.3.3 unchanged.]

14.4.3.4 Change in Eligibility Status. If a student-athlete's academic eligibility changes at the end of a quarter or semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date his or her eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution's official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. In any case, if the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete at the time of the student-athlete's or the institution's first participation in an NCAA championship, he or she shall remain eligible for the remainder of the championship.

14.4.3.4.1 Exception.

14.4.3.4.1.1 Institutions With Official Posting Date for Grades. An institution whose official posting date for grades falls within three days of the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have three business days from the official date on which grades must be posted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have satisfied the grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3. For those institutions that post grades on a rolling basis, the three-business-day period shall begin within the first week of classes.

14.4.3.4.1.2 Institutions With no Official Posting Date for Grades. An institution whose official submission date for grades falls on or after the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have five business days from the date on which grades are submitted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have maintained grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3.

14.4.3.4.1.3 Certification of Eligibility. During the three-business day or five-business-day period, a student-athlete who is otherwise eligible under NCAA, conference and institutional requirements, shall be permitted to compete. If during the exception period, a student-athlete is certified ineligible, the student-athlete shall be declared immediately ineligible for competition. If the three-business-day or five-business-day period concludes prior to the certification of eligibility for any student-athlete, the student-athlete shall be ineligible until such time the student-athlete is declared eligible for competition.

14.4.3.4.1.4 Notification to NCAA National Office. As a condition of the exception, an institution shall provide to the NCAA national office, the number of student-athletes who were ultimately declared ineligible for the academic term but competed during the exception period.

14.4.3.4.2 Eligibility for Postseason Competition -- Between Terms. To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, National Invitation Tournament, NCAA championship) that occurs between regular terms (including summer) a student-athlete shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1).

14.4.3.4.2.1 Less Than Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete who was enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies pursuant to an exception or waiver during the term immediately prior to the postseason event is subject to the following requirements:

(a) If the student-athlete was enrolled in at least six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit; or

(b) If the student-athlete was enrolled in less than six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed the number of semester or quarter hours of academic credit in which he or she was enrolled.

14.4.3.4.2.2 Timing of Certification. A student-athlete's eligibility under this provision shall be determined within 14 business days (see Bylaw 14.02.3) (regardless of the date on which grades are posted or submitted) after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution's official calendar for the term that is ending. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14 business days, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the immediately preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall term if certifying for a bowl game), provided a sufficient number of grades from the term have been posted. All grades posted in accordance with institutional procedures by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the postseason event must be considered. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14 business days and an insufficient number of grades from the immediately preceding term have been posted, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the most recent regular academic term for which a sufficient number of grades have been posted.

14.4.3.4.2.2.1 Certification for Multiday Events. A student-athlete who is certified eligible for the first day of a multiday event (e.g., conference track and field championship) remains eligible for the entire event regardless of whether additional grades are posted after the certification deadline, provided the event concludes prior to the start of the next regular academic term. If an insufficient number of grades are posted for a student-athlete to be certified eligible based on the immediately preceding term and he or she will participate in another postseason event (e.g., NCAA championship) that occurs during the same period between regular terms, the institution must recertify the student-athlete with grades available by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the start of the additional postseason event.

14.4.3.4.3 Eligibility for Postseason Competition -- Postseason Football Bowl Game During an Institution's Second Academic Term. If an institution is selected to participate in a postseason bowl game that will occur during the institution's second regular term (e.g., winter quarter, spring semester) of the academic year, a student-athlete's eligibility to compete in the bowl game shall be certified consistent with the standards applicable to postseason competition that occurs between terms (see Bylaws 14.4.3.4 and 14.4.3.4.2). However, a student-athlete must meet full-time enrollment requirements applicable to term-time competition (see Bylaw 14.2.2).

[14.4.3.4 through 14.4.3.9 renumbered as 14.4.3.10, unchanged.]

[14.5 unchanged.]

14.6 Outside Competition, Effects on Eligibility. The eligibility of a student-athlete who engages in outside competition (see Bylaw 17.02.9) is affected as set forth in the following regulations.

14.6.1 Outside Competition -- Sports Other Than Basketball. A student-athlete in any sport other than basketball who participates during the academic year as a member of any outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. A student-athlete is permitted to practice on such a team.

14.6.1.1 Exception -- Sports Other Than Wrestling. In sports other than wrestling, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the institution's catalog. The number of student-athletes from any one institution shall not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.28.2.

14.6.1.2 Exception—Wrestling. In wrestling, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the institution's catalog, except a vacation period that occurs between the beginning of the institution's academic year and November 1. The number of student-athletes from any one institution shall not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.28.2.

14.6.1.3 Exception -- Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Field Hockey and Men's Water Polo. In soccer, women's volleyball, field hockey and men's water polo, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition, provided:

(a) Such participation occurs not earlier than May 1;

(b) In soccer, women's volleyball and field hockey, the number of student-athletes from any one institution does not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.28.2;

(c) The competition is approved by the institution's director of athletics;

(d) No class time is missed for practice activities or for competition; and

(e) In women's volleyball, all practice and competition is confined to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball, either on sand or grass.

14.6.1.4 Exception -- Conference All-Star Competition Against U.S. National Team -- Women's Ice Hockey. In women's ice hockey, a student-athlete may compete during the academic year as a member of a conference all-star team in up to two contests against the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team in the 12 months prior to the Winter Olympic Games, provided the student-athlete is academically eligible for competition at the time of the competition.

14.6.1.5 Exception -- USA Fencing National Championships. In fencing, a student-athlete may compete during the academic year as a member of a USA Fencing member club team in the USA Fencing National Championships.

14.6.1.6 Exception -- Preseason Tryouts. A student-athlete who fails to make an institution's team during a given year after participating in limited preseason tryouts shall not be subject to the provision of Bylaw 14.6.1.

14.6.1.7 Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution. It is permissible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete's sport, as long as the student-athlete represents only himself or herself in the competition and does not engage in such competition as a member of or receive expenses from an outside team.

14.6.1.7.1 Exception -- No Competition Before November 1 -- Wrestling. In wrestling, a student-athlete shall not participate in outside competition as an individual between the beginning of the institution's academic year and November 1.

14.6.1.8 Exempt Teams. In individual sports (see Bylaw 17.02.13.2), such units as "pro-am" golf teams, doubles tennis teams and relay teams in track and field are not considered to be outside teams for purposes of this legislation.

14.6.1.9 Volleyball and Sand Volleyball. Volleyball and sand volleyball are considered the same sport for purposes of Bylaw 14.6.

14.6.1.10 Application of Numerical Limitations to Transfer Student-Athletes. A student-athlete who has officially withdrawn from a four-year institution and has been accepted for enrollment at a second institution does not count in the limitation on the number of student-athletes from the first institution who may compete on an outside amateur team in the applicable sport and does not count in the limitation on the number of student-athletes at the second institution who may compete on an outside amateur team in the applicable sport unless he or she is a student-athlete at that institution (e.g., has enrolled and attended classes during a summer term).

14.6.2 Outside Competition -- Basketball. A student-athlete who participates in any organized basketball competition except while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition in accordance with the permissible playing season specified in Bylaw 17.3 becomes ineligible for any further intercollegiate competition in basketball (see Bylaws 14.6.3 and 14.6.4 for exceptions and waivers).

14.6.2.1 Organized Basketball Competition. Outside basketball competition, including competition involving teams with fewer than five players, shall be considered "organized" if any one of the following conditions exists:

(a) Teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined;

(b) Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

(c) Official score is kept;

(d) Individual or team standings are maintained;

(e) Official timer or game officials are used;

(f) Team uniforms are used;

(g) Admission is charged;

(h) A team is privately or commercially sponsored; or

(i) Competition is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, an organization or any other agency.

14.6.2.2 Individual Subject to Outside-Competition Regulations. Once a student-athlete becomes a candidate for the institution's basketball team (has reported for the squad), or if the student was recruited by a member institution in part for basketball ability and subsequently enrolls in the institution, this prohibition against outside organized basketball competition remains applicable until the student-athlete's intercollegiate basketball eligibility has been exhausted. This includes time while the student is officially withdrawn from college, fulfilling a residence requirement after transfer to another college, awaiting transfer or enrolled in a nonmember collegiate institution.

14.6.2.3 Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant. Participation by a student-athlete in organized basketball competition while enrolled in a member institution and having participated in a sport other than basketball would not jeopardize the student's eligibility in basketball if the individual had not been recruited in basketball and had not participated on or been a candidate for the institution's intercollegiate basketball team.

14.6.3 Exceptions -- All Sports. The following exceptions to the outside-competition regulations are permitted:

(a) High School Alumni Game. A student-athlete may compete in one game a year involving participants from the student-athlete's former high school and its alumni team. In sports other than basketball, this game must take place during an official vacation period of the institution's academic year.
(b) Olympic Games. A student-athlete may participate in the official Olympic Games, in final tryouts that directly qualify competitors for the Olympic Games, and in officially recognized competition directly qualifying participants for final Olympic Games tryouts.

(c) Official Pan American Games Tryouts and Competition. A student-athlete may participate in official Pan American Games tryouts and competition.

(d) U.S. National Teams. A student-athlete may participate in official tryouts and competition involving national teams and junior national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for the student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

(e) Official World Championships, World University Games, World University Championships and World Cup Tryouts and Competition. A student-athlete may participate in official World Championships, World University Games, World University Championships and World Cup tryouts and competition.

(f) Multisport Events. A student-athlete may participate in officially recognized state and national multisport events.

14.6.3.1 National-Team Criteria. In applying the regulation permitting exceptions for student-athletes to participate during the institution's intercollegiate season in international competition involving national teams represented in the competition, a national team is defined as one that meets the following criteria:

(a) It is designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee, national governing body or other organizations recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization in that sport);

(b) Selection for such a team is made on a national qualification basis either through a defined selective process or actual tryouts, publicly announced; and

(c) The international competition in question requires that the entries officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary to require team scoring by nation.

14.6.4 Exceptions—Basketball.

(a) Summer League. A student-athlete may compete during the period between June 15 and August 31 or the institution's opening day of classes (see Bylaw 17.02.11.3), whichever comes earlier, on a team in a league certified per Bylaw 14.6.4.1, provided the student-athlete has received written permission from the institution's athletics director (or the director's official representative) prior to participation in the league. If the student-athlete is transferring and has been officially accepted for enrollment in a second institution, and if the previous institution certifies that the student has withdrawn and does not intend to return to that institution for the next term, this written permission is to be obtained from the member institution to which the student-athlete is transferring. Under such circumstances, the student-athlete does not count on the summer-league roster as a representative of either institution unless he or she has enrolled and attended classes during the certifying institution's summer term.

(b) Puerto Rico Superior Basketball League. A student-athlete who is a resident of Puerto Rico may participate in the Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico (see Bylaw 12.02.9).

(c) United States vs. U.S. National Teams. A student-athlete may participate in the United States against U.S. national teams.

(d) Outside-Team Tours. A student-athlete may participate in an outside team summer foreign basketball tour (see Bylaw 17.28.2).

(e) Basketball Draft Combine. A student-athlete using the draft exception set forth in Bylaw 12.2.4.2.1 may participate in a draft combine sponsored by a professional sports organization (during the summer or academic year), provided the student-athlete has received written permission from the institution's director of athletics.

14.6.4.1 Summer Basketball Leagues. In order for a summer basketball league to be certified, a certification application form must be submitted each year to the NCAA national office. To be certified, the following criteria must be met by each league:

(a) All-Star Games Prohibition. No all-star game of any kind shall be permitted;

(b) Geographical Limitation. League play shall be within 100 air miles of the city limits of the student-athlete's official residence at the end of the previous academic year or the institution the student-athlete last attended as a regular student. If a league does not exist within 100 air miles of the student-athlete's residence, a student-athlete may participate in the summer league located closest to the student's official residence;

(c) Payment Prohibition. No member team shall make any payments for play or expenses directly or indirectly to any player;

(d) Postseason Competition. Postseason play-offs or tournaments shall be permitted, provided they involve intraleague competition and are completed by August 31;

(e) Player Limitations.

(1) Number From Any One College. Each team shall include on its roster not more than two players with intercollegiate basketball eligibility remaining from any two-year or four-year college (other than a Division II or Division III member institution);

(2) Replacement of Student-Athlete Who Withdraws. A student-athlete who is listed on the roster of a team and withdraws or is injured and will not continue to practice or compete may be replaced for the remainder of the season by another basketball student-athlete from the same institution. The institution is permitted only one replacement per team; and

(3) One Team, One League. All Division I student-athletes must limit their competition to one team in one league;

(f) Revenue. No admission shall be charged for any game, no fee shall be charged for parking to attend any game, no revenue shall be realized at any game from raffles or similar activities, and no revenue shall be realized from over-the-air or cable television or radio rights fees for any game;

(g) Staff Limitations.

(1) Neither the league nor any member team shall have on its staff or as a participant any person associated in any employment capacity with any two-year or four-year college, except that institutional employees who are not athletics department staff members and do not have responsibilities directly related to the athletics department may serve as game officials.

(2) Neither the league nor any member team shall have on its staff or as a participant any individual who has been found guilty or pleaded guilty in a court of law for having been involved in sports bribery, point shaving or game fixing;

(h) Venue. A certified league shall not be conducted in a venue where sports wagering on intercollegiate athletics is permitted or on property sponsored by an establishment that permits sports wagering on intercollegiate athletics or is branded with signage for such an establishment;

(i) Involvement of Agents. No individual or agency involved in the marketing of any individual's athletics reputation or ability (including an employee of an agent or anyone associated with an agent in his or her capacity of marketing any individual's athletics reputation or ability) shall be associated in any capacity with the league (or any team participating in the league);

(j) Awards. League participants may receive an award, provided the cost of the award is included in the participant's entry fee;

(k) Accident Medical Insurance. The league operator must provide proof of accident medical insurance coverage for league participants; and

(l) Approval of League Operator or Manager. Individuals involved in operating or managing a league must be approved in accordance with guidelines established by the NCAA basketball certification staff.

14.6.5 Collegiate All-Star Contests. A student-athlete who competes as a member of a squad in any college all-star football or basketball contest shall be denied further intercollegiate eligibility in that sport.

14.6 Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation. A student-athlete who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree, a student-athlete who is enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate or equivalent degree at the same institution, or a student-athlete who has graduated and is continuing as a full-time student at the same institution while taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major or degree as defined and documented by the institution, may participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the student has eligibility remaining and such participation occurs within the applicable five-year period set forth in Bylaw 12.8 (see Bylaw 14.2.2.1.4).

14.6.1 One-Time Transfer Exception. A graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 12.8. A graduate student who does not meet the one-time transfer exception due to the restrictions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10-(a) shall qualify for this exception, provided:

(a) The student fulfills the remaining conditions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10;

(b) The student has at least one season of competition remaining; and

(c) The student's previous institution did not renew his or her athletically related financial aid for the following academic year.

14.6.2 International Student Exception. The remaining eligibility of a student who has received a foreign postsecondary degree that is identified as a "baccalaureate" but is not equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate and who is entering an undergraduate program must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the International-Student Records Committee.

14.6.3 Postseason Event Following Last Term of Eligibility. A student-athlete who is eligible during the term in which degree work is completed (or is eligible as a graduate, per Bylaw 14.6) remains eligible for any postseason event that begins within 60 days after the end of the term in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility).

14.6.4 Disciplinary Suspension. A graduate student who transfers to the certifying institution while disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for disciplinary reasons (as opposed to academic reasons) must complete one calendar year of residence at the certifying institution before he or she may be eligible for competition.

[14.7 unchanged.]

14.8 U.S. Service Academy Exceptions, Special Eligibility Provisions.

14.8.1 Five-Year Rule. The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve waivers to the five-year rule (see Bylaw 14.2) for student-athletes of the national service academies who have exhausted eligibility in one sport but wish to compete in another sport or sports in which they have eligibility remaining.

14.8.2 Transfer Status. A student who has attended as a freshman (plebe) only in the official summer-enrollment program of one of the four national service academies is not considered a transfer in the application of the transfer regulations of Bylaw 14.5.

14.9 Certification of Eligibility.

14.9.1 Institutional Responsibility for Eligibility Certification. The president or chancellor is responsible for approving the procedures for certifying the eligibility of an institution's student-athletes under NCAA legislation. The president or chancellor may designate an individual on the institution's staff to administer proper certification of eligibility. Certification of eligibility must occur prior to allowing a student-athlete to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition (see Bylaw 14.01.1). A violation of this bylaw in which the institution fails to certify a student-athlete's eligibility prior to allowing him or her to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete's eligibility, provided all the necessary information to certify the student-athlete's eligibility was available to the institution and the student-athlete otherwise would have been eligible for competition.

14.9.2 Squad-List Form. The institution's athletics director shall compile on a form maintained by the Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet and approved by the Legislative Council a list of the squad members in each sport on the first day of competition and shall indicate thereon the status of each member in the designated categories. A student-athlete's name must be on the official institutional form in order for the student to be eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete's eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight and the student-athlete is subsequently added to the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1. (See Bylaw 15.5.11 for details about the administration of the squad list.)

14.10 Ineligibility.

14.10.1 Obligation of Member Institution to Withhold Student-Athlete From Competition. If a student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations of the Association, the institution shall be obligated to apply immediately the applicable rule and to withhold the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 14.11 if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration.

14.10.2 Ineligibility Resulting From Recruiting Violation. An institution shall not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or as a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the Association's enforcement procedures that the institution or representative(s) of its athletics interests violated the Association's legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 14.11 if it concludes that circumstances warrant restoration.

14.10.2.1 Payment of Legal Fees During Appeal. A member institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete to attend proceedings conducted by the institution, its athletics conference or the NCAA that relate to the prospective student-athlete's eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the prospective student-athlete either has signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution or (if the institution is not a subscribing member of the National Letter of Intent program) the prospective student-athlete has been accepted for enrollment by the institution and has provided written confirmation of his or her intent to enroll at the institution. The cost of legal representation in such proceedings also may be provided by the institution (or a representative of its athletics interests).

14.10.3 Application of Ineligibility Ruling Pending Appeal. Once an interpretation (per Constitution 5.4.1.2) applicable to a member institution has been issued and results in the ineligibility of a student-athlete, it is necessary for the institution to apply the rule to the eligibility of the student-athlete, even if review of the interpretation (per Constitution 5.4.1.2.1.1 or 5.4.1.2.2) at the request of the institution is pending. Failure to withhold such a student-athlete from competition is a violation of the conditions and obligations of membership.

14.10.4 Ineligible Participation.

14.10.4.1 Loss of Eligibility. A student-athlete shall be denied eligibility for intercollegiate competition in a sport if he or she participates in intercollegiate competition in that sport while ineligible under this bylaw or other applicable NCAA legislation. The certifying institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility if it concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration (see Bylaw 14.11).

14.10.4.2 Penalty for Ineligible Participation or Receipt of Improper Aid. A student-athlete who practices or competes in intercollegiate athletics and/or receives institutional financial assistance (based in some degree on athletics ability) while ineligible for such aid, practice or competition per Bylaw 14.3 shall be charged with the loss of one year of eligibility for practice and varsity competition for each year gained improperly. The student-athlete shall be declared ineligible at the time it is determined that eligibility was gained improperly. Prior to declaring the student-athlete ineligible, the institution may provide the student-athlete an opportunity for a hearing. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for a reduction in the period of ineligibility.

14.11 Restoration of Eligibility.

14.11.1 Basis for Appeal. When a student-athlete is determined to be ineligible under any applicable provision of the constitution, bylaws or other regulations of the Association, the member institution, having applied the applicable rule and having withheld the student-athlete from all intercollegiate competition, may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student's eligibility, provided the institution concludes that the circumstances warrant restoration of eligibility.

14.11.2 Participation in Appeal Hearing. Any appeal to restore a student-athlete's eligibility shall be submitted in the name of the institution by the president or chancellor (or an individual designated by the president or chancellor), faculty athletics representative, senior woman administrator or athletics director (for the men's or women's program). At least one of those individuals must participate in any hearing of the appeal that involves direct participation by the student-athlete or other individuals representing the institution or the student.

14.11.3 Student Responsibility, Relationship to Restoration of Eligibility. A student-athlete is responsible for his or her involvement in a violation of NCAA regulations (as defined in Bylaw 19), and the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement may restore the eligibility of a student involved in any violation only when circumstances clearly warrant restoration. The eligibility of a student-athlete involved in a major violation shall not be restored other than through an exception authorized by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement in a unique case on the basis of specifically stated reasons.

[14.12 renumbered as 14.8 unchanged.]

17 Playing and Practice Seasons

[17.01 unchanged.]

17.02 Definitions and Applications.

[17.02.1 through 17.02.8 unchanged.]

17.02.9 National Team. A national team is one selected, organized and sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport). The selection for such a team shall be made on a national qualification basis, either through a defined selective process or by actual tryouts, publicly announced in advance. In addition, the international competition in question shall require that the entrants officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary to require team scoring by nation.

17.02.10 Organized Competition. Athletics competition shall be considered organized if any of the following conditions exists:

(a) Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

(b) Official score is kept;

(c) Individual or team standings are maintained;

(d) Official timer or game officials are used;

(e) Admission is charged;

(f) Teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined;

(g) Team uniforms are used;

(h) A team is privately or commercially sponsored; or

(i) The competition is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, an organization or any other agency.

[17.02.9 through 17.02.16 renumbered as 17.02.11 through 17.02.18, unchanged.]

[17.1 through 17.30 unchanged.]

17.31 Outside Competition, Effects on Eligibility. The eligibility of a student-athlete who engages in outside competition (see Bylaw 17.02.11) is affected as set forth in the following regulations.

17.31.1 Outside Competition -- Sports Other Than Basketball. A student-athlete in any sport other than basketball who participates during the academic year as a member of any outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. A student-athlete is permitted to practice on such a team.

17.31.1.1 Exception -- Sports Other Than Wrestling. In sports other than wrestling, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the institution's catalog. The number of student-athletes from any one institution shall not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.29.2.

17.31.1.2 Exception -- Wrestling. In wrestling, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the institution's catalog, except a vacation period that occurs between the beginning of the institution's academic year and November 1. The number of student-athletes from any one institution shall not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.29.2.

17.31.1.3 Exception -- Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Field Hockey and Men's Water Polo. In soccer, women's volleyball, field hockey and men's water polo, a student-athlete may compete outside of the institution's declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition, provided:

(a) Such participation occurs not earlier than May 1;

(b) In soccer, women's volleyball and field hockey, the number of student-athletes from any one institution does not exceed the applicable limits set forth in Bylaw 17.29.2;

(c) The competition is approved by the institution's director of athletics;

(d) No class time is missed for practice activities or for competition; and

(e) In women's volleyball, all practice and competition is confined to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball, either on sand or grass.

17.31.1.4 Exception -- Conference All-Star Competition Against U.S. National Team -- Women's Ice Hockey. In women's ice hockey, a student-athlete may compete during the academic year as a member of a conference all-star team in up to two contests against the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team in the 12 months prior to the Winter Olympic Games, provided the student-athlete is academically eligible for competition at the time of the competition.

17.31.1.5 Exception -- USA Fencing National Championships. In fencing, a student-athlete may compete during the academic year as a member of a USA Fencing member club team in the USA Fencing National Championships.

17.31.1.6 Exception -- Preseason Tryouts. A student-athlete who fails to make an institution's team during a given year after participating in limited preseason tryouts shall not be subject to the provision of Bylaw 17.31.1.

17.31.1.7 Competition as Individual/Not Representing Institution. It is permissible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete's sport, as long as the student-athlete represents only himself or herself in the competition and does not engage in such competition as a member of or receive expenses from an outside team.

17.31.1.7.1 Exception -- No Competition Before November 1 -- Wrestling. In wrestling, a student-athlete shall not participate in outside competition as an individual between the beginning of the institution's academic year and November 1.

17.31.1.8 Exempt Teams. In individual sports (see Bylaw 17.02.17.2), such units as "pro-am" golf teams, doubles tennis teams and relay teams in track and field are not considered to be outside teams for purposes of this legislation.

17.31.1.9 Volleyball and Sand Volleyball. Volleyball and sand volleyball are considered the same sport for purposes of Bylaw 17.31.

17.31.1.10 Application of Numerical Limitations to Transfer Student-Athletes. A student-athlete who has officially withdrawn from a four-year institution and has been accepted for enrollment at a second institution does not count in the limitation on the number of student-athletes from the first institution who may compete on an outside amateur team in the applicable sport and does not count in the limitation on the number of student-athletes at the second institution who may compete on an outside amateur team in the applicable sport unless he or she is a student-athlete at that institution (e.g., has enrolled and attended classes during a summer term).

17.31.2 Outside Competition -- Basketball. A student-athlete who participates in any organized basketball competition except while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition in accordance with the permissible playing season specified in Bylaw 17.3 becomes ineligible for any further intercollegiate competition in basketball (see Bylaws 17.31.3 and 17.31.4 for exceptions and waivers).

17.31.2.1 Organized Basketball Competition. Outside basketball competition, including competition involving teams with fewer than five players, shall be considered "organized" if any one of the following conditions exists:

(a) Teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined;

(b) Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

(c) Official score is kept;

(d) Individual or team standings are maintained;

(e) Official timer or game officials are used;

(f) Team uniforms are used;

(g) Admission is charged;

(h) A team is privately or commercially sponsored; or

(i) Competition is either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, an organization or any other agency.

17.31.2.2 Individual Subject to Outside-Competition Regulations. Once a student-athlete becomes a candidate for the institution's basketball team (has reported for the squad), or if the student was recruited by a member institution in part for basketball ability and subsequently enrolls in the institution, this prohibition against outside organized basketball competition remains applicable until the student-athlete's intercollegiate basketball eligibility has been exhausted. This includes time while the student is officially withdrawn from college, fulfilling a residence requirement after transfer to another college, awaiting transfer or enrolled in a nonmember collegiate institution.

17.31.2.3 Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant. Participation by a student-athlete in organized basketball competition while enrolled in a member institution and having participated in a sport other than basketball would not jeopardize the student's eligibility in basketball if the individual had not been recruited in basketball and had not participated on or been a candidate for the institution's intercollegiate basketball team.

17.31.3 Exceptions -- All Sports. The following exceptions to the outside-competition regulations are permitted:

(a) High School Alumni Game. A student-athlete may compete in one game a year involving participants from the student-athlete's former high school and its alumni team. In sports other than basketball, this game must take place during an official vacation period of the institution's academic year.
(b) Olympic Games. A student-athlete may participate in the official Olympic Games, in final tryouts that directly qualify competitors for the Olympic Games, and in officially recognized competition directly qualifying participants for final Olympic Games tryouts.

(c) Official Pan American Games Tryouts and Competition. A student-athlete may participate in official Pan American Games tryouts and competition.

(d) U.S. National Teams. A student-athlete may participate in official tryouts and competition involving national teams and junior national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing bodies of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for the student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).

(e) Official World Championships, World University Games, World University Championships and World Cup Tryouts and Competition. A student-athlete may participate in official World Championships, World University Games, World University Championships and World Cup tryouts and competition.

(f) Multisport Events. A student-athlete may participate in officially recognized state and national multisport events.

17.31.3.1 National-Team Criteria. In applying the regulation permitting exceptions for student-athletes to participate during the institution's intercollegiate season in international competition involving national teams represented in the competition, a national team is defined as one that meets the following criteria:

(a) It is designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee, national governing body or other organizations recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for student-athletes representing another nation, the equivalent organization of that nation, or, for student-athletes competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization in that sport);

(b) Selection for such a team is made on a national qualification basis either through a defined selective process or actual tryouts, publicly announced; and

(c) The international competition in question requires that the entries officially represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary to require team scoring by nation.

17.31.4 Exceptions -- Basketball.

(a) Summer League. A student-athlete may compete during the period between June 15 and August 31 or the institution's opening day of classes (see Bylaw 17.02.13.3), whichever comes earlier, on a team in a league certified per Bylaw 17.31.4.1, provided the student-athlete has received written permission from the institution's athletics director (or the director's official representative) prior to participation in the league. If the student-athlete is transferring and has been officially accepted for enrollment in a second institution, and if the previous institution certifies that the student has withdrawn and does not intend to return to that institution for the next term, this written permission is to be obtained from the member institution to which the student-athlete is transferring. Under such circumstances, the student-athlete does not count on the summer-league roster as a representative of either institution unless he or she has enrolled and attended classes during the certifying institution's summer term.

(b) Puerto Rico Superior Basketball League. A student-athlete who is a resident of Puerto Rico may participate in the Superior Basketball League of Puerto Rico (see Bylaw 12.02.10).

(c) United States vs. U.S. National Teams. A student-athlete may participate in the United States against U.S. national teams.

(d) Outside-Team Tours. A student-athlete may participate in an outside team summer foreign basketball tour (see Bylaw 17.29.2).

(e) Basketball Draft Combine. A student-athlete using the draft exception set forth in Bylaw 12.2.4.2.1 may participate in a draft combine sponsored by a professional sports organization (during the summer or academic year), provided the student-athlete has received written permission from the institution's director of athletics.

17.31.4.1 Summer Basketball Leagues. In order for a summer basketball league to be certified, a certification application form must be submitted each year to the NCAA national office. To be certified, the following criteria must be met by each league:

(a) All-Star Games Prohibition. No all-star game of any kind shall be permitted;

(b) Geographical Limitation. League play shall be within 100 air miles of the city limits of the student-athlete's official residence at the end of the previous academic year or the institution the student-athlete last attended as a regular student. If a league does not exist within 100 air miles of the student-athlete's residence, a student-athlete may participate in the summer league located closest to the student's official residence;

(c) Payment Prohibition. No member team shall make any payments for play or expenses directly or indirectly to any player;

(d) Postseason Competition. Postseason play-offs or tournaments shall be permitted, provided they involve intraleague competition and are completed by August 31;

(e) Player Limitations.

(1) Number From Any One College. Each team shall include on its roster not more than two players with intercollegiate basketball eligibility remaining from any two-year or four-year college (other than a Division II or Division III member institution);

(2) Replacement of Student-Athlete Who Withdraws. A student-athlete who is listed on the roster of a team and withdraws or is injured and will not continue to practice or compete may be replaced for the remainder of the season by another basketball student-athlete from the same institution. The institution is permitted only one replacement per team; and

(3) One Team, One League. All Division I student-athletes must limit their competition to one team in one league;

(f) Revenue. No admission shall be charged for any game, no fee shall be charged for parking to attend any game, no revenue shall be realized at any game from raffles or similar activities, and no revenue shall be realized from over-the-air or cable television or radio rights fees for any game;

(g) Staff Limitations.

(1) Neither the league nor any member team shall have on its staff or as a participant any person associated in any employment capacity with any two-year or four-year college, except that institutional employees who are not athletics department staff members and do not have responsibilities directly related to the athletics department may serve as game officials.

(2) Neither the league nor any member team shall have on its staff or as a participant any individual who has been found guilty or pleaded guilty in a court of law for having been involved in sports bribery, point shaving or game fixing;

(h) Venue. A certified league shall not be conducted in a venue where sports wagering on intercollegiate athletics is permitted or on property sponsored by an establishment that permits sports wagering on intercollegiate athletics or is branded with signage for such an establishment;

(i) Involvement of Agents. No individual or agency involved in the marketing of any individual's athletics reputation or ability (including an employee of an agent or anyone associated with an agent in his or her capacity of marketing any individual's athletics reputation or ability) shall be associated in any capacity with the league (or any team participating in the league);

(j) Awards. League participants may receive an award, provided the cost of the award is included in the participant's entry fee;

(k) Accident Medical Insurance. The league operator must provide proof of accident medical insurance coverage for league participants; and

(l) Approval of League Operator or Manager. Individuals involved in operating or managing a league must be approved in accordance with guidelines established by the NCAA basketball certification staff.

17.31.5 Collegiate All-Star Contests. A student-athlete who competes as a member of a squad in any college all-star football or basketball contest shall be denied further intercollegiate eligibility in that sport.