Page 213 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

2020-2021 NJCAA CASEBOOK

FOREWORD
This Casebook is a supplement to Articles V, VI, VII, XI, and the Sportsmanship Code of NJCAA bylaws. The cases
shall be used for official interpretations and are binding after their publication and circulation to the membership.

2020 – 2021 ELIGIBILITY BYLAW CHANGES
The following is a summary of significant bylaws passed by the NJCAA Board of Regents, which are binding for the 2020-2021 academic
year:

A. COVID-19 Related Measures – The NJCAA has made several significant temporary changes to the NJCAA bylaws which will
apply only to the 2020-2021 academic year as these changes are a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the
casebook, there will be a COVID-19 specific section. Ensure that the situation meets the requirements for the COVID-19
allowances prior to applying the exceptions. It is the member institution’s responsibility to ensure that proper allowances are
followed. See the COVID-19 section at the front of the NJCAA Casebook.
B. Article V, Section 2.C.2.c - Full-Time Enrollment Exemption

- Provides an allowance for SAs to be enrolled in 6 – 11 credit hours (part-time) instead of 12 credit hours (full-time) if in their
final term prior to graduation.
- SAs must be on course to complete the degree requirements if taking part in this exemption, per confirmation from the
institution.
- This is a one-time allowance.
- The below is an interpretation from the Eligibility Committee for the 2020-21 academic year only which only applies to
graduates.
- A student-athlete who was enrolled at a college or university as a full-time student in the spring 2020 term, and graduates at
the end of the spring 2020 OR fall 2020 term, may participate in the spring 2021 NJCAA sports season while enrolled in a
minimum of six (6) credit hours. All six (6) credit hours must begin before the end of the published regular-season schedule of
the student-athletes chosen sport. The institution must document that the student-athlete has completed all degree
requirements, as determined by the institution. This one-time allowance is ONLY for students who were enrolled full-time at a
college or university in the spring 2020. Student-athletes must not have previously competed in two or more seasons of the
desired sport.

C. Article VI, Section 2.D.2 - Release Agreements
- Once a Student-Athlete is "officially" released, they are immediately recruitable.
- Labeled as "released" on the NJCAA Connect platform

- A member college maintains control of the LOI by not releasing the Student-Athlete. With choosing not to release, the Student-
athlete and member colleges would not be permitted to communicate with other member institutions or their representatives.

- Allow the Student-Athlete to continue to receive their aid once released if agreeable between the two parties.

- Student-Athlete not on LOI would follow the same bylaws we currently have.
- The Transfer Waiver would remain in effect.

D. Article VI, Section 2.A.1.a - LOI – Non-counters

- Any second season athlete who was signed to an LOI for the spring 2020 season of baseball, beach volleyball, DI tennis (
M&W), DIII tennis (M), golf, lacrosse, softball, or outdoor track and Field prior to March 16, 2020 may receive a scholarship at
the same institution for the 2020-2021 academic year and not be a counter. The student must be signed to an LOI.
E. Article I, Section 4.E.5 - CPR Trained Individuals – Requires at minimum, one CPR certified coach and or athletic trainer be
present during all workouts, practices and games.
F. Article V, Section 2.D - Academic Exceptions for 2020-2021

- May only be applied to Student-Athletes enrolled in a full-time course load (12-hour minimum) for the Spring 2020 term
- Students who were not enrolled as full-time at a college or university in the Spring 2020 academic term must meet the standard
academic progress requirements.

- The adjustment only applies for the 2020-2021 academic year. Those students who were not enrolled in a full-time course load
in the spring 2020 academic term must meet the standard academic progression requirements.