Page 248 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

FIRST PARTICIPATING TERM ACCUMULATION (SECTION 2.D.2.F)

Case 1
First Season Participant
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attends college as a full-time student-athlete for three terms and does not participate in intercollegiate athletics. The
following is the academic record for Student-Athlete R:

Fall Semester - enrolls in 12 and passes nine (9) with a 2.00 GPA Spring Semester - enrolls in 12 and passes nine (9) with a 2.25 GPA Fall
Semester - enrolls in 12 and passes nine (9) with a 2.00 GPA

Student-Athlete R has a total accumulation of 27 semester hours, with a 2.10 GPA, and has never participated in softball. Is Student-
Athlete R eligible to participate in softball in the upcoming spring term?

ANSWER:
Yes. Because Student-Athlete R has never participated, she would satisfy the provisions of 2.D.2.f (24 semester hours with a 2.00 GPA
or higher) since the spring term is her first (initial) term of participation.

Case 2
Non-Participant Transfer
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attends Four-Year Institution A for four (4) concurrent full-time semesters passing 10 credit hours in the previous
full-time term and having accumulated 32 credit hours with an overall GPA of 2.86. Student-Athlete R has never participated in intercollegiate
athletics. Is Student-Athlete R eligible for immediate participation at an NJCAA member college?

ANSWER:
Yes. Because Student-Athlete R has never participated, he/she would satisfy the provisions of Section 2.D.2.f. A first season
participant must have passed a minimum of 24 credit hours with a 2.00 GPA or higher, regardless of previous term or other accumulation
requirements.

Case 3
Two-Term Sport
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R has accumulated 24 semester hours with a 2.00 GPA prior to the beginning of a first season of basketball, in four
(4) full-time terms of attendance. This accumulation allows Student-Athlete R to be eligible for basketball in the fall term. What is the eligibility
requirement for Student-Athlete R to continue basketball into the spring term?
ANSWER:
Once the season began for Student-Athlete R in basketball (a two-term sport) the student-athlete may become eligible by utilizing
Section 2.D.2.c., 2.D.2.d. or 2.D.2.e. Section 2.D.2.f cannot be used for the spring term of basketball because the fall term was Student-
Athlete R’s initial term (first term) of participation. The spring term is the student-athlete’s second term of participation and this rule can no
longer be used in eligibility for this student-athlete in the sport of basketball. If the student- athlete had not participated during the fall term, the
spring term would then become his/her first (initial) term of participation and then first participating term exception could be used in
determining the student-athlete’s eligibility.
NOTE: Section 2.D.2.f does not constitute eligibility for a full season of participation in a two-term sport, but only for the initial term (first term)
of participation.

SECOND SEASON ACADEMIC ACCUMULATION (SECTION 2.D.3)

Case 1

SITUATION: Requirements Prior to a Second Season of Participation in a Fall Sport

Student-Athlete R, a freshman, enrolls in 15 credit hours at Community College A and participates in soccer. At the completion of the
semester, Student-Athlete R has earned 15 credit hours with a 4.00 GPA. Student-Athlete R does not attend the spring term and returns to
college the following fall semester. Is Student-Athlete R eligible to participate in soccer?
ANSWER:
No. In this case Student-Athlete R has earned only 15 credit hours and he/she must have earned a total accumulation of 24
semester credit hours with a 2.00 GPA or higher to participate in a second season.

Case 2
SITUATION: Quarter Example – Requirements Prior to a Second Season of Participation
The following credits were earned by Student-Athlete R:
Fall quarter - enrolls in 12 credit hours and passes 12 credit hours with a 1.75 GPA (Participates in indoor track, 1 st season.) Winter quarter -
enrolls in 12 credit hours and passes 12 credit hours with a 2.25 GPA (Participates in indoor track, 1 st season.) Spring quarter - enrolls in 10
credit hours and passes 10 credit hours with a 2.00 GPA
Is Student-Athlete R eligible for a second season of indoor track?
ANSWER:
Yes. Section 2.D.3 requires 28 quarter credit hours with a 2.00 GPA prior to a second season of participation, if the student-
athlete has attempted only two (2) or less full-time quarters. If the student-athlete was full-time during the spring quarter, then he/she would
need 36 credit hours earned for three (3) full-time quarters.