Page 258 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

Case 2
When a Sport has been Dropped or the College will not be Fielding that Sport?

SITUATION:
Community College A has indicated it will sponsor the sport of women’s lacrosse for the 2019-2020 academic year. Prior to the start of the
lacrosse season, Community College A determines they do not have enough players to field a team and cancels the sport for that season.
Therefore, the college will not be submitting an online eligibility form. When should the NJCAA National Office be notified that the college has
cancelled the season or cannot field the sport?
ANSWER:
The NJCAA National Office should be notified of Community College A’s decision to officially cancel the sport for the season as soon as the
college has made this decision. That way, the Office of Eligibility can update the NJCAA website as well as other office records to avoid
having to ask for Community College A’s women’s lacrosse eligibility form during the season.

Case 3
When to Submit Eligibility for Fall Golf and Tennis when the College’s Main Season is in the Spring
If any of the following occur for any team, eligibility must be submitted:
1. The college pays for any or all expenses for a team or individual student-athlete participating in an open competition. Expenses
include, but are not limited to the following: food, lodging, transportation, gas money and entry fees. Expanding further on #1:
students cannot travel in college provided transportation or in a coaches’ vehicle. Students cannot borrow a coach’s vehicle for
transportation to an open competition.

2. Student-athletes are representing the college by wearing college uniforms and/or showing in the results as representing
the college.
3. Any member of the coaching staff coaches the student-athlete before, during and/or after the competition.

4. Due to this bylaw, eligibility must be submitted for those players/teams that participate in competitions that are outside of the regular
season. This rule does not only apply to fall tennis and golf - this is the same rule for any sport: wrestling, track, baseball and
softball, etc.

If any of the four items above apply, eligibility must be submitted online prior to the first competition date even if the team’s main season
occurs in a different term.
Eligibility is not required to be submitted for a scrimmage season, however be aware that in order for a scrimmage to be counted as a
scrimmage, it must meet the requirements for a scrimmage including, all teams/colleges participating in the competition must distinguish the
competition as a scrimmage. One team/college cannot count the competition as a scrimmage and all other teams/colleges count it as a
regular season game. Therefore prior to going to an invitational or tournament, please know how to count the competition.

INELIGIBLE PLAYERS DRESSING IN UNIFORM

Case 1

SITUATION: Ineligible Student-Athletes Not Allowed to Dress for Competition

Community College A competes against four-year institution junior varsity teams as part of their regular basketball schedule. Can
Community College A allow student-athletes, who are ineligible, to dress or participate in those contests with the four-year institution junior
varsity team?

ANSWER:
No. All student-athletes participating in official contests must meet all provisions of the NJCAA eligibility. This is applicable to all member
colleges that are competing against any outside team regardless if they are a member or not, in an official contest.

Case 2

SITUATION: Red-Shirt Student-Athletes Dressing for a Competition

Student-Athlete R is “red-shirting” during the 2020-2021 basketball season, however he/she is dressed for competition. Is this a violation
of NJCAA bylaws?

ANSWER:
If Student-Athlete R has not been submitted on the eligibility form, he/she is technically an ineligible athlete. A student-athlete is not eligible
until his/her eligibility has been officially submitted online. Therefore, the student-athlete in this example may not dress for competition. An
NJCAA redshirt is someone who has practiced with the team but has not been certified.

Case 3

SITUATION: Ineligible Player Participating in Pre-Game Warm-Ups
Student-Athlete R is not certified on the baseball team’s eligibility roster and therefore is ineligible. The baseball team takes batting
practice two hours prior to the official start of the game. Is it permissible for the ineligible player to be in uniform taking batting practice with the
team?
ANSWER:
The batting practice, although two hours prior to the game, is still part of the game activities. It would not be permissible for the ineligible
player to be in uniform and participate in pregame activities.