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7. Double forfeitures – there have been cases of both teams who have participated in the same competition who are required to
forfeit. In that case, both teams record the game as a forfeit where there is no winner.
Case 4
Using an Ineligible Student-Athlete that has Lost their Amateur Status in the NJCAA
SITUATION:
Community College A competes in the entire basketball season. After the conclusion of the basketball season it is
discovered that Community College A had competed the entire season using a student-athlete who had previously competed
on a professional team beyond their 19 birthday. What are the penalties associated with the violation?
th
ANSWER:
NJCAA bylaws do not allow for a student-athlete to have previously participated on a professional team beyond their 19 th
birthday or their initial full-time enrollment in college (whichever comes first). All games contested and won by Community
College A must be forfeited. NJCAA bylaws also requires the team be prohibited from postseason participation the next
academic year.
Case 5
Using an Ineligible Player during the Postseason
SITUATION:
After the volleyball season, it was discovered by Community College A that Student-Athlete R dropped to below full-time status before the
start of the regional tournament which is a postseason competition. Participating while being enrolled in less than 12 hours is a violation of
NJCAA enrollment requirements and Student-Athlete R was ineligible for competition at the time she dropped below full-time. What penalties
are enforced at this point seeing that this ineligible student-athlete participated in the postseason? Does Community College A forfeit all the
games in which Student-Athlete R participated?
ANSWER:
Yes. The penalty for using an ineligible player is forfeiture of all the games in which such player participated even though it was not done
knowingly by the school and/or the student-athlete. An automatic penalty of athletic probation for Community College A’s volleyball program
for the next academic year for allowing an ineligible student-athlete to participate in the postseason. The volleyball program will not be allowed
to participate during the following year in any Regional, District, or National Championship competitions (postseason competitions).
ELIGIBILITY – ALL-STAR COMPETITIONS
Case 1
All-Star Competition
SITUATION/ANSWER:
NJCAA student-athletes may compete in all-star competitions, only if the event is sponsored by a conference and/or region of the
NJCAA. An NJCAA Athletic Event Questionnaire no longer has to be filed with the NJCAA National Office. College. Also, eligibility does
not need to be filed for those student-athletes participating in these all-star completions.
If the event is not sponsored by a conference or region, the NJCAA member college may not be involved with providing support of
any type for this event. This would mean that the NJCAA member college may not provide support which may include but is not limited to
entry fees, equipment, transportation, lodging, meals, etc. for the student-athlete.
Case 2
All-Star Competition – Online Eligibility
SITUATION:
Region A sponsors an annual All-Star baseball game in the fall to promote the region’s second year players. Do the student-athletes
who are chosen to participate in this fall all-star contest have to be academically eligible in order to participate?
ANSWER:
Those student-athletes participating in all-star competitions sponsored by the region or conference are no longer required to have their
eligibility submitted on file with the NJCAA National Office even if the all-star game is conducted during the non-championship season.
Case 3
SITUATION: Unattached Participant
While attending Community College A, Student-Athlete R becomes academically ineligible to compete in track and field during the spring
term. Is it permissible for Student-Athlete R to travel with the track team and compete as an unattached entry?
ANSWER:
No. Ineligible athletes may not be transported or receive expenses from a member college to attend or participate as an unattached
competitor in open contests or events. This student-athlete may transport him/herself to this competition, however the student may not
represent the college in any fashion (wearing clothes with the college’s name, showing in the results as a representative of the college, etc.).
The coaches may not advise or coach the student-athlete, the student-athlete should not sit in the college’s team area, the student must pay
for all expenses (food, travel, lodging, entry fees, etc.) associated with this competition.
Case 4
Participation with Outside Club Teams during the College Season
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R, a member of Community College A's track and field team, is invited to participate in a track and field meet which
is not a part of Community College A's schedule. Can Student-Athlete R participate in the track and field meet?
ANSWER:
Yes. Student-Athlete R can participate in the track meet as an "unattached" entry. Under no circumstances can Student- Athlete R be
a representative of another track team or club and also be a member of a college track team.