Page 315 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

Baseball example: student-athletes are only allowed to play in 56 games in the spring season therefore if a student- athlete who
participates on the JV team in 30 games and is moved up to the varsity team may only participate at the varsity level for a maximum
of 26 games for a maximum of 56 games for the entire regular season.
* Stats accumulated in JV games are not to be submitted as national stats. Only stats earned at the varsity level are to be entered into
the online stats program.
*Eligibility must be submitted for all students participating on either the JV or varsity team.
*Participation on either the JV or the varsity team constitutes a season of eligibility being used regardless of the number of games which
they participated.
*In the case of an eligibility audit, all information for all student athletes in the program must be submitted regardless if they are on the JV or
varsity program.

Club Teams
Case 1
SITUATION:
Declaring Club Team Status after the Start of a Varsity Season
Community College A begins the women’s soccer regular season and participates in the first two contests on their schedule. Due to
uncertain circumstances, the women’s soccer team wishes to become a club team. What is the correct procedure for Community College A to
follow to become a club team after the varsity season has started?
ANSWER:
Community College A must first make this request in writing to the NJCAA National Office. Upon approval, Community College A must
complete and submit a Club Declaration Form. These student-athletes have used one season of eligibility within the NJCAA.

Case 2
Individual Competition after Club Designation
SITUATION:

Community College A files an NJCAA Club Declaration Form for wrestling prior to the season schedule. At the completion of the regular
season schedule, can Community College A enter as a team in the regional tournament?
ANSWER:
No. Once a college declares themselves as club status for the season they must remain as a club team for the entire season. Student-
athletes competing in a recognized individual sport (bowling, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, swimming and
diving, tennis, or wrestling) no longer may qualify for region, district or national competition.

Case 3

SITUATION: Competition during a Regional or National Championship Meet

Community College A's swimming season spans over two terms. At the beginning of the season, Community College A filed an NJCAA
Club Declaration Form. Can student-athletes compete in the Regional or National Meet?
ANSWER:
No. Only those student-athletes who have been certified through the NJCAA online eligibility system are eligible for postseason
competition. Members of a designated club team are not eligible for postseason competition.

Case 4

SITUATION: Club Team Participation in Regional, District or National Competition

Community College A files an NJCAA Club Declaration Form for their track and field team. Several members of the team have met the
qualifying standards and satisfy NJCAA Rules of Eligibility. If an eligibility form is submitted prior to the deadline date, can these student-athletes
participate in postseason competition as individuals?
ANSWER:
No. Individuals competing in Regional, District and National competition must be from varsity programs and may not have been on a club
team during the season.

Case 5

SITUATION: Varsity and Club Teams in the Same Sport

Can a member college sponsor a club team and an intercollegiate varsity or JV team in the same sport?
ANSWER:
No. A college must either compete on a club basis or on an intercollegiate varsity level in any one sport. A college competing on a
varsity level may also field a JV team, all members must meet the NJCAA Rules of Eligibility and have their eligibility submitted online prior to
competition. Each student-athlete must conform to the regulation regarding the number of contests per sport.

Case 6

SITUATION: Varsity and Club Teams in the Same Sport

Can a member college sponsor a basketball club team administered by the student-activities office and an intercollegiate basketball team
administered by the Athletic Department?
ANSWER:
No. A member college may not sponsor a club team and a varsity team in the same sport even if the teams are administered by different
areas of the college. The member college is the member and must adhere to all NJCAA rules not just the college’s athletic department.