Page 79 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

ARTICLE IX
TEAM SPORT DISTRICT QUALIFICATION FOR NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Section 1. The NJCAA supports a system of National Tournament qualification where geographic representation is the first consideration, providing all
regions a path to qualification. Competitive strength of a team or region may be considered provided all qualifiers have earned their tournament berth
through the field of play.

In all sports where regions are split into two or more districts, it shall be the option of the regions to determine the playoff system for
national qualification.
NOTE: In the sports of men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.
A. When a team is the only participant in their region, in that sport division, sixty percent (60%) of that teams’ competition must be
against NJCAA/NWAC/CCCAA member schools. In addition, that team must have at least a .500 record (eliminating ties) against
those teams (NJCAA/NWAC/CCCAA). That record must be determined 10 days prior to the start of district play.
B. The rotation of district playoff sites should occur in proportion to the number of teams participating in each region involved.
(Example: Region A has twice as many teams as Region B - the district playoff between these two regions will be held two times in
Region A for every one time it is held in Region B).
C. In a district comprised of multiple regions and any one of those regions has a single participating school, that/those school(s) must
participate in a regional tournament consisting of multiple schools. The winner of the overall district playoff will be declared the
District Champion. The highest finishing team of each region will be declared that regions champion.
D. Inclusive of all sports, if the playoff (regional or district) involves two or more regions, the hosting college must have a playing
surface and equipment which complies with the NCAA playing rules of that sport. If the host college cannot meet those rules, an
alternate site must be found. In addition, the date, location, game management and officials assigned to the playoff must be agreed
upon and that written agreement signed by each of the Regional Directors involved.
E. If the playoff involves teams from only one region, the region must decide whether or not to mandate compliance with the NCAA
playing rules of that sport.
F. If a unanimous decision cannot be made by the regions in a district, the decision will be made by the NJCAA National Office. The
National Office’s decision will be final and binding without opportunity for appeal.
Section 2. All regional and district playoff tournaments must be completed by the date established by each respective sport committee.
Consideration may be given to allow contests to be played beyond the established district date only in cases where extraordinary
circumstances (i.e. – Federal or State emergency, catastrophic event) exist. Requests for consideration may be appealed to the NJCAA
Executive Director.
Section 3. In the sport of football, a team must meet the following criteria in order to be bowl eligible:
A. Overall record must be at least .500 (eliminating ties).
B. At least 50 percent (50%) of a team’s schedule must be against NJCAA member colleges.
C. Play a minimum of nine (9) games.
D. Member colleges hosting bowl games are privy to exemption from the .500 winning
percentage in order to participate.
Section 4. Any extenuating circumstances in regards to Article XII, Section 1, 2, 3 or 4, which might suggest an exemption from a rule, may be
appealed to the NJCAA Board of Regents Appeal Executive Committee. Appeals must be received by the NJCAA National Office, in
accordance with Article VIII of the NJCAA bylaws (with the exception of the seven (7) calendar day deadline established in Article VIII,
Section 3.B) at least seven (7) days prior to the start of district play OR seven (7) days prior to official bowl invitation date established by
The Football Committee.

ARTICLE X
FINANCIALS

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from August 1 to July 31 of each year.
Section 2. An audit of the financial accounts of the NJCAA shall be made at the end of each fiscal year by a certified public accountant and a
report of the Association's finances shall be made at the April Meeting of the Board of Regents.