Page 279 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

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Student-Athlete R attended Community College A during the fall 2019 term as a full-time student-athlete past the 18 day
of the term. Student-Athlete R is also a member of the men’s basketball team at Community College A but does not participate
during the fall term and wishes to transfer to Community College B after the end of the fall term. He is also looking to participate
at Community College B during the spring term. Is he eligible to participate during the spring term?
ANSWER:
No. Because Student-Athlete R was not enrolled full-time during the fall term at the college where he wants to participate
(Community College B) he is ineligible to compete during the spring term at Community College B.

Case 3
Mid-Year Transfers of a Two-Term Sport – Ineligible
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attends Community College A during the fall 2019 as a full-time student and does not participate in
intercollegiate sports. She transfers to Community College B after the end of the fall 2019 term and wishes to participate in
swimming which is a two-term sport. Is she eligible to participate during the spring 2020 term if she meets all academic
progress eligibility requirement?
ANSWER:
No. Student-Athlete R needed to be full-time at the college where she wishes to participate during the term in which the
sport starts. In this case, she was attending Community College A during the fall term (the term in which the sport started),
therefore she would be ineligible for competition during the spring term at Community College B.

Amateur Eligibility

Case 1
Give Lessons for Compensation
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R is an NJCAA tennis athlete. During the summer months Student-Athlete R coordinates to instruct
lessons to adult beginners on a fee for lesson basis. Is this permissible under current NJCAA bylaws?
ANSWER:
This would be permissible under current NJCAA bylaws provided the fee which Student-Athlete R receives is
appropriate for the service provided and consistent with the appropriate going rate.

Case 2
Prize Money – Based on Athletic Ability
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R who is a lacrosse athlete participates in a basketball half-court shooting contest where if he makes the
shot he can win a $200 cash prize. Is Student-Athlete R permitted to accept this cash prize without jeopardizing his NJCAA
amateur status?
ANSWER:
If the student accepts the prize and the prize was won on or after his 19 birthday or after his initial enrollment as a full-time
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college student, he will have jeopardized his NJCAA amateur status in the sport of basketball since the award is won using
athletic ability in the sport. If student-Athlete R wins and accepts the prize prior to his 19 birthday or his initial full-time
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enrollment in college he will not have jeopardized his NJCAA amateur status.
NOTE: Regardless of his age when he wins and accepts the cash prize for the half-court basketball shot, Student-Athlete R has
not jeopardized his lacrosse eligibility as the contest was not based on lacrosse ability or skill.

Case 3
Participation in a Professional Even - Tennis
SITUATION:
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Student-Athlete R participates in a professional or main draw tennis event as an amateur, after their 19 birthday. Has
Student-Athlete R lost their amateur status in the NJCAA in the sport of tennis?
ANSWER:
In individual sports, the NJCAA allows athletes to participate in a professional event, provided the
student-athlete competes under amateur declaration and does not accept any award/winning which exceeds the
allowances of the NJCAA.

Case 4
Bowling League
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in bowling at Community College A. During the off season the student-athlete participates in
a recreational bowling league. This league provides prizes for top bowlers and team. Is student-athlete R allowed to accept the
prize money and maintain their amateur status in the NJCAA for bowling?
ANSWER:
A student-athlete in an individual sport may receive an award for winning and/or participating in an event while not
representing his/her institution. Subject to the NJCAA award limitation of $350 for an established tournament/event and
provided the award is permissible under the rules of the amateur governing body of the event. The amount of the award must
be less than or equal to the student-athlete's expenses for participating in the competition.

Case 5
Individual Sport