Page 280 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

SITUATION:
What sport are considered individual sports in the NJCAA?
ANSWER:
The NJCAA recognizes the following as individual sports: Bowling, cross country, golf, half marathon, tennis, track
and field, swimming and diving and wrestling.
Case 6
Golf and Hole-In-One
SITUATION:
While competing in an open golf tournament, Student-Athlete R wins a car for a hole-in-one. May Student-Athlete R accept
the prize and retain his/her amateur status?
ANSWER:
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If Student-Athlete R wins and accepts the prize on or after his/her 19 birthday or after his/her initial full-time enrollment in
college, Student-Athlete R has forfeited his/her NJCAA eligibility in golf for accepting the prize since the prize exceeds the
allowable limitation of $350. If Student-Athlete R wins and accepts the prize prior to his/her 19 birthday or their initial
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enrollment in college (whichever comes first) then their NJCAA eligibility remains in place.

Case 7
Participation in Road Races
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in a summer 10K and road races to stay in condition for the upcoming cross country season.
May Student-Athlete R accept prize money or gift certificates for merchandise?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R may accept the prize, if the prize does not exceed the NJCAA limitation of $350 and is permissible under
the rules of the amateur governing body for the event. The prize must be less than or equal to the student-athlete’s expenses
for participating in the competition. If Student-Athlete R wins and accepts the prize prior to his/her 19 birthday or their initial
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enrollment in college (whichever comes first) then their NJCAA eligibility remains in place.

Case 8
Participation in Adult Bowling Leagues
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in an adult bowling league. At the end of the league, prizes are awarded based on league
standings and individual averages. May Student-Athlete R accept prize money or other forms of compensation based on his/her
league performance?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R may accept the prize, if the prize does not exceed the NJCAA limitation of $350 and is permissible under
the rules of the amateur governing body for the event. The prize must be less than or equal to the student-athlete’s expenses
for participating in the competition. If Student-Athlete R wins and accepts the prize prior to his/her 19 birthday or their initial
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enrollment in college (whichever comes first) then their NJCAA eligibility remains in place.

Case 9
Use of the TAC Trust Fund
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in both cross country and track and field for Community College A. Student-Athlete R
participates in meets which pay athletes based upon their performance. Can Student-Athlete R place these funds into the TAC
Trust Fund and continue to have eligibility within the NJCAA?
ANSWER:
No. Athletes with collegiate eligibility remaining are not allowed entrance into the TAC Trust Fund. Once the athlete enters
into the TAC Trust Fund he/she forfeits all collegiate eligibility.

Case 10
Participation in Professional Baseball
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R is a baseball player and is drafted by a professional organization out of high school at the age of 17.
Student-Athlete R signs a contract with the professional organization and participates in the minor leagues. Student-Athlete R is
unconditionally released from the professional organization at the age of 18. Is Student-Athlete R eligible to participate in
baseball at the NJCAA level following his professional career as outlined?

ANSWER:
Yes. Since Student-Athlete R was unconditionally released prior to his 19 birthday, he has maintained his NJCAA
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amateur status in baseball and may participate in the NJCAA. Had Student-Athlete R been released after his 19 birthday or
after his initial full-time enrollment in college, he would not be eligible in the NJCAA in the sport of baseball.

Case 11
Acceptance of Prize Money – TENNIS
SITUATION:
Prior to enrollment in any college at the age of 18, Student-Athlete R participated in a tennis tournament and was awarded
a winning prize of $75.00. Can the $75.00 be considered as expense money so that Student-Athlete R can participate in tennis
at a NJCAA member college?
ANSWER: