Page 282 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

Student-Athlete R is a tennis athlete and has participated in nine professional main draw events in tennis. Since Student-
Athlete R has participated in less than 10 main draw events, is Student-Athlete R automatically eligible in the NJCAA?
ANSWER:
No. Student-Athlete R is not automatically eligible in the NJCAA based on having only participated in nine main draw
events in tennis. Student-Athlete R must meet the allowances of Article V, Section 4 just as all other NJCAA athletes must do.
The previous exception that existed for tennis was deleted effective August 1, 2014. The ITA Amateur Reimbursement Form is
no longer required for NJCAA participation.

Case 16
Main Draw Events (Tennis)
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in an ITF main draw or other comparable main draw event during the summer between their
first and second seasons of NJCAA tennis. May they accept the prize money should they qualify for it? Has Student-Athlete R
forfeited their remaining NJCAA eligibility and amateur status by participating in this main draw event after their initial full-time
enrollment in college?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R may participate in individual sports in a professional event, provided the NJCAA student-athlete
competes under amateur declaration and does not accept any award/winning which exceeds the allowances of the NJCAA.

Case 17
Semi-Professional Team
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates on the Up-State Marauders Semi-Professional Football team for one season following high
school graduation at the age of 19. Student-Athlete R did not receive any compensation for playing on the Up-State Marauders
Semi-Professional Football team and was responsible for all of his expenses including travel. Does Student-Athletes R’s
participation with the semi-professional team affect his NJCAA eligibility in any manner?

ANSWER:
Yes. Due to the fact the Up-State Marauders refer to themselves as a semi-professional team and the fact that Student-
th
Athlete R participated with the semi-professional team on or after his 19 birthday, Student-Athlete R’s participation with the
team has nullified his NJCAA eligibility in the sport of football.

Case 18
Expenses Received
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates on a European club basketball team. While on the team the individual receives $2,000 per
month to cover all expenses including, transportation, housing and meals. What must be on file to assure the student has
maintained NJCAA amateur status?
ANSWER:
An individual’s participation on an amateur team where expenses were covered or provided must have the following
documents on file to assure compliance with NJCAA bylaws:
1. Detailed breakdown of all expenses showing the expense and payment of expenses. In this case the expenses must
total in excess of the $2,000 monthly allotment.
2. Written statement from the governing association that the club team is an amateur team.
3. Statement from the club team identifying the period of time the individual was associated with the club and what the
specifics of the association were.

Seasons of Participation

Case 1
Definition
The NJCAA charges a student a year of eligibility for participation against outside competition on a varsity, junior varsity or club
team. In cases where an athlete is participating on a team not directly affiliated with a college, but the team requires the
student to be enrolled at the college in order to participate, the NJCAA will charge the student with a season of eligibility for that
participation.

Case 2
Eligibility After a Break in Enrollment
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R initially enrolls at a four-year institution. After four consecutive full-time terms of attendance, Student-
Athlete R withdraws and does not attend for a period of five years. While at the four-year institution, Student-Athlete R did not
participate in any athletics. If Student-Athlete R enrolls at an NJCAA member college, will he/she be eligible to participate in
athletics?
ANSWER:
Yes. A student-athlete has unlimited terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters) to complete two seasons in any one particular
sport.

Case 3