Page 285 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020
P. 285
Junior Varsity
Case 1
Participation at Four-Year Institution (Junior Varsity)
SITUATION
Student-Athlete R participates in one junior varsity basketball contest at a four-year institution. The next year Student-
Athlete R transfers to Community College A. How many seasons in basketball does Student-Athlete R have at Community
College A?
ANSWER:
One. This section allows only two seasons in any one sport regardless of the amount of playing time. It should also be
noted that junior varsity and club participation are considered the same as varsity participation.
Case 2
Participation at NJCAA Institution (Junior Varsity)
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R participates in two soccer games on the member college’s junior varsity team. Are they charged a
season of eligibility for this participation?
ANSWER:
Yes, any competition against outside individual or team while representing an institution is charged with a season of
eligibility.
Case 3
A “How To” for Junior Varsity Eligibility
SITUATION:
If a member college has a varsity and a junior varsity team in the same sport, how is the college to submit eligibility?
ANSWER:
*The college is to keep records of those who are on each team and when they participate; varsity and JV. Student-athletes
may not participate in more than the number of games/scrimmages allowed as listed in the Sport Procedures.
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 student-athletes 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
College “Club” Team Participation
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attended University X for two semesters and participated on the “club” soccer team during the fall
semester. The club soccer team at University X regularly competes against other university club teams in the area but never
against a varsity team. Student-Athlete R transfers to Community College A and wants to play soccer. How many seasons of
NJCAA eligibility does he have remaining?
ANSWER:
Student-Athlete R has one (1) season of NJCAA eligibility remaining in the sport of soccer. Participation in intercollegiate
sports regardless of the level (varsity, JV, club), will utilize a season of NJCAA eligibility.
Case 2
Participation in a NIRSA event
SITUATION:
Student-Athlete R attended University X and was on a basketball team which competed in the NIRSA championship. The
student is now transferring to an NJCAA member college. Does his participation on the University X team in the NIRSA
championship count as a season of eligibility in basketball having been used?
ANSWER:
Yes, this participation must count as a season of NJCAA eligibly as the team represented the college or university and the
team played outside competition.
Sport Examples
Case 2
Definition of a Season – FALL BASEBALL Example
SITUATION:
