Page 291 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020

7. Double forfeitures – there have been cases of both teams who have participated in the same competition who are
required to forfeit. In that case, both teams record the game as a forfeit where there is no winner.
Case 4
Using an Ineligible Student-Athlete that has Lost their Amateur Status in the NJCAA
SITUATION:
Community College A competes in the entire basketball season. After the conclusion of the basketball season it is
discovered that Community College A had competed the entire season using a student-athlete who had previously competed
on a professional team beyond their 19 birthday. What are the penalties associated with the violation?
th
ANSWER:
NJCAA bylaws do not allow for a student-athlete to have previously participated on a professional team beyond their 19
th
birthday or their initial full-time enrollment in college (whichever comes first). All games contested and won by Community
College A must be forfeited. NJCAA bylaws also requires the team be prohibited from postseason participation the next
academic year.
Case 5
Using an Ineligible Player during the Postseason
SITUATION:
After the volleyball season, it was discovered by Community College A that Student-Athlete R dropped to below full-time
status before the start of the regional tournament which is a postseason competition. Participating while being enrolled in less
than 12 hours is a violation of NJCAA enrollment requirements and Student-Athlete R was ineligible for competition at the time
she dropped below full-time. What penalties are enforced at this point seeing that this ineligible student-athlete participated in
the postseason? Does Community College A forfeit all the games in which Student-Athlete R participated?
ANSWER:
Yes. The penalty for using an ineligible player is forfeiture of all the games in which such player participated even though it
was not done knowingly by the school and/or the student-athlete. An automatic penalty of athletic probation for Community
College A’s volleyball program for the next academic year for allowing an ineligible student-athlete to participate in the
postseason. The volleyball program will not be allowed to participate during the following year in any Regional, District, or
National Championship competitions (postseason competitions).

Eligibility – All-Star Competitions

Case 1
All-Star Competition
SITUATION/ANSWER:
NJCAA student-athletes may compete in all-star competitions, only if the event is sponsored by a conference and/or region
of the NJCAA. An NJCAA Athletic Event Questionnaire must have been filed by the conference or region with the NJCAA
National Office. If the conditions listed above are satisfied, the student-athlete may receive the support of the NJCAA member
college. Also, those student-athletes participating in these all-star competitions where the college is paying for all
expenses, eligibility for each participant must be submitted prior to that competition.
If the event is not sponsored by a conference or region, the NJCAA member college may not be involved with providing
support of any type for this event. This would mean that the NJCAA member college may not provide support which may
include but is not limited to entry fees, equipment, transportation, lodging, meals, etc. for the student-athlete.

Case 2
All-Star Competition – Online Eligibility
SITUATION:
Region A sponsors an annual All-Star baseball game in the fall to promote the region’s second year players. Do the
student-athletes who are chosen to participate in this fall all-star contest have to be academically eligible in order to participate?

ANSWER:
Those student-athletes participating in all-star competitions sponsored by the region or conference must be eligible athletes
and must have been submitted on the online eligibility system prior to their participation even though the season in question is
outside of the traditional championship season.

Case 3
Unattached Participant
SITUATION:
While attending Community College A, Student-Athlete R becomes academically ineligible to compete in track and field
during the spring term. Is it permissible for Student-Athlete R to travel with the track team and compete as an unattached entry?
ANSWER:
No. Ineligible athletes may not be transported or receive expenses from a member college to attend or participate as an
unattached competitor in open contests or events. This student-athlete may transport him/herself to this competition, however
the student may not represent the college in any fashion (wearing clothes with the college’s name, showing in the results as a
representative of the college, etc.). The coaches may not advise or coach the student-athlete, the student-athlete should not sit
in the college’s team area, the student must pay for all expenses (food, travel, lodging, entry fees, etc.) associated with this
competition.

Case 4
Participation with Outside Club Teams during the College Season