Page 327 - 2019-20 NJCAA Handbook - May, 2020
P. 327

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 students 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
                                        Declaring Club Team Status after the Start of a Varsity Season
               SITUATION:
                   Community College A begins the women’s soccer regular season and participates in the first two contests on their
               schedule.  Due to uncertain circumstances, the women’s soccer team wishes to become a club team.  What is the correct
               procedure for Community College A to follow to become a club team after the varsity season has started?
               ANSWER:
                   Community College A must first make this request in writing to the NJCAA National Office.  Upon approval, Community
               College A must complete and submit a Club Declaration Form.  These student-athletes have used one season of eligibility
               within the NJCAA.

                                                               Case 2
                                               Individual Competition after Club Designation
               SITUATION:
                   Community College A files an NJCAA Club Declaration Form for wrestling prior to the season schedule.  At the completion
               of the regular season schedule, can Community College A enter as a team in the regional tournament?
               ANSWER:
                   No. Once a college declares themselves as club status for the season they must remain as a club team for the entire
               season. Student-athletes competing in a recognized individual sport (bowling, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor
               track and field, swimming and diving, tennis, or wrestling) no longer may qualify for region, district or national competition.

                                                               Case 3
                                       Competition during a Regional or National Championship Meet
               SITUATION:
                   Community College A's swimming season spans over two terms. At the beginning of the season, Community College A
               filed an NJCAA Club Declaration Form. Can student-athletes compete in the Regional or National Meet?
               ANSWER:
                   No. Only those student-athletes who have been certified through the NJCAA online eligibility system are eligible for
               postseason competition.  Members of a designated club team are not eligible for postseason competition.

                                                               Case 4
                                     Club Team Participation in Regional, District or National Competition
                SITUATION:
                   Community College A files an NJCAA Club Declaration Form for their track and field team.  Several members of the team
               have met the qualifying standards and satisfy NJCAA Rules of Eligibility.  If an eligibility form is submitted prior to the deadline
               date, can these student-athletes participate in postseason competition as individuals?
               ANSWER:
                   No.  Individuals competing in Regional, District and National competition must be from varsity programs and may not have
               been on a club team during the season.

                                                               Case 5
                                                Varsity and Club Teams in the Same Sport
               SITUATION:
                   Can a member college sponsor a club team and an intercollegiate varsity or JV team in the same sport?
               ANSWER:
                   No.  A college must either compete on a club basis or on an intercollegiate varsity level in any one sport.  A college
               competing on a varsity level may also field a JV team, all members must meet the NJCAA Rules of Eligibility and have their
               eligibility submitted online prior to competition.  Each student-athlete must conform to the regulation regarding the number of
               contests per sport.

                                                               Case 6
                                                Varsity and Club Teams in the Same Sport
                SITUATION:
                   Can a member college sponsor a basketball club team administered by the student-activities office and an intercollegiate
               basketball team administered by the Athletic Department?
               ANSWER:
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