1. NCAA Division II Initial Eligibility and Amateurism
Presented by Maritza Jones and Stephanie Quigg

2. Overview Initial eligibility. Amateurism. General principles.
Pre-enrollment.
Organized competition or training.
Post-enrollment.
Case studies.

3. Initial Eligibility

4. Initial Eligibility Prospects must meet established standards to:
Practice;
Compete; and
Receive institutional financial aid (including athletics aid).
NCAA Bylaw

5. Elements of Initial Eligibility
Graduation from high school;
Minimum number of core courses;
Minimum core-course grade-point average; and
Minimum score on either the ACT or SAT.
Bylaw

6. Division II Core-Course Breakdown
14 core courses:
Three years English.
Two years math.
Two years natural/physical science.
Two years additional English, math or science.
Two years social science.
Three years additional courses.
Bylaw

7. Grade-Point Average/ Test-Score Requirements
Minimum core-course grade-point average of
Minimum SAT combined score of 820 or ACT sum score of 68.
Bylaw
No sliding scale.

8. 2008 NCAA Convention Division II Proposal No. 7
Intent:
To increase the total number core courses from 14 to 16.
To specify that the two additional core-course units shall include:
One unit of additional courses in English, mathematics or natural or physical science; and
One unit in any core area.
Effective Date: August 1, 2013.
Bylaw
Rationale: Current research data indicates that the Division II core-course requirements are lower than the majority of high school graduation requirements across the United States and the admission criteria for enrollment at Division II institutions. An increase in the number of core courses from 14 to 16 better aligns Division II initial-eligibility standards with the current high school standards for graduation and the current Division II admissions criteria. Exposure to core academic classes results in students better prepared to take the SAT or ACT and better prepared for the demands of college coursework. This recommendation to increase core-course requirements would enhance the academic success of student-athletes at both the collegiate and high school levels. The recommendation requires an additional unit of courses in either English, mathematics or natural or physical science and one unit in any core area. This provides flexibility in core-course selection. This increase would be effective five years from the adoption date in order to provide ample notice to the membership and secondary-school population. If adopted, this legislation would raise the core-course requirement as follows: English 3; Math 2; Natural/Physical Science 2; English, Math or Natural/Physical Science 3; Social Science 2; and, Additional/Any core area 4; for a total of 16.

9. 2008 Proposal No. 6
Intent:
To establish an early academic certification for prospects who meet the following requirements:
A minimum combined score on the SAT of 1,000 or a minimum sum score on the ACT of 85;
A core-course grade-point average of or higher; and
A minimum of 12 core courses on completion of six semesters of high school.
Effective Date: Immediate, for those students first entering a collegiate institution full time on or after August 1, 2008.
Bylaw
Rationale: Current research data indicates that the Division II core-course requirements are lower than the majority of high school graduation requirements across the United States and the admission criteria for enrollment at Division II institutions. An increase in the number of core courses from 14 to 16 better aligns Division II initial-eligibility standards with the current high school standards for graduation and the current Division II admissions criteria. Exposure to core academic classes results in students better prepared to take the SAT or ACT and better prepared for the demands of college coursework. This recommendation to increase core-course requirements would enhance the academic success of student-athletes at both the collegiate and high school levels. The recommendation requires an additional unit of courses in either English, mathematics or natural or physical science and one unit in any core area. This provides flexibility in core-course selection. This increase would be effective five years from the adoption date in order to provide ample notice to the membership and secondary-school population. If adopted, this legislation would raise the core-course requirement as follows: English 3; Math 2; Natural/Physical Science 2; English, Math or Natural/Physical Science 3; Social Science 2; and, Additional/Any core area 4; for a total of 16.

10. Determination of Initial Eligibility
All prospects must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Academic component.
Amateurism component.

11. Registering with the Eligibility Center
Prospects are encouraged to register at the beginning of their junior year in high school:
Log on to
Select Prospective Student-Athletes.
Register as a U.S. or International Student.
Click on the Transcript Release Form.
Print the Transcript Release Form, sign it and give to high school guidance counselor.

12. Waivers of Initial Eligibility
For students who do not meet the initial-eligibility standards.
Filed by an NCAA institution.
Submitted to the Eligibility Center.
Objective evidence that demonstrates that circumstances warrant the waiver must be provided.
Initial-Eligibility Waiver Application may be found at: ► Legislation and Governance► Compliance► Compliance Forms

13. Case Study – Amy Amy graduated in May 2008.
Amy has a grade-point average of in 14 academic courses.
Amy has a combined score of 800 in the SAT.
Will Amy be certified as a qualifier by the Eligibility Center?

14. Case Study – Amy – Answer
No, Amy does not have the minimum combined score of 820 in the SAT.
However, Amy is a partial qualifier and may practice and receive institutional financial aid.
May the institution certify Amy as a partial qualifier at any time?
No, the institution must wait until the Eligibility Center has certified Amy as a nonqualifier.

15. Completing Amateurism Questionnaire
Prospects are also required to complete the amateurism questionnaire:
Log in and click on “Enter/Update Amateur Questionnaire.”
Answer the questions and log out.
Log back in and sign the 10.1 statement (after April 1 for fall enrollees and after October 1 for spring enrollees).

16. Amateurism Certification – Institutional Responsibility
Amateurism certification is limited to activities occurring prior to a prospect requesting a final certification or his or her initial full-time collegiate enrollment, whichever occurs earlier.
Bylaw
Institutions are responsible for certification from that time forward.
Bylaw
Institutions are responsible for sharing information and reporting discrepancies.
Bylaw

17. Appeals of Amateurism Certification Decisions – Penalties
If the decision involves a penalty (per Bylaw 12):
The decision may be appealed to:
NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff.
If denied, the decision may be appealed to:
NCAA Division II Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.
Request for Reinstatement Appeal Form may be found at: ► Legislation and Governance ► Compliance ► Student-Athlete Reinstatement

18. Appeals of Amateurism Certification Decisions – Seasons of Competition
If the decision involves using season(s) of competition (per Bylaw ):
The decision may be appealed to:
The NCAA Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) staff.
If denied, the decision may be appealed to:
NCAA Division II Committee for Legislative Relief.
ARS Waiver Application may be found at: ► Legislation and Governance ► Eligibility and Recruiting ► ►Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) Waivers

19. Amateurism

20. Amateurism General Principles
The Principle of Amateurism
Student-athletes shall be amateurs.
Their participation should be motivated primarily by education.
Student participation in intercollegiate athletics is an avocation.
Constitution 2.9

21. Amateurism General Principles
Clear Line of Demarcation
Athletics programs are designed to be an integral part of the campus educational program.
The student-athlete is considered an integral part of the student body.
Bylaw
Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics
Only an amateur student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletics participation.
Bylaw

22. Division II Amateurism – History
Division II Amateurism Project Team
Examined issues of amateurism and competitive equity.
Reasons:
Competitive imbalance.
Challenges in determining whether certain prospects were “amateur” or “professional.”

23. Division II Amateurism – History
Division II Amateurism Project Team
Conclusions: Division II membership should consider deregulation of amateurism rules affecting pre-enrollment activities and a seasons-of-competition rule.
New legislation changed the focus away from classification and towards competitive experience.

24. Pre-enrollment General Principles
PERMISSIBLE
Salary;
Prize money;
Contract with a professional team;
Professional draft;
Competition with professionals;
Expenses from a professional team;
Tryouts; and
Educational expenses.

25. Pre-enrollment General Principles
NOT PERMISSIBLE
Benefits from agents; and
Agreements (oral or written) with agents.
Bylaw

26. Organized Competition or Training
Individual does not enroll as a full-time student in the term immediately after his or her class normally graduates from high school.
Individual uses a season(s) of competition when he or she participates in activities listed in Bylaw
Bylaw
Individual must also serve a year of residency at a member institution.
Bylaw
Bylaw Participation in Organized Competition Prior to Initial Collegiate Enrollment.
An individual who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student during the regular academic term that is immediately following the date that the individual's high school class normally graduates from high school (or the international equivalent as specified in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility) shall use a season of intercollegiate competition for each calendar year or sports season (following that date) in which the individual has participated in activities that meet the criteria set forth in Bylaw  

27. Organized Competition or Training
Expected Date of Graduation
Normal high school graduation date is determined based on the last class of which the prospect was a member.
If the prospect repeats a year in high school, he or she becomes a member of that class.
If the prospect graduates early and participates in organized competition or training, the prospect triggers the use of a season(s) of competition.
Seasons of Competition - Expected Date of High-School Graduation (II)
Date Issued: Oct 22, 2001 Type: Official Item Ref: 1 Interpretation:   
An individual's normal high-school graduation date is determined based on the last class of which the individual was a member while enrolled in high school. That is, if an individual is required to repeat an entire year of high-school attendance, he or she becomes a member of that class and the expected date of graduation for the individual is the expected date of that class. [Reference: NCAA Bylaw (participation in organized competition before initial collegiate enrollment)]

28. Organized Competition or Training
Next Opportunity to Enroll
Traditional Date of Graduation (e.g., May, June)
______________________l______________________l____________________l
Spring Summer Fall 2007
High School Grace Period First Opportunity
Graduation to Enroll
Nontraditional Date of Graduation (e.g., November, December)
______________________l_________l_________________________________l
November December Winter/Spring 2008
High School Grace Period First Opportunity
Graduation to Enroll

29. Organized Competition or Training
Activities Constituting Use of Season
Any competition or training with a professional team.
Any practice with a professional team (excluding a tryout).
Any competition or training with a team in which compensation is provided to any of the participants (includes actual and necessary expenses).

30. Organized Competition or Training
Activities Constituting Use of Season
Any individual competition or training in which compensation is provided to any of the participants.
Any competition:
After signing a contract;
After involvement in professional draft;
Funded by a professional sports organization; or
Funded by a booster and not an “open” event.

31. Modification of Wording Proposal
Intent:
To clarify that for purposes of applying the organized competition rule, an individual shall use a season of competition if he or she participates in any individual competition or training in which any of the participants receive compensation.
Effective Date: Immediate.
Bylaw
Additional Information: At the 2001 NCAA Convention, the membership adopted Proposal No. 12 (amateurism -- activities prior to initial enrollment), which permitted individuals to participate in certain activities prior to initial collegiate enrollment without jeopardizing eligibility, and further specified that an individual may be charged with a season(s) of competition during each calendar year of participation in outside competition subsequent to high school graduation and prior to initial collegiate enrollment. This modification clarifies that for purposes of applying the organized competition rule in Bylaw , an individual shall use a season of competition for participating in any individual competition or training in which any of the participants receive compensation, including actual and necessary expenses NCAA Convention Division II Proposal No. 12 intended to capture this type of participation due to the competitive advantage gained by those individuals who delay collegiate enrollment after high school graduation an participate in this type of organized competition.

32. Organized Competition or Training
Questions to Ask
When did the prospect graduate from high school? (Note: Is this the normal date for his or her class?)
When did the prospect first enroll full time in any collegiate institution?
Was there a delay in initial full-time collegiate enrollment?
Did the prospect participate in an activity that triggered the use of a season(s) of competition in the sport during the delay?

33. Organized Competition or Training
Assumptions and Burdens
For individuals who delay collegiate enrollment and engage in organized competition, assume they have triggered the use of a season(s) of competition unless he or she can demonstrate otherwise.
Burden is on institution and the individual to demonstrate that the prospect did not use a season(s) of competition.

34. Organized Competition or Training
Academic Year in Residence
Once the rule is triggered for a particular sport, the prospect must fulfill an academic year in residence at any member institution before being eligible to compete in that sport at a Division II institution.
Bylaw
Bylaw Academic Year in Residence.
An individual who uses a season(s) of competition in a specific sport per Bylaw , shall fulfill an academic year in residence at any member institution prior to being eligible to represent the certifying institution in that specific sport in intercollegiate competition. 

35. Case Study – Felipe
Felipe is a soccer prospect and graduated from high school in November 2007.
He participated in three soccer games in December 2007.
The amateur club team provided transportation to some of the athletes to attend the games.
Felipe wants to enroll at Carioca University, a Division II institution, in fall 2008.
Did Felipe use any seasons of competition per Bylaw ?

36. Case Study – Felipe – Analysis
When did Felipe graduate from high school?
November 2007.
When is Felipe first enrolling as a full-time student in any collegiate institution?
Fall 2008.
Was there a delay in collegiate enrollment?
Yes.
Did Felipe participate in organized competition in soccer during the delay?
Yes, but …

37. Case Study – Felipe – Answer
Since Felipe only participated in organized competition during the grace period, he did not trigger the use of a season of competition.
Per Bylaw , all prospects receive a “grace period” between high school graduation and the first opportunity for full-time enrollment at a collegiate institution.

38. Case Study – Jacques Jacques graduated from high school in May 2006.
He played on a basketball team June 2006 through April 2008.
Jacques received meals and lodging from the team.
He wants to enroll full time at Euro College (Division II) in fall 2008.
Jacques has never previously attended any college.
Did Jacques trigger the use of seasons of competition per Bylaw ?

39. Case Study – Jacques – Analysis
When did Jacques graduate from high school?
May 2006.
When is Jacques first enrolling as a full-time student in any collegiate institution?
Fall 2008.
Was there a delay in collegiate enrollment?
Yes.
Did Jacques participate in organized competition in basketball during the delay?

40. Case Study – Jacques – Answer
How many seasons of competition did Jacques use by participating on this basketball team?
Two ( and academic years).
Is Jacques required to sit out his first year at Euro College?
Yes.

41. Case Study – Nicole Nicole graduated from high school in June 2007.
During fall 2007, Nicole participated in tennis events.
Nicole did not receive expenses, but other individuals in the same events did.
Nicole entered Kangaroo University (Division II) as a full-time student in spring 2008.
Nicole wants to walk on the team in spring 2009.
Has Nicole used any seasons of competition per Bylaw ?

42. Case Study – Nicole – Analysis
When did Nicole graduate from high school?
June 2007.
When did Nicole first enroll as a full-time student in any collegiate institution?
Spring 2008.
Was there a delay in collegiate enrollment?
Yes.
Did Nicole participate in organized competition in tennis during the delay?

43. Case Study – Nicole – Answer
Did the activities constitute the use of a season of competition?
Yes. Nicole participated in tennis competition in which some of the participants received compensation.
How many seasons should be charged against Nicole’s four-season limit?
One.
Will Nicole be eligible to compete in spring 2009?
Yes. She will have fulfilled a year in residence at Kangaroo University (spring and fall 2008).

44. Post-enrollment General Principles
An individual loses amateur status and shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual, AFTER initial full-time collegiate enrollment: 
Bylaw
Uses his or her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport;
Accepts a promise of pay;
Signs a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics;

45. Post-enrollment General Principles
Receives, directly or indirectly, a salary;
Competes on any professional athletics team (see Bylaw ); 
Enters into a professional draft and jeopardizes amateur status by agreeing with agent, signing a contract; or
Enters into an agreement with an agent or receives benefits from an agent.

46. Resources
Google.
Web site (Agents, Gambling and Amateurism/ Membership Services).
Amateurism Certification Process Team.
NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility.

47. Questions??