What is a Potential Student-Athlete?
NAIA Bylaws – Definition
A prospective student is any individual who has never been identified with a collegiate institution, or whose most recent identification was with another institution. Under NAIA rules (Article V, Section B, Item 8), an individual remains a prospective student until they are officially identified with an NAIA institution.
- Identification occurs when a student is enrolled in at least 12 institutional credit hours, verified by an official transcript on the institution’s census date.
By default, prospective students may not practice or compete with an institution’s team. However, there are specific exceptions that allow limited participation without triggering identification or counting as a tryout.
Exception 1: Summer Practice & Competition (May 16–July 31)
A high school graduate who has not yet competed for a college team may practice or compete with an NAIA team during the summer if one of the following applies:
- ✅ The student is enrolled full-time in summer classes at that NAIA institution, OR
- ✅ The student is already enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall term at that institution.
If either condition is met, summer practice and competition are permitted and will not count as tryouts or trigger identification.
Examples:
- Taylor graduates in May and has already registered for 15 credit hours at Midwestern College for the fall. In July, she trains with the soccer team—this is allowed.
- Jordan hasn’t chosen a fall school yet but enrolls full-time in summer courses at Westside University. He may practice and compete with their basketball team during the summer, without identifying.
If the student does not meet one of these conditions, they cannot practice or compete until the academic year begins.
Exception 2: Pre-Term or Break Period Practice
A high school graduate who hasn’t yet competed at the college level may practice with an NAIA team before the academic term begins, or between terms, if all of the following apply:
- The individual is a high school graduate (or equivalent).
- The individual is not enrolled at another college.
- The practice occurs during the team’s official 24-week season.
Examples:
- Sophia has been admitted to Lakeside University and will start classes in late August. The volleyball team begins official practices on August 10, so she can join in before classes start—without triggering identification.
- Alex is a baseball recruit who participates in winter break practices at his future NAIA school before spring term begins. As long as the team is in its 24-week season, his participation is allowed.
What Counts as a “Practice”?
A practice includes any activity organized or directed by coaches that involves equipment, instruction, or athlete evaluation. Examples include:
- Organized runs or conditioning sessions
- Skill drills with coaches present
- Team-arranged practice times
Activities that are not considered practice include workouts or scrimmages organized solely by players without coaching staff involvement.
Competition Rules for Prospective Students
- If the summer exception is met, a prospective student may compete with the NAIA team between May 16 and July 31.
- If the exception is not met, the prospective student cannot participate in official competitions with the institution’s team.
- Prospective students may still compete in amateur events or club teams (even if coached by NAIA staff) as long as those teams are not institutionally funded or officially tied to the college.
NAIA Eligibility Center Decision for First-Time NAIA Participants
All first-time NAIA participants must register at www.playnaia.org and receive an eligible determination prior to participating in any contest (scrimmage, exhibition or regular season).
Components the NAIA Eligibility Center will review:
- Terms of Attendance of all past higher education institutions
- Seasons of Competition (both non-intercollegiate and intercollegiate)
- Academic Eligibility
- Graduation from high school, and if applicable, junior college and/ or 4-year institution.
Components the NAIA Eligibility Center will not review:
- Amateurism – interviews done on campus with FAR, AD and the student-athlete
- Transfer Releases – must be checked on campus.
- Residency requirements due to the student being dismissed or expelled from previous institution.
- Eligibility Certification – done on campus through ECP system.
Key Takeaway
Prospective students are generally prohibited from practicing or competing with NAIA teams until they officially identify with the institution. However, exceptions exist:
- Summer practice/competition (May 16–July 31) if enrolled in summer full-time or registered for 12+ fall credits.
- Pre-term/break practices within the team’s 24-week season if the student is a high school graduate and not attending another college.
These exceptions provide flexibility for new recruits to begin training with their future teams, while still maintaining the integrity of NAIA eligibility rules.
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