-
Concurrent Term vs. Full Withdraw with Second Identification
NEC Interpretation – Concurrent Term vs. Full Withdraw with Second Identification Link to NAIA Bylaws Concurrent Terms – Continuous Enrollment Definition: A concurrent term is a single academic term where a student simultaneously and continuously identifies at two institution by either (A) enrolling in 9 or more credits at an NAIA member institution and at…
-
Coach Resource Hub: Understanding Seasons of Competition
Link to NAIA Bylaws Knowing when a student is charged a season of competition (SOC) is critical for roster management, eligibility tracking, and avoiding costly errors. This overview highlights what counts as participation, when the 20% rule applies, and how outside competition factors in. The 20% Rule: When Participation Becomes a Season Under Article V,…
-
Basics of NAIA Seasons of Competition
Article V, Section B, Item 20: Seasons of Competition – Definitions Link to NAIA Bylaws Intercollegiate Contests & 20% Rule Season of Competition defined as: Participation in more than 20% of the maximum allowable number of intercollegiate contests or dates (excluding scrimmages) at an NAIA institution, whether in a varsity, junior varsity or freshman program, during the…
-
OCE vs. Violating Amateurism: Knowing the Difference
Link to NAIA Bylaws – Season of Competition Link to NAIA Bylaws Loss of Amateurism When evaluating a student’s competition history, it’s important to understand whether their participation falls under the Outside Competitive Experience (OCE) rule or if it involves a violation of amateur status. While both can result in seasons of competition being charged,…
-
Basics of a Transfer
NAIA Bylaw Definition Transfer: A student who becomes identified with an NAIA institution after having previously been identified with a two- or four-year institution of higher learning. Transfer students must complete the official NAIA Transfer Player Eligibility Statement prior to their first participation at the NAIA institution no matter how long ago the transfer occurred.…
-
Basics of Prospective Student-Athlete
What is a Potential Student-Athlete? NAIA Bylaws – DefinitionA 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…
-
Understanding the Outside Competitive Experience (OCE) Rule: What Counts as a Season of Competition?
Effective May 1, 2022, the NAIA adopted an important change to how student-athletes are charged seasons of competition for participation outside of intercollegiate athletics. The change—part of the work of the Competitive Experience Committee—raises the standard from “elite-level” competition to “professional-level” participation. This shift is designed to improve fairness, clarity, and transparency for students and…
-
Does the 20% Rule Apply at Non-NAIA Schools? What You Need to Know About Season of Competition and Medical Hardships
A frequent question we receive in NAIA Legislative Services is whether a student-athlete’s limited participation at a previous non-NAIA institution—such as a junior college or NCAA school—qualifies under the NAIA’s 20% rule or if a medical hardship can be granted. The 20% Rule Only Applies to NAIA Participation Beginning August 1, 2021, the NAIA adopted…
-
Mid-Year Transfer Student Eligibility and Key Scenarios: A Comprehensive Guide
This article consolidates common scenarios related to mid-year transfer student-athletes and their eligibility to compete, as well as clarifying important eligibility rules for those participating between academic terms. Mid-Year Transfer Scenarios 1. Transfer – No Season Charged in Previous Term Scenario: A student-athlete currently attends an NAIA school for the fall term and participated in…
-
Outside Competitive Experience: 2023 Wrestling and Track & Field Bylaw
Bylaw Amendment Effective Date: May 1, 2023 as applied to eligibility decisions for NAIA competition in August 2023 or beyond. In the sports of indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and wrestling, a student-athlete’s participation in a competitive event shall count towards the student’s 20% threshold, regardless of whether the student-athlete officially represents…