When an NAIA institution receives a notice that a student-athlete might have violated their amateur status, it can raise important questions about next steps. Understanding the roles of the institution, the NAIA Eligibility Center, and the bylaws governing amateurism is key to resolving the matter efficiently and accurately.
The Role of the NAIA Eligibility Center
The NAIA Eligibility Center is responsible for evaluating participation in outside competition to determine if it meets the threshold of “elite-level” play. For example, this may include instances where a student-athlete competes with or against semi-professionals or professionals. However, this evaluation does not automatically indicate a violation of amateur status within the NAIA.
In Eligibility Center decisions, you may encounter language such as:
“The NAIA Eligibility Center found there could be a potential issue related to amateur status. Review of your amateur standing is outside the Eligibility Center’s responsibility. One season of competition was charged for participation in the Iranian Super League 2023-24. In addition to the season of competition charged, your NAIA institution is responsible for the evaluation of amateur status in accordance with NAIA Bylaws.”
This highlights the institution’s responsibility to review and verify the student’s amateur status.
What Is the NAIA Institution Responsible For?
Once the institution is notified of a potential amateurism issue, it must meet with the student-athlete to thoroughly evaluate their athletic history. Specifically, the institution must determine whether the student-athlete engaged in any of the following activities, which could result in a loss of amateur standing:
- Receiving expense reimbursement beyond actual expenses of travel, meals, and lodging. Any expenses must be itemized and properly documented.
- Signing a contract with any professional team.
- Participating in any athletics contest as a professional or as a member of a team where the student receives remuneration exceeding actual expenses of travel, meals, and lodging.
- Entering into an agreement of any kind to compete in professional athletics with a professional sports organization.
Conducting Due Diligence
The institution must conduct a thorough review by:
- Interviewing the student-athlete and gathering detailed information about their athletic participation.
- Requesting supporting documentation, such as contracts, agreements, or itemized expenses.
- Researching available information on websites, teams, or leagues.
- Reaching out to team or league owners if necessary to clarify details.
Next Steps: Certification or Reinstatement
- If the institution determines that none of the four points listed above occurred and all due diligence supports this conclusion, the student may be certified on campus to compete.
- If the review raises concerns that the student might have violated their amateur status, the institution must gather all relevant documentation and initiate the amateur reinstatement process.
For more details on the amateur reinstatement process, visit this resource.
Final Thoughts
Navigating amateurism issues requires a proactive approach and careful evaluation by NAIA institutions. By following the bylaws and conducting proper due diligence, institutions can ensure fair outcomes for their student-athletes and remain compliant with NAIA regulations.
