NAIA Eligibility

Legislative Proposals Released

The legislative proposals to be considered at the 2009 Convention have been sent to each institution's CEO, FAR and AD.

The proposals can be accessed from the NAIA website by clicking the link below

2008-09 Legislative Proposals

I hope to start a discussion about some of the proposals as we head into the Convention.  The comment section is open.

Open Gyms

There is nothing quite like spending a week waiting in airport lobbies to get me thinking about open gyms. I am surprised, even though I shouldn’t be, that “open gyms” are a hot topic this summer. Usually, the open gym paranoia doesn’t begin until September when just about every coach in the NAIA believes that his/her biggest rival is getting an early start to practice. Twenty-four weeks of games and practices just isn’t enough to teach our students how to play the game.

The reason this is an issue this summer is due to the heightened awareness of what can be done with incoming student (freshman and transfers) during the summer before their enrollment at your institution. Let me repeat what many of you have heard me say countless times already, Bylaws Proposal # 7 did not create any new rules. Its sole purpose was to make it simpler for everyone to understand how a number of rules and official interpretations work together. It is clear from the number of questions we have received that this clarification was needed.

Most comments dealing with this rule begin with some variation of the statement

 “The NAIA does not regulate summer.”

Bylaws Amendment # 13 - GPA requirement

Under current rules, a student is not required to meet the 2.0 grade-point average requirement until the student is considered a junior either academically or athletically. Under this proposal, students would be required to meet the GPA requirement after two semesters/three quarters.

 Should students be required to have a 2.0 after freshman year?

SUBJECT: GRADE-POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENT

Amend Article V, Section C, Item 8, as follows:

 8. Upon reaching junior academic standing as defined by the institution, Beginning with the student’s third semester/fourth quarter (or equivalent), a student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 on a 4.000 scale. The 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or higher must be certified each subsequent grading period in which the student wishes to compete after junior academic standing is reached.

The GPA for students with continuing identification at your institution shall be calculated according to the official institutional policy for all students. The GPA for entering transfer students shall be calculated by dividing all quality points achieved by the total number of hours attempted for all courses listed on all official transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

AND

Amend Article V, Section C, Item 9, as follows:

 
(The first five paragraphs remain unchanged)

 
To participate in a third and/or fourth season in a sport, all students must have and

maintain a total cumulative GPA of at least 2.000 on a 4.000 scale. The GPA for students

with continuing identification at your institution shall be calculated according to the official

institutional policy for all students. The GPA for entering transfer students shall be

calculated by dividing all quality points achieved by the total number of hours attempted

for all courses listed on all official transcripts from all institutions previously attended.

Bylaws Amendment # 7 - Prospective Students

This proposal puts into one place a series of bylaws and interpretations regarding students who may attend your institution in the near future, but who have never identified previously or whose previous institution was at another collegiate institution.

 

Did you know this is how prospective students are to be treated already? Does this proposal make the various NAIA rules easier to understand?

 

SUBJECT: PROSPECTIVE STUDENT

Create Article V, Section B, Item 15, as follows:

Prospective Student: An individual who has never identified or whose previous collegiate identification was with another collegiate institution. The individual remains a prospective student until the student:

 
a. Practices with an institution’s team during the 24-week season (as defined in Article I, Section E, Item 5); or

b. Identifies with an institution in accordance with Article V, Section B, Item 8.

 
Prospective students are not permitted to practice or compete with an institution’s team prior to the beginning of the 24-week season, regardless of the student’s stated commitment to the institution. This prohibition includes practice and competition (including foreign tours) during the summer prior to the student’s enrollment at the institution.

Bylaws Amendment # 4 - Declaration of Intent

SUBJECT: DECLARATION OF INTENT

Amend Article I, Section K as follows:

 DECLARATION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN NAIA POSTSEASON COMPETITION

No later than May 1 each year, each active member institution shall be required to submit to the NAIA National Office its declaration of whether it intends to participate in the national championship program in the following sports. Men's Programs: cross country, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, tennis and golf. Women's Programs: cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis and golf. Declarations apply to the academic year following the May 1 deadline.

 

Should an institution declare its intent not to participate in a national championship in the sports mentioned above, it shall not be considered for participation in NAIA postseason competition leading to the national championship in those sports for that season.

 

Bylaws Amendment # 5 - Recruiting junior college students

Last year, the membership voted to permit coached to initiate contact with junior college students once the student had begun her/his second season of competition. This year's proposal would permit coaches to begin contact with students beginning the first day of summer after the student's first season of competition. 

What do you think?

You can see the text of the proposal below...

SUBJECT: RECRUITMENT OF A TWO-YEAR COLLEGE STUDENT

Amend Article II, Section D, Item 1, as follows:

 If, during the school year or summer vacation period, the athletics director, faculty athletics representative, or coach of a member institution is contacted or becomes aware of contact by an athlete who enrolled at another institution of higher learning (two-year or four-year), it shall be the responsibility of the contacted institution (athletics director or faculty athletics representative) to notify, in writing, the institution (athletics director or faculty athletics representative) where the athlete is presently enrolled within 10 days following the first contact.

 A coach or another representative of a member institution shall not initiate contact with an athlete who has enrolled at another four-year institution. It is permissible to contact a student who is currently enrolled at a two-year institution once the student begins his/her second season of competition completes the academic year in which the student utilizes his/her first season of competition.

INTENT: To permit recruitment of two-year-college students after the student has utilized his/her first season of competition.

 EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediate (April 15, 2008)

 

Let's talk about...

proposed legislation.

I know there is nothing you enjoy more than discussing the merits of proposed legislation.  While the last two Conventions have been relatively free of lively debate, I expect a change this year.

During the next few days, I will post some of the proposed amendments and open the "floor" for discussion.

- Israel

Changes coming...

As you know, we will be voting on a fair number of legislative proposals during the Business Meeting on April 15.  Since the proposals were released for review, there have been a few changes.  The need for two editorial changes have been noted (thank you Dr. Jim Thompson and Nancy Trillow for your keen observations).  Also, the sponsors of some of the proposals have discussed making changes consistent with their original intent.  All of these changes will be sent to you and posted on the NAIA website next week.