SEASONS OF COMPETITION
Guidelines Regarding a Student-Athlete's Seasons of Competition
The accurate recording of student-athlete participation is critical for several reasons. Unless a waiver is applied for and granted from the NCAA, all student-athletes are limited to four seasons of competitive eligibility in each sport. Once these four seasons are used, a student-athlete is no longer eligible for intercollegiate competition in that sport. Additionally, accurate documentation regarding student-athlete participation is critical in obtaining a medical hardship waiver, should the need arise. A student-athlete utilizes a season of competitive eligibility if, at any time during an academic year, he/she represents the institution in competition against individuals not on the institution's team. This is true regardless of how that competition is classified or when it occurs. Therefore, a student-athlete who participates in any of the following has utilized one of his/her four seasons of competitive eligibility in that sport:
Recording of Student-Athlete Participation
At the beginning of each sport's playing & practice season, the Compliance Office will distribute to the Head Coach a sport-specific copy of the Virginia Tech Participation Record
. This form is customized for each sport, listing (where possible) all opponents/meets/matches across the top, with room for the coach to list all student-athletes names down the side. In this way, an individualized event-by-event record of competitive participation is recorded and maintained for each student-athlete. At the conclusion of the season, the form is to be signed and returned to the Assistant AD for Compliance.
A second participation form, the Virginia Tech Participation Report , is distributed to head coaches in May of each year. It serves to summarize each student-athlete's level of competitive participation during the most recent academic year, and must be completed and returned to the Compliance Office no later than July 1. On this form, each student-athlete is placed into one of four categories:
, and used to update the column indicating "Number of Seasons Utilized" on the NCAA Squad List.
Guidelines for Medical Hardship Waiver Requests
For a student-athlete to receive a Medical Hardship Waiver per Bylaw 14.2.4, the following four conditions must be met:
The accurate recording of student-athlete participation is critical for several reasons. Unless a waiver is applied for and granted from the NCAA, all student-athletes are limited to four seasons of competitive eligibility in each sport. Once these four seasons are used, a student-athlete is no longer eligible for intercollegiate competition in that sport. Additionally, accurate documentation regarding student-athlete participation is critical in obtaining a medical hardship waiver, should the need arise. A student-athlete utilizes a season of competitive eligibility if, at any time during an academic year, he/she represents the institution in competition against individuals not on the institution's team. This is true regardless of how that competition is classified or when it occurs. Therefore, a student-athlete who participates in any of the following has utilized one of his/her four seasons of competitive eligibility in that sport:
- A joint practice session; or
- A scrimmage (other than intra-squad); or
- An alumni game; or
- An exhibition.
- Competes in the uniform of the institution; or
- Utilizes apparel or equipment with institutional identification; or
- Receives expenses associated with competition of any type.
Recording of Student-Athlete Participation
At the beginning of each sport's playing & practice season, the Compliance Office will distribute to the Head Coach a sport-specific copy of the Virginia Tech Participation Record
. This form is customized for each sport, listing (where possible) all opponents/meets/matches across the top, with room for the coach to list all student-athletes names down the side. In this way, an individualized event-by-event record of competitive participation is recorded and maintained for each student-athlete. At the conclusion of the season, the form is to be signed and returned to the Assistant AD for Compliance.
A second participation form, the Virginia Tech Participation Report , is distributed to head coaches in May of each year. It serves to summarize each student-athlete's level of competitive participation during the most recent academic year, and must be completed and returned to the Compliance Office no later than July 1. On this form, each student-athlete is placed into one of four categories:
- Competed;
- Practiced only;
- Practiced only, while serving a residence requirement; or,
- Competed, but qualifies for a medical hardship waiver.
, and used to update the column indicating "Number of Seasons Utilized" on the NCAA Squad List.
Guidelines for Medical Hardship Waiver Requests
For a student-athlete to receive a Medical Hardship Waiver per Bylaw 14.2.4, the following four conditions must be met:
- The student-athlete may not have participated in more than two contests or dates of competition or 20 percent of the team's completed contests/dates of competition.
- The injury or illness must occur prior to the completion of the first half of the season.
- The injury or illness does not have to occur during practice/competition, but it must be incapacitating.
- Appropriate medical documentation must exist and be provided.