mercer athletics

MERCER ATHLETICSOctober 2010

Coaches Compliance Meeting

CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY

THE VERY BASICS

Eligibility Requirements for PRACTICE◦ Enrolled in full-time program of studies leading to a

baccalaureate or equivalent degree.

Eligibility Requirements for COMPETITION◦ Enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester or quarter hours,

regardless of institution’s definition of full-time enrollment.

The Bottom Line: Mercer SAs must be enrolled in 12 hours-

full time- to practice or compete.

EXCEPTIONS

Several exceptions listed in Bylaw 14.1.8.2.1:

• Final semester/quarter.

– Enrolled in courses necessary to complete degree requirements.

• Competition while enrolled in graduate program.

– Enrolled in a full-time graduate program as defined by institution.

GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING

Good academic standing is determined by the institution using the same standards as for all students. To determine eligibility for competition, the institution must use the strictest of the NCAA, Atlantic Sun, or Mercer rules. (14.01.2, 14.01.2.1)

The Bottom Line:

Mercer SAs must maintain a 2.0.

PROGRESS TOWARDS DEGREE

Academic year credit-hour requirements.

• Six-hour requirement each term.

• 18-/27-hour requirement each academic year.

Progress-toward-graduation benchmarks.

• 24-/36-hour requirement (first year, including summer)

• Percentage-of-degree requirements. (40%/60%/80%)

• Grade-point average (GPA) requirements. (90%/95%/100%)

THE “HOUR” RULES

1. SAs must complete a minimum of six- semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit in the previous full time regular academic term.

2. SAs must earn 18-semesters of academic credit during each regular academic year, excluding summer hours.

PROGREE TOWARDS GRADUATION

• 24-/36-hour requirement.

• Must complete the following percentage-of-degree requirements:

– Before start of third year -- 40%.

– Before start of fourth year -- 60%.

– Before start of fifth year -- 80%.

• Based on SA’s full time terms of enrollment.

Bylaw 14.4.3.2

PROGRESS TOWARDS DEGREE CALCULATION

Hours earned applicable to

designated degree

Hours required for graduation

based on designated

degree

= % of degree

GPA REQUIREMENTS

• Must meet GPA benchmarks before the start of each regular academic term.

– Before the start of second year -- 90%.

– Before the start of third year -- 95%.

– Start of fourth year and beyond -- 100%.

• GPA requirement based on minimum GPA required for graduation.

Bylaw 14.4.3.3.1

FRESHMEN STUDENT-ATHLETES

• In their first academic year, SAs must complete a 24-semesters of academic credit.

• Credits can be applicable to any degree.

• Credits from summer prior to and summer after first year of collegiate enrollment may be included.

MAJORS AND P.T.D.

SAs must designate a degree program by beginning of third year (fifth semester) of collegiate enrollment.

At the beginning of a SA’s fifth semester, all credits used to satisfy progress-toward-degree requirements (i.e., six-hour rule, 18/27) must count toward designated degree.

QUESTION

Stuart is a baseball student-athlete that initially enrolled in the fall of 2008.

Is Stuart meeting credit-hour requirements for fall 2009?

Fall Spring Summer

2008-09 13 hours attempted

10 hours earned

12 hours attempted

3 hours earned

6 hours attempted

6 hours earned

2009-10 ????

ANSWER

24-/36-hour requirement:

◦ No, Stuart earned 19 hours.

18-/27-hour requirement:

◦ No, Stuart earned 13 hours.

Six-hour requirement:

◦ No, Stuart earned 3 hours in the 2008 spring term.

NOTE

In baseball, SAs who fail to be eligible at the beginning of the fall term remain ineligible for the remainder of the year.

Therefore, because Stuart is ineligible going into his fall semester, he cannot play until NEXT fall.

QUESTION

Haley is a women’s volleyball SA.

Haley is pursuing a degree in women’s studies that requires 120 hours.

Fall Spring Summer GPA

Freshman 12 hours attempted

12 hours earned

12 hours attempted

8 hours earned

Did not attend

1.95

Sophomore ????

ANSWER

Is Haley eligible for the season?

• Six-hour rule:

– Yes, Haley earned eight hours during the spring.

• 18-/27-hour rule:

– Yes, Haley earned 20 hours last year.

ANSWER

24-/36-hour rule:

◦ No, Haley earned 20 hours during the previous academic year.

GPA:

◦ Haley earned a GPA of 1.950.

o The GPA required for graduation is 2.000; 1.800 is 90% of 2.000.

o But Haley fell below good academic standing, which is required for competition.



12 hours earned

12 hours attempted

8 hours earned

Did not attend 1.95

Sophomore 13 hours attempted

13 hours earned

12 hours attempted

9 hours earned

3 hours attempted

3 hours earned

1.91

Junior ????

QUESTION

Is Haley eligible for her junior season?

Six-hour rule:

◦ Yes, Haley earned nine hours during the spring.

18-/27-hour rule:

◦ Yes, Haley earned 22 hours during the fall/spring of her sophomore year.

ANSWER

Percentage of degree:

◦ No, Haley earned only 45 degree-applicable hours. Haley must meet 40% (48 credit hours).

GPA:

◦ Haley earned a GPA of 1.910, which fits the % for graduation requirement but falls short of good academic standing.

ANSWER



12 hours earned

12 hours attempted

8 hours earned

Did not attend 1.95

Sophomore 13 hours attempted

13 hours earned

12 hours attempted

9 hours earned

3 hours attempted

3 hours earned

1.91

Junior 15 hours attempted

12 hours earned

12 hours attempted

6 hours earned

9 hours attempted

9 hours earned

2.01

Senior ????

QUESTION

Is Haley eligible for her senior season?

Six-hour rule:

◦ Yes, Haley earned six hours last spring.

18-/27-hour rule:

◦ Yes, Haley earned 18 hours during fall/spring her junior year.

ANSWER

Percentage of degree:

◦ Yes, Haley has earned 72 degree-applicable credits. Haley is starting her seventh semester and must meet 60% (72 credit hours).

GPA:

◦ Yes, Haley earned a GPA of 2.01 (100% of the GPA required for graduation and above good academic standing).

ANSWER

REMEDIAL COURSES

14.4.3.4.4 Remedial, Tutorial or Noncredit Courses. Remedial, tutorial or noncredit courses may be used by the student to satisfy the minimum academic progress requirement of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 only if they meet all of the following conditions: (a) The courses must be considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program;(b) The courses must be given the same weight as others in the institution in determining the student's status for full-time enrollment;(c) Noncredit courses may not exceed the maximum institutional limit for such courses in any baccalaureate degree program (or the student's specific baccalaureate degree program once a program has been designated); and(d) Credit in such courses shall not exceed six-semester or nine-quarter hours, and the courses must be taken during the student's first academic year of collegiate enrollment.

QUESTION

Feed Pass, a lacrosse student-athlete at College USA, took three hours of developmental math during her freshman year and failed the course. She repeats the course this fall (her second year) and receives a passing grade.

Can the repeated remedial course be used to meet NCAA progress toward degree requirements during Feed's second year of enrollment (e.g., six hours/semester, 18 hours/academic year)?

ANSWER

No. Bylaws 14.4.2, 14.4.3.6 and 14.4.3.8 would not permit a student-athlete to use a repeated remedial course subsequent to the initial year of enrollment in order to satisfy progress towards degree.

TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY

Why Have Transfer Regulations?

Principle Governing Eligibility

Eligibility requirements shall be designed to:◦Assure proper emphasis on educational

objectives;◦Promote competitive equity among institutions; ◦Prevent exploitation of SAs.

NCAA Constitution 2.12

A transfer student is an individual who transfers from a collegiate institution after having met any one of the following conditions at that institution.

Bylaw 14.5.2

Conditions Affecting Transfer Status

Report for regular squad practice;

Enrolled full time and present on the opening day of classes; and

Receives institutional financial aid while in summer school prior to initial full-time enrollment.

Bylaw 14.5.2

Conditions Affecting Transfer Status

No contact by athletics staff members without written permission:

Permission not needed if transferring from a non-NCAA or non-NAIA school (e.g., foreign institution).

If no permission given:

Second institution cannot encourage the transfer.

No athletically related financial aid during first academic year at certifying institution.

Bylaw 13.1.1.3

Permission to Contact

Transfer student-athlete (SA) must serve academic year in residence to be eligible for competition.

NCAA Bylaw 14.5.1

General Rule

Transfer Year in ResidencePermissible Activities

A transfer serving a year in residence may:◦Receive athletically related financial aid.◦Participate in countable athletically related

activities.◦Sit with the team during a home contest.◦Perform basic managerial duties during home

contests.◦Receive four complimentary admissions to an away-

from-home contest.◦Participate in an NCAA-sanctioned summer league.

Transfer Year in ResidenceImpermissible Activities

A transfer serving a year in residence may not:

Compete.Dress in the team uniform during contests.

◦Different from a “red-shirt” SA.Travel with the team.

◦Different from a “red-shirt” SA.

Transfer Year in ResidenceOutside Competition

JUCO Transfers

Non-qualifier or partial qualifiers who do not meet applicable transfer requirements

May not practice/compete on an institution's club team.

May not practice/compete on an outside team. During the transfer year of residence.

May still be involved in intramurals.

Bylaw 14.5.1.4


Four-year college transfers:

Non-qualifier or partial qualifier who have not completed their year in residence

May not practice/compete on an institution's club team.

May not practice/compete on an outside team.

Bylaw 14.5.1.4


Four-year college transfers:

Officially withdrawn from Institution No. 1; and accepted for enrollment at Institution No. 2.

Do not count toward the limit of individuals from the second institution who may practice and/or compete on an outside amateur team during the summer in the applicable sport.

Bylaw 14.7.3.2Official Interpretation: 8/27/92

ONE TIME TRANSFER EXCEPTION

Requirements: 4-4 Transfer Sport other than baseball, basketball No previous 4-4 transfer

Unless it was due to a discontinued sport

Good academic standing Meets progress towards degree Release from the previous institution

• A transfer who does not meet these requirements may use the exception provided he/she is not recruited and has never received athletics aid from any four year institution

• Graduate students may use this as well.

4-4 TRANSFER EXCEPTIONS

Educational Exchange ProgramsDiscontinued Academic ProgramMilitary ServiceDiscontinued/Non-sponsored Sport Nonparticipation (Two-year)Non-recruited/No athletics aid

TRANSFER HOUR REQUIREMENTS

14.4.3.1.2 Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specified time and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

(a) Equivalent of one semester/one quarter: six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit; (b) Equivalent of one academic year (24-semester or 36 quarter hours) of academic credit; (c) Equivalent of three semesters/four quarters: 30-semester or 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or (d) Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable

Transferable Credit Hours

Credits accepted by the institution that count toward a degree in any of the institution’s programs.

Do not have to count toward the same degree.

Cannot count courses with grades that are not acceptable for transferable credit.

GPA calculation includes all courses that are normally transferable, even if the grade earned makes the course unacceptable.

Physical Education Activity Courses

Men’s basketball 2-4 and 4-2-4 transfers cannot count more than two credits of physical education activity courses to meet applicable transfer requirements.

Credit-hour and GPA requirements.

Qualifiers and nonqualifiers.

Physical Education Activity Courses

Exception.◦Limitation does not apply if the SA enrolls in a

physical education degree program or education program that requires physical education activity courses.

◦May count the minimum number of activity credits required for the specific degree program.

◦All credits may be used for PTD and graduation requirements.

Transferrable English and Math

2-4 transfers who were not qualifiers.

Six semester hours/eight quarter hours of English.

Three semester hours/four quarter hours of math.

Bylaw 14.5.4.2

Must transfer to the certifying institution as specific English or math credit.

Staff Interpretation: 3/19/09

• If the PSA was a QUALIFIER, the following requirements apply:

– One full-time semester or quarter in residence.

– Minimum 2.000 grade-point average (GPA).

– Completed 12 hours of transferrable credit per term of enrollment.

Bylaw 14.5.4.1

2-4 Transfers

• If the PSA was a NONQUALIFIER, and entered college before August 2009, the following requirements apply:

– Graduation with an Associate of Arts degree.

– 48-semester hours of transferrable credit

– Cumulative GPA of 2.000.

– Three full-time semesters in residence.

Bylaw 14.5.4.2

2-4 Transfers

• If the PSA was a NONQUALIFIER, and entered college after August 2009, the following requirements apply:

– Graduation with an Associate of Arts degree.

– 48-semester hours of transferrable credit

– Cumulative GPA of 2.000.

• Six semester/eight quarter hours of English

• Three semester/four quarter hours of Math.

– Three semesters/four quarters in residence.

Bylaw 14.5.4.22-4 Transfers

Satisfy Requirements?

• Yes – Eligible for aid, practice and competition.

• No – Not eligible for aid, practice or competition.

2-4 Transfers

• Midyear 2-4 transfers:

– Not eligible for competition in winter or spring if enrolled subsequent to certifying institution's first term.

– Must wait until beginning of following academic year.

Bylaws 14.5.4.1.1 and 14.5.4.2.3

Midyear Enrollee Exception Baseball and Basketball

• A 2-4 transfer is not eligible for competition in a sport during the segment that concludes with the NCAA championship if the SA has competed at the two-year college in that sport during that segment of the same academic year.

Bylaw 14.5.4.5.7

Competition in Year of Transfer- Other Sports

Only qualifiers can use the two-year transfer exceptions:

◦ Discontinued/non-sponsored sport Bylaw 14.5.4.6.1

◦ Two-year nonparticipation/minimal participation

Bylaw 14.5.4.6.2

Two-Year Transfer Exceptions

4-4 TRANSFERS

Eligibility for athletics financial aid◦A 4-4 transfer must be currently eligible at their

previous institution Progress towards Degree GPA requirements Conference requirements Good academic standing Discipline

4-4 Non-qualifiers

A 4-4 non-qualifier who attended his or her previous 4 year institution for less than one academic year and was not a qualifier will be treated like a 2-4 non-qualifier transfer.

Bylaw 14.5.5.1.2

4-2-4 TRANSFERS

Require one year of academic residence unless:◦ Completed an average of 12 hours of transferable credit

with a minimum GPA of 2.0◦Acceptable towards any degree program

◦ One calendar year has elapsed since the departure from the previous four-year school AND

◦ Graduation from the two year college

-OR- Returning to original 4 year institution The student initially enrolled at a 4 year school that never

sponsored the sport while the student attended there OR The student qualifies for the same exception to the 2-4

transfer requirements AND the 4-4 transfer requirements

QUESTION

Back Screen is a basketball student-athlete at Bay State College (BSC). Back transferred this fall from Ocean Junior College (OJC). When reviewing Back's transcript from OJC, they determined that Back had completed 6 hours of physical activity courses. BSC has a limit of accepting 2 hours of transferable credit for physical education courses but all 6 hours are transferable into BSC.

Although all 6 hours cannot be used to meet progress toward degree requirements, will BSC use all 6 hours to determine transferable grade point average?

ANSWER

Yes. When calculating the transferable GPA requirement, the certifying institution must include grades earned in all courses normally transferable to the institution, even if the institution limits the number of credits accepted from the two-year institution.

ANSWER

However, in situations other than those related to the use of physical education activity courses for a men's basketball two-year college transfer, if a member institution places a limit on the number of courses [e.g., overall limit or limit from a specific area] that may be transferred to the institution, then the institution may not use courses in excess of that limit when evaluating the transferable credit-hour requirements for 2-4 and 4-2-4 college transfers.

mercer athletics

Documents