The NCAA News - News and Features

January 5, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 1NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.2
Eligibility for competition and practice
following a student-athlete's final semester or quarter

NCAA institutions should note that in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.2, a student-athlete who is eligible during the term in which degree work is completed (or is eligible as a graduate student pursuant to Bylaw 14.1.7) remains eligible for any NCAA championship and, in Division I, for any postseason certified bowl game or National Invitation Tournament that begins within 60 days after the end of the term in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility). Each division's Management Council, or a committee designated by the Management Council to act for it, may waive the 60-day requirement when an NCAA championship, postseason certified bowl game or National Invitation Tournament is conducted at the conclusion of the traditional playing season but begins more than 60 days following the end of said term. During its June 30, 1992, telephone conference, the former NCAA Interpretations Committee determined that a student-athlete who completes his or her degree requirements may participate in regular-season competition that precedes an NCAA championship (in that sport) that begins within 60 days after the end of the term in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility), provided the student-athlete has not exhausted his or her five years or 10 semesters/15 quarters of eligibility.

NCAA Bylaw 17.1.6.2
Weekly hour limitations --
outside of playing season

Outside of the playing season during the academic year, only a student-athlete's participation in the countable athletically related activities specified in Bylaws 17.02.1.1-(c), 17.02.1.1-(d) and 17.02.1.1-(e) shall be permitted. A student-athlete's participation in such activities shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week, of which not more than two hours per week may be spent on individual-skill workouts set forth in Bylaws 17.02.1.1-(e) and 17.1.6.2.1. A student-athlete may not participate in any countable athletically related activities outside the playing season during any institutional vacation period (e.g., summer, academic year).

This material was provided by the membership services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Richard C. Perko or Kristen L. Davis, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.