Big 12 Conference rules “The Office” edition Keri Mendoza, Assistant Commissioner- Compliance Jessica Hamm, Assistant Director of Compliance and Governance June 23, 2017
OVERVIEW OF SESSION Conference Rules Background General Eligibility (C.R. 6.1) Initial Eligibility (C.R. 6.2) Summer Term Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment Exception (C.R. 6.2.1) Partially-Approved NCAA Initial-Eligibility Waiver Exception (C.R. 6.2.2) Transfer Requirements (C.R. 6.2.3) Four-Year College Transfers (C.R. 6.2.3.1) International Transfers (C.R. 6.2.3.2) Two-Year College Transfers (C.R. 6.2.3.3) Intraconference Transfers (C.R. 6.3) 4-2-4 Transfers (C.R. 6.3.1) Nonscholarship SA Exception (C.R. 6.3.2)
Background
MORE RESTRICTIVE RULES AND ANNUAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Big 12 initial and transfer eligibility requirements are more restrictive than NCAA eligibility rules. All institutions are required to provide rules education on Conference Rules (CRs) to coaching staff members on an annual basis. Institutions are also encouraged to provide education on CRs annually to noncoaching staff members with sport-specific responsibilities or those who otherwise have substantive contact with student-athletes (SAs) or prospective student-athletes, particularly if the staff member is engaged in the recruiting process (e.g., academic evaluations). Each institution’s FAR will determine what additional individuals, if any, are required to receive education on CRs.
General eligibility
C.R. 6.1.1 – EXCEPTION C.R. 6 (Eligibility) does not apply to a sport if the Conference does not sponsor a championship or schedule competition. Applicable sports: Baseball Basketball Equestrian Football Golf W Gymnastics Rowing W Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving Tennis Track & Field/Cross Country Wrestling Volleyball This list eliminates confusion regarding whether Conference rules in Section 6 apply to other sports that an institution sponsors. E.g., In the sport of men’s gymnastics- competition is not scheduled by the Conference nor championship sponsored by the Conference. 7
Initial eligibility
C.R. 6.2 – QUALIFIERS AND NONQUALIFIERS SAs must meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements for qualifiers or academic redshirts, prior to their initial enrollment, either full-time or part-time, at any collegiate institution or receive a fully-approved NCAA Initial-Eligibility Waiver to be eligible for financial aid and competition. Practice is permitted per NCAA rules. Applies to all SAs regardless of whether athletic or institutional aid is awarded.
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2 DWIGHT – FOOTBALL Graduated from high school May 2017 and was certified as a nonqualifier July 2017. Delays his enrollment until spring 2018 and re-takes ACT exam in the fall in hopes of being re-certified as a qualifier prior to enrolling at Iowa State. While preparing to re-take the ACT exam, he completes some college coursework while enrolled part-time at Scranton JC. Re-certified as a qualifier in December. FALL SPRING 2017-18 Completed 6 hours (PT) Scranton Junior College Plans to enroll at Iowa State Answer: NO. Dwight already triggered C.R. 6.2 by enrolling part-time at Scranton JC as a nonqualifier in August. Even though he re-takes the ACT exam and was re-certified as a qualifier, he would never be eligible for financial aid and competition at Iowa State (or any other Big 12 institution). Question: Would Dwight be eligible to receive financial aid and compete at Iowa State if he did not enroll at any collegiate institution during the fall 2018 semester, re-takes the ACT exam in the fall and was re-certified as a qualifier in December? Answer: YES. He did not trigger C.R. 6.2 since he did not enroll (part- or full-time) at any collegiate institution. He would be permitted to initially enroll at Iowa State for the spring 2018 semester as a qualifier. NOTE: This case study involves a SA triggering part-time enrollment at a junior college during a regular academic term (fall 2017). See Slide 18 for a case study that involves triggering enrollment in the summer term and C.R. 6.2.1 (Summer Term Prior to IFTE Exception). Is Dwight eligible to receive financial aid for the spring 2018 term and later compete during the fall 2018 season at Iowa State? Yes No
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2 DWIGHT – FOOTBALL Rather than delaying his enrollment, he enrolls at Iowa State as a nonqualifier. Iowa State submits an NCAA Initial-Eligibility Waiver in late August. The IEW is fully approved. FALL SPRING 2017-18 Enrolls at Iowa State Is Dwight eligible to receive financial aid and compete during the 2017-18 academic year at Iowa State? Yes No Answer: YES. While he enrolled at Iowa State as a nonqualifier, he subsequently received an Initial-Eligibility Waiver, so he is treated like a qualifier retroactively.
C.R. 6.2 AND NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY WAIVERS SA is certified as a nonqualifier and enrolls Institution submits an Initial-Eligibility Waiver to the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Waiver is approved (Qualifier) Eligible for financial aid, practice and competition (C.R. 6.2) Initial-Eligibility Waiver is partially-approved (Nonqualifier + financial aid and/or practice during first year) Eligible for financial aid, practice and competition pursuant to NCAA rules (C.R. 6.2.2 Exception) Initial-Eligibility Waiver is denied (Nonqualifier) Never eligible for financial aid or competition unless a C.R. 7.6 waiver is granted by the FARs (C.R. 6.2)
C.R. 6.2 – EXCEPTIONS Summer Term Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment Permits nonqualifier SAs (scholarship and non-scholarship) to enroll in any collegiate institution during the summer term prior to their initial full-time enrollment as a nonqualifier and not trigger C.R. 6.2. Partially-Approved NCAA Initial-Eligibility Waiver Permits nonqualifier SAs (scholarship and non-scholarship) who has received a partially-approved IEW to be eligible for financial aid, practice and competition to the extent authorized by the IEW decision and pursuant to NCAA Bylaws. Exceptions do not apply to nonqualifier transfer SAs 13
Enrolls and participates in summer athletic activities at Texas CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2.1 PAM – BASKETBALL Graduated from Dunder Mifflin high school and was certified as a nonqualifier in June 2017. SUMMER FALL 2017-18 Enrolls and participates in summer athletic activities at Texas Would Pam trigger C.R. 6.2 by enrolling at Texas during the summer 2017 term in order to participate in summer athletic activities prior to initial full-time enrollment? Yes No Answer: NO. Pam does not trigger C.R. 6.2 because the summer term prior to initial full-time enrollment is an exception, regardless if Pam receives aid to attend the summer term. NOTE: Institutional policy may not permit nonqualifiers to enroll in the summer term if they have been certified as a nonqualifier OR if their certification status is pending.
Enrolls and participates in summer athletic activities at Texas CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2.1 PAM – BASKETBALL Completes one additional core course during the summer while she is enrolled at Texas. Does not receive any athletically-related financial aid from Texas. With this additional core course, she is re-certified as a qualifier in August 2017. SUMMER FALL 2017-18 Enrolls and participates in summer athletic activities at Texas Answer: YES. She would be considered a qualifier prior to triggering C.R. 6.2 and enrolling at Texas for the fall term. NOTE: Per NCAA Bylaw 14.3.1.3.1.1.1, a PSA is not permitted to use a core course completed after HS graduation to satisfy the initial-eligibility requirements if the PSA is enrolled in the core course while concurrently receiving athletically-related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term. In the Q&A above, if Pam received aid to attend the summer term at Texas prior to IFTE, then that additional core course could not be used to re-certify his initial-eligibility. 14.3.1.3.1.1.1 Receipt of Athletically Related Financial Aid While Enrolled in Core Courses. A prospective student-athlete may not use a core course completed after high school graduation to satisfy initial-eligibility requirements if the prospective student-athlete is enrolled in the core course while concurrently receiving athletically related financial aid to attend an institution's summer term. A prospective student-athlete may use a core course completed after high school graduation, provided the prospective student-athlete either completes the core course prior to receiving athletically related financial aid to attend an institution's summer term or does not enroll in the core course until after he or she completes the institution's summer term for which he or she is receiving athletically related financial aid (see Bylaw 15.2.8.1.4). (Adopted: 9/24/09) Does Pam meet the requirements of C.R. 6.2 to be eligible for financial aid, practice and competition for the 2017-18 academic year? Yes No
TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY NONQUALIFIER FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER
C.R. 6.2.3.1 – NONQUALIFIER FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER A nonqualifier who transfers from a four-year collegiate institution (regardless of prior enrollment at other collegiate institution) to a Conference Member Institution is not be eligible for financial aid or competition unless the following requirements have been met prior to enrollment at the Conference Member Institution: Transferred from the four-year institution after attendance there for at least three semesters (excluding summer terms) as a full-time student and satisfactorily completed at least 36 semester hours of transferable degree credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; and Completed satisfactorily at any collegiate institution at least 48 semesters hours of transferable degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree at the certifying institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. More restrictive than NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.1.
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2.3.1 MICHAEL – GOLF Certified as a nonqualifier. FALL SPRING SUMMER 2016-17 Completed 15 hours Sabre University Completed 6 hours Attended Sabre for three terms. Completed 36 hours of transferable degree credit with a GPA of 2.25. Plans to transfer to TCU for fall 2017. Answer: NO. Although Michael has 36 hours of transferable degree credit with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, he did not attend Sabre for three semesters, excluding summer terms or complete a total of 48 hours of transferable degree credit. Is Michael eligible to receive financial aid and compete at TCU? Yes No
C.R. 6.2.3.1.1 – NONQUALIFIER 2-4-4 TRANSFER A nonqualifier who transfers from a two-year college to a non-Conference four-year institution and then to a Conference Member Institution shall not be eligible for financial aid or competition unless the SA: Met the requirements of C.R. 6.2.3.3 prior to enrollment at the non-Conference four-year institution; or Met the requirements of C.R. 6.2.3.1 prior to enrollment at the Conference Member Institution. A 2-4-4 transfer has two options: (1) Meet the requirements of C.R. 6.2.3.3 prior to enrollment at the non-Conference four-year institution OR (2) Meet the requirements of C.R. 6.2.3.1 prior to enrollment at the Conference Member Institution With Option (1), SA must meet all of the requirements set forth in NCAA Bylaw 14.5.4.2.1 (Two-Year College Transfer – Not a Qualifier): Graduated from the two-year college; Completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48-semester hours of transferable degree credit, including six-semester hours of transferable English credit, three-semester hours of transferable math credit and (for SAs who initially enroll after 8/1/12) three-semester hours of transferable natural or physical science credit; Attended the two-year college as a full-time student for at least three semesters (excluding summer terms); and Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (for SAs who initially enroll prior to 8/1/12) or 2.500 (for SAs who initially enroll after 8/1/12). With Option (2), SA must meet all of the requirements set forth in C.R. 6.2.3.1: Transferred from such four-year college after attendance there for at least three semesters (excluding summer terms) as a full-time student and there satisfactorily completed at least 36 semester hours of transferable degree credit with a minimum GPA of 2.0; and Completed satisfactorily at any collegiate institution at least 48 semester hours of transferable degree credit with a minimum GPA of 2.0. 19
Transfer eligibility nonqualifier international transfer
C.R. 6.2.3.2 – INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER An international transfer shall be immediately eligible for financial aid, practice and competition, provided the SA meets all NCAA four-year college transfer requirements. The SA must demonstrate foreign residency and attendance at the foreign institution. International transfers essentially are an “exclusion” to C.R. 6.2.3.1. NCAA rules consider international transfer SAs four-year transfers just like domestic four-year transfer SAs; however, Big 12 rules distinguish between four-year domestic transfers vs. four-year international transfers. NOTE: C.R. 6.2.3.2 only applies if the nonqualifier international SA transfers directly from an international four-year institution. If the nonqualifier international SA first attends a domestic two- or four-year college and then transfers to a Big 12 institution, then the institution must apply either C.R. 6.2.3.1 (Four-Year College Transfers), C.R. 6.2.3.1.1 (2-4-4 College Transfers) or C.R. 6.2.3.3 (Two-Year College Transfers).
TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY NONQUALIFIER TWO-YEAR TRANSFER
C.R. 6.2.3.3 – NONQUALIFIER TWO-YEAR TRANSFER A nonqualifier who transfers from a two-year college (regardless of prior enrollment at any other collegiate Institution) to a Conference Member Institution, is not eligible for financial aid or competition unless all NCAA transfer requirements have been met prior to enrollment at the Conference Member Institution. A 4-2-4 college transfer student must also have completed satisfactorily at least 48 semester hours of transferable degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree at the certifying institution. 23
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.2.3.3 JIM – BASEBALL Certified as a nonqualifier. FALL SPRING SUMMER 2015-16 Completed 10 hours Athlead CC Completed 12 hours Completed 3 hours 2016-17 Completed 13 hours Athleap CC Graduated from Athleap CC with 53 credit hours with a GPA of 2.15. Plans to transfer to Baylor for fall 2017. 46 of the 53 credit hours transfer to Baylor (including 12 hours of English, 3 hours of math and 3 hours of natural or physical science). Answer: NO. Only 46 of the 53 credit hours that Jim completed at Athleap Community College transfer to Baylor. NCAA Bylaw 14.5.4.2 requires a SA to have at least 48 semester hours that transfer from the two-year college to the four-year college. Is Jim eligible to receive financial aid and compete at Baylor? Yes No
Transfer eligibility intraconference transfer
C.R. 6.3 – INTRACONFERENCE TRANSFERS The eligibility of a SA who transfers directly or indirectly from one Conference Member Institution to another shall be determined by NCAA regulations and the following Conference requirements: In the event NCAA regulations require the SA to complete an academic year in residence before being eligible to compete in a sport, the student-athlete shall also forfeit one season of competition in that sport. Rule of thumb: apply NCAA rules first. If SA is immediately eligible per NCAA rules, SA is immediately eligible per C.R.s. If a SA receives an NCAA legislative relief waiver to be immediately eligible upon transferring, SA also needs a C.R. 7.6 waiver.
C.R. 6.3 – INTRACONFERENCE TRANSFERS AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS C.R. 6.3 applies to affiliate member institutions. A SA who transfers from an affiliate institution to a Big 12 institution, from a Big 12 institution to an affiliate institution or between affiliate institutions is subject to C.R. 6.3. Wrestling Rowing Women’s Gymnastics Fresno State Alabama Denver North Dakota State Old Dominion Northern Colorado Tennessee Northern Iowa South Dakota State Air Force Utah Valley Wyoming
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3 MEREDITH – ROWING FALL SPRING 2015-16 Alabama (Competed; Received Aid) Alabama (Received Aid) 2016-17 2017-18 Plans to transfer to Kansas State Meredith is eligible for the one-time transfer exception per NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 but Alabama objects to her using the exception. Answer: NO. Although Meredith was eligible for the one-time transfer exception, she did not meet part (d) of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 since Alabama objected to her using the exception. Per NCAA rules, she must complete an academic year in residence at K-State and she is required to forfeit a season of competition. Is Meredith eligible to compete for the fall 2017 season at Kansas State? Yes No
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3 STANLEY – FOOTBALL FALL SPRING 2013-14 Oklahoma (Did Not Compete) Oklahoma 2014-15 Oklahoma (Competed) 2015-16 Oklahoma (Competed; Received Aid) Oklahoma (Received Aid) 2016-17 Oklahoma (Competed; Received Aid) Graduated 2017-18 Texas Tech (Plans to Transfer) Texas Tech Answer: YES. Since Stanely meets all of the requirements of the graduate one-time transfer exception (including receiving permission from Oklahoma) and is immediately eligible to compete at the next four-year institution as a graduate student, then per C.R. 6.3, he is immediately eligible at Texas Tech. 14.5.5.2.10 One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all of the following conditions are met (for graduate students, see Bylaw 14.6.1): (a) OMITTED (b) The student has not transferred previously from one four-year institution unless, in the previous transfer, the student-athlete received an exception per Bylaw 14.5.5.2.6 (discontinued/nonsponsored sport exception); (c) At the time of transfer to the certifying institution (see Bylaw 14.5.2), the student would have been academically eligible had he or she remained at the institution from which the student transferred, except that he or she is not required to have fulfilled the necessary percentage-of-degree requirements at the previous institution; and (d) If the student is transferring from an NCAA or NAIA member institution, the student's previous institution shall certify in writing that it has no objection to the student being granted an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. If an institution receives a written request for a release from a student-athlete, the institution shall grant or deny the request within seven business days. If the institution fails to respond to the student-athlete's written request within seven business days, the release shall be granted by default and the institution shall provide a written release to the student-athlete. 14.6.1 One-Time Transfer Exception. graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 12.8. A graduate student who does not meet the one-time transfer exception due to the restrictions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10-(a) shall qualify for this exception, provided: (a) The student fulfills the remaining conditions of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10; (b) The student has at least one season of competition remaining; and (c) The student's previous institution did not renew his or her athletically related financial aid for the following academic year. Meets all of the requirements of the graduate one-time transfer exception per NCAA Bylaw 14.6.1, including permission from Oklahoma. Is Stanley eligible to compete during the 2017-18 season at Texas Tech? Yes No
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3 KEVIN – WRESTLING FALL SPRING 2015-16 Northern Colorado (Competed) 2016-17 Iowa (Competed; Received Aid) 2017-18 Plans to transfer to West Virginia Is Kevin eligible to compete during the 2017-18 season at West Virginia? Yes No Answer: NO. Kevin is not eligible for any four-year college transfer exceptions (e.g., one-time transfer exception), so per C.R. 6.3, he must complete an academic year in residence before being eligible to compete. Therefore, Kevin is not eligible to compete during the 2017-18 wrestling season at West Virginia.
C.R. 6.3.1 – 4-2-4 Transfers A 4-2-4 transfer, who is in compliance with NCAA Bylaw 14.5.6, must complete one full academic year in residence before being eligible to compete in a sport and must forfeit one season of competition unless, in sports other than football or basketball, the AD of the Conference Member Institution of initial enrollment consents in writing to the SA’s enrollment at the second Big 12 Conference institution. Any consent given relating to the indirect transfer may be unconditional or conditioned on the student-athlete SA completing one full academic year in residence at the second Conference Member Institution.
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3.1 ANGELA – BASKETBALL FALL SPRING 2015-16 TCU (Did Not Compete; Received Aid) 2016-17 Feline CC (Competed) 2017-18 Plans to transfer to Iowa State Per NCAA 4-2-4 transfer rules, she is immediately eligible upon transferring. The AD at TCU provided written permission for Angela to be immediately eligible at Iowa State. Answer: YES. Because Angela is a women’s basketball SA, C.R. 6.3.1 requires her to complete an academic year in residence at Iowa State and forfeit a season of competition regardless if the AD at TCU provides her written permission to transfer to Iowa State and be immediately eligible. Is Angela required to complete an academic year in residence at Iowa State and forfeit one season of competition? Yes No
C.R. 6.3.1.1 – HEARING OPPORTUNITY If, under C.R. 6.3.1, the AD denies consent for a 4-2-4 transfer, the institution shall inform the SA in writing that a hearing shall be provided upon request. If a hearing is requested, the hearing procedures established by the institution in conformity with NCAA legislation relating to the one-time transfer exception apply.
C.R. 6.3.2 – NONSCHOLARSHIP STUDENT-ATHLETE EXCEPTION A SA who did not receive, or was not provided a written offer of, athletically-related financial aid from the previous Member Institution is not subject to the penalties under C.R. 6.3 or C.R. 6.3.1. The written offer of athletically-related financial aid must be provided prior to the end of the academic year or prior to enrollment at the next Member Institution, whichever occurs first.
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3.2 DARRYL – FOOTBALL FALL SPRING 2015-16 Baylor (Did Not Compete; Did Not Receive Aid) Baylor 2016-17 Baylor (Competed; Did Not Receive Aid) 2017-18 Plans to transfer to Texas Meets the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10.2 (Nonrecruited Student) but does not meet the requirements of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 (One-Time Transfer Exception) since Baylor objects to Darryl using the one-time transfer exception. Answer: NO. Although Darryl never received athletically related financial aid, NCAA rules still require him to complete an academic year in residence since he does not meet any four-year transfer exceptions. Is Darryl eligible to compete during the fall 2017 season at Texas? Yes No
CASE STUDY – C.R. 6.3.2 DARRYL – FOOTBALL FALL SPRING 2015-16 Baylor (Did Not Compete; Did Not Receive Aid) Baylor 2016-17 Baylor (Competed; Did Not Receive Aid) 2017-18 Plans to transfer to Texas Meets the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10.2 (Nonrecruited Student) but does not meet the requirements of Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 (One-Time Transfer Exception) since Baylor objects to Darryl using the one-time transfer exception. Answer: NO. Although Darryl must complete an academic year in residence at Texas per NCAA rules, he meets the nonscholarship exception per C.R. 6.3.2 and would not be required to forfeit a season of competition per C.R. 6.3. Is Darryl required to forfeit a season of competition per C.R. 6.3? Yes No
C.R. 6.3.3 – CERTIFICATION FORM Prior to a SA’s transfer from one Big 12 institution to another, the head coach, SA and director of compliance must sign a Conference prescribed C.R. 6.3.2 intraconference transfer form. The form must remain on file at such institution.
QUESTIONS?