Seasons of Competition and The Five-Year Clock Bylaw 14.2 Virginia Tech Athletics Compliance September 2010

Five-Year Clock Any student-athlete who engages in Division I intercollegiate competition must cease all such competition no later than five calendar years after initial full-time collegiate enrollment at any college or university. Any student-athlete who engages in Division I intercollegiate competition must cease all such competition no later than five calendar years after initial full-time collegiate enrollment at any college or university.

Five-Year Clock A sixth year (clock extension) may be granted if a student-athlete is deprived of the opportunity to compete for two seasons, due to reasons beyond his/her control. A sixth year (clock extension) may be granted if a student-athlete is deprived of the opportunity to compete for two seasons, due to reasons beyond his/her control.

Five-Year Clock A sixth year will be granted if a student- athlete misses all or most of two seasons for any of the following reasons: A sixth year will be granted if a student- athlete misses all or most of two seasons for any of the following reasons: –Incapacitating injury or illness. –Life-threatening injury or illness suffered by immediate family member. –Extreme financial difficulties caused by a specific event. –Documented written advice from an academic authority that proved to be erroneous.

Five-Year Clock Missing seasons for these reasons will not result in a sixth year: Missing seasons for these reasons will not result in a sixth year: –Redshirt year. –A transfer year in residence. –Reliance on misinformation from a coach. –Attendance at a school that does not sponsor the student-athletes sport. –Failure to meet academic requirements. –Disciplinary suspension.

Seasons of Competition Per NCAA regulations, each student-athlete enters college with the opportunity to engage in a maximum of four seasons of intercollegiate competition.* Per NCAA regulations, each student-athlete enters college with the opportunity to engage in a maximum of four seasons of intercollegiate competition.* * In some situations, it may not be permissible to use all four at the Division I level.

Seasons of Competition These four seasons represent a cumulative total. Therefore, a student-athlete who uses two seasons at a junior college only has two seasons left to use at a Division I four-year college. These four seasons represent a cumulative total. Therefore, a student-athlete who uses two seasons at a junior college only has two seasons left to use at a Division I four-year college.

Seasons of Competition A Qualifier (as judged by Division I standards) who does not transfer to/from a non-Division I school is provided a maximum of four seasons to use at the Division I level. A Qualifier (as judged by Division I standards) who does not transfer to/from a non-Division I school is provided a maximum of four seasons to use at the Division I level.

Seasons of Competition A Non-Qualifier (as judged by Division I standards) enters college with the ability to only use three seasons in Division I competition.* A Non-Qualifier (as judged by Division I standards) enters college with the ability to only use three seasons in Division I competition.* * If 80% of his/her degree requirements are completed prior to the start of the fifth year, a Non-Qualifier earns the opportunity for a fourth season of competition in Division I.

Seasons of Competition A student-athlete who is determined to have violated NCAA amateurism regulations prior to collegiate enrollment may enter college with less than four seasons of competitive eligibility, due to withholding penalties. A student-athlete who is determined to have violated NCAA amateurism regulations prior to collegiate enrollment may enter college with less than four seasons of competitive eligibility, due to withholding penalties.

Seasons of Competition Q:What constitutes the use of a season of competition? A:Generally, any amount of competition, no matter how limited (one play, one event, one match, one point, one race, one second on the clock), will result in the use of a season.

Seasons of Competition As with most NCAA regulations, exceptions do exist. The following participation does not result in the use of a season of competitive eligibility: As with most NCAA regulations, exceptions do exist. The following participation does not result in the use of a season of competitive eligibility: –Annual participation in an alumni contest. –During the student-athletes initial year of enrollment at the current school, participation in exhibitions/scrimmages. –For volleyball and soccer only, participation in spring matches.

Seasons of Competition A fifth season of competition may be granted in those instances where a student-athletes season is ended after limited participation. There are four waivers of this type... A fifth season of competition may be granted in those instances where a student-athletes season is ended after limited participation. There are four waivers of this type...

Seasons of Competition 1) Medical Hardship: 1) Medical Hardship: –Incapacitating injury or illness. –Competed in no more than 30%* of teams contests. –No competition during second half of season. * Permissible fraction may mathematically equate to more than 30%; always consult with the compliance office to determine the actual number.

Seasons of Competition 2) Competition While Eligible – Extenuating Circumstances 2) Competition While Eligible – Extenuating Circumstances –Examples: life-threatening injury or illness suffered by immediate family member; extreme financial difficulties caused by a specific event. –Competed in no more than 30% of teams contests. –No competition during second half of season.

Seasons of Competition 3) Competition While Eligible – Coachs Misunderstanding 3) Competition While Eligible – Coachs Misunderstanding –Misunderstanding must be documented. –Competed in no more than 10% of teams contests. –All competition must be within the first 20% of the teams season.

Seasons of Competition 4) Waiver – Competition While Ineligible: 4) Waiver – Competition While Ineligible: –Student-athlete was erroneously declared eligible and competed, but in fact was ineligible at the time. –Competed in no more than 10% of teams contests. –All competition occurred within 60 days of reporting for athletics.

Case Studies

Student-Athlete No Redshirted.Competed. Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. Competed.Competed.?????

Student-Athlete No Redshirted.Competed.1 Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. # 2Competed.3Competed.4 May NOT Compete. Hardship Waiver provides fifth season of competition, but clock extension not available.

Student-Athlete No Redshirted. Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. Competed.Competed. Does not attend college. ?????

Student-Athlete No Redshirted. Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. # 1Competed.2Competed.3 Does not attend college. Unknown. Has fourth season remaining. Clock extension depends on reason for non- attendance in

Student-Athlete No Did not compete due to injury sustained prior to season. Competed.Competed. Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. Competed.?????

Student-Athlete No Did not compete due to injury sustained prior to season. # Competed.1Competed.2 Competed and was injured. Was granted a medical hardship waiver. ## 3Competed.4 May Compete. Hardship Waiver provides fifth season of competition. Qualifies for clock extension.

Student-Athlete No Competed at School A (four-year, Division I school). Transferred to Virginia Tech. Did not compete due to residence requirement. Competed at VT. Did not compete due to injury sustained prior to season. Competed at VT. ?????

Student-Athlete No Competed at School A (four-year, Division I school). 1 Transferred to Virginia Tech. Did not compete due to residence requirement. Competed at VT. 2 Did not compete due to injury sustained prior to season. # Competed at VT. 3 Clock extension (sixth year) not available.

Student-Athlete No Competed at School B (two-year school). Competed at School B. Transferred to Virginia Tech. Competed. Competed at VT. ??????????

Student-Athlete No Competed at School B (two-year school). 2-year Competed at School B. 2-year Transferred to Virginia Tech. Competed. Div. I 3 total Competed at VT. Div. I 4 total All four seasons of competitive eligibility used. Non-issue. Note: Answer would be the same regardless of Qualifier status coming out of high school.

Student-Athlete No Non- Qualifier. Did not compete at School C (four-year, Division I school). Transferred to Virginia Tech at midyear. Competed at VT. ??????????

Student-Athlete No Non- Qualifier. Did not compete at School C (four-year, Division I school). Transferred to Virginia Tech at midyear. Competed at VT May compete ONLY if he/she reaches 80% of degree program. Non-issue.