Format and Answers

Well the Blog has been running for about a month now. I have received many questions and tried to address as many as possible. The format so far seems to be that questions are kind of just posted all over. Please try to post your questions on the most recent post or article. I will continue to respond as they come in. In addition, please try to visit as much as possible and comment on your experiences to assist others with their questions and concerns. Below are the answers to some of the questions that have been asked recently.

For the individual who started in 2004 as a wrestler. The way it works for DI is that as soon as you become a fulltime student your 5 year clock starts and continues to run even if you leave school. The only option you have would be an appeal to extent your 5 year clock due to the hardship you mentioned. Make sure you mention this appeal to the school you decide to attend and have as much documentation ready to provide to prove your hardship. It works the same for all sports, so If you decide to play football, as you mentioned, the same would apply.

A coach may be able to restrict who plays in an alumni game..it all depends on the school policy..this is not an NCAA rule.

Yes, If a high school player receives money for participating in an athletic event he/she may jeopardize her NCAA collegiate eligibility. It all depends on the situation. There are two many potential situations for me to cover. Basically, before you accept anything, get clearance from the NCAA school you plan on attending.

The NCAA does not regulate coaches’ behavior with student-athletes as it relates to consumption of alcohol. This would be an athletic department policy. Most athletic departments do not allow this.

Coaches can only share an apartment with a player if the player is paying legitimate rent.

The best way to get your “foot in the door” in athletics is to take an internship in one of the departments and get some experience on how things work first hand in the department.

For the individual that experienced the death of the grandmother. Yes the NCAA does have a waiver for this situation. It’s called the Five-Year/10 semester waiver. If the student athlete can demonstrate his situation deprived him the opportunity to participate he could get those years back. But for every two years out, the NCAA gives back one.

If a coach decides to leave the team the players are NOT free to transfer where they want to. They would have to get a release from the new coach or athletic director.

For the junior college athlete. Junior college rules are much different then the NCAA. I can tell you this, you can not drop the class if it makes you a part time student.

Yes, a basketball team can practice on Labor day..as long as it does not exceed 2 hours for the day and 4 for the week.

Joe,
No the team would not suffer..what you would do, is administer the loan, then report the circumstance to the NCAA as soon as the school reopens.

For the student at Valdosta state,
He has three years left. 06-07, 07-08, 08-09

Ron,
As of now the Essay (writing) portion you are referring to is not used in calculating freshmen eligibility status out of high school. But I have herd some chatter there may be plans to implement it in the future, but for now the same method is used- Math/Reading. I received your email as well, been very busy out of town…I will definitely contact you when I get back. Thanks