Women's Sports:
Basketball   Bowling   Softball   Tennis   Track & Cross Country   Volleyball
Men's Sports:
Baseball    Basketball   Football   Golf   Tennis   Track & Cross Country

Compliance

Saint Paul’s College is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics programs in accordance with NCAA, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and College rules and regulations.

The SPC Compliance Office works to help educate its student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, staff and boosters about the basic requirements and guidelines that must be followed in order to make the College compliant. The Compliance Office strives to be proactive with education, and acts as the communication center to address questions, concerns and the interpretation of NCAA rules for its constituents.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding NCAA guidelines, please feel free to contact Ms. Lydia Harsley directly at (434) 848-9607.

Prospective Student-Athletes           Current Student-Athletes                Transfer Student-Athletes

Prospective Student-Athletes

Helpful Sites

NCAA Eligibility Center
Guide for College-Bound Student-Athletes NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse Process
Freshman Eligibility Quick Reference4 Sheet
International Student-Athletes Information
SAT Website
ACT Website

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Current Student-Athletes

Academic Eligibility Standards - Practice and Competition

To be eligible to practice and compete, you must be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the regulations at the Saint Paul's College. The Saint Paul's College has determined a minimum full-time program as being enrolled in 12 credits during a semester.

Countable Athletically Related Activities - 20/8 Hour Rule

The NCAA regulates the daily and weekly hour limitations that student-athletes are permitted to participate in required activities related to their sport. The following information pertains to the guidelines for "countable athletically related activities."

Student-athletes may not participate in required countable athletically related activities for more than:

The daily and weekly hour limitations DO NOT apply to the following time periods:
• During preseason practice prior to the first day of classes or the first scheduled contest, whichever is earlier.
• During an institution's term-time official vacation period (e.g., Thanksgiving, spring break), as listed in the institution's official calendar, and during the academic year between terms when classes are not in session.

Are student-athletes required to have a day off from countable athletically related activities?

During the academic year, student-athletes shall not engage in any countable athletically related activities on one day per week during the playing season and two days per week outside the playing season. The required day(s) off may occur on any day of the week and may change from week to week. A "week" is defined as any seven consecutive days, determined at the institution's discretion.

Below are partial lists of common activities that count and do not count against daily and weekly time limits:

*There may be additional rules applicable only to certain sports. Also, conferences and institutions may adopt more restrictive rules. Contact the compliance office for answers to questions or for additional information.

What is the difference between in-season and out-of-season?

In-season (20 Hours per week)
• Time between the team's first officially recognized practice session and the last practice session or competition, whichever occurs later.
• Sports other than football and basketball may have their seasons separated into two distinct segments: championship segment and nonchampionship segment.
• During the in-season period (i.e., championship and nonchampionship segments), a student-athlete may participate in a maximum of 20 hours per week of countable athletically related activities.

Out-of-season (Eight (8) Hours per week)
• The remaining days during the academic year not included in the in-season period.
• A student-athlete may participate in a maximum of eight (8) hours per week of countable athletically related activities and may not participate in any countable athletically related activities on two days per week during the out-of-season period.
• In sports other than football and women's basketball, participation in up to two (2) hours of required or voluntary individual skill instruction is permissible. In women's basketball not more than four (4) hours per week may be spent on individual skill workouts. In football, skill instruction activities are limited to the review of game film.

Outside the playing season (during the academic year), student-athletes are limited to not more than eight (8) hours per week of certain countable athletically related activities. Those activities are shown below:

NOTE: Student-athletes may be involved in any noncountable athletically related activity during the off-season period (e.g., workouts using the safety exception, voluntary workouts, other noncountable activities permitted during the in-season period).

Amateur Status

Only an amateur student-athlete, as defined by NCAA regulations, is eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport. An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual:

1. Uses his or her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport;
2. Accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;
3. Signs a contract or verbally gives a commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability of any consideration received;
4. Receives, directly or indirectly, a salary, reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based upon athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations;
5. Competes on any professional athletics team and knows (or had reason to know) that the team is a professional athletics team, even if no pay or remuneration for expenses was received; or
6. Enters into a professional draft or an agreement (either written or oral) with an agent or other entity to negotiate a professional contract.

Agents

A student-athlete will be considered ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she has ever agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletic ability or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports would be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual would be considered ineligible to participate in any sport.

A student-athlete is not permitted to sign an agreement with an attorney or financial advisor for the purpose of representation during the screening process of inquiries and offers from agents. The student-athlete (and his or her relatives and friends) is not permitted to accept any tangible benefits (e.g., gifts, money, etc.) from an agent and/or the representative of an agent, nor are they permitted to enter into a written or verbal agreement for future representation by an agent after the student-athlete's eligibility has been expired.

In addition, student-athletes who have any questions about professional sports agents, accepting prize money for athletics contests, receiving payment of expenses or gifts of any kind, endorsing or advertising products or activities, owning their own businesses, or working as a model or performer should consult with the Office of Compliance immediately. Violations of the amateur status regulations are possible in all of these areas.

Extra Benefits

An extra benefit is considered to be any special arrangement or preferential treatment given to prospective student-athletes or enrolled student-athletes, their families/relatives, and/or their friends that is not expressly authorized by NCAA regulations. Receipt by a student-athlete of an impermissible award, benefit or expense allowance can render the individual ineligible. Some examples of extra benefits that are not allowed are:

• Entertainment (such as tickets to sporting events, concerts, movies, meals at a restaurant, etc.) paid for by Panther Club donors, alumni, fans or others not related to you
• Money, loans or transportation services not available to all other Saint Paul's College students
• Discounts on tickets, services, products or rent not available to all other Pitt students
• Use of an automobile (except owned by you or your family)
• Meals at a restaurant provided by athletic boosters, alumni, fans, or others not related to you
• Free or discounted typing services
• Use of telephone or telephone credit card at no charge
• Use of copy/fax machine at no charge or reduced rate
• Co-signing of loans (except by family members)

Sports Wagering Activities

In NCAA Bylaw 10.02.1, Sports Wagering is defined as placing, accepting or soliciting a wager (on a staff member's or student-athlete's own behalf or on the behalf of others) of any type with any individual or organization on any intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest. Examples of prohibited sports wagering activities include (but are not limited to):

1. Use of a bookmaker or parlay card;
2. Internet sports wagering;
3. Auctions in which bids are placed on teams, individuals or contests; and
4. Pools (e.g., "March Madness" bracket sheets) or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize.

As per NCAA Bylaw 10.3, student-athletes should not knowingly:

1. Provide information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition;
2. Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
3. Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
4. Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner); or
5. Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

In addition, the following interpretations apply:

Soliciting or accepting a wager for a material item: The provisions of NCAA bylaw 10.3 do not permit a student-athlete from soliciting or accepting a wager for a non-monetary material item (e.g., shirt, jersey, meal) that has tangible value in exchange for the possibility of gaining another item of value. It should be noted, however, that institutions that compete against each other may agree to participate for a tangible item (e.g., governors cup), provided no student-athletes receive any tangible item.

Wagering on professional sports contests: The prohibition against student-athletes from participating in gambling activities associated with professional sports events is applicable only to those sports in which the Association conducts championship competition, bowl subdivision football and emerging women's sports.

As a student-athlete, you are responsible for the following as it relates to sports wagering activities:

1. Reporting any offers of gifts, money or favors in exchange for supplying team information or for attempting to alter the outcome of any contest to the appropriate staff member (i.e., Coach, Administrative Staff);
2. Maintaining a clear understanding of what constitutes sports wagering, gambling and bribery activities and reporting any suspected infractions;
3. Contacting a coach or other Departmental personnel (i.e., Media Relations Staff) when questions concerning appropriate release of team information occur; and
4. Increasing your awareness that participation in sports wagering or bribery activities can result in disciplinary actions by the College and the NCAA, as well as local, state and/or federal prosecution of the involved individuals.

Outside Competition

Competition and practice on outside teams during the academic year and in the summer are restricted in different ways for different sports. You can jeopardize your eligibility by participating on an outside team in some cases and NCAA rules are specific pertaining to the number of teammates from each institution that can be on the same team. Please note that prior to involvement in any type of organized competition or practice with a non-Saint Paul’s College amateur team, you must receive approval from your head coach, the Office of Compliance, and the Director of Athletics.

Drug Education and Screening

The NCAA has mandatory drug screening programs. You must agree in writing to be tested by the NCAA and before you can become eligible for practice and competition.

NCAA DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

Each year, student-athletes will sign a consent form demonstrating their understanding and willingness to participate in the NCAA drug-testing program. The NCAA requires this consent for any student-athletes before they begin participation each year. Failure to complete and sign the statement shall result in the student-athlete being ineligible for all intercollegiate competition.

By signing the NCAA Drug Consent Form, you agree to allow the NCAA to test you in relation to any participation in an NCAA Championship or post-season competition. The NCAA tests for any banned substances listed in Bylaw 31.2.3 and can be found in your student-athlete handbook. Your coach, Athletic Trainer or the Office of Compliance can provide an updated list of banned drugs by the NCAA. For the current list of 2008-09 banned drug classes please view the

link http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=282

Additionally, all student-athletes are now subject to year round drug testing administered by the NCAA. By signing the Drug Testing Consent Form, you also agree to be tested on a year round basis (including the summer) for anabolic agents, diuretics and urine manipulators. You must keep your coaches informed any time you leave town. The NCAA generally gives only 24 hours notice for their year round drug testing. Therefore, your coaches must know how to reach you.

If the NCAA tests you for the banned drugs listed in Bylaw 31.2.3 and you test positive (consistent with NCAA drug-testing protocol), you will be ineligible to participate in regular-season and postseason competition for one calendar year (i.e., 365 days) after your positive drug test and you will be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition in all sports.

If you test positive in an NCAA drug test a second time for the use of any drug, other than a "street drug" as defined in Bylaw 31.2.3, you will lose all remaining regular season and postseason eligibility in all sports. If you test positive for the use of a "street drug" after being restored to eligibility, you will be charged with the loss of one additional season of competition in all sports and also remain ineligible for regular season and postseason competition at least through the next calendar year.

Keep in mind, the penalty for missing a scheduled NCAA drug test is the same penalty for testing positive for the use of a banned drug. You will remain ineligible until you retest negative and your eligibility has been restored by the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, after loss of eligibility, as noted above.

Supplements
Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. Some supplements may lead to a positive NCAA or Saint Paul's College drug test. The use of supplements is at the student-athlete's own risk. Student-athletes should contact their trainer or head coach before taking any supplements.

Promotional Activities

The NCAA has strict guidelines regarding the use of a student-athlete's name picture or likeness to promote any commercial entity or product. A student-athlete's involvement in any promotional event must be approved in advance by the Office of Student Life and Compliance, even if the activity is conducted by an institutional, educational, charitable or non-profit organization.

Student-Athletes at the Saint Paul's College are recognized as representatives of the Saint Paul's College, both on and off campus. During your athletic careers at Pitt, you may be asked to participate in a variety of promotional activities (if deemed permissible) on behalf of:

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Transfers Student-Athletes

If you are a student-athlete enrolled at another institution, or if you have been enrolled at another  institution, NCAA rules and regulations strictly prohibit Saint Paul’s coaches (or athletics staff members) from having any communication with you, directly or indirectly, until your current/original institution grants our institution permission to contact you. (Types of communication include e-mail, phone or written correspondence.) You may obtain this permission to contact from the athletics compliance office or the director of athletics at your current or previous institution.

Once you obtain this release information, you may fax it to the Saint Paul’s College Athletics Compliance Office at (434) 848-9607. Once the release is obtained from your current or previous institution, then Saint Paul’s coaches will be able to contact you.

Please talk to your coach and/or athletic director to request this permission. We appreciate the fact that you are considering to attend Saint Paul’s College, home of the Tigers!

Transfer Guide

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/2007-08_transfer_guidec7590eb0-e93f-402f-9451-84976b622c7e.pdf

General Definitions

Permission to Speak/Contact
Potential transfer student-athlete obtains written permission (from AD or designee), directly or indirectly, to speak with/contact another institution regarding the possibility of transferring in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics at that institution. Contact is not permitted by an athletics staff member at an institution without written permission.

Residence Requirement
The general rule for a student that transfers from any kind of collegiate institution (e.g., two-year, four-year, foreign, domestic) to a NCAA institution is the requirement to complete one full academic year (i.e., full-time enrollment for two semesters or three quarters) of residence at the new institution before being eligible to compete.

"4-4 Transfer"
A student-athlete who attends a four-year college (e.g., NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, or international institution) and seeks to transfer to another four-year college to participate in collegiate athletics.

"2-4 Transfer"
A student-athlete who currently attends a two-year college (i.e., community college, junior college where students can earn an associate degree) and seeks to transfer to a four-year institution to participate in collegiate athletics.

"4-2-4 Transfer"
A student-athlete who transfers from a four-year college, to a two-year college, and then to another four-year institution to participate in collegiate athletics.

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