Student-Athlete Information
NJCAA & Region 10
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is committed to providing quality athletic opportunities to enhance the entire collegiate learning experience for its students. The Association and its member colleges strive to provide equal opportunities for all concerned student-athletes. The Association is sensitive to the special needs and circumstances of the Two-Year College student while keeping within the high academic standards of our 500+ member institutions.
NUMBER OF SEASONS A STUDENT CAN PARTICIPATE
Participation in more than one (1) regularly scheduled contest prior to post-season competition during the collegiate year shall constitute one season of participation in the sport. Participation includes entry into an athletic contest and does not include dressing for such an event. Each student-athlete should be aware that they have a total of four years of eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics and playing for SMC counts as part of your eligibility. Students can only participate in intercollegiate athletics at SMC/NJCAA level for two years, and participation in NJCAA sports is limited to the FIRST two years of participation.
NOTE: Participation (past and future) may include, but is not limited to, organized practice, structured weight room activities, on the court/field conditioning, individual skill development, or other actions as defined by NJCAA. In addition, if you are in season, you may ONLY participate on an SMC team and no other club team or any organized competition.
Amateur Status
The NJCAA defines amateurs as student-athletes who engage in sports for the physical, mental, or social benefits they derive from participation and to whom athletics is an avocation and not a source for personal financial remuneration. NJCAA guidelines on amateur status are detailed here.
Only amateur athletes are permitted to participate in the certified sports of the NJCAA. Student-athletes who are unsure if they are considered an amateur athlete must notify the athletic director before the competition begins in an NJCAA sponsored activity. The student-athlete will not be able to participate in any NJCAA sponsored activities unless the athletic director clears the status of the student-athlete in question.
An athlete loses amateur status and shall be deemed permanently ineligible for competition in an NJCAA certified sport if any of the following criteria applies once the athlete reaches their 19th birthday or once they enroll in college as a full-time student, whichever comes first:
- The athlete used/uses his/her athletic skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport; OR
- The athlete accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation; OR
- The athlete signs a contract or makes a commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received; OR
- The athlete receives, directly or indirectly, a salary, reimbursement of expenses, or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based on athletics skill or participation; OR
- The athlete competes on any professional athletics team; OR
- The athlete enters into a professional draft; OR
- Try out with a professional sports organization or team while enrolled full-time during any part of the academic year unless they have exhausted their eligibility in that sport (in this instance the academic year is defined as beginning at the start of the fall term and ending at the end of the spring term including any intervening period); OR
- Contracts in writing to be represented by an agent in the marketing of athletic ability or reputation in a sport OR
- Competes professionally or contracts to compete professionally in a sport regardless of its format.