Student-Athlete Information
NAIA & Continental Athletic Conference
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) are 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.
NUMBER OF SEASONS A STUDENT CAN PARTICIPATE
Participation in more than 20% of the maximum allowed contests 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 10 full-time semesters to complete four years of eligibility in intercollegiate athletics and playing for SMC counts as part of your eligibility.
Amateur Status
A student who becomes a professional in a particular sport recognized by the NAIA is considered a professional in that sport only (except for the sport-specific exception listed below) and therefore is ineligible for intercollegiate competition in that sport, except as permitted by the governing legislation of the NAIA.
EXCEPTION 1: A student who becomes a professional in cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field is considered a professional in all three sports.
EXCEPTION 2: A student who becomes a professional in indoor or arena football is considered a professional in the sport of football.
EXCEPTION 3: A student who becomes a professional in indoor soccer is considered a professional in the sport of soccer.
EXCEPTION 4: A student who becomes a professional in beach volleyball is considered a professional in the sport of volleyball.
Only amateur athletes are permitted to participate in the certified sports of the NAIA. Student-athletes who are unsure if they are considered an amateur athlete must notify the FAR before the competition begins in an NAIA-sponsored activity. The student-athlete will not be able to participate in any NAIA-sponsored activities unless the FAR clears the status of the student-athlete in question.
The following acts will NOT cause an athlete to lose amateur standing.
1. Playing with an amateur team against a professional team or player if competing under the sponsorship or approval of NAIA or the governing body of the sport concerned.
2. Participating as a member of a team while not receiving remuneration (expense reimbursement) beyond actual expenses of travel, meals and lodging only from the immediately previous city to the event, even though other members of the team may receive remuneration in excess of NAIA amateur limits. Expenses must be itemized and properly documented.
3. Receiving reasonable compensation for officiating or coaching in amateur, recreational or interscholastic programs. A student may solicit and be paid reasonable compensation on a lesson basis.
4. Coaching at the intercollegiate level when compensation (if any) meets the criteria set forth in Article II, Section B of the NAIA Bylaws. Such compensation shall be considered athletic aid, as defined by official NAIA policy, and shall be reported as such.
5. Competing in a non-team athletics contest, certified as amateur by that sport’s national governing body, and receiving financial reimbursement (expense reimbursement) for such participation when such remuneration does not exceed the actual expenses for travel, meals and lodging only from the immediately previous city to the event. Expenses must be itemized and properly documented.
6. Participating in radio or television programs for the purpose of promoting an amateur athletic event.
7. Receiving reasonable compensation for supervision of physical education, playground or recreational activities.
8. Receiving compensation for use of name, image or likeness to promote any commercial product or enterprise, or public or media appearance. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to notify their institution’s athletics director in writing of any compensation the student receives from the use of their name, image or likeness in relation to their school or status as a studentathlete.
The following acts will cause a student to lose amateur standing for participation in intercollegiate competition recognized by the NAIA in the sport in which any or all such acts occur.
1. Receiving (directly or indirectly) expense reimbursement beyond actual expenses of travel, meals and lodging only. Expenses must be itemized and properly documented.
2. Signing a contract with any professional team.
3. Participating in any athletics contest as a professional or as a member of a team where the student in question receives remuneration exceeding the actual expenses of travel, meals and lodging only.
4. Entering into an agreement of any kind to compete in professional athletics with a professional sports organization.
