Scott Connors and Leeland Zeller
Session Overview

Foreign Tours:





Timing.
Eligibility.
Miscellaneous.
Case Studies.
Outside Competition:




General Rule.
Basketball.
Exceptions.
Case Studies.
Learning Outcomes

Be
familiar
with
legislation
and
interpretations.
Apply legislation and interpretations to
specific cases.
Recognize potential waiver scenarios.

Educate coaches and administrators.


1
Institutionally Certified


A member institution may participate in any
sport on foreign tours.
Institution must certify in writing that all
foreign tour conditions are met.
 File in the athletics department.
Bylaw 17.29.1
Tour to U.S. Territory or
Commonwealth

The following is not considered a foreign
tour:
 U.S. Commonwealth. (e.g., Puerto Rico)
 U.S. Territory. (e.g., Virgin Islands)
Bylaw 17.29.1.1
2
Timing of Tour


A tour can only be scheduled during the
summer vacation between spring and fall
term OR a vacation period published in the
institutions catalog.
All travel to a foreign country must take
place during such a vacation period.
Timing of tour (continued)

If the team crosses the international date
line during the tour, the change of date will
be disregarded and the equivalent local US
time will be used to determine vacation
period.
Bylaw 17.29.1.2
Summer Vacation Period

A foreign tour taken during the summer
period shall be considered to have
occurred during the academic year after
the summer.
 e.g., July 2016 will be looked at as 201617 for Bylaw 17 purposes.
Bylaw 17.29.1.2.1
3
Time Lapse Between Tours


An institution shall not engage in a foreign
tour more than once every four years per
sport.
In basketball, a student-athlete shall not
participate in more than one foreign tour for
a particular institution.
Bylaw 17.29.1.3
Eligibility of Student-Athletes

If the tour takes place during the summer:
 Student-athletes
shall
be
eligible
for
intercollegiate competition during the previous
academic year ; OR
 Have been enrolled full time at the institution
the previous academic year; AND
 Are eligible for competition during the academic
year immediately following the tour.
Bylaw 17.29.1.4
Eligibility (continued)

If the tour starts after the academic year
has started, the student-athlete shall be
regularly enrolled and eligible for
competition at the institution.
Bylaw 17.29.1.4
4
Season of Eligibility

A student-athlete who did NOT compete
during the institution’s season just ended
AND who represents the institution in a
certified foreign tour after that season and
prior to the start of the next academic year
shall not be charged with a season of
eligibility.
Bylaw 12.8.3.6
Incoming Student-Athlete Participation
It’s permissible for an eligible incoming studentathlete to represent the institution on a foreign
tour.
 An incoming student-athlete may participate in
practice sessions conducted in preparation for a
foreign tour if practice occurs.
 On or after the first practice date for the sport; OR

 On or after the first day of classes of the student-
athlete’s first term.
Bylaw 17.29.1.4.1
Basketball Exception

It’s permissible for an incoming studentathlete to participate on a foreign tour if:
 He/she has earned three credits towards
any institutional degree program.
 He/she is eligible to represent the institution
during the academic
following the tour.
year
immediately
Bylaw 17.29.1.4.1.1
5
Basketball Exception (continued)
Student-athlete may participate in practice,
provided he or she is enrolled in a summer course
that will fulfill the credit requirement or has
completed such a course and the grade for the
course is pending.
 If incoming freshman initial eligibility is not
certified, he/she may participate pursuant to
Bylaw 14.3.5.1.
 If incoming transfer is not certified, he/she may
participate pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.4.5.6.

Bylaw 17.29.1.4.1.1.1
Practice Limitation
Not more than 10 days of practice are
permitted prior to departure.
 Practice is prohibited outside the playing
season one week prior to the beginning of the
institution's final examination period for the
applicable regular academic term through the
conclusion of the final examination period.

Bylaw 17.29.1.5
Maximum Number of Contests

Three football games:
 A foreign tour shall be considered that
institution’s postseason opportunity for that
season.
 10 basketball games.
 10 contests in any other sport.
Bylaw 17.29.1.6
6
Opponents

Shall not compete against other American
teams other than:
 Teams composed of U.S. Armed Forces
personnel stationed at U.S. military bases in
foreign countries.
Bylaw 17.29.1.7
Per Diem

An institution may provide $20 per day to
cover unitemized incidental expenses.

Up to 21 days.
Bylaw 17.29.1.9
Passports
Institution may purchase passports for its
student-athletes that are required for travel in
connection with a foreign tour.
 Institution may also provide student-athletes
with reasonable local transportation to obtain
such passports.

Bylaw 17.29.1.10
7
Case Study No. 1
Student-athlete has not been cleared to
compete because of amateurism issues.
 Student-athlete would be otherwise eligible to
compete.
 Student-athlete wants to participate in the tour.
 Institution files a waiver on behalf of studentathlete.

Case Study Answer
Student-athlete may receive all travel
expenses.
 Student-athlete may practice during the 45day temporary certification period.
 Student-athlete may participate in all cultural
and educational experiences.

Case Study No. 2
Men’s basketball student-athlete participated
in foreign tour during his first year.
 Student-athlete was granted a fifth year of
eligibility due to injury.
 Student-athlete wants to participate on a
second foreign tour.
 Institution files a waiver on behalf of studentathlete.

8
Case Study No. 2 - Answer

Student-athlete can fully participate in the
foreign
tour
because
no
competitive
advantage will be gained because the studentathlete is already enrolled.
Case Study No. 3
Student-athlete enrolls at institution.
Student-athlete is disciplined after an arrest on
campus and ultimately transferred to applicant
under disciplinary suspension from Institution
1.
 Student-athlete wants to participate.
 Institution files a waiver on behalf of studentathlete.


Case Study No. 3 - Answer

Student-athlete may
necessary expenses.
receive
actual

Student-athlete is not granted
academic year in residence.
relief
and
of
9
Case Study No. 4
Midyear transfer.
Currently in his year of residence.
 Set to become eligible during the following
spring semester.
 Institution files a waiver on behalf of studentathlete.


Case Study No. 4 - Answer

Student-athlete can receive actual and
necessary expenses to participate in the
foreign tour BUT may not participate in any
countable athletically related activities in
conjunction with the tour.
10
Overview
Definition of Outside Team.
General Rule.
 Basketball Regulations.
 Exceptions.
 Case Studies.


What is an outside team?

For purposes of the outside
legislation, an outside team is:
competition
 Any
team that does not represent the
intercollegiate athletics program of the member
institution.
Bylaw 17.02.12
General Rule – Sports Other Than
Basketball

A student-athlete who participates during the
academic year as a member of any outside team
in any noncollegiate, amateur competition
becomes ineligible.

A student-athlete is permitted to practice.
Bylaw 17.31.1
11
History

Adopted in 1991, along with substantial changes
to Bylaw 17:
 Definition of “athletically related activities”;
 Limits on length of playing season;
 Time limits for athletically related activities (e.g.,
20/4 rule).
History
 Reduction of maximum number of contests;
 Prohibition
against coaching activities with
outside teams; and
 Prohibition against outside competition.
Rationale
 Response
to student-athletes’ desire for
reduction in time spent on athletics activities.
 Enables student-athletes to spend more time
on academics and college life.
 Reduce costs.
12
Exceptions

Sports other than basketball and wrestling:
 May compete as a member of an outside team
outside the institution’s playing and practice
season during any official vacation period.
 Number of participants from one team limited by
Bylaw 17.29.2.
Bylaw 17.31.1.1
History

Adopted in 1994.
 Participation
during vacation periods has no
negative impact on student-athletes’ academic or
collegiate activities.
 Many sports have organized competitions during
semester break that are part of sport’s culture.
 Voluntary organized recreational activities during
vacation periods should be permitted.
Exceptions

Wrestling
 May compete as a member of an outside team outside
the institution’s playing and practice season during any
official vacation period, except one that occurs
between the beginning of the institution’s academic
year and November 1.
 Number of participants from one team limited by Bylaw
17.29.2.
Bylaw 17.31.1.2
13
History

Adopted in 2011:
 Provide more time for academic pursuits.
 May
aid in improving the NCAA Division I
Academic Progress Rate.
Exceptions

Men’s soccer, men’s water polo, women’s field
hockey and women’s volleyball.
 May compete on an outside team if:
○ Outside the institution’s declared playing season
and on or after May 1.
○ Competition must be approved by the institution’s
athletics director.
○ No class time is missed for practice or competition.
Bylaw 17.31.1.3
Exceptions
 Soccer, women’s volleyball and women’s field
hockey – subject to limits in Bylaw 17.29.2
 Women’s
volleyball
–
practice
and
competition in outdoor volleyball are limited to
doubles tournaments (sand or grass).
14
History

Adopted in 1997.
 Late
spring and early summer leagues offer
opportunities that do not conflict with nonchampionship
seasons.
 No missed class time.
Individual Competition

Student-athlete represents only himself or herself
in the competition and does not engage in such
competition as a member of or receive expenses
from an outside team.
Bylaw 17.31.1.7
Exempt Teams

In individual sports, the following units are not
considered to be outside teams:
 “Pro-am” golf teams.
 Doubles tennis teams.
 Relay teams in track and field.
Bylaw 17.31.1.8
15
General Rule – Basketball

A student-athlete who participates in any organized
basketball competition except while representing
the institution in intercollegiate competition
becomes ineligible.
Bylaw 17.31.2
History

Adopted in 1962:
 Gambling scandals led to tight restrictions on
basketball outside competition.
Organized Basketball
Competition

Teams formed or rosters predetermined;

Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance;

Official score is kept;

Standings are maintained; and

Officials timer or game officials are used.
Bylaw 17.31.2.1
16
Organized Basketball
Competition (continued)

Team uniforms are used;

Admission is charged;

Team is privately or commercially sponsored;

Competition is sponsored, promoted or administered by
an individual, organization or any other agency.
Bylaw 17.31.2.1
Who is subject to outside
competition rules?

Basketball:
 Once a student-athlete becomes a candidate for an
institution’s basketball team, or if the student-athlete
was recruited for basketball ability and enrolls at the
institution, the student-athlete is subject to outside
competition restrictions.
○ Includes time while the student-athlete is withdrawn,
serving a residence requirement, awaiting transfer
or enrolled in a nonmember institution.
Bylaw 17.31.2.2
Who is subject to outside
competition rules?

All other sports:
 Any student-athlete who is a member of the
institution’s athletics team.
 Once an individual becomes a student-athlete,
the outside competition rules are applicable only
while the student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time
student. [11/21/1991, Official]
17
Exceptions -- All Sports






High school Alumni Game.
Olympic Games.
Official Pan Am Games Tryouts and Competition.
U.S. National Teams.
 Official tryouts and competition (10/18/06 official).
Official World Championships, World University Games and World
Cup Tryouts and Competition.
 Includes junior levels of these competitions (8/17/2005 staff)
State and National Multisport Events.
Bylaw 17.31.3
Additional Exceptions for Basketball





Approved Summer League:
 Adopted in 1978 after years of debate.
Puerto Rico Superior Basketball League (for
residents of Puerto Rico only).
U.S. vs. U.S. National Teams.
Outside-team tours (summer foreign basketball tour).
Basketball draft combine.
Bylaw 17.31.4
Collegiate All-Star Competition

A student-athlete who competes as a
member of a squad in any college all-star
football or basketball contest shall be
denied further intercollegiate eligibility in
that sport.
Bylaw 17.31.5
18
Analysis

Identify the sport at issue:
 Consider whether a sport is considered the same as the
student-athlete’s sport.
○
○
○
○

Playing rules.
Mechanics.
Skill set.
Equipment.
Is it outside competition or intercollegiate
competition?
Analysis

When does the competition occur?
 Academic year; vacation period.

Any distinguishing circumstances?
 Type of competition (exceptions).
 Eligibility status.
Case Studies
19
Case Study No. 1

Joe and Mark are Division I soccer studentathletes at State U. Both student-athletes began
the fall 2015 semester full time.
 Joe quit the team in November to compete on a
PDL amateur team in town; however, he
remained enrolled full time in school.
○ Is Joe ineligible due to outside competition rules?
○ What if he decided to transfer at semester?
Case Study No. 1 -- Answer

Once an individual becomes a student-athlete,
the provisions governing outside competition are
applicable to student-athletes who are enrolled
full time during an academic term, even if the
student-athlete quits the team or drops to part
time during the term.
[7/14/92 Official and
10/11/95 Staff]

However, if Joe transfers, the outside competition
does not affect his eligibility.
Case Study No. 1

Joe and Mark are Division I soccer studentathletes at State U. Both student-athletes
began the fall 2015 semester full time.
 Mark joined the PDL team in January. He enrolled
part time at State U during 2016 spring semester
and began competing with the PDL team January
15. Mark remained a part-time student for the entire
spring term.
20
Case Study No. 1 -- Answer

Mark did not jeopardize his eligibility as he
was never enrolled full time during the spring
semester. [11/21/91 Official]

Mark may also participate
competition in the summer.
in
outside
Case Study No. 2
A student-athlete has been selected to her national
team for track and field. The national team is
covering her competition related expenses at an
event where the institution is also competing
(Florida Relays). The student-athlete will ride the
team bus to competition and compete for the
institution and the national team.
 Is the student-athlete’s participation permissible as
outside competition?

Case Study No. 2 -- Answer



If the institution provides expenses, it is
intercollegiate competition. [Bylaw 17.02.8]
 Events listed in Bylaw 16.8.1.2 are exempt.
Counts as individual date of competition.
Counts as institutional date if at least 14
student-athletes compete on that date.
21
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