NJCAA COVID-19 FAQs

QUESTION:  Student-athlete X participated in 10 games of the 2020 softball season prior to the NJCAA canceling all spring sport participation. Has student-athlete X used a season of NJCAA softball eligibility?
ANSWER: No, the NJCAA is not charging a season of eligibility for any student-athlete regardless of participation in the spring 2020 season.
 
QUESTION: What is considered a spring sport in the NJCAA?
ANSWER: Baseball, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis, Outdoor Track and Field
 
QUESTION: Since the NJCAA has cancelled all participation for spring sports for the 2020 season, what does a member institution have to do to get the student-athlete's season of eligibility reinstated?
ANSWER: For spring 2020 sports only, it is not required to file a hardship or for the college president to submit a letter notifying the NJCAA National Office of their decision to cancel the spring 2020 season as a result of COVID-19, as previously directed.
 
QUESTION: Our college had not yet competed in the spring 2020 season at the time of the NJCAA announcement cancelling all spring participation. Does the college still need to file spring eligibility?
ANSWER: For the spring 2020 sport season, if the member institution has not yet filed eligibility, there is no reason to do so. No student-athlete will be charged a season of eligibility for the spring 2020 NJCAA athletic season.
 
QUESTION: Is the current restriction on recruiting only limited to face-to-face recruiting or all recruiting practices?
ANSWER: This restriction applies to face-to-face on and off campus recruiting.  It is permissible to email, text, phone call, etc. recruits during this time.
 
QUESTION: Community College A would like to host a skills camp for 9^th through 12^th graders during the current national recruiting restriction period. Is it permissible for the member college to host a skills clinic during this period?
ANSWER: There is no NJCAA bylaw which would restrict this practice; however, it is not permissible to have 12^th graders on campus or any other face-to-face athletic contact. 12^th graders are eligible to be signed to an NJCAA LOI and therefore are identified as recruitable. It is not permissible to hold face-to-face recruiting initiatives through April 15, 2020.  
 
QUESTION: Is it permissible to sign recruits to NJCAA Letters of Intent during this time of limited recruitment?
ANSWER: Yes, members colleges may continue to sign recruits to NJCAA Letters of Intent provided the signings are not face-to-face.  
 
QUESTION: As some NJCAA basketball championships were cancelled, do those students regain a season of sport eligibility?
ANSWER:  No, all fall and winter NJCAA sports must meet the standard hardship requirements as outlined in Article V, Section 5.B. The special allowance only applies to the spring 2020 NJCAA sport season.

For up-to-date FAQs, visit: NJCAA COVID-19 FAQ Homepage