Indiana State University Athletics

Outside Competition and Summer Leagues

In sports other than basketball, a student-athlete that participates during the academic year as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition (e.g., tournament play, exhibition games) except while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition shall be ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.  In the sport of basketball, a student-athlete that participates during the academic year as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition (e.g., tournament play, exhibition games) except while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition shall be permanently ineligible for intercollegiate competition.

It is permissible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete’s sport, as long as the 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.  Student-athletes wishing to participate in outside competitions during the academic year must first receive permission by filling out the Outside Competition Request Form which can be obtained on this website or from the Compliance Office.

 

The following are exceptions to the general prohibition against outside competition.  However, student athletes must complete and submit the Outside Competition Request Form prior to participating in any way:

 

 - Official World Championships and World Cup tryouts and competition

 

Women’s Soccer Exception
After May 1, soccer student-athletes may compete as a member of an outside soccer team provided only five or less student-athletes from any single NCAA institution participate, the competition is approved in advance by the Compliance Office, and no class time is missed for practice activities or competition.

Volleyball Exception
After May 1, volleyball student-athletes may compete as a member of an outside volleyball team provided only two or less student-athletes from any single NCAA institution participate, all practice/competition is confined to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball, the competition is approved in advance by the Compliance Office, and no class time is missed for practice activities or competition.

 

There are a variety of other exceptions and rules pertaining to this issue.  Student athletes and coaches should consult with the Compliance Office prior to taking part in any such activities.

 

Information Regarding Outside Summer Competition

Each Summer Basketball League or Event must be sanctioned by the NCAA and a student-athlete's participation in such league/event may only take place during the period between June 15 - August 31. No more than TWO student-athletes may participate on the same basketball team. Student-athletes may only participate on one basketball team in one sanctioned basketball league.

 

In the Sports of Women’s Soccer, and Volleyball, it is permissible to compete as a member of an outside team outside the declared playing and practice season, as long as such competition does not occur earlier than May 1, with no more than TWO student-athletes in the sport of Volleyball or FIVE student-athletes in the sport of Women’s Soccer participating on the same teams, and no class time is missed for practice or competition. Such participation in Volleyball is limited to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball, grass or sand.

 

In all Other Sports, it is permissible to compete as a member of an outside team outside the declared playing and practice season, as long as such competition does not occur earlier than the end of the spring academic year (last day of finals) and no earlier than the beginning of the fall academic year (first day of classes or practice, whichever is earlier). Student-athletes must have completed yearly participation in all intercollegiate competitions in order to participate in any outside competitions.

 

No more than the following number of student-athletes may participate on the same summer league team: Baseball-4, Baskteball-2, Football-5, Soccer-5, and Softball-4.

 

A student-athlete and outside competition contact agree to immediately report to the ISU Compliance Office any improper privileges or benefits offered to or received by the student-athlete, or any NCAA rules violations of which either party is aware of.

 

A student-athlete’s participation on an outside team must satisfy the definition of an amateur team.

 

A student-athlete, and any of their teammates, may not be provided with more than actual and necessary expenses for participation on an outside team.

 

A student-athlete may not receive any compensation for participation in outside competition

 

Any awards a student-athlete receives must conform to the regulations of the recognized amateur organization that governs the competition. Hypothetical examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to cash, a cash equivalent, and gift certificates redeemable for cash. Hypothetical examples of permissible items include, but are not limited to trophies, medals, gift certificates not redeemable for cash, and merchandise for place finishes.

 

No member of the coaching staff of a member institution may be involved in any capacity (e.g., coach, official, player or league/team administrator) at any time (i.e., during the academic year, vacation periods and summer) with an outside team that involves any student-athlete with eligibility remaining from the institution's team.

 

Failure to abide by these outside competition guidelines and NCAA regulations could result in a violation of NCAA rules that could seriously affect a student-athlete’s athletic eligibility.