Eligibility Question

[laxman]

I think that our league follows NCAA rules but what is the rule on seniors graduating in the fall being allowed to play the spring season that still have one year of eligibility. It happens quite often in college basketball and lacrosse with the players being able to finish out their four years of eligibility. Is our league run the same way?

[John Paul]

It does not happen in college basketball or any NCAA sport. If a player graduates, he is finished playing unless he continues to take classes as a full time student (second undergrad degree or graduate program). For the IA, that means 12 credit hours.

If you are in your final semester during the lacrosse season, and you need fewer than 12 credit hours to graduate, you just need to take the credits necessary for graduation.

[COlaxer]

It does not happen in college basketball or any NCAA sport. If a player graduates, he is finished playing unless he continues to take classes as a full time student (second undergrad degree or graduate program). For the IA, that means 12 credit hours.

If you are in your final semester during the lacrosse season, and you need fewer than 12 credit hours to graduate, you just need to take the credits necessary for graduation.

I thought that was the deal with CSU last year. Am I mistaken?

[CATLAX MAN]

CSU received their sanction for having 2 players who had less than the 12 credit hours on their roster.

[COlaxer]

Thanks Catlax. I thought they were seniors, and therefore it would have been alright according to John Paul.

[John Paul]

I'm not commenting on the CSU situation from last year.

It is only alright if you are taking the necessary classes to graduate that semester. If you still need classes to graduate after that semester, you must take 12. Also, remember that being a senior according to eligibility does not necessarily mean you are senior in class standing.

[COlaxer]

Sorry John Paul, I was not saying that you were commenting on the situation, I was just referring to the ruling you stated.

[Gvlax]

I think this is correct from what im reading but we have a player on our team that will have either 3 or 6 credits left his last semester (Winter). Since he still has 1 year left to play lacrosse according to his eligibility for mdia does that mean he can play with just taking his 1 class he has left?

He's been bugging me to find out for him and im just making sure he is eligible by what i read above.

[Ken Lovic]

as long as that is his graduating semester. He must be graduating in spring or accepted to grad school at the same school as his undergrad begin classes in the spring.

[Gvlax]

thanks, yea it is his graduating semester. He was worried he wouldn't be able to play since he has one class remaining to graduate after fall semester.

[Pinball]

so we have a player that played for SJU for 3 years, he has now graduated (in 4 years) and now is at another school for a second undergrad degree. Can he play another year of lacrosse at his new school? He is just a Regular guy that wants to play one more year........

[DanGenck]

I think the MDIA rule is that you must finish your eligibility at the same school if you are getting a graduate degree.

However, I am unsure about another undergraduate degree... if you are a full-time undergraduate, I think you should be fully eligible to play regardless of the school.

[SDSULAX]

He would have 1 year left to play. Apparently the MDIA rules do not allow him to use it at another school, "Other rules that effect eligibility include:
1. If a student has received an undergraduate degree and then continues on to attempt another degree (either undergraduate or graduate), he is only eligible to play for the school where he received his original undergraduate degree. (This is also an NCAA rule.) "
He should consider appealing his case through to the MDIA Board of Directors.

[Pinball]

thanks for the help, i will pass on the information. Who is the person he must send the appeal too?

[SDSULAX]

Through your Conference director.