67th Annual NAIA National Convention
Legislation
Voting delegates approved overwhelmingly the “direct qualification” format in championships qualification for 11 NAIA championships, and changes in the association’s council structure to reflect direct qualification and the increasing role for affiliated conferences in championships policies.
Two proposals that received considerable attention in convention caucuses – one (Bylaws Amendment No. 9) to replace the current competitive experience rule with age-related restrictions, and another (Amendment No. 15) to permit students five seasons of competition – were withdrawn in favor of further study over the next year.
A recap of action on proposed amendments for the 2008 convention:
Constitution Amendments:
No. 1 Structure Change: Amend the Constitution to reflect the new “direct qualification” championships and administrative structure. APPROVED
Bylaw Amendments:
No. 1 Structure Change: Amend the Bylaws to reflect the new “direct qualification” championships and administrative structure. APPROVED
No. 2 Frequency of Play and Scheduling – Soccer: Permit men’s and women’s soccer three additional playing dates during the spring academic term(s). APPROVED, AS AMENDED (to include women’s soccer)
No. 3 Frequency of Play and Scheduling – Women’s Soccer: Permit soccer two additional playing dates during the spring academic term(s). WITHDRAWN
No. 4 Declaration of Intent: Penalize institutions that are unable to uphold their declaration of intent obligations during three consecutive seasons in the same sport. APPROVED
No. 5 Recruitment of a Two-Year College Student: Permit recruitment of two-year-college students beginning the summer after the student has utilized his/her first season of competition. APPROVED with immediate effective date (April 15, 2008)
No. 6 Association of Independent Institutions: Provide accurate information regarding the composition and responsibilities of the Association of Independent Institutions. APPROVED
No. 7 Prospective Student: Codify current NAIA restrictions on prospective students. APPROVED
No. 8 Seasons of Competition – Tennis: Provide a bench mark that identifies the experience in tennis that triggers use of a season of competition. APPROVED
No. 9 Competitive Experience – Age Rule: Eliminate the current “competitive experience rule” and limit the age disparity between NAIA athletes. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
No. 10 Competitive Experience Rule – Post-Secondary School Competition: Permit students to participate in non-collegiate post-secondary education competition without being charged a season of competition. APPROVED
No. 11 Freshman Eligibility – State Testing: Permit students to use test scores earned during state assessments to meet freshman eligibility requirements. APPROVED
No. 12 Freshman Eligibility Requirements – Class Rank: Require that the class rank letter be written on the school’s letterhead and contain the school’s official seal. APPROVED
No. 13 Grade-Point Average Requirement: Require students to meet grade-point average requirements beginning with the student’s second academic year. FAILED
No. 14 Competition Between Terms: Permit a student who did not identify with the certifying institution during the preceding term, who enrolls at an institution after the conclusion of the term, to compete prior to the start of the institution’s second or subsequent term. This permits winter and spring sport students to compete before the start of the term in the same manner that fall sport students are permitted to compete prior to the start of the fall academic term. APPROVED
No. 15 Five Seasons Of Competition: Provide the opportunity of five seasons of athletic participation and the educational experiences such participation offers to those students who have demonstrated academic progress toward a degree; to establish educational guidelines for those eligible to compete in a fifth season; to eliminate the “red-shirting” of students and to eliminate the hardship retrieval of a season of competition. WITHDRAWN
No. 16 Amateur Status – Indoor Football: A student who participates in professional indoor or arena football is considered a professional in football in the NAIA. APPROVED
No. 17 Amateur Status – Indoor Soccer: A student who participates in professional indoor soccer is considered a professional in soccer in the NAIA. APPROVED
No. 18 Conference Commissioners Association: Changes the name and organization of this group to accurately reflect its membership and intended function. APPROVED
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NAIA staff contact: Israel Negron
