Can someone clarify what the implications are for distance runners of the eligibility relief for spring sports. I've read they were granted an extra year eligibility..so does that mean distance runners will be able to run a 5th year of XC and indoors? Or is it really just 1 more season of outdoor track meaning that athletes would eat up scholarship $ without being able to compete in fall & winter?
It means just spring. You have 5 years to use 4 years worth of competition. Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track are all different sports in the NCAAs eyes. So the athletes that get the redshirt “year” really only get outdoor track.
Would the athlete technically have to take 12 credits in the Fall and any credits in the Spring to be considered a full-time student in order to complete the eligibility?
15mike23 wrote:
Would the athlete technically have to take 12 credits in the Fall and any credits in the Spring to be considered a full-time student in order to complete the eligibility?
They have to be enrolled but can take 1 class as long as it is going towards their degree to graduate. They can't just not take any classes, live off/on campus, and be able to compete with team. The big thing is DEGREE MET otherwise anyone can run for the college and not technically be enrolled.
As of now spring sports athletes effected do not need to be enrolled in the Fall, do not need to be full time in the Spring, and do not need to meet progress towards degree requirements. Athletes staying at the same school do not count against equivalencies, however if they transfer to use their final season, they will count towards equivalencies at the new school, and must still enter the transfer portal.
I have a question as well. I already was going to have a season of I/O track eligibility left over I was going to use (no XC left however) at another school. Idea was enroll as a postgrad and run 5th year indoor outdoor.
If I decided to enroll in the spring semester instead of fall, and only ran outdoor, would I still have indoor and outdoor the next year? This would take me to 11 semesters academically, but would there be an exception because of eligibility relief?
Will the 6th year clock extension for spring athletes be applicable if they have unused seasons in other sports for fall and winter?
Why wouldn’t you run indoor during your tenth semester?