Can Spring Sport Athletes compete in the Fall without jeopardizing their eligibility?

If an NCAA DI or DII student-athlete’s sport is baseball, softball, lacrosse, women’s water polo, women’s beach or men’s volleyball, they are allowed to participate in competition during the Fall portion of the season without using one of their four seasons of eligibility.

However, if that same student-athlete DOES compete in their regular season, they WILL be charged with a year of eligibility used.

If the student-athlete DOES NOT compete in their regular season, they WILL NOT be charged with a season of eligibility.

Also, under revised Division I rules, this exception can be applied retroactively if an athlete was previously charged with a season of competition for only Fall participation in the above sports.

Please note that these rules do not apply to NCAA DIII student-athletes. Contact us if you have questions about redshirting in Division III.

If you are or have a student-athlete who you think may be able to receive an additional season of eligibility due to the retroactive application of this rule, schedule a confidential Eligibility Issues Consult online, call us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.