Student-Athletes

Helpful Links:

Forms:

Introduction
Progress Towards A Degree Requirements
Extra Benefit Rule
Ethical Conduct
Sports Wagering
Drug Testing
Employment
Athletically Related Activities
Outside Competition

NCAA, Conference and University rules governing student-athletes are extensive and complex. It is always a good rule of thumb to ask before you act by simply consulting with your coach, a Department of Athletics administrator, or the Athletics Compliance Office if you have any questions about an NCAA regulation.

The Compliance Office exists to educate everyone about the rules and help you to prevent errors that could jeopardize your eligibility, financial aid and your personal and/or team's success. It is your obligation as a student-athlete to "Know Your Role."

This site has been created to assist you in the process of staying informed about NCAA requirements and to know what is expected of you as a student-athlete at the Division I level. The helpful links and related topics offer a quick reference to information that could directly effect your eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Progress Towards A Degree Requirements

24 Credit Rule (Freshman Only)
- Must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours before the third semester; applies to freshman only.
18 Credit Rule
- Must earn a minimum of 18 credits combined in the Fall and Spring semester every year, including first year.
Six Credit Rule
- Must pass a minimum of six credit hours in previous term in order to be eligible for upcoming term. This requirement must be met each term.
Nine Credit Rule (Football only)
- Must earn a minimum of 9 credits every Fall semester; applies to Football only.
Cumulative Grade Point Average
- Prior to third and fourth semesters (i.e., 2nd year): 1.80
- Prior to fifth and sixth semesters (i.e., 3rd year): 1.90
- Prior to seventh and eighth semesters (i.e., 4th year): 2.00
- Prior to ninth and tenth semesters (i.e. 5th year): 2.00

Please note, in order to count up the number of terms, it is required to take into account all semesters of attendance at any and all collegiate institutions. *These GPA requirements must be met each term (e.g., prior to the spring semester).

Please note, that the GPA required for NCAA Eligibility may not be the same as those required by each individual degree program. Every student-athlete should check with the academic advisor in their school or college as GPA's below 2.0 may result in sanctions such as academic probation or suspension.

Percent Degree Requirements

Prior to fifth semester (i.e., 3rd year): 40% (e.g., 48 credits / 120 credits)
Prior to seventh semester (i.e., 4th year): 60% (e.g., 72 credits / 120 credits)
Prior to ninth semester (i.e., 5th year): 80% (e.g., 96 credits / 120 credits)

Please note, in order to count up the number of terms, it is required to take into account all semesters of attendance at any and all collegiate institutions. All credits that count toward a specific degree may be used to satisfy the percentage, including all credits taken in during summer, all external studies courses, and transfer courses.

Declaration of a Major
Student-athletes must choose a major that leads to a specific baccalaureate/undergraduate degree by the beginning of your third year (i.e., fifth semester) of enrollment.

Extra Benefit Rule

As defined by the NCAA (Bylaw 16.02.3), an "extra benefit" is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interests (i.e. "booster") to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative(s) or friend(s) a benefit not expressly authorized by the legislation. Basically, the student-athlete cannot accept benefits from individuals with whom they are not naturally or legally dependent. The acceptance of an extra benefit is a violation of NCAA regulations and will jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete.

Another part of the rule to keep in mind is referred to as "preferential treatment" for benefits or services. This coincides with an extra benefit arrangement and is defined by the NCAA as preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual's athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation.

The following are some examples of prohibited special arrangements and extra benefits to a prospective or enrolled student-athlete:

Giving cash or loans in any amount
Signing or co-signing a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan
Guarantee of a bond
Giving gifts of any kind
Use of an automobile or providing transportation for any reason
Purchase of meals at restaurants - On infrequent, special occasions (i.e. birthday, Thanksgiving), a student-athlete may accept an invitation to the home of an athletics' staff member or a "booster" for a meal
Rent free or reduced room and/or board costs for any period of time
Providing the use of a summer home
Use of free summer storage space
Free or reduced cost on merchandise (i.e. shoes, clothing, CD's)
Providing special discounts or payment arrangements on services (i.e. laundry, dry cleaning) and purchases (i.e. airline tickets)
Free or reduced cost on tickets to any kind of entertainment (i.e. concert, ball game, movies)
Use of telephone or credit card for personal calls at reduced or no cost
Employing relatives or friends of a student-athlete

Ethical Conduct

Conduct and Ethics

Duquesne University has established a tradition of ethical conduct at all levels of University life. As a student-athlete involved in the intercollegiate athletics program, you are expected to represent the University in an honorable manner at all times. You are expected to uphold the standards of ethical conduct established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Atlantic 10 and Northeast Conferences, the Department of Athletics and Duquesne University.

Personal Conduct

For you, the student-athlete, participation as a member of an athletics team carries with it definite academic and athletic responsibilities. They are as follows:

Academic Responsibility - Student-Athletes Must:

Adhere to the rules outlined in the University's "Academic Integrity Policy." The work, which you submit, must be your own. Representing the work of others as your own constitutes academic fraud;
Aggressively pursue the requirements for graduation, as that is Duquesne's number one goal for all student-athletes;
Attend classes regularly and complete all academic assignments;
Consult with academic advisors and attend tutoring sessions, as directed;
Maintain an academic course load of at least twelve (12) credit hours per semester and make satisfactory progress toward a degree; and
Accept responsibility for maintaining all academic eligibility requirements each semester

Athletic Responsibility - Student-Athletes Must:

Abide by all team, Department, University, Conference and NCAA rules;
Maintain oneself in top physical condition, within accepted health standards;
Attend all assigned events and organized practices unless officially excused;
Take proper care of equipment and return it in good condition;
Treat officials and opponents with respect, and avoid undue confrontations;
Maintain proper standards of grooming and dress; and
Abstain from using tobacco, alcohol and non-therapeutic drugs

Sports Wagering

The NCAA defines Sports Wagering as placing, accepting, or soliciting a wager (on a staff member's or student-athlete's own behalf or on the behalf of others) of any type with any individual or organization, on any intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest.

Examples of sports wagering include, but are not limited to:

Use of a bookmarker or parlay card;
Internet sports wagering;
Auctions in which bids are placed on teams, individuals or contests; or
Fantasy leagues, pools or brackets (e.g., March Madness, fantasy football)

Sports Wagering Activities
Staff members and student-athlete's should not knowingly:

Provide information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition;
Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner); or
Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

In addition, the following interpretations apply:
Soliciting or accepting a wager for a material item: The provisions of Sports Wagering do not permit a student-athlete to solicit or accept a wager for a non-monetary material item (e.g., shirt, jersey, meal) that has tangible value in exchange for the possibility of gaining another item of value. It should be noted, however, that institutions that compete against each other may agree to participate for a tangible item (e.g., governors cup), provided no student-athletes receive any tangible item.

Drug Testing

NCAA Drug Testing Program

Each year, student-athletes will sign a consent form demonstrating their understanding and willingness to participate in the NCAA drug-testing program.

By signing the NCAA Drug Consent Form, you agree to allow the NCAA to test you in relation to any participation in an NCAA Championship or post-season competition. The NCAA tests for any banned substances listed in Bylaw 31.2.3. Your coach, Athletic Trainer, or the Compliance Office can provide an updated list of banned drugs by the NCAA.

All student-athletes are now subject to year-round drug testing administered by the NCAA. You must keep your coaches informed any time you leave town. The NCAA generally gives only 24 hour notice; therefore, your coaches must know how to reach you.

The penalty for missing a scheduled NCAA Drug Test (even if you are out-of-town) is the same penalty for testing positive for the use of a banned drug.

If the NCAA tests you for banned substances and you test positive (consistent with NCAA drug-testing protocol), you will be ineligible to participate in regular-season and postseason competition for one calendar year (i.e., 365 days) after your positive drug test, and you will be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition in all sports.

If you test positive a second time for the use of any drug, other than a "street drug" as defined by Bylaw 31.2.4, you will lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.

Supplements
Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. Some supplements may lead to a positive drug test. The use of supplements is at the student-athlete's own risk. Student-athletes should contact their trainer or head coach before taking any supplements.

It is your responsibility to check with the appropriate athletics staff member fore using any substance.
Information about ingredients in medications and nutritional/dietary supplements can be obtained by contacting the Resource Exchange Center (REC) at www.drugfreesport.com/rec.

Employment

Student-athletes are permitted to earn legitimate on- and off-campus employment income during the regular academic year as well as during the University's official vacation periods and the summer, provided:

Compensation does not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he/she has obtained because of athletics ability;
The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed; and
The student-athlete is compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

In addition, a student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skill instruction or techniques in his/her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided:

Institutional facilities are not used;
Playing lessons shall not be permitted;
The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lesson(s) and the fee for the lesson(s) provided during any time of the year;
The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient's family) and not another individual or entity;
Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time; and
The student-athlete does not use his/her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions.

All student-athletes are required to submit an Employment Approval Form to the Compliance Office prior to the start of beginning any job. Failure to do so may result in the potential loss of eligibility.

Athletically Related Activities

The NCAA regulates the daily and weekly hour limitations that student-athletes are permitted to participate in required activities related to their sport.

Student-athletes may not participate in required countable athletically related activities for more than:

In-Season

4 hours per day
20 hours per week

Out-of-Season (during the academic year)

8 hours per week

The daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to the following time periods:

During preseason practice prior to the first day of classes or the first scheduled contest, whichever Is earlier; and
During an institution's official vacation period (e.g., Thanksgiving, spring break), as listed in the institution's official calendar.

Countable Athletically Related Activities	Noncountable Athletically Related Activities
Practices	Compliance Meetings

Athletic Meetings with a coach initiated or required by a coach	Drug/Alcohol educational meetings

Competition	Study Hall, tutoring, or academic meetings

Field, floor or on-court activity	Voluntary workouts

Required Weight-training and conditioning activities	Recruiting Activities (i.e., student host)

Outside Competition

You are not eligible in your sport for the remainder of the year and the next academic year if, during the academic year, you competed as a member of any outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition.

You may compete outside of your declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period publish in our institution's catalog. Competing in the Olympic Games tryouts and competition and other specified national and international competition is permitted.

Competition and practice on outside teams during the academic year and in the summer are restricted in different ways for different sports. You can jeopardize your eligibility by participating on an outside team in some cases and NCAA rules are specific pertaining to the number of teammates from each institution that can be on the same team.

Please note that prior to involvement in any type of organized competition or practice with a non-Duquesne amateur team, you must receive approval from your head coach, the DU Compliance Office, and the Director of Athletics. Please submit a completed copy of the Outside Competition form (below) to the Compliance Office.

Footer