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OPERATIONAL POLICIES FOR SPORTS
2008-2009
Executive Committee
Col. John Sullivan --Commissioner
Dr. Steve Condon -- President - Tennessee Wesleyan College
Dr. Donald Jeanes -- President -- Milligan College
Dr. Niel Nielson --President -Covenant College
Dr. Dan Struble - President - Montreat College
Officers/Agents
Vice President -- Dr. Sanford Zensen - Bryan College
Treasurer - Rachael Clay-Keohane - The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Faculty Athletic Representative - David Walters - Montreat College
Sports Information Director - Will Stern - Covenant College
B. All-Academic Team Criteria: Students meeting all three criteria will be named to the All-Academic Team:
1. 3.25 GPA or higher
2. Sophomore status
3. Must compete in at least 50% of competition.
4. All nominees must have verification from the institutions' registrar.
C. Athletic training coverage (in-house or contract) will be provided by member institutions for all home events.
D. All member institutions will use the NAIA eligibility software to prepare and submit eligibility forms to the Conference Eligibility Chair.
E. Seating for visitors at home events will be behind the visitor's bench or directly across from it when seating is confined to one side of the court/field.
F. When two or more teams tie for the regular season championship in any sport, each will be designated as "Season Champion." Tournament winners will be designated "Tournament Champion."
G. The home team is responsible for reporting scores on the day a contest is played using the Conference website reporting system. This will post the result on the Conference website, update the standings, and report the result to the national NAIA Scoreboard. When a Conference member team plays a non-conference away opponent, the member is required to report the results as soon as practical. Every week during their season, each team will web synch their entire DakStats by 12:00 noon on Monday. Web synching immediately after each game is encouraged.
H. Awards for each sport provided by the Conference will be: Tournament Champion, Tournament Runner-Up, Regular Season Champion (including ties if applicable), Champion of Character, and Coach of the Year, unless otherwise requested. The Conference will also provide certificates for the All-Conference, All-Academic, and All-Freshman Teams. The names of award winners must be submitted immediately to the Conference Commissioner by the applicable sport chair.
I. When a Conference Tournament Championship generates a net profit, once all outstanding bills are paid, those funds will be distributed equally among the teams representing the Conference in that sport's next level of post-season competition.
J. The deadline for notification to member institutions of an intention to add a new sport will be the first date of the post-season tournament of that sport in the previous year.
K. Individual teams or member institutions placed on probation by the NAIA National Conduct and Ethics Committee may not earn points in the affected sport(s) toward the All-Sports Trophy while on probation.
L. Individual teams or member institutions placed on suspension by the NAIA National Conduct and Ethics Committee will not be eligible for Conference individual awards or earn points in the affected sport(s) toward the All-Sports Trophy while on suspension.
M. Member institutions that decide to leave the Conference must so notify the Conference Commissioner in writing of their intention at least one year in advance of the next academic year in order to be eligible for postseason competition in their last year as a Conference member.
N. If a member institution sponsors a sport they must participate in Conference competition within 3 years of their declaration of intent to participate with the NAIA.
O. Teams participating in post-season tournaments/meets may not travel with or dress out more athletes than the maximum number allowed on the post-season roster for that sport.
P. "Pass lists" to Conference contests will not be permitted.
Q. A Conference-wide Letter of Intent will be effective beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year. Student-athletes who complete a Letter of Intent will be barred from subsequently competing at another AAC member institution during the first eligible collegiate academic year after the date of signing. A copy of the Letter of Intent must be filed with the Conference Commissioner within 30 days of signing.
R. Conference Raters for those sports that require them will be recommended by the Coaches' Committees to their Sport Chair and appointed by the Commissioner for a two-year term. Raters may be appointed to successive terms with the recommendation of the Sport Chair. Raters will be guided by the policies in their Coach's Manual.
S. A coach who is ejected by an official during or following a contest shall be suspended from coaching his/her team's next regularly scheduled contest.
Overview. The sport committees consist of the head coaches from member institutions that coach a specific sport. The members will elect a Sport Chair who will serve for one year. Sport chairs may be reelected. Specific duties of the Sport Chair are defined below:
In accordance with the Conference By-Laws, the Sport Chair will:
Bring recommendations to the Conference at its annual meeting on the respective sport policies and tournament procedures (e.g., dates, qualification plans, site, etc.) (Article VI, Section 3);
File a complete written report of championship events including an accurate statement of income/expenses of the event to the secretary/treasurer within 14 days of the completion of the championship event (Article VI, Section 3);
Submit a request for awards to the Executive Committee prior to the annual meeting (Article X, Section 3);
Submit written reports of any athletic contest forfeitures to the Executive Committee for approval in accordance with NAIA governing procedures (Article XI).
Submit for signature or counter-signature of the President all contracts for sport product sponsorship (Article IV, 2).
Additionally, the respective Sport Chairs will:
Call and chair annual meetings of the sport committee.
Coordinate establishment of the sport Conference schedule.
Chair a committee of coaches to rule on policy disputes between member institutions and forward a copy of any decisions to the Executive Committee.
Obtain nominations for and hold an election for a rater (if applicable). Raters will serve a one-year term of office and may be reelected by a simple majority vote of the member coaches. Current sport chairs are ineligible to serve simultaneously as raters.
Forward for resolution to the Executive Committee any disputes irresolvable at their level.
Make player-of-the-week selections (if applicable) on the NAIA SIDHelp website.
Coordinate selection of the sport all-conference team (if applicable) and submit the All-Conference Team form for signature to the President in accordance with the NAIA deadline for each sport.
If the sport championship tournament is held at member institutions, the Sport Chair will:
Coordinate the playoff schedule and location.
Coordinate assignment of officials.
Arrange for a Tournament Director, Tournament Sports Information Director, and a committee, with the approval of the sport coaches and the Executive Committee.
Coordinate with the host member institution's Athletics Director regarding site preparation and contest support including webcasting (using DakStats system) (broadband Internet).
Complete and return to the Conference Commissioner for signature the NAIA All-Conference Team Form prior to its stated deadline. (This applies to all team sports. Normally, the Commissioner will send the form to you.)
Arrange for awards presentation to tournament champions, runner up, champion of character, and coach of the year, as applicable.
FAX or email the NAIA Conference Championship Results Form to the Conference Commissioner, Regional Chair, and the NAIA National Office within 48 hours of tournament completion. (Available on the NAIA website: http://naia.cstv.com/member-services/pubs/ChampionshipsForms.htm
If the tournament is held at a non-member institution's facility, the Sport Chair will:
Coordinate with the facility/agency regarding tournament dates and expectations including webcasting facilities (broadband Internet).
Submit for signature or counter-signature of the Commissioner all contracts for Conference sponsored contests (Article IV, 2).
Arrange for a Tournament Director, Tournament Sports Information Director, and a committee, with the approval of the sport coaches and the Executive Committee. If the Tournament Director is assigned by the host facility/agency, the tournament committee will assist the Director as needed.
Complete and return to the Conference Commissioner for signature the NAIA All-Conference Team Form prior to its stated deadline. (This applies to all team sports. Normally, the form will be sent to you by the Commissioner.)
Arrange for awards presentation to tournament champions, runner up, champion of character, and coach of the year, as applicable.
FAX or email the NAIA Conference Championship Results Form to the Conference Commissioner, Regional Chair, and the NAIA National Office within 48 hours of tournament completion. (Available on the NAIA website: http://naia.cstv.com/member-services/pubs/ChampionshipsForms.htm.)
The Conference Sports Information Director will be the primary point of contact between the Conference and the NAIA Sports Information Office. Specific duties will include:
1. Coordinate the timely reporting of scores, results and Players of the Week with member institution's SIDs
2. Make reports to the NAIA National Office of results, scores, and standings for volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, baseball and other sports as required by the NAIA
3. Maintain the Conference website up-to-date with current information and standings
4. Coordinate with Tournament SIDs to publicize conference tournaments.
A Tournament Sports Information Director will be responsible for coordinating media relations, press releases and reporting of scores and results to the Conference SID and the NAIA. The Tournament SID will normally be the host site SID unless the tournament is held at a neutral site. In that case, the Commissioner will appoint a Tournament SID from a nearby member institution.
Overview. Nominations for the Champion of Character Institutional Award and the Male and Female Individual Awards will be submitted by member institutions to the Chair of the Awards Nominating Committee by March 15. Nominations will be reviewed by the Committee and the top 2-3 nomination packages in each category will be sent to the member CEOs by April 10. CEOs may vote for one nominee in each category. All votes must be received by the Chair of the Awards Nominating Committee by May 1 to be considered. Award winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting in May.
