Events and Leagues
1. What deadlines does an operator need to be aware of?
The application must be submitted no later than 45 days prior to the first date of certification of the activity. If event certification is granted, an event operator must submit the event review form no later than three months after the last date of certification of the event. The specific date is identified in the event's approval letter.
2. What is the difference between a league and an event?
For NCAA certification purposes, a league is a competition that involves Division I student-athletes. An event is a competition that occurs during the July evaluation period that NCAA Division I coaches attend to observe prospective student-athletes (high-school and/or two-year college student-athletes).
3. Does an individual who has graduated from high school and is committed to a Division I institution count as a prospective student-athlete or a Division I student-athlete?
Until an individual enrolls at and attends a four-year institution full time, he or she continues to be classified as a prospective student-athlete. Therefore, league certification is not necessary and the individual should not be included in the "Number from Any One College" requirement.
4. If the same operator conducts multiple events/leagues, is it permissible to combine them into one application?
An activity can be classified as both an event and a league allowing both the participation of Division I student-athlete and he atten
5. Can a summer league that runs all summer also receive event certification?
Yes. The online application will ask an operator the question for both certification if both Division I student-athletes and the desire for Division I coaches is requested. EVENT certification will only be granted for that portion of the league during the permissible recruiting periods.
6. When does the Event Review Form have to be submitted?
The Event Review Form must be submitted within three months from the last date of certification for the event. The specific date is identified in the event's approval letter.
7. What happens if an operator chooses not to apply for certification or if certification is denied?
If an event is not certified by the NCAA, the event may still be conducted, but Division I coaches will not be permitted to attend. If a league is not certified by the NCAA, the league may still be conducted, but Division I student-athletes will not be allowed to participate.
8. What are the permissible time periods for Division I basketball coaches to evaluate prospective student-athletes at noninstitutional events during the summer evaluation period?
Coaches may evaluate prospects at NCAA-certified summer events only during the time periods of July 6-15 and July 22-31.
9. What is the rule regarding contacts by Division I basketball coaches at NCAA-certified summer basketball events?
NCAA rules prohibit NCAA Division I men's basketball coaches from having contact with a prospect, the prospect's relatives or legal guardians, the prospect's coaches, and/or any individual associated with the prospect as a result of the prospect's participation in basketball from the time the team reports for travel to the competition until the team has completed travel home from the competition and released. NCAA rules prohibit NCAA Division I women's basketball coaches from having any type of communication with these individuals during the entire July evaluation period.
10. What does an operator need to do if the date or location of the activity must be changed after receiving certification?
NCAA certification is granted based on the specific information submitted on the application. A failure to update information (e.g., cancellations, date and time of educational session, schedule changes, site location) in the Basketball Certification Online System no later than 48 hours prior to the activity will result in a denial of future or withdrawal of current certification.
11. Can an operator use the NCAA name or brand in the name of my event or the NCAA logo in my activity flyers?
No. It is not permissible to use the NCAA name or brand in association with the activity.
12. Can an operator provide team coaches or participants with gifts or mementos as a thank you for their participation in the activity?
The only complimentary item that a participant or coach is allowed to retain after an activity is a T-shirt. The participant or coach must pay the normal retail value for any other items acquired during an activity.
13. What type of awards may an operator provide to participants?
Many operators provide awards during events (e.g., to the team that wins a tournament, to the best offensive or defensive player, etc.). Such awards may be trophies, medals or plaques, or the award may be a T-shirt. A T-shirt may be provided as a prize in addition to the complimentary T-shirt that may be provided to all prospects participating in the event. Items of apparel other than a short- or long-sleeved T-shirt (e.g., sweatshirts, jackets, jerseys, shoes) and equipment (e.g., basketballs) may not be provided as prizes. Note: If league participants (Division I student-athletes) do not directly pay an entry fee, no awards may be provided. Awards cannot be donated.
14. Who has to complete the NCAA Coaches' Approval Process?
All individuals (including high school, junior college and preparatory school coaches)who engage in coaching activities at an NCAA-certified men's summer basketball event must be approved through the NCAA Coaches' Approval Program prior to participation in the event. Only NCAA-approved coaches should be allowed to sit on the team bench.
15. If a high-school coach has been certified by his state high school association or another entity, does he meet the requirements of NCAA coaches' approval?
No. Because the high school and junior college associations in all 50 states are not consistent in their background check requirements, all individuals, regardless of status or employment, must be approved through the NCAA coaches' approval process prior to participation in an NCAA-certified men's summer event.
16. Is the event operator required to verify that all coaches have been approved?
Yes. It is the event operator's responsibility to verify that all individuals involved in coaching activities are approved through the NCAA coaches' approval process prior to participation. Failure to verify that a coach has already been confirmed as approved by the certification staff or that the coach appears on the LexisNexis list or approved coaches prior to participation will result in a denial of future certification.
17. What is the NCAA Coaches' Approval Process?
The approval process consists of an application, a criminal background verification, an authorization for release of information and an NCAA rules education component. The entire process must be completed online and can be accessed on the NCAA Web. The approval is valid for a period of two years from the date the approval is issued. The two years is applied as the year in which it was received and the following year, not a literal two-years to the date.
Leagues Only
18. What is the permissible time period for Division I athletes to participate in an NCAA-certified summer league?
A currently enrolled Division I student-athlete with remaining eligibility may participate in an NCAA-certified summer league only on certified dates between June 15 and August 31 or the institution's opening day of classes (whichever occurs earlier). League operators are expected to identify the opening day of classes for each Division I student-athlete competing in the league to ensure compliance with the time restrictions.
Note: Division I student-athletes are prohibited from engaging in any form of organized activity prior to the first date of certification for the league.
19. Does an operator have to contact a Division I student-athlete's institution?
An operator must receive written permission from the appropriate director of athletics or the director's official representative for each Division I student-athlete prior to that athlete's participation in the league. An operator may obtain this document either from the student-athlete or the institution.
20. Can a league charge the public admission to watch league play?
No admission can be charged for any game, and no fee can be charged for parking.
21. Can the league have a raffle?
No revenue can be generated from raffles, drawings or similar activities.
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Use these links to return to helpful pages:
** Basketball Certification Web Page ** BBCS Online System (application, review form, team registration) ** Online Help **
** LexisNexis Coaches' Approval Process ** List of Approved Coaches **
Home Pages: ** Summer Event Operator ** Summer League Operators ** Academic Year Operators ** Team Coaches **
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