Campus Visits
What constitutes an unofficial visit?
An unofficial visit is any visit to the institution’s campus not paid for by the institution. A prospective student athlete can visit the institution’s campus as many times as they want at their own expense. An athletics department staff member may arrange for academic interviews if the prospective student athlete chooses to participate. Complimentary admissions to a home athletics event may be provided to the prospective student athlete and those accompanying her as long as they are in general seating and not for any post season or NCAA championship event.
What constitutes an official visit?
An official visit is any visit to the institution’s campus paid for by the institution. A prospective student athlete is permitted only one official visit to the institution’s campus. A prospective student athlete cannot be provided with an official visit earlier than January 1 of their junior year in high school. The student cannot stay on the institution’s campus for more than 48 hours beginning when they first arrive on campus. Lodging will be provided to the student athlete and meals will be given in accord with the rest of the student body. Non-excessive entertainment may be provided in the community surrounding the institution’s campus, including complimentary admissions to a home athletics event for the prospective student and those accompanying her as long as they are in general seating and not for any post season or NCAA championship event. The prospective student athlete may be provided with a student host for the length of the official visit.
Playing Season
How many seasons of participation am I allowed?
All student athletes are allowed four seasons of participation during the first 10 semesters of their college career.
What counts as a season of participation?
A season of participation is deemed used if the student athlete participates in any practice or competition during or after the first contest in the traditional or nontraditional segment while the athlete is enrolled in that academic year. A season of eligibility can still be used even when the student athlete is not enrolled in a full time program if that student athlete represents the school in intercollegiate athletics.
Outside Competition
A student athlete is ineligible until such time that they are reinstated by the Committee on Student Athlete Reinstatement if they participate as a member of any outside, non-collegiate amateur competition. The exception to this rule is that a student athlete may participate in outside competition between the separate and fall seasons.
Amateur Status
Sponsorship
No student athlete can receive any compensation or any product from a sponsor. This prohibition applies to any sport that the student athlete plays even if Simmons does not sponsor that sport.
Scholarships and Participation Pay
Division III athletes cannot be awarded any scholarship or compensation based on athletic ability this includes any participation for pay in any sport and will result in immediate ineligibility. Participation for pay can occur before initial, full-time enrollment at a college in certain circumstances. For more specific information regarding allowable instances of participation for play and how this may apply to you, please refer to your coach and the Athletic Department.
Gambling The NCAA prohibits all forms of gambling, whether legal or illegal. This includes any form of sports wagering or fantasy teams, including any participation in March Madness.
For more information, please visit Don’t Bet On It
International Student-Athlete
Am I considered an international athlete?
The NCAA Division III legislation defines an international student as someone who attended a secondary or post-secondary school outside of the US, has a permanent residence outside of the US, OR has participated in athletics outside of the US (excludes participation on US teams that travel internationally for competition).
If I am an international student, what do I need to complete?
You will need to register an ‘Amateurism-Only Certification Account’ with the NCAA Eligibility Center.