Brenau University Athletic Department

 

BRENAU UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT

Brenau University challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. As students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at Brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.

 

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT

Brenau University believes that intercollegiate athletics play a vital role in the mental, emotional, physical and social development and well-being of its students. The athletic department is dedicated to the total development of the student athlete. The university conscientiously supports sports for female scholar-athletes in an effort to provide opportunity, identity, discipline, status, honor, recruitment and retention of those seeking to reach their maximum potential. Our goal is to graduate scholar-athletes who become successful citizens in a highly competitive global society. In order to facilitate the achievement of this mission, Brenau University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and participates in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

 

The NAIA embraces the concept of the student and recognizes the importance of the individuality of each member institution, the value of the conference and the regional structure, and the benefits of membership in a national association.

educational program of that institution. This belief is strongly reflected in the governing documents, activities and organizational structure of the association.

Established in 1940 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball, the Association expanded to include other sports programs in 1952. The NAIA became the first intercollegiate sports governing body to provide championship opportunities for both men and women when the women's program was established September 1, 1980.

 

ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT

Brenau desires to accept students who are qualified for admission and who will benefit from academic and co-curricular experiences provided by the institution. It is Brenau's belief that applicants should possess the abilities, maturity and self-discipline to take advantage of and benefit from the opportunities provided. All prospective students are considered impartially on the basis of academic and personal qualifications and potential. Brenau University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion or national origin.

Students may be admitted to advanced standing on the basis of work completed at other regionally accredited colleges. Satisfactory enrollment and completion of course work at other institutions is evidence of a student's ability to do university-level work. Applicants for advanced standing shall submit an official, sealed transcript, and some applicants will be asked to submit a statement of good academic standing from each institution previously attended. A detailed explanation of the admission process may be found on the Brenau web site: www.brenau.edu.

 

ELIGIBILITY

All athletes must be certified as eligible to participate in accordance with all eligibility rules and regulations outlined in the NAIA bylaws. All eligibility information must be submitted to the SSAC eligibility chair prior to the team's first scrimmage/contest.

 

WHAT IS THE NAIA ELIGIBILITY CENTER?

The NAIA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the NAIA eligibility of first-time student-athletes.  Any student playing NAIA championship sports for the first time must meet the eligibility requirements. Students must have their eligibility determined by the NAIA Eligibility Center, and all NAIA schools are bound by the center's decisions.

 

WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER?

Every student interested in playing championship sports at NAIA colleges for the first time in fall 2011 or later needs to register and receive an eligibility determination. This applies to:

• High school seniors

• Current NAIA students who will play sports for the first time at an NAIA school*

 

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO REPRESENT A MEMBER INSTITUTION IN ANY MANNER (SCRIMMAGES, INTERCOLLEGIATE):

 

1.  YOU MUST, if an entering freshman, meet two of three entry level requirements:

 A.  An entering freshman is defined as a student who, upon becoming identified with an NAIA institution, has not been previously identified with an institution of higher learning for two semesters or three quarters (or equivalent).

B.  Achieve a minimum score of 18 on the ACT or 860 on the SAT. Tests must be taken on a national testing date (residual tests are not acceptable). Scores must be achieved on a single test. Achieve a minimum overall high school grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.

C.  Graduate in the top half of your high school graduating class. The ACT/SAT test must be taken on a national testing date and certified to the institution prior to the beginning of the term in which the student initially participates.

 

2.  YOU MUST be making normal progress toward a recognized baccalaureate degree and maintain the grade points required to remain a student in good standing, as defined by the institution you are attending.

 

3.  YOU MUST be enrolled in a minimum of 12 institutionally-approved or required credit hours at the time of participation. Should participation take place between terms, you must be identified with the institution the term immediately preceding the date of participation.

 

4.  YOU MUST, if a second-term freshman, have accumulated a minimum total of nine institutional or required credit hours BEFORE identification for the second term of attendance.

 

5.  YOU MUST have accumulated a minimum total of twenty-four (24) institutional or required credit hours the two immediately previous terms of attendance. Up to 12 institutional credit hours earned during the summer and/or non-term may be applied to meet the 24-hour rule, provided such credit is earned AFTER one of the two immediately previous terms of attendance.

 

6.  YOU MAY NOT count repeat courses previously passed in any term toward the 24 credit hour rule. In certain instances, repeat courses may count toward the 12 hour enrollment rule; see your athletic director or faculty athletics representative for more specific information.

 

7.  YOU MUST be eligible in your own conference.

 

8.  YOU MUST, if a transfer student from a four-year institution, have eligibility remaining at the institution from which you are transferring to be eligible for further intercollegiate competition.

 

9.  YOU MUST, if a transfer student having ever participated in intercollegiate athletics at a four-year institution, reside for 16 consecutive calendar weeks (112 calendar days), not including summer sessions, at the transferred institution before becoming eligible for intercollegiate competition in any sport in which you participated while attending the previous four-year institution.  Exceptions to the 16 calendar-weeks residency will be explained by the institution's faculty athletics representative.

 

10.  YOU MUST be within your first 10 semesters, 12 trimesters or 15 quarters of attendance as a regularly enrolled student. A term of attendance is any semester, trimester or quarter in which you enroll for nine or more institutional credit hours and attend any class. (Summer sessions are not included, but night school, extension or correspondence courses are applicable to this ruling.)

 

11.  YOU MUST, upon reaching junior academic standing as defined by the identified institution, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale as certified by the institutional registrar.

 

12.  YOU MUST, to participate the second season in a sport, have accumulated at least 24 semester/36 quarter institutional credit hours.

 

13.  YOU MUST, to participate the third season in a sport, have accumulated at least 48 semester/72 quarter institutional credit hours.

 

14.  YOU MUST, to participate the fourth season in a sport, have accumulated at least 72 semester/108 quarter institutional credit hours. These hours must include at least 48 semester/72 quarter hours in general education and/or your major field of study.

 

15.  YOU MAY NOT participate for more than four seasons in any one sport. A season of competition is defined as participation in one or more intercollegiate contests, whether as a freshman, junior varsity or varsity participant, or in any other athletic competition in which the institution, as such, is represented during a sport season. Should you participate for two different institutions in the same sport, in the same academic year (example: basketball or fall golf at a junior college and then transfer to an NAIA school and participate in basketball or spring golf), you shall be charged with a second season of competition in that sport unless you earned an associate degree at a junior college in the term immediately preceding the transfer.

 

16.  YOU MUST be an amateur, as defined by the NAIA, in the sport(s) in which you participate. See your athletic director or faculty athletic representative for all amateur regulations as printed in the NAIA Bylaws.

 

17.  YOU MUST, to participate the third and/or fourth season in a sport, have and maintain a total cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.

  

Hardships deal only with seasons of competition. A hardship request is a request for an exception to the season of competition regulation (see Item 15 above). Hardship requests will be considered only if the following criteria are met.

 

1.  The injury or illness is beyond the control of the student-athlete and/or coach and incapacitates the student-athlete from competing further during the season. Verification by an M.D. or D.O. is required.

 

2.  The athlete shall not have participated in more contests or dates than the Association's allowable number in any sport recognized by the NAIA during the school year. Contact a member institution for the number per sport. Participation after being examined by a physician and before receiving written medical clearance shall nullify hardship consideration.

 

If you were granted a hardship at a previous (non-NAIA) institution, the request must be resubmitted by an NAIA institution. Remember, athletes, as well as member institutions, are responsible for knowing and abiding by NAIA rules and regulations as outlined in the NAIA Official Handbook. Violations of any eligibility regulations by you, as an athlete, shall: Make you ineligible, resulting in your immediate withdrawal from intercollegiate competition in that sport for that season; find you charged with a season of competition and a term of attendance for participating; cause an investigation by the NAIA National Eligibility Committee that could charge you with a second season of participation or the loss of all future eligibility for playing while ineligible; disallow any honors, or consideration of such honors, awarded by the NAIA; and/or cause your institution to forfeit all contests in which you participated.

 

The material presented here is not to be construed as a complete listing of all rules and regulations of the NAIA but rather as a guide to assist athletes and institutional representatives in becoming more knowledgeable. All NAIA eligibility regulations are published in the NAIA Official Handbook. See your athletic director or faculty athletics representative for further information.

 

BRENAU UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC RULES AND TRAINING SUGGESTIONS (each coach will have his/her own specific rules)

 

1.  Refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances that are detrimental to good health and good athletic performance.

 

2.  Maintain good eating and sleeping habits in order to perform at your peak capability.

 

3.  Display the highest level of sportsmanship at all times, both on and off the field.

 

4.  Treat all teammates, coaching staff, administration, faculty, staff and fellow students with the utmost respect.

 

5.  Report to preseason in match condition and maintain an individual fitness schedule.

 

6.  Respect and care for all issued team equipment and return same in good condition immediately following the season.

 

7.  Manage time in such a way as to avoid conflicts with studies, athletic commitments and extracurricular activities.

 

8.  Be on time and attend all team meetings, practices and matches.

 

9.  Respect all coaching decisions and discuss any problems or conflicts with the coaching staff.

 

10.  Be on time and attend all classes and other general college commitments and responsibilities.

 

11.  Maintain the highest level of academic achievement possible.

 

NON-SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETE (WALK-ON) POLICY

1.  Talk with the head coach of the sport.

1. Gain permission from the coach to try out for membership on the team.
2. Sign appropriate waiver to try out for the team.
3. Arrange for a date and time with the coach for the try-out.
4. If the coach accepts the student onto the team, the student must make an appointment to see the athletic director.

 

2.  In the meeting with the athletic director, the following should take place.

1. If the prospective athlete is a transfer from another college/university, she must obtain a release from the athletic department of the school last attended.
2. Prior to the meeting, the prospective athlete should obtain a copy of her official transcript.
3. The athletic director will determine that the student meets the NAIA eligibility.
4. Sign the appropriate eligibility forms.
5. The prospective athlete must complete appropriate medical  history and public information forms.
6. Make an appointment for the physical examination.

 

3.  Return to the coach of the sport and check out appropriate equipment and begin practice.

 

CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY

All grades and evaluations earned by the student and issued by the faculty are based upon the quality of the student's overall academic performance both in and out of class. Students are expected to attend and participate in class regularly and to assume responsibility for meeting all requirements as specified in the course syllabus. Whenever possible, advance notice should be given to instructors when a student anticipates an absence. In all cases, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for making up missed work and to be prepared for class upon return.

 

No policy can cover every eventuality; however, the institution recognizes the following as acceptable and excusable reasons for missing class:

1.  Acute Illness/Injury

2.  Death in the Family/Personal Crisis

3.  Approved College-Sponsored Activity

4.  Major Religious Holiday

In cases of absences not meeting these criteria, it is the prerogative of the professor to exercise professional judgment in deciding whether or not tests, quizzes or other work may legitimately be made up.

 

Faculty members exercise their professional judgment in establishing attendance policies for their classes. These must be clearly stated in the course syllabus. However, there is a minimum attendance requirement for the Women's College. Students who miss more than 20 percent of the scheduled class sessions for whatever reason may be removed from the class with a failing grade due to non-attendance and non-participation. This policy does not operate automatically but may be activated only through written request from the faculty member to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 

When lack of attendance and/or participation detrimentally affects the student's quality of work or performance, the instructor is encouraged to notify the student, the academic advisor and the Vice President for Student Life in writing. The Office of Student Life also supervises an attendance intervention policy.

 

ATHLETIC INSURANCE

In order to play, each student-athlete must provide a copy - front and back - of her health insurance card. In the case of an injury sustained during practice or a sanctioned athletic event, The student-athlete's insurance policy will be considered primary and the claim must be filed promptly with the parent's insurance carrier. Each Athlete is required to sign Brenau University's Athletic Insurance Claim Procedures document. Brenau provides a policy through the Norton Agency to cover uninsured claims (excluding co-payments) and amounts applied to the deductible. The student-athlete must complete a claim form for this insurance coverage, which must be received by the insurance company within 90 days of the injury. Brenau also provides catastrophic insurance for all athletes for injuries in which expenses exceed $25,000.00. This coverage has a lifetime maximum benefit of $5,000,000.00 per student-athlete.

 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

Pre-participation physical examinations will be provided by Brenau University. Students not wishing to participate in these examinations may have a physical examination, at their own expense, by a licensed physician. Documentation must be secured from the physician indicating that the student is physically fit to participate in the specific sport.

 

TRANSPORTATION

All athletes must ride to and from athletic contests in the university van with other members of the team. An exception to this policy will require a signed waiver from the team coach and the athletic director. A student worker or assistant coach may request exemption from the business office.

 

MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION

The members of the athletic conference are colleges and universities in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina which offer a minimum of four years of academic work, award a bachelor's degree, are active members of the NAIA and are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Institutions meeting the above minimal requirements may be considered for membership subject to the review and inspection by the Conference Membership Committee, and a favorable two-thirds vote of the Board of Presidents. Membership may be cancelled for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Presidents.

 

SSAC MEMBER INSTITUTIONS

Auburn University at Montgomery (AL)

Belhaven University (MS)

Brenau University (GA)

Brewton-Parker College (GA)

Emmanuel College (GA)

Faulkner University (AL)

Lee University (TN)

Loyola University (LA)

Shorter University (GA)

Southern Polytechnic University (GA)

Southern Wesleyan University (SC)

Spring Hill College (AL)

Truett-McConnell College (GA)

University of Mobile (AL)

William Carey College (MS)

 

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Brenau University awards scholarships in the senior year of high school to the prospective athlete given she meets the eligibility criteria of both the NAIA and Brenau University admissions office. The contract between the university and the student-athlete must be signed by the student, coach and athletic director.

 

POST-SEASON PLAY

Each coach is responsible, in cooperation with the Brenau University Athletic Department, for filing the necessary paperwork with the SSAC officials to qualify for post-season play. All official rules governing post-season play are listed in the CAA section XI of the NAIA Policy Handbook. Coaches' Association modifications to the official rules, where applicable, are outlined in the respective coaches' handbook.

 

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Coaches do not permit the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances by participants, game administrators or game officials during all NAIA sanctioned competition or practices for such competition. The institution athletic department shall enforce this policy through the following steps: On the first offense, a warning shall be given; on the second offense, a mandatory expulsion will occur. Member institutions are strongly encouraged to adopt this policy for all regular season practices and competitions.

 

STUDENT ATHLETE ARBITRATION BOARD

Any formal grievance which cannot be resolved between the student-athlete, coach or athletic director may be directed to the Faculty Athletic Representative. All grievances to the committee must be filed in writing. The Faculty Athletic Representative will set up an appropriate committee to review the grievance and issue a ruling. The findings of the committee are final.