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The Bylaws of the Red River Athletic Conference ARTICLE I SUGGESTED ORDER OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BUSINESS Section 1. Order of Business
ARTICLE II ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS Section 1. The minimum rules of eligibility for a participant in the Conference shall be those of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as defined by the applicable edition of the NAIA Official Handbook. Section 2. No person shall be allowed to represent any member of this Conference in any sport who is not an amateur in that sport and eligible to compete according to the constitution, bylaws, and rules of this Conference and the NAIA. Section 3. Transfers of eligible athletes from one institution to another within the RRAC may occur with written approval from both institutions’ ADs and Presidents. Written documentation must be submitted to the Conference Commissioner. ARTICLE III TRANSFER RULE Section 1. A student who has participated in intercollegiate athletics on a team of a member of the Conference and who chooses to transfer to another Conference institution will not be eligible for one calendar year from date of withdrawal from the previous institution. The Presidents involved will make a final decision on all exceptions submitted by Conference members through the Commissioner’s office. Section 2. A student enrolling in a college or university who then transfers to a Conference institution must be eligible under the NAIA transfer rule, provided the academic requirements of the Conference have been fulfilled. ARTICLE IV SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS Section 1. No person shall be permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics that has not fulfilled the following conditions: 1. Meets the entrance requirements listed by the respective institution, carrying at least twelve (12) semester hours of regular class work during the semester of participation. Institutions that are on the quarter calendar, these students must carry at least (8) semester hours of regular class work during the quarter of participation. EXCEPTION: graduating seniors will be governed under NAIA rule. 2. Meets the institution’s definition of good standing, as it pertains to participation in athletics. Each institution’s definition of good standing shall be on file with the Commissioner. 3. Section 2. A maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of scholastic work done after one of the two previous long semesters shall count in establishing eligibility for the coming semester. Section 2. Transfer students must meet the above scholastic requirements, and have a GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. ARTICLE V ATHLETIC GRANTS / FINANCIAL AID Section 1. Assignment of scholarships, grants-in-aid, or student loans shall be controlled by the by the Financial Aid Office through the regularly constituted committee on student loans and scholarships. Section 2. The scholarship unit shall equal tuition, room/board, books, and fees as published in the institution’s catalog. Section 3. Each institution’s division (men’s and women’s) and each sport shall have the following minimum and maximum units.
Section 4. Maximum scholarship grant money from all sources, institutional or otherwise, will be limited to the published cost of room, board, tuition, books, and fees. Section 5. Student who is receiving an athletic grant in a non-conference sport and who also competes in a conference sport shall follow the NAIA policy. Section 6. Non-athletic institutional grant money awarded to an individual athlete on the basis of academic, financial need or for other specified reasons shall follow the NAIA policy. Section 7. A student may not receive an amount of aid from all sources, institutionally controlled or otherwise, that is in excess of that institution’s financial aid budget (cost of attendance). When a student receives non-institutionally controlled funds, aid packages may have to be adjusted to ensure that the total amount of aid is not higher than the cost of attendance. Section 8. Only the following recruiting expenses shall be permissible: 1. Overnight accommodations in the school residence halls unless space is unavailable. 2. Meals in the school dining hall, except when that dining hall is closed. Transportation costs not to exceed cost of airfare or other best mode of travel. Section 9: Recruitment 1. Recruitment of an Enrolled Student-Athlete If, during the school year or summer vacation period, the Athletics Director, Faculty Athletics Representative, or Coach of a member institution is contacted or becomes aware of contact by an athlete who enrolled at another institution of higher learning (two-year or four-year), it shall be the responsibility of the contacted institution (Athletics Director or Faculty Athletics Representative) to notify in writing the institution (Athletic Director or Faculty Athletics Representative) where the athlete is presently enrolled within 10 days following the first contact. A coach or another representative of a member institution shall not initiate contact with an athlete who has enrolled at another institution. A coach or another representative of a member institution may respond to a contact by an athlete only after the enrolled athlete’s institution (Athletic Director or Faculty Athletics Representative) has been notified as prescribed above. 1. Recruitment of a Non-Enrolled Student A coach or another representative of a member institution shall not contact an athlete who has drawn equipment and is engaged in organized pre-school practice at another institution. 2. Violation of any part of the NAIA recruitment policy shall cause an immediate investigation by the National Conduct and Ethics Committee for appropriate action. ARTICLE VI GUARANTEES Section 1. Athletic contests between member institutions will be without guarantees. Section 2. Meals and lodging may be exchanged at the option of member colleges. Section 3. Where weather conditions cause the cancellation of a game and the visiting team is not notified before leaving to participate, the game is to be made up or some satisfactory agreement is reached with the visiting team to play within 72 hours. The conference office must be notified immediately. ARTICLE VII ACADEMIC AWARDS Section 1. Academic All-Conference Awards shall be awarded in each conference sport for athletes maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the conclusion of each fall semester. Players become eligible by: 1. Maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA as a full-time student for at least one previous semester (quarter) with at least one semester (quarter) of attendance being at the awarding school. 2. Playing on the team, being in good standing athletically, and making a positive contribution to the athletic program. Those players eligible for the award will be approved by the coach of their respective sport, prior to the award being given. A roster with the individuals’ names will be submitted to the Conference office by March 15 of each year, so the awards can be given to each school prior to their sports banquet. Section 2. Awards will be presented to the Conference champion in basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, cross county, track and field and softball. Multiple awards shall be made in case of a tie, and in accordance with the NAIA. Section 3. The Red River Athletic Conference All-Academic Sport Award will be awarded to the school that has the highest GPA for all varsity athletes that participate in the Red River Athletic Conference athletic contests. The GPA used will be from the academic term just completed. The calculations will be based on the quality points earned divided by hours attempted. The award will be presented at the fall conference meeting. Section 4. Sportsmanship trophies shall be awarded each year for both men’s and women’s sports to Conference schools based upon a vote of the Conference Athletic Directors. ARTICLE VIII CHAMPIONSHIPS Section 1. To comply with NAIA affiliated contest rules, all conference members must hold NAIA Division 1 status. Section 2. All teams that participate will follow the guidelines approved by the coaches, athletic directors, faculty athletic representatives and the Council of Presidents. Section 3. Any new member that does not field a team in a minimum of six conference sports, three men’s and women’s and at least one men’s and women’s sport in each season, (fall, winter and spring) shall be at a minimum placed on probation for the following year and shall not be eligible for championships during the probationary period. The Eligibility Committee will review each case and make recommendations to the Presidents for approval. Section 4. The policy for determining the sport championship within the Red River Athletic Conference is based on the concept that the team(s) with the best conference record should be recognized as the conference champion. In the case of ties, all teams will be recognized as co-champions. Each sport will have guide lines to determine ties and seeding. In some cases, where there is a conference tournament, the winner of the tournament will be the team or teams that advance to the next level of competition. Section 5. Championships This Conference shall award championships in the sports in which there are four or more schools participating and there is championship play. The Conference will purchase trophies or plaques suitable for the aforesaid championships. Section 6. Coach of the Year Award Each Athletic Director will vote on Coach of the Year for Conference sports. Each will submit his/her first three choices, with five (5) points being awarded for first, three (3) points for second and one (1) point for third. Section 7. All-Conference Teams The Commissioner shall notify the coaches of the time and place for the selection of the All-Conference teams each year. Suitable awards may be provided to the individuals selected. Section 8. Scholar-Athlete Awards At the regular spring meeting, each Faculty Representative of a member institution shall submit to the Conference Commissioner the name, transcript, and grade point average (verified by the registrar) of the graduating senior male and female who have earned at least two letters in any RRAC sport, and who are, in his/her opinion, the outstanding scholar-athletes at his or her institution. The grade point average is to be based on seven (7) semesters. Appropriate awards and recognition will be given to the scholar athletes. Section 9. All Sports Trophy The RRAC will award an All Sports trophy or plaque. Only sports that have four or more institutions participating will be eligible for the awards. The top five teams in each sport will be allotted points on a 10-8-6-4-2 basis, using the conference tournament results in most cases. If teams tie, as in the case of basketball, they each get 10 points for first, 8 for runners-up, and 6 for both of the teams that lost in the semifinals. A tie in outdoor track will receive 10 points for first and 6 points for third. Softball and soccer are figured on the final regular season standings for points. Non-participants will receive no points. The RRAC institution compiling the most points will receive an appropriate award. Section 10. The Conference shall also recognize those individuals that represent the Conference seeking one of the NAIA national awards with either a plaque or certificate stating that they are the Conference’s representative. These awards include: a. A. O. Duer Award, scholar/athlete award and the athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and be a junior. The winner to represent the Conference will be chosen by a special committee appointed by the eligibility committee chair. b. Emil Listen Award, scholar/athlete award and the athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and be a junior and participate in the sport of basketball. The winner to represent the conference will be chosen by a special committee appointed by the eligibility committee chair. c. Athletic Director of the Year Award, selected by the Council of Athletic Directors, NAIA. d. Leroy Walker Sportsmanship Award, awarded to both a male and female athlete demonstrating excellence in the five core values of the Champion of Character initiative of the NAIA. The winner to represent the conference will be selected by a special committee appointed by the eligibility chair. c. Wally Schwartz Award Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year, awarded to the outstanding Faculty Athletics Representative by the NAIA. The winner to represent the conference will be selected by a special committee appointed by the eligibility chair. d. Hall of Fame, awarded for outstanding achievement and meritorious service to the NAIA. (In the event of more than one applicant is submitted by the conference, the conference representative will be selected by a special committee appointed by the Eligibility Chair.) Applicants are first nominated from the conference, advance beyond the region and selected from a pool from all the regions. ARTICLE IX ELIGIBILITY FORMS Section 1. Eligibility forms shall be signed and approved by the faculty athletics representative, athletic director, coach of sport and registrar of each institution and shall be submitted to the appropriate NAIA Eligibility Chairperson prior to the first scrimmage or game, which ever is first. This will be done for each sport. Forms may be faxed or mailed. Section 2. The Commissioner shall keep a list of all athletes who participate as representatives of the Red River Athletic Conference colleges and universities. ARTICLE X INFRACTIONS AND PENALTIES Section 1. Enforcement Policy The Eligibility Committee of the Conference shall have the power to enforce the provisions of the constitution, bylaws, and all other policies. Upon notification of a possible violation, the Conference Eligibility Chair will gather the pertinent data and invite the President, or designate, of the institution involved to present its case. The Eligibility Committee will render a decision by a simple majority vote and make a recommendation to the National Eligibility Committee. The Eligibility Chair will be responsible for sending all cases pertaining to violations and appeals to a standard rule, including the recommendation from the Eligibility Committee, to the Legislative Services Liaison at the NAIA office. A decision on the case will be made by the National Eligibility Committee and the national office will notify the institution of its decision. An appeal can be made to the NEC where there is additional information or some other extenuating circumstance. Section 2. Notification of Penalties and Intention to Appeal. The Conference Commissioner or the Eligibility Chair shall notify the President of the institution involved, in writing, of the Committee’s decision. The president of the institution may appeal the decision in writing. Final dissemination of the case will be sent to the involved parties from the NAIA office. Section 3. Conference Enforcement Policy. The Commissioner shall have the power to enforce all other rules and policies pertaining to the conference under the direction of the Presidents. Section 4. Conference Penalties. Should a member institution violate a rule or policy of the conference, it shall be liable for any or all of the following penalties: a. Censure by the Conference. b. Be declared ineligible for conference championship in general or in the specific sport where violation occurred for a maximum of two years. c. Be declared ineligible for post-season competition as the representative of the Conference for a maximum of two years. d. Ineligibility of the institution’s athletes and coaches within the delinquent sport(s) for conference awards. e. Suspension for a maximum of two years. f. Expulsion from the conference. Section 5. The Presidents will have the final say on all Conference rule violations. They will have the power to impose financial sanctions and penalties that they deem appropriate. Conference rule violations are not to be confused with eligibility violations of the NAIA. Section 6. The Conference Sports Information Director shall notify any institution failing to report statistics in any RRAC sport. 1st week of missed statistics reporting, written notification will go to the President, Athletic Director, Head Coach and Sports Information Director and shall appear on the RRAC Web Page, naming the institution, coach, SID and the sport. 2nd week of missed statistics reporting, a letter shall be sent to the President that the Conference recommends that the coach be suspended for the following conference game. Notification shall appear on the RRAC Web Page naming the institution, coach, SID and sport. 3rd week of missed statistics reporting, the penalty is the suspension of the coach for the second conference game. Notification shall appear on the RRAC Web Page naming the institution, coach, SID and sport. Section 7. No athlete or coach shall receive any type of honors or awards for the week, from an institution that has not reported game statistics for that week. Section 8. Canceling a game (divisional or crossover) in any RRAC sport will be made only by negotiations between the presidents or their designate between the institutions involved. The Commissioner must receive immediate notification of the status of the negotiations. -RRAC-
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