March 2009
TIP OF THE MONTH
FOR
COMPLIANCE
Championship Travel
Many teams will be competing in post-season events during spring break and toward the end of the school year and into the summer, so below are some commonly asked questions with updates in the legislation that changed over the past year. Congratulations and best of luck to all the teams around the Ivy League that will be competing in NCAA and other championships this spring.
1. Do the Ivy League squad limits apply?
a. NO, not for NCAA championships, ECAC Hockey playoffs, Eastern wrestling championships or other Non-Ivy championship events. These organizations may have travel party restrictions of their own, so coaches should always check with their sport administrator. Ivy Limits do apply for Ivy League conference tournaments even for the host institution.
2. When may we leave for a NCAA championship?
a. Per Bylaw 16.8.1.2.1.1 the 48-hour rule does not apply to NCAA championships, or NGB championships in emerging sports. So there is not an NCAA restriction on how early you may leave for the championship, but remind coaches if you have institutional policies in place.
3. When may a team leave for a conference championship?
a. NEW – Per Bylaw 16.8.1.2.1.2 the Ivy League may grant waivers for the 48-hour travel restriction for conference championships for extraordinary extenuating circumstances associated with travel prior to a conference championship.
4. When must we return, or if student-athletes do not return with the team what are the restrictions?
a. The general rule is that competitors must depart the competition site within 36 hours of the last contest. NEW – based on proposal 2008-44 (adopted in January and effective immediately) -the 36-hour rule for return does not apply to championship events during institutional vacation periods. However, there is no such rule for returning from NCAA championships that occur during the academic year while classes are in session.
b. In terms of travel that may be provided: Per bylaw 16.8.1.5 if a student-athlete does not use team transportation. The institution may provide (in lieu of team transportation) the greater of the transportation costs for the student-athlete to travel from:
i. Campus to the event site and back to campus; Campus to the student-athlete's home and back to campus; or The student-athlete's home to the event site and back home.
5. May we stay in a hotel before a home conference championship or national championship contest played in our area?
a. You may NOT stay in a hotel if the Ivy conference championship will be at your institution or in your locale. You may stay at a hotel for a NCAA Championship that is in your town if institutional policy allows.