Missouri Valley College is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Association (NAIA) and the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).

Basic NAIA eligibility requirements:

• New freshmen must achieve 2 out of 3 of the following standards: 18 on the National ACT or 860 on the National SAT; 2.0 high school grade point average; top half of high school graduating class.
• To compete in a second season of competition the student must have earned 24 hours in the last two full time terms of attendance.
• To compete in a third season of competition the student must have earned 24 hours in the last two full time terms of attendance; have a minimum grade point average of 2.0; and earned 48 hours toward a degree.
• To compete in a fourth season of competition the student must have earned 24 hours in the last two full time terms of attendance; have a minimum grade point average of 2.0; and earned 72 hours toward a degree.
• A student has 10 semesters to complete 4 seasons of competition.
• A maximum of 12 hours can be earned in a non-term and count in the 24 hour rule.

The rules listed above are only the basic rules and in no way the can all eligibility determinations be made by these rules alone. Specific eligibility concerns should be directed to the head coach, athletic director or Registrar. For detailed information see: www.naia.org
At least two weeks prior to the first competition the head coach should provide an alphabetical list of student athletes indicating previous season of competition to the Registrar. Prior to submitting the list the head coach should make every effort to determine eligibility first. Ineligible athletes should not be submitted. The head coach should also make every effort to ensure that all required paperwork is on campus prior to submitting the list (transfer release forms, final high school transcripts, final official college transcripts (including dual credit), and test scores.

The Registrar inputs the student academic information into the NAIA Eligibility Certification Program and runs the following reports:

Certificate of Clearance - the head coach will obtain student signatures and return to the Registrar.

• Eligibility Certification Form - to be signed by the Faculty Athletic Representative, Athletic Director, Head Coach and Registrar.
• Freshman Eligibility Form - to be signed by the Faculty Athletic Representative and Registrar.
• Transfer Student Statements - the Head Coach will have all transfer students meet with the Registrar. In cases where there is a large number of transfer students the Registrar will hold a meeting to complete the forms in a group.

When all reports are complete and signed the Registrar makes copies for the Athletic Director, Head Coach, and File. The original is mailed to the HAAC Eligibility Chair: Dr. Phyllis O’Daniels, Graceland University, One University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140.

Team

Eligibiltiy submitted during Fall Semester

Eligibility submitted during Spring Semester

Football	X
Baseball		X
Track & Field - Indoor	X	X
Track & Field - Outdoor		X
Cross Country	X
Basketball(Men &Women)	X	X
Soccer(Men & Women)	X
Volleyball(Women)	X
Volleyball(Men)		X*
Softball		X
Wrestling(Men)	X	X
Wrestling(Women)	X(on campus only)	X(on campus only)
Cheerleading	X(on campus only)	X(on campus only)
Dance	X(on campus only)	X(on campus only)
Golf(Men & Women)	X	X
Tennis(Men & Women)	X	X

*Men’s Volleyball is not a NAIA sanctioned sport, but is in the application process and following NAIA rules. However, the reports are not sent to the eligibility chair. During the 2002-2003 season eligibility reports were sent to the Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Park University.

The MVC Academic Services Committee approved the following policy:

“Participation in all college activities is based on NAIA eligibility standards, a student not meeting these requirements will not be permitted to participate as a representative of Missouri Valley College.”

Therefore, while Women’s Wrestling, Cheerleading, and Dance are not NAIA sports, the eligibility forms must be completed and provided to the MVC Athletic Director.

Rodeo is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Official transcripts are sent to NIRA every semester and they determine eligibility. NIRA rules are very different from NAIA and rodeo athletes should not be considered under the AIC policy above. Copies of the NIRA eligibility standards are available in the MVC Rodeo Office and Registrar’s Office.