Onondaga Community College’s Intercollegiate Club Sport Policies and Procedures 

And the Requirements to be an Official, Recognized Intercollegiate Club Sport at Onondaga Community College

The decision to sponsor and recognize club sports at Onondaga Community College is at the discretion of the Director of Athletics, Vice President of College Affiliated Enterprises and the President of the College.  Students may petition for a club sport to be recognized by follow the process outlined in bullet 2 below.

1. Intercollegiate sport clubs will be under the administrative umbrella of Onondaga Community College Association Incorporated and operate within the Department of Athletics’ and be governed by these set policies and procedures.  All other, non-intercollegiate sport club activities will be operated by the Onondaga Community College Association and governed by their separate policies, rules and procedures. 
2. Proposals to add a club sport must be made in writing to the Director of Athletics and include a rationale for the addition, a petition signed by students that include student ID numbers who wish to join and be active participants in the club, and proposed budget.  Proposals must be received at least 3 months prior to desired active status date.
   • Petition must have at least the number of signatures needed to complete a roster.  A full, complete, roster is 25 for ice hockey, 40 for football and 15 for competitive cheerleading.
   • An information meeting must be held following delivery and acceptance of the signed petition with the Director of Athletics and other members of the College’s administration.  80% of those who signed the roster must be in attendance at that meeting for the proposal to advance through the recognition process. 
3. College affiliated enterprise, Onondaga Community College Association will make funds available as seed money for the first full year that a club exists while the coach and club leadership develop and execute fundraising activities for future seasons.

 
Only Onondaga Community College students are eligible for participation on an intercollegiate club sports team         

1. Said students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours while participating in club sports intercollegiate competition.
2. Said students must join the Southwest YMCA in order to have full access to the SRC Arena and surrounding athletic facilities. All Onondaga students are eligible for a membership at the Southwest YMCA as part of the Recreation and Wellness fee.   

 
Participating Intercollegiate Club Sport students must adhere to:

• Applicable federal, state and local law
• Onondaga Community College Policy N5 Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures
• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA – where applicable)
• Athletic Department procedures, rules and regulations
• Onondaga Enterprise Inc. procedures, rules and regulations
• Team rules and coaching instructions

Each individual involved in intercollegiate athletics is obligated to know and act in full compliance with these requirements; and to report any violation of rules of which he or she is aware to his or her Head Coach or the Director of Athletics.

If a student-athlete is involved in conduct that violates any or all of these requirements, he or she will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action to be determined at the discretion of the team’s Head Coach and/or the Director of Athletics (or a designee). Such disciplinary action may include, without limitation, temporary or permanent revocation of athletic privileges, and is in addition to any other consequences that may apply pursuant to applicable College policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

All applicable NJCAA eligibility rules for NJCAA sponsored club sports must be followed including, but not limited to:

• Students are limited to two season of eligibly in NJCAA sponsored club sports
• The Director of Athletics will submit the NJCAA Club Declaration Form to the National Office prior to the first scheduled contest along with a copy of the club’s roster and game schedule
• Students participating in a club sport are not eligible for NJCAA postseason play.

 
All applicable club sport league rules, policies and regulations must be adhered to.  Club Ice Hockey must meet and follow all Upstate New York Club Hockey (UNYCH) and American Club Hockey Association (ACHA) rules, policies and regulations, or the official league that Onondaga Community College chooses to be affiliated with; Club Football must meet and follow all Yankee Collegiate Football Conference rules, polices and regulations, or the official league or conference that Onondaga Community College chooses to be affiliated with. 

Club Sport Coaches are responsible for maintaining an up-to-date roster.  The Director of Athletics will check enrollment status prior to the first competition.  The Registrar’s Office will run daily reports ensuring active, minimum enrollment standards are met while the team is competing.

Club Sport student participants are required to perform 1 community service project per semester.  Proposed projects or plans must be made in writing to the Club Sport Coach and Director of Athletics for approval. 
 
Students must review and sign the official OCCA Club Sport medical, transportation and liability waiver before being allowed to participate in club sport activities.  Students must also show proof of primary health care insurance and present copies of the front and back of their insurance card to the Club Sport Head Coach. 

• Club sport student-athletes do not have access to the Athletic Training room or regular athletic training services.  Athletic Trainers will be supplied for home contests only.