An outside team is any team that does not represent William and Mary intercollegiate athletics program or a team that includes individuals other than eligible William and Mary student-athletes (e.g. intramural teams with members of the general student body, members of a coaching staff, ineligible or exhausted eligibility student-athletes, members of the faculty).
Outside competition is any competitive athletic event in which the student-athlete represents him or herself; or a group, organization or team other than the William and Mary intercollegiate program.
Outside Competition, Sports Other Than Basketball. A student-athlete who participates during the academic year (August through May) as a member of any outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition in that sport for the remainder of the academic year and for the entire next academic year or until otherwise restored prior to that time by the NCAA. A student-athlete is permitted to practice on such a team.
Exception: A student-athlete may compete as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition provided all of the following conditions are met:
- Competition occurs outside of the team's declared playing and practice season (see Compliance Office for official dates); and
- Competition occurs during any official William and Mary vacation period (e.g. Fall Break, Winter Break); and
- Prior permission is received by the athletics department administration (Athletics Director or his designee). Contact the Compliance Office for more information.
Outside Competition, Basketball. A student-athlete who participates in organized basketball competition except while representing William and Mary in intercollegiate competition in accordance with NCAA permissible playing and practice season becomes ineligible for any further intercollegiate competition in the sport of basketball. Contact the Compliance Office for information on summer league participation and select exceptions.
Competition as an Individual/Not Representing the Institution. It is permissible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete's sport, provide the student-athlete represents only him or herself in the competition, does not receive expenses from the institution or from any outside team or organization, except as otherwise permitted by NCAA regulations, and does not wear institutional issued practice or competition apparel.
Exempt Teams. In the individual sports, such units as "pro-am" golf teams, doubles tennis teams and relay teams in track and field are not considered outside teams for purposes of this legislation.
Outside Competition, Summer Leagues. Outside competition regulations governing participation in summer leagues are sport specific. For many sports, there are strict limits on the number of current William and Mary student-athletes on any one team in a league. Additionally, in basketball, summer leagues must be an NCAA sanctioned league and verified as such by the compliance department. All student-athletes with eligibility remaining who want to participate in a summer league in any sport must receive prior permission from the Athletics Director or his designee. Please access the approval form on the student-athlete Blackboard website under NCAA Education.
