Amend NAIA Bylaws Article I, Section H, Item 5 as follows:

5. Each sport shall have a maximum 24-week practice and competition season established by each member institution. Frequency of play, practice and scheduling policies shall be applied only during the period of August 1 to May 15, pursuant to the following specifications. The start date specified is the earliest possible date on which any activity meeting the definition of a practice or competition may occur, though teams are free to choose a later date. Scrimmages and exhibitions are excluded and not subject to the start date for competitions.
. . .

EXCEPTION: In the sport of basketball, a junior varsity team may practice and/or compete beginning September 1st or the start of the institution’s fall term, whichever is earlier. Junior varsity practice or competition prior to the designated start date will not count towards the sport’s 24-week season, however any competition will count towards frequency of play limits for both the team and the student-athlete.

Any student-athlete who practices or competes under this exception is prohibited from participating in varsity competition until the start of the following term of attendance.
. . .

______________________________

Intent: To enable institutions sponsoring junior varsity basketball teams to begin junior varsity practice and/or competition prior to the applicable start dates provided any student-athlete participating in either a junior varsity practice or competition is prohibited from competing for the varsity team until the start of the following term of attendance. When utilizing this exception, junior varsity practice and/or competition occurring prior to the start date will not count towards the sport’s 24-week season.

Effective Date: August 1, 2024

Submitted by: Wolverine Hoosier Athletics Conference

Co-sponsored by: Frontier Conference