Hardship Exemption Explanation

Hardship Exemption Explanation

For sports other than basketball the Division 3 approvals would actually be approval for the National Tournament.

The eligibility guidelines for both the NCHC and NCHC Division 3 are relatively strict.  It is not our goal to eliminate players but to provide a level playing field for the National Championships.  Hardship Exemptions will fall into various categories. Here are a couple of examples:

1.     A player is taking 18 hours of college during the season.  The guidelines limit to 15 hours.  Let’s look at the variations:

• The player has been homeschooled for all her life,  she is taking 9 hours each semester and mom is willing to sign statement that the student is still taking three classes at home plus physical ed(basketball).  – NCHC would approve this Hardship Exemption for NCHBC.
• The player took 3 hours one semester and 15 the other.  This player would not be approved.
• The player walked graduation at a HomeSchool event at their church last year but parents state that they are still home educating 3 classes plus physical ed.  Probably approve for Division 3.
• The player was at a school last year as a senior but didn’t graduate and now is being homeschooled along with college classes.  Probably approve for NCHBC.
• The player walked a formal graduate last year with all the same claims.  This player would not be approved.2.  A player applies for a Hardship Exemption for age reasons – These Hardship Exemptions are always denied.

2.     A player applies for a Hardship Exemption for age reasons – These Hardship Exemptions are always denied.

3.     A player is not a US Citizen but he lives with his parents and is homeschooled – Player would be approved for NCHBC.

4.     A player is not a US Citizen and he lives with a family from a local church and is either homeschooled – Player would be approved for NCHC.

5.     A player is joining a new team will be scrutinized much more carefully than a player that is seeking a Hardship Exemption  and staying with his existing team.

There are many more facets of the Hardship Exemption but these examples demonstrate the overall process.  Hardship Exemptions are for players who are direct violation of one or more of the eligibility guidelines or if a player that is in a situation that is questionable in the "spirit of the rules".
Point of Clarification

During the last nine years we have not made changes to eligibility guideless.  Rather we have made two adjustments to meet the changing times within homeschooling:

1.       Clarify the guidelines when the spirit of the rules is being violated.

2.       Add the National Christian School Basketball Championships to give programs with a different philosophy to still be involved with the National Tournament.

Our goal has always been to find a way to serve all the programs, while maintaining a level of integrity for the NCHC.

Appeals

A player that has their Hardship Exemption denied may appeal the process.  Details will be provided as needed.

Enforcement

Each year we have teams that include players that don’t meet the eligibility guidelines.  The number one defense players and coaches use is that they did not know they were violating the guidelines.  This year we are taking a more proactive approach by making it impossible for a player/parent or coach to use this excuse.  Unfortunately this means that the application is longer for all of the players who have been abiding by the rules.
Penalties

It the NCHBC position that any player who is in violation of the eligibility guidelines will have intentionally and willfully violate the rules.  Furthermore, it will be our position that the coach will have failed to monitor his players.  The penalty for any eligibility guideline violations during Nationals is the forfeit of the last game, team moved to loser bracket, the player suspended from the tournament and the program placed on probation for two years.