Policies

NCAA Compliance Policy

The Intercollegiate Athletics Program at Franciscan University offers Students-Athletes the opportunity to compete in intercollegiate sports at a high level while focusing on the integration of sports and spirituality. Franciscan's affiliation with the NCAA and the PAC gives Student-Athletes the possibility for a very high level of competition against institutions from around the country.

In order to be a part of the Intercollegiate program, preparation and planning must be taken by the prospective student-athlete. Below is a list of resources to get started.

HOW TO BECOME A STUDENT-ATHLETE

1. Eligibility

Per NCAA Bylaw 14.2, a student-athlete has a total of 10 semesters to complete 4 seasons of intercollegiate participation in any one sport.

In addition, Franciscan University requires that the following criteria are met in order to participate:

a.  Must maintain full-time status during the season (12 credit minimum for undergrad, 9 credit for grad)

b.  Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements after the end of each academic year

For specific eligibility questions, contact Alexis Basil, Coordinator of Compliance at (740) 284-5810 or abasil@franciscan.edu

Division III Compliance Information Video

2. Contact Admissions or a Head Coach

As a first step on your way to being a Baron, please feel free to contact the Franciscan admission department at (800) 783-6226, or visit the admissions website.

To contact a coach, call (740) 283-6313, or for a complete list of athletic department staff, visit the athletics directory.

3. Apply to Franciscan University of Steubenville

To apply to Franciscan University, call (800) 783-6226, or visit the online application site.

4. Transfer Students
If you are interested in transferring to Franciscan University from your current NCAA Division I or II institution, Franciscan University will need to receive written permission to contact you from your current institution before our coaches can contact you directly.

If you are interested in transferring from Franciscan University to an NCAA Division I or II institution, you are required to contact your current coach and the Compliance Coordinator to grant permission to the other institution to contact you.

If you are interested in either transferring to Franciscan University from another NCAA Division III institution or from Franciscan University to another D-III institution, the NCAA grants NCAA Division III Student-Athletes the right to Self-Release for a limited period of time. You must fill out the form linked below and send this to the potential institution. While you are still highly encouraged to notify your current coach of the desire to pursue a transfer, this allows the conversation to remain confidential for a limited period until a decision has been reached.

NCAA Division III Self-Release - If interested in transferring to Franciscan, complete this form and submit to Alexis Basil at abasil@franciscan.edu.
Learn more about becoming a Division III student-athlete by registering for a free profile page through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Note: Franciscan University coaches cannot speak with you regarding a possible transfer until this Self-Release form is on file with the Department.

5. Athletic Fee
There is an athletic participation fee of $350.00 per academic year. This fee assists in deferring the costs of secondary insurance for a varsity athletics program.

6. Commit to the Team
Let the head coach know of your intent to be a member of the team.
Compliance For Boosters and Donors (Download)
Role of Boosters and Representatives of Athletics Interests

CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETES
Summary of NCAA Division III Regulations for Student-Athletes
NCAA Banned Substances
Sports Wagering Prohibitions and Resources

FRANCISCAN ADMINISTRATORS AND COACHES
NCAA Division III Manual
NCAA Division III Rules Test
Practice Start Date Calculator

NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS (NIL) GUIDELINES AND POLICY

NIL Policy
NIL Agreement


ALCOHOL POLICY

1. Policy:

The University expects its student-athletes to behave as ambassadors of the program and advance the school's mission of educating, evangelizing, and sending out joyful disciples. Alcohol misuse is not consistent with the mission or philosophy of the program or the conduct of a committed, dedicated student-athlete.

2. Scope:

        a. This policy applies to all student-athletes.

3. Definitions

        a. "Student-athlete" is a student who participates or a prospective participant in any capacity in any intercollegiate athletic activity administered by the         Franciscan University Department of Athletics.

        b."Alcohol Incident" is any alcohol related occurrence that violates federal or state law or Franciscan University policy (see Student Handbook -Alcohol         Policy), including Franciscan Athletics policy.

4. General Principles

        a. All student-athletes are to report any alcohol incidents to their Head Coach immediately. The coach will, in turn, notify their chain of command immediately.

        b. The Department of Athletics may impose sanctions in addition to those imposed by the University and/or any governmental agency.

        c. With the approval of the Department of Athletics Front Office, teams may impose their own policies that may be stricter and carry heavier sanctions than         those of the Athletic Department.

5. Contest Window and Travel

        a. In addition to violations of university or local/state regulations/policies, the Department of Athletics prohibits the following:

                i. Consuming alcohol within 48 hours prior to a contest, regardless of age. Teams may be more restrictive.

                ii. Consumption of alcohol on university sponsored road trips by any student-athlete regardless of age.

6. Disciplinary Process – Tribunal

        a. Student Life Division will conduct its normal disciplinary process for those offenses that violate the student handbook. Once that process is concluded,         the Department of Athletics may convene a tribunal to adjudicate further disciplinary sanctions. Members of the tribunal will be selected by the Director of         Athletics and will include:

                i. Front Office Administrator

                ii. Head Athletic Chaplain

                iii. Head Coach of the student-athlete involved

7. Sanctions
        a. Sanctions will be determined by the tribunal and may include up to and including suspension or dismissal from a team. The totality of the circumstances         will be considered when levying sanctions, including but not limited to:

                i. Severity of offense.

                ii. Disciplinary record of the student-athlete involved.

                iii. Aggravating circumstances.

                iv. Mitigating circumstances. 

ALCOHOL POLICY PDF

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

The Franciscan University Athletic Department understands the popularity of and usefulness of social media networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, Instagram and others that are accessible through the informational technology made available on campus.

But in addition, students-athletes are representatives of Franciscan and are expected to portray themselves, their teams, and the University in a positive, responsible manner always Any online postings by the student-athletes must therefore be consistent with federal and state laws, Athletic Department, NCAA rules, regulations, and policies, including guidelines listed below:

Guidelines

Student-Athletes who run your team's social medial account must set up a meeting at the Sports Information office to go over all rules for a team social media account. The SID office has the right to delete any post that does not follow the proper guidelines set forth.

  • Offensive, inappropriate, derogatory, or defamatory.

  • Do not allow others to post on your teams page any comments or photos.

  • of such a nature as to that create a danger to the safety of another person or that constitute a credible threat of physical or emotional injury or emotional injury to another person:

  • Depictions of acts involving the sale, possession, or use of controlled substances, or discrimination.

  • Depictions of team-related or University-identifiable activities (including wearing/using team uniform or gear) portrayed in an offensive or inappropriate manner.

You must be fully aware that anything posted online is available to anyone in the world, including future employers, graduate programs, and scholarships committees. Any text or photo placed online becomes the property of the site(s).

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY PDF