Lawrence Academy

Excellence in education since 1968

Athletic Eligibility

The Director of Athletics is responsible for all facets of the Lawrence Academy interscholastic sports program.  In that position he/she must recognize and implement all policies, regulations, and expectations of Lawrence Academy, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA), the Tarheel Independent Conference (TIC), the Colonial Carolina Conference (CCC), and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS). 

11.1 Athletic Eligibility  

Student athletes are required to meet academic standards set by Lawrence Academy.  Below are the standards that are upheld by Lawrence Academy.  Student athletes are also required to meet the requirements set forth by the NCISAA regarding eligibility.   

 All students wanting to participate in interscholastic athletics program must: 

  1. Be enrolled in the sixth grade or higher; 
  2. No player shall have reached his/her 19th birthday on or before August 1 of the current school year.  (NCISAA Rule and Regulations, Section III, Item E); 
  3. Students may participate in athletics in no more than six consecutive semesters or nine trimesters after enrolling in the 10th grade of any NCISAA member school, no more than four consecutive semesters after enrolling in the 11th grade of any NCISAA member school, and no more than two consecutive semesters after enrolling in the 12th grade at any NCISAA member school, regardless of whether he/she remains continuously enrolled. A student transferring from one NCISAA school to another at mid-year would be considered to have used up one semester of athletic eligibility for that school year; (NCISAA Rule and Regulations, Section III, Item H); 
  4. Have passed a medical physical examination and have the signed form on file with the Director of Athletics stating that the student athlete may participate in the athletics program; 
  5. Meet the eligibility rules of Lawrence Academy, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA), the Tarheel Independent Conference (TIC) and the Colonial Carolina Conference (CCC); 
  6. Specific to Lawrence Academy, to be eligible.

6A. A student must be passing five (5) subjects per grading period. No more than one grade below a 60.  

    • For example:
  •  
        • If grades in courses are 71, 93, 86, 72, 65, 40 – the student would still be eligible BUT on probation.
        • Probation will consist of a two week period where the student is allowed to practice with the team but cannot play in an athletic contest. If the student raises his/her grade(s) to meet the requirements above during the two week period, the student athlete may resume normal participation at the end of the two week period. Grades will only be evaluated at the end of the two week period. The two week period consists of 2 school weeks/10 school days.

 

6B. A student will lose eligibility if two grades fall below a 60 at the end of each grading period.

    • For example:
        • If grades in courses are 71, 93, 86, 72, 55, 40 – the student will lose eligibility at the end of each grading period.
        • If a student athlete loses eligibility, the eligibility would be reviewed prior to the next athletic season. For example – If a student loses eligibility during a Fall sport, their eligibility will be reviewed prior to the start of the Winter season. They will not be able to rejoin the team in the Fall but could possibly be eligible for Winter sport if their grades meet the requirements.

In addition to the above academic standards, a student athlete will lose eligibility to be on the team for the following: 

  1. Receives a behavioral notice with severe consequences. 
  2. Student has missed more than 20 classes. 

The Athletic Director receives all in-season student athletes’ grades every six week grading period. 

** Students in grade 6 are eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics on non-varsity sports teams.  

 

Athletic Suspensions 

Discipline will play an important role in athletic eligibility.  Student athletes are role models for younger students in the school community.  Student athletes should understand that extracurricular activities, such as the interscholastic sports program, are a privilege and not a right.  Therefore, they should conduct themselves in a well-behaved manner. 

Suspensions of student athletes will be determined by the Athletic Director and Head of School.  Student athletes may be suspended from participating in the team’s next scheduled contest for the following reasons: 

  1. Serving an In-School Suspension for any reason; 
  2. Being ejected from an athletic contest (as an athlete or spectator) for any reason; 
  3. Receiving more than two misconduct reports during the team season; and,  
  4. Failing to comply with team rules.  This decision is at the discretion of the head coach with the approval of the Director of Athletics and the Head of School.

 Student athletes may be dismissed from a team during a given season for the following reasons: 

  1. Serving an Out-of-School Suspension; 
  2. Serving an In-School Suspension more than twice during a given season 
  3. Being ejected from more than one athletic contest (as an athlete or spectator) in any given season; and, 
  4. Failing to comply with team rules, which is at the discretion of the head coach with the approval of the Director of Athletics and the Head of School.

Updated 8/22/23

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