Current Student-Athletes
This section of the site will help answer any questions you may
have regarding eligibility, extra benefits, recruiting and
insurance. You can also find this information in the Harvard
University Student-Athlete Handbook.
Eligibility
Now that I've completed my freshman year at Harvard, what do
I need to do to make sure I'm eligible for competition next
semester?
As an upperclassman, your academic record at Harvard determines
your academic eligibility for competition. All students must be
enrolled full-time, which means enrolled in at least three half
courses every semester. It is important that during the Add/Drop
period, you do not drop below three half courses. In addition, you
must pass an average of three half-courses during each of the
previous semesters, AND pass a total of six half-courses from the
beginning of the previous fall term, in order to be eligible for
competition.
There are also forms that you must complete before you are able
to draw equipment, participate in tryouts or practice, and compete.
These forms are completed online:
- Harvard/Ivy League Eligibility Form and Financial Statement
- NCAA Student-Athlete Statement
- NCAA Drug Testing Consent Form
- NCAA Foreign Student Questionnaire (international students and
those who have lived and/or competed abroad only)
I'm a junior majoring in English and I've just decided to
major in Spanish as well. This might require me to stay at Harvard
for an extra semester. Since I didn't play football during my first
year at Harvard, I would like to compete during the fifth season of
my sport if I have to stay for another semester. Is this
possible?
Harvard stipulates that you must have a valid academic reason
for extending your residency on campus beyond eight terms. If you
are planning to use a 5th year of eligibility, Ivy League rules
require that you meet with Nathan Fry, Director of Compliance, and
Tom Dingman, Harvard's eligibility officer and Associate Dean of
the College, before applying for a ninth term waiver. If you decide
to proceed after this meeting, your request must be approved by
your Senior Tutor and Tom Dingman, and then by the Ivy League.
Extra Benefits
What should I do if a member of an alumni club offers me
tickets a Red Sox game? Can I take them?
NO. This is considered an "extra benefit."
Extra benefits are benefits for enrolled student-athletes that are
not equally available to all Harvard students. If you accept any of
these benefits, then you may be in violation of the NCAA's
principle of amateurism and you could be deemed ineligible. Other
examples of extra benefits include:
- Cash or merchandise (or cash equivalent)
- Tickets to a pro sporting event, movie, concerts, etc.
- Athletic equipment or clothing (outside of regular team apparel
from the Harvard Equipment Room)
- Any type of benefit from a booster or alum (i.e. meal). All an
alumni club can do for you is help arrange employment, either
during the summer or after graduation, as long as you are paid at
the normal rate and for work activities you actually perform.
- Loan of money
- Use of an automobile or free/reduced travel
- Any type of benefit from a former teammate/student-athlete
beyond those similar in nature that occurred while both were in
college (movie, meal, etc.).
Also, even if the same benefit is available to non-athletes, DO
NOT accept any type of gift or benefit from anyone-an Alumni Club,
booster, etc.-either prior to, during, or after enrollment. It is
best to check with Nathan Fry in the Compliance Office if you are
unsure about receiving extra benefits.
A Harvard alum approached me about working for his company
in New York City during the summer? Can I accept the job?
YES. As stated above, all an alumni or booster
can do for you is arrange employment, either during the summer or
after graduation, as long as you are paid at the normal rate and
for work activities you actually perform.
Recruiting
When I was a senior in high school, I played basketball with
a very talented sophomore. Well, that sophomore is now a senior in
high school, can I call him and tell him about Harvard? I think he
would be a good fit for our team.
NO. Under no circumstances should student
athletes call a prospect (anyone who has begun classes for the 9th
grade) at the direction of a coach or receive expenses to do so.
Enrolled-student athletes are prohibited from engaging in the
recruiting process with a few limited exceptions. Student-athletes
can receive calls at the expense of the prospect or write or e-mail
the prospect. The NCAA also prohibits student-athletes from calling
prospects as part of the regular admissions process, even if it is
part of the normal admissions process.
A former high school teammate called last night to ask me a
couple of questions about playing for Harvard's field hockey team.
Is it okay if I answered her questions?
YES. Student-athletes can receive calls at the
expense of the prospect. You can also exchange emails with a
prospect.
Insurance
As a student-athlete do I get health insurance from the
Harvard Athletic Department? Does Harvard pay for my medical costs
if I get injured in a game or practice?
NO. The University requires that all students
have adequate medical insurance. Regardless of your insurance
status, you may enroll in the Harvard Student Blue Cross/Blue
Shield plan. If you are injured during a game or practice or become
ill, and you are prescribed drugs for treatment of the ailment,
covering the cost of treatments, medical tests, and the
prescriptions is your responsibility, not the Athletic
Department's. You should review your individual insurance policy to
determine the amount of coverage for medical costs.
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