Outside Competition
Student-Athlete’s Participation in Outside Competition as a Member of an Outside Team - During the Academic Year
In all sports except basketball, student-athlete may not participate on any outside team during the intercollegiate season in that sport (championship or non-championship segment), except during the institution’s official vacation periods. A student-athlete is permitted to practice on such a team at any time as long as he or she does not compete. In basketball, as student-athlete may not practice or compete on any outside team at any time after he/she has become a member of the MSU team (there are limited exceptions to this during the summer). Other than participation on an outside team during the institution’s vacation period and the additional exceptions listed below, student-athlete in sports other than basketball may not participate as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition. Please see Bobcat Compliance for specific questions.
Exceptions and Waivers
The following exceptions to the outside competition regulations are permitted and do not require a waiver from the NCAA (includes Basketball):
In all sports except basketball, student-athlete may not participate on any outside team during the intercollegiate season in that sport (championship or non-championship segment), except during the institution’s official vacation periods. A student-athlete is permitted to practice on such a team at any time as long as he or she does not compete. In basketball, as student-athlete may not practice or compete on any outside team at any time after he/she has become a member of the MSU team (there are limited exceptions to this during the summer). Other than participation on an outside team during the institution’s vacation period and the additional exceptions listed below, student-athlete in sports other than basketball may not participate as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition. Please see Bobcat Compliance for specific questions.
Exceptions and Waivers
The following exceptions to the outside competition regulations are permitted and do not require a waiver from the NCAA (includes Basketball):
- High School Alumni game (one game per year during institution’s vacation period).
- Olympic or Paralympic Games, final tryouts that directly qualify competitors, or official recognized competition directly qualifying participants for the final tryouts.
- Official Pan-American Games tryouts and competition.
- Official tryouts and competition involving national teams sponsored by the appropriate national governing body of the U.S. Olympic Committee (or, for the student-athlete competing in a non-Olympic sport, the equivalent organization of that sport).
- U.S. National Teams (including junior teams) tryout and competition.
- Official World Championship, World University Games, World Youth Championship, and World Cup tryouts and competition.
- Official recognized state and national multi-sport events sanctioned by the NCAA Council (ie, Big Sky State Games)
In Volleyball, a student-athlete may compete outside the MSU declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period published in the MSU catalog, as long as:
- Such participation occurs not earlier than May 1;
- The number of MSU athletes on the team does not exceed 2;
- The competition is approved by the director of athletics;
- No class time is missed for practice or competition; and
- All practice/competition is confined to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball (sand or grass).
A coach who has a student-athlete who wishes to participate in any of the events listed above must see Bobcat Compliance as early as possible prior to competition. Some limitations exist on the number of MSU student-athletes who may compete in these contests.
Individual/Unattached Competition
It is possible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete’s sport, as long as the student-athlete represents only him/herself in the competition and does not engage in such competition as a member of or receive expenses from any outside team.
Basketball - During the Academic Year
A student-athlete who participates in any organized basketball competition except while representing Montana State University in intercollegiate competition in accordance with the permissible playing season specified in Bylaw 17.3 becomes ineligible for any further intercollegiate competition in the sport of basketball.
Basketball - Outside the Academic Year
In Basketball, a student-athlete has limited participation options regarding outside teams or competition. Please consult the Bobcat Compliance for specific questions.
For any outside competition, student-athletes must complete the Outside/Unattached Competition Approval Form in ARMS.
Individual/Unattached Competition
It is possible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete’s sport, as long as the student-athlete represents only him/herself in the competition and does not engage in such competition as a member of or receive expenses from any outside team.
Basketball - During the Academic Year
A student-athlete who participates in any organized basketball competition except while representing Montana State University in intercollegiate competition in accordance with the permissible playing season specified in Bylaw 17.3 becomes ineligible for any further intercollegiate competition in the sport of basketball.
Basketball - Outside the Academic Year
In Basketball, a student-athlete has limited participation options regarding outside teams or competition. Please consult the Bobcat Compliance for specific questions.
For any outside competition, student-athletes must complete the Outside/Unattached Competition Approval Form in ARMS.
