As college sports continue to evolve, the distinction between collegiate and professional competition must remain clear. The American Conference presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors have unanimously adopted one clear, conference-wide standard.
Moving forward, institutions are prohibited from adding to a roster, or permitting competition in any conference sport, any athlete who has previously been enrolled full time at a college or university when that athlete has:
- Declared for any professional or supplemental draft before exhausting eligibility and failed to withdraw in a timely manner consistent with NCAA requirements to retain eligibility.
- Signed a contract or binding agreement with a professional league, an affiliate, or any team that is a member of such a league.
- Been listed on the roster of a professional sports league, an affiliate, or a team that is a member of such a league, and practices or competes with that team.
Participation in a professional tryout, when an athlete receives only actual and necessary expenses, does not trigger this policy.
The American and its member institutions will continue to adhere to court decisions on eligibility matters involving any of their student-athletes.
The American believes in the mission of education through sport and provides broad-based opportunities for student-athletes across 21 sports. This clear, consistent policy will preserve those opportunities and the integrity of competition for all current and future student-athletes.