Message from the Vice President/Director of Athletics 1 Student-Athlete Employment 24 Intercollegiate Athletic Department Mission Statement 1 Camp / Clinic Employment 24 University Core Values 2 Student-Athlete Local Sports Club Employment 24 NCAA Division II Philosophy Statement 3 Rules Education 25 Sunshine State Conference History and Statement of Purpose 4 Compliance Matters Student-Athlete Newsletter 26 Assistance Directory 5 Athletic Department Directory 6 Institutional Financial Aid 27 Athletic Grant-In-Aid 27 University Student Code of Conduct 7 University Charges not Paid by Athletics 28 Grievances or Complaints 8 Student-Athlete Summer School Awards 28 Department Social Media Statement 8 Outside Sources of Aid 28 Scholarship Renewal, Graduation or Cancellation 29 Extra Benefits 29 Academic Life 9 Athletic Scholarship Appeals Policy 30 Class Attendance 9 Missed Class Time Due to Team Travel 9 Notification of Missed Class 9 Sports Medicine Statement 31 The Center for Academic Vision & Excellence (CAVE) 9 Student-Athlete Responsibility 31 Pre-Registration Procedures 10 Athletic Training Room 31 Advising 10 Practice Coverage 32 Textbook / Book Voucher Policy 10 Medical Clearance - Prior to Practice 32 Dropping & Adding Courses 10 Walk-On / Tryout 32 Academic Monitoring 10 Medical Services & Care 33 Academic Probation 10 Treatment 34 Reporting Injuries 34 Role of Physician 35 Concussion Management 35 Academic Eligibility 11 Heat Illness Management 36 Progress Toward Degree 12 Emergencies on the Road 36 Remedial, Tutorial, or Non-Credit Courses 12 Non-Athletic Department Medical Emergencies 36 Incomplete Grades 13 Repeated Courses 13 Missed Term Exception 13 Athletics Communication Statement 37 Saint Leo University Bridge Program 14 Media Student-Athletes 37 Practice & Playing Season 15 Privacy 37 Countable Athletically Related Activity (CARA) 16 Game Day Music 37 Countable vs. Non-Countable 16 Photography 37 Practice Logs 16 Photo Day 38 Statistics - Challenge of Student-Athlete or Parent 38 Social Networking Policy 39 NCAA Rules & Regulations Statement 17 10 Semesters / Season of Eligibility 17 Full-Time Enrollment 17 Strength & Conditioning Mission Statement 40 Declaration of Major 18 Core Values & Objectives 40 Eligibility for Practice & Competition 18 Agents & Amateurism 18 Medical Hardship Waiver 19 Academic Honors Outside Competition 19 Reporting Knowledge of Violations 19 Gambling 20 Tobacco & Tobacco Products 20 Crowdfunding 21 Promotional Activity 22 NCAA Transfer Legislation 43 Recruiting 23 Intra-Conference Transfer Policy 43 Student Host 23 Requesting Permission to Contact 43 Student Host ARMS Workflow 24 Dear student-athletes, Welcome, or in many cases, welcome back. We have over 175 new student-athletes this year and we are looking forward to a great year academically and athletically. It is our goal to provide you with the best student-athlete experience during your time as a Saint Leo Lion. To this end, we want to make sure every student-athlete is eligible to compete, remains in good standing during their season and makes academic progress each semester. We have a great compliance staff as well as a great coaching staff to help keep everyone on track and moving toward the goal of a college diploma. You will be a representative of Saint Leo University, our department and your team at all times. With this comes a responsibility to demonstrate our core values of respect and integrity at all times. Being a student- athlete is not a right, but a privilege which we hope each of you will value. The chance to play collegiate sports is a special one and we hope you will make the most of this great opportunity. You must be aware of all the NCAA rules, as well as the academic policies. The NCAA does not allow ignorance of the rules as an excuse when violations occur or requirements are not met. This handbook is meant to serve as a guide and overview of the Saint Leo Department of Athletics. It does not cover every minute detail but provides guidelines and where you can find assistance. Your continued participation as a student-athlete requires you to comply with the athletic department policies included in this handbook. You will also need to follow all of the University’s academic and student conduct policies. Team accomplishments and individual success are our goals. The entire Department of Athletics staff supports and encourages you in your collegiate experience at Saint Leo. As a team, we are looking to place high in the Learfield Director’s Cup point standings, and in the Sunshine State Conference’s Mayor Cup standings for the best overall program. We hope you will embrace this philosophy and reach your peak performance as a student-athlete during your time at Saint Leo. Again, welcome or welcome back, to Saint Leo University. We are thrilled we get the opportunity to share in this exciting and important time of your life. Francis X. Reidy Vice President / Director of Athletics The Department of Athletics at Saint Leo University seeks to preserve and enhance the mission of the University, its culture and values based environment by providing a challenging, diverse, and continually improving intercollegiate athletic program. The Saint Leo University Department of Athletics provides for the emotional, physical and social well-being and development of the student-athlete. It nurtures individual growth and progress by offering opportunities for the development of leadership, skills and talents on the field, as well success in the classroom. Intercollegiate athletics enhances the university experience for both the participant and the observer. The Department of Athletics strives to encourage unity within the Saint Leo University community by providing a program of excellence, honor and integrity. Drawing from the mission, Saint Leo University’s history and culture and the Rule of Benedict, the following six Core Values were established in a process similar to the mission review. Saint Leo University is an educational enterprise. All of us, individually and collectively, work hard to ensure that our students develop the character, learn the skills and assimilate the knowledge essential to become morally responsible leaders. The success of our University depends upon a conscientious commitment to our mission, vision and goals. Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere we serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity and interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change and to serve. Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect their dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community’s strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas and on learning, living and working harmoniously. Saint Leo University stresses the development of every person’s mind, spirit and body for a balanced life. All members of the Saint Leo University community must demonstrate their commitment to personal development to help strengthen the character of our community. Our Creator blesses us with an abundance of resources. We foster a spirit of service to employ our resources to university and community development. We must be resourceful. We must optimize and apply all of the resources of our community to fulfill Saint Leo University’s mission and goals. The commitment of Saint Leo University to excellence demands that its members live its mission and deliver on its promise. The faculty, staff and students pledge to be honest, just and consistent in word and deed. In addition to the purposes and fundamental policy of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as set forth in Constitution 1, members of Division II believe that a well-conducted intercollegiate athletics program, based on sound educational principles and practices, is a proper part of the educational mission of a university or college and that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern. Members of Division II support the following principles in the belief that these objectives assist in defining the division and the possible differences between it and other divisions of the Association. This statement is not binding on member institutions but shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences. A member of Division II: • Believes in offering a maximum amount of intercollegiate athletics participation to as many of its students as possible, whether or not these students are athletically recruited or financially assisted; • Believes in striving for broad equitable participation and competitive excellence, encouraging sportsmanship, ethical conduct and developing positive societal attitudes in all of its athletic endeavors; • Believes in scheduling the majority of its athletics competition with other members of Division II, insofar as regional qualification, geographical location and traditional or conference scheduling patterns permit; • Recognizes the dual objectives in its athletics program of serving both the campus (participants, student body, faculty-staff) and the general public (community, area, state); • Believes in offering opportunity for participation in intercollegiate athletics permitting athletically related financial aid for its student-athletes, but on a more