Covid Fifth Year Question

[Guest]

Does anyone know if a player who is allowed to play an extra year can play in Spring games? For example, if you were a senior for the 2022 season, and have the eligibility to play your extra year in fall of 2023, are you now playing spring games?

Reason I asked is we watched a spring game last weekend and noticed none of the previous year's seniors were playing, but had thought they were going to return. My daughter thought they weren't eligible to play in Spring since technically their time was over, and only restarts for the fall. Didn't seem correct to me, but I honestly don't know.

[Guest]

Does anyone know if a player who is allowed to play an extra year can play in Spring games? For example, if you were a senior for the 2022 season, and have the eligibility to play your extra year in fall of 2023, are you now playing spring games?

Reason I asked is we watched a spring game last weekend and noticed none of the previous year's seniors were playing, but had thought they were going to return. My daughter thought they weren't eligible to play in Spring since technically their time was over, and only restarts for the fall. Didn't seem correct to me, but I honestly don't know.

A 5th year in their final year shouldn't be playing in the spring. Same as a regular senior wouldn't be. Spring is for players who will be there next fall

[Guest]

A 5th year in their final year shouldn't be playing in the spring. Same as a regular senior wouldn't be. Spring is for players who will be there next fall

Correct and I maybe wasn't clear. There were some seniors who we heard/expected/dreamed up were coming back for their allowed 5th year, but none of them were in attendance in the spring games. Wasn't sure if they weren't allowed to play in the spring, or they changed their mind.

[Guest]

Correct and I maybe wasn't clear. There were some seniors who we heard/expected/dreamed up were coming back for their allowed 5th year, but none of them were in attendance in the spring games. Wasn't sure if they weren't allowed to play in the spring, or they changed their mind.

Many reasons why a kid who is eligible for a 5th year won't do it. A coach could tell them they won't play much, academically it may not fit their plans (even if going to grad school it may not be at that school), financially they can't afford another year, they're just ready to move into adulthood

[Guest]

Many reasons why a kid who is eligible for a 5th year won't do it. A coach could tell them they won't play much, academically it may not fit their plans (even if going to grad school it may not be at that school), financially they can't afford another year, they're just ready to move into adulthood

I understand that. I am just wondering if there is anything that would preclude them from an eligibility standpoint from attending and playing in off-season (spring) activities.

[Guest]

I understand that. I am just wondering if there is anything that would preclude them from an eligibility standpoint from attending and playing in off-season (spring) activities.

Any senior who has a 5th year of eligibility and has been asked by the coach to return for that 5th year is eligible to play in the Spring. There are situations happening now in meetings with coaches after the Spring season where these same seniors are told there is no sufficient athletic scholarship money for them or a lessor amount which may cause these players to enter the transfer portal on May 1st.

[Guest]

Any senior who has a 5th year of eligibility and has been asked by the coach to return for that 5th year is eligible to play in the Spring. There are situations happening now in meetings with coaches after the Spring season where these same seniors are told there is no sufficient athletic scholarship money for them or a lessor amount which may cause these players to enter the transfer portal on May 1st.

OK thank that is what I thought and wanted to be clear. We expected to see like 6-7 seniors out there since thought they were all coming back and when there were none, it was a surprise.

[Guest]

Any player with eligibility and commitment to play in the fall can play in the spring.
On one end of the spectrum is the HS Senior that enrolls in HS at the college for the spring so they can play spring ball. This happens a lot in Football, and at only the top programs for women's soccer.
The other end is College Academic Seniors with additional year of Athletic eligibility. Covid made this a bubble, but redshirts, and injuries existed before and will continue to exist.
There are also cases where players are going to a different college for their 5th year (grad school) but still practice with their team at their current school. These players are not allowed in spring games

[Guest]

A
On one end of the spectrum is the HS Senior that enrolls in HS at the college for the spring so they can play spring ball. This happens a lot in Football, and at only the top programs for women's soccer.

Happens a more than the top programs.

[Guest]

OK thank that is what I thought and wanted to be clear. We expected to see like 6-7 seniors out there since thought they were all coming back and when there were none, it was a surprise.

Another scenario are seniors who are playing their additional year of eligibility (5th year) at a different college because of academics ie. Masters, etc. those Senior players because of insurance liability issues are not allowed to practice/train with their current college teams as well since their athletic eligibility expired after the fall season. Legally they are no longer on the team players roster. The Spring season /training are only for those players eligible to play in Fall 2023.

[Guest]

Another scenario are seniors who are playing their additional year of eligibility (5th year) at a different college because of academics ie. Masters, etc. those Senior players because of insurance liability issues are not allowed to practice/train with their current college teams as well since their athletic eligibility expired after the fall season. Legally they are no longer on the team players roster. The Spring season /training are only for those players eligible to play in Fall 2023.

Yet i know some that are doing it. Pretty sure there are loopholes

[Guest]

Yet i know some that are doing it. Pretty sure there are loopholes

Then their present coach is allowing it. It depends on the college and coaches. From an insurance perspective once the fall season is over and you’re no longer part of the program then you’re no longer covered under the programs insurance. They would have to sign a waiver of liability to continue.