Roane State Community College

The Roane State Community College Athletic Program complies with Tennessee's Board of Regents policy 8:01, Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics. In this respect RSCC provides opportunities for competition in men's and women's basketball, men's baseball, women's softball, men's and women's golf as a member of the Tennessee Junior College Athletic Association (TJCAA). In order for a student to participate in athletics, eligibility requirements of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) must be met.

1. Mission and Purpose
   The purpose of Roane State Community College (RSCC) athletics is to offer intercollegiate sports programs that will nurture the well-being of the student athlete by prioritizing academics first and directing athletes to play at their highest level possible in a supportive, positive environment while enhancing the image of the institution. In support of its mission, the athletic program has developed the following goals:
   1. To guide student athletes to the successful ending point of their academic mission
   2. To place athletes in four-year college athletic programs
   3. To maintain a positive atmosphere at team practices and competitions
   4. To enhance and facilitate the social development of athletes away from the playing field
2. Administrative Oversight
   1. Applicability of TBR and NJCAA Policies
      All athletic programs offered at Roane State are administered in compliance with the policies, guidelines, and requirements of the NJCAA, TJCAA and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). Applicable policies include, but are not limited to:
      1. NJCAA Eligibility Rules
      2. TBR policy 8.01 (Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics)
      3. TBR policy 8.03 (Financial Administration in Intercollegiate Athletics)
      4. TBR policy 4.03.03.50 (Athletic and Other Group Travel)
      5. TBR policy 3.04.01.00 (Student Scholarships, Grants, Loans, and Financial Aid Programs)
   2. Internal Administrative Oversight
      1. The ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional administration of the athletic program, approval of policies and standards of conduct, and compliance with TBR and NJCAA rules rests with the president of the college.
      2. The athletic program is directly administered by the athletic director with managerial oversight by the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Outreach.
3. Financial Controls
   The Roane State Athletic Program is subject to the expenditure guidelines and restrictions outlined in Tennessee Board of Regents policy 8.03, Financial Administration in Intercollegiate Athletics. Consistent with this policy, the athletic program is also subject to the same financial control as any other Roane State administrative unit allocated an institutional budget. Oversight for athletic program budget operations is the responsibility of the Vice President of of Workforce Development and Community Outreach, who must submit annual budget requests to the RSCC Budget Committee according to the process developed by the ffice of the Vice President of Business and Finance. All athletic program expenditures are subject to the same audit procedures taken for state financial oversight of other college administrative units.
   1. Athletic Team Travel: Expenditures for athletic team travel, recruiting, and other applicable activities are subject to the guidelines and restrictions outlined in RSCC policy BA-01-02, Athletic Team or Other Group Travel (access the complete detailed RSCC policy BA-01-02 at www.roanestate.edu/policies/), consistent with the stipulations of TBR policy 4.03.03.50, Athletic and Other Group Travel. In addition, each athletic program employee shall comply with all pertinent regulations of the NJCAA and the athletic conference of which the college is a member.
   2. Fundraising, Solicitation, and Acceptance of Gifts: Fundraising activities conducted on behalf of the athletic program by the Roane State Foundation are approved in advance by the college administration and subject to independent financial audit. Fundraising activities undertaken directly by the athletic program shall be conducted subject to procedures outlined in RSCC policy GA-27-01, Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts (access the complete detailed RSCC policy GA-27-01at www.roanestate.edu/policies/).
   3. Scholarships and Grant Programs: Athletic program scholarships are subject to the guidelines outlined in TBR policy 3:04:01:00, Student Scholarships, Grants, Loans, and Financial Aid Programs. Final award of athletic scholarships is subject to the approval of the Office of Financial Aid following review of each scholarship application package. All such revenue and expenditures are subject to regular budgeting, accounting, and audit procedures of the College. For all students receiving athletic program scholarships, an NJCAA "National Letter of Intent and Scholarship Agreement Form," signed by the president of the college, outlines the terms of the institutional aid to be awarded.
4. Academic Requirements and Standards
   In order for a student to participate in athletics, eligibility requirements of the NJCAA must be met. In addition, students participating in the Roane State Athletic Program are subject to the same institutional policies governing maintenance of academic good standing and fulfillment of curricular requirements as all other students. As a further condition of eligibility for athletic participation, all athletes must sign a compliance form based upon conditions set forth in Article VIII A, Section 2 of the NJCAA constitution and by-laws prior to the first official contest in each sport.