Mandatory Day-Off Policy
In accordance with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Southwestern College is committed to the health and well-being of our student athletes, coaches, and athletic staff. We believe in the value of providing one day-off per week, during each team’s 24-Week season. This policy (Amendment 23-B1-18) is for all student-athletes, both varsity and junior varsity within each team. As per the NAIA, a week is defined as Monday (12:00am) through Sunday (11:59pm) where Southwestern College shall prohibit all athletically related activities 1 calendar day per week.
A practice is any activity organized and/or directed by any member of the coaching staff in which either (a) appropriate equipment is used or (b) instruction and/or evaluation of the athlete takes place.
Activities that are considered a practice (not an exhaustive list):
- Film sessions involving a coach and one or more student-athletes
- Walkthrough drills, regardless of the use of equipment
- Individual/team skills workouts (batting practice, putting lessons, etc.) involving a member of the coaching staff
- Open gyms that are closed to the public and attended by a member of the coaching staff
- Sport specific activity classes that are only available to invited students
- Team meetings discussing strategy/tactics
- Weightlifting/Conditioning held at the discretion of or supervised by an institutional staff member
Activities that are NOT considered a practice (not an exhaustive list):
- Team/Individual meetings on non-athletic matters (i.e. academics, compliance, eligibility, etc.)
- Participation in community service
- Team bonding activities
- Study tables/tutoring
- Travel to and from events
- Rehabilitation of injuries
- Champions of Character events
Specific time periods that DO NOT require a day off:
- Preseason practice that occurs before the first day of classes
- Practices between the completion of the fall term and the beginning of the Spring term
- Practices when school is on full week(s) holiday break (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, etc.)
- NAIA Postseason competition schedule that spans a period equal to or greater than 7 days
This policy does not prohibit student-athletes from training in any way on their own, nor does it restrict communication between coaches and student-athletes on the mandatory day off. Student athletes are encouraged to use the day off to rest, focus on academic responsibilities, and for physical and mental health management and recovery. Should you believe that the NAIA Mandatory Day-Off Policy has been violated, contact: Dr. Dawn Pleas, Senior Woman Administrator for Southwestern College athletic at
Dawn.Pleas@sckans.edu.
