Mandatory Day-Off Policy
In accordance with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Evangel University 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 (Article 1, Section H, 7 in the NAIA Handbook) is for all student-athletes, within each team. As per the NAIA, a week is defined as Monday (12:00am) through Sunday (11:59pm) where Evangel University shall prohibit all athletically related activities 1 calendar day per week. Evangel University will designate Sunday’s as the “Mandatory Day-Off” for student-athletes, with each head coach given the flexibility to use another day based on competition scheduling.
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.
The day-off policy requires that every student athlete must have one day off each week from all mandated athletically related team activities (defined as, but not limited to, practice, weight training/conditioning, competition, etc.) Additionally, the policy prohibits mandatory team or individual study hall, community service, or fundraising activities on the designated day off unless pre-approved by the athletic administration and will be on a limited basis.
Travel related to athletics participation may be considered as a day off, provided no countable athletically related activities (as defined above) occur during that day. Treatment for injuries and team attendance at church are also permissible. Please note that when an institution's competition is canceled prior to the start of that competition or canceled prior to the competition being considered a completed event in accordance with the playing rules of that sport, a team may use that day as its required day off, provided the team does not engage in any further mandated countable athletically related activities during that day.
This policy does not prohibit student-athletes 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. Any potential infraction can be reported to Scott Metcalf – Assistant Director of Athletics at
metcalfs@evangel.edu.
