Student-Athlete Handbook

Student-Athlete Handbook 

Linn-Benton Community College
6500 Pacific Blvd SW
Albany, OR 97321
541-917-4266 | athletics@linnbenton.edu

[Updated: Feb 2024]

Table of Contents

Introduction 

Athletic Department Staff Directory  

Roadrunner Athletics 

Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC)  

Introduction

Welcome to Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC). This handbook is designed to inform Linn-Benton student-athletes of the rules, policies and expectations of our athletic program. As a participant in the Roadrunner athletic program, you are responsible for knowing and complying with the rules contained in this handbook.

Additionally, student-athletes are subject to the rules of LB Students’ Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct policy and the Northwest Athletic Conference Codebook. Please read the LBCC Students’ Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct policy. The link to the NWAC Codebook is https://nwacsports.org/rulesandcompliance.

If you have questions, ask your Coach, the Athletic Director, or Administrative Assistant.

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Athletic Department Staff Directory

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Roadrunner Athletics

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Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) 

About the NWAC

The Northwest Athletic Conference is the parent organization for thirty-six (36) community colleges located in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The NWAC has a variety of administrative responsibilities including conference tournament management, eligibility, publications, rule enforcement and sports information.

Mission and Goal Statement

It is the mission of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) to foster athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities for students consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges. To this end, the NWAC will promote the importance of character, ethics and sportsmanship by:

• Teaching how to achieve individual success while contributing to the objective of a group.

• Providing the opportunity for competition with honor.

• Supporting academic and athletic growth.

• Instilling a respect for diversity within the development of team.

• Promoting positive relations between the colleges and their communities.

• Teaching the importance of preparation and the balancing of an active schedule.

Purpose

To govern all branches of athletic competition in which a student represents a member of this association in competition with any other institution.

To establish and maintain high standards of scholarship and sportsmanship in the institutions which are members of this association; to promote intercollegiate athletics; to maintain such regulations and supervision of athletic competition governed by the Code in such a manner that athletic activities will be part of, and not the principle feature of, community college life.

Basic Eligibility

This is an overview of Basic Eligibility. For complete eligibility requirements, review the NWAC Codebook.

Academic Eligibility

• Athletes shall be officially enrolled in a minimum of twelve (12) quarter credit hours during the sport season in which they participate. 

• Athletes must have passed a minimum of 10 credit hours during the previous quarter. 

• To qualify for eligibility to participate in a second (2nd) season of any sport, you must have earned a minimum of 36 credit hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 during any quarter of participation. 

Participation Eligibility

• Athletes must be a high school graduate or the class of which you were a member has graduated. 

• Athletes must be registered within 20 days from the beginning of the quarter. 

• Athletes may not participate in one sport more than two seasons. 

• Any time you participate in a regularly scheduled game, match or contest, you will be charged with one year of eligibility in that sport. 

• Athletes may be declared ineligible if during the sport season you represent any club, organization or team other than your college team. 

• If convicted for the use or sale of legend drugs, including anabolic steroids, you will be disqualified from participation in a NWAC sponsored athletic event or activity for a period of one year.

Amateur Standing

No student may participate in an athletic contest sanctioned by the NWAC who has violated his/her amateur status in that sport. Review Amateurism and Participation in appendix A-20 of the NWAC Codebook for complete definition of amateurism and participation.

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Academic Responsibility

You are required to work closely with your coach and academic advisor to meet the academic standards set forth by the College, the Athletic Department and the NWAC. All student-athletes must maintain a “good” academic standing (as defined by NWAC academic eligibility standards), the appropriate number of earned credit hours, and continue working toward the completion of their degree.

Recommended Academic Progress Scale

Equipment/Uniforms

Students are responsible for returning the issued equipment/uniforms at the end of the season. You are responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment/uniforms. You will be responsible for any replacement cost for equipment/uniforms not returned or equipment/uniforms returned in poor condition. There will be no charge for normal wear and tear. Failure to return issued equipment/uniforms will result in a “financial hold” on your account. A financial hold means you will not be able to register for upcoming terms, access your transcripts, etc. This hold will remain on your account until you either return the issued equipment/uniforms or pay the replacement cost.  

Team Travel

While traveling to and from any college-sponsored activities (including but not limited to practices, contests, team activities, and scrimmages) student-athletes:

• must travel with the team unless prior permission is granted by your head coach and the Athletic Director

• will be courteous and show respect to those you encounter

• will refrain from using inappropriate behavior and/or language

• will not consume alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or use any illegal drugs

• will respect the property of others including buses, hotels and college property

• must stay at the team assigned hotel

• must observe all rules imposed by the head coach

• will not have visitors in hotel rooms

Social Networks

If a student-athlete chooses to participate in social networking platforms, you can be held accountable for your postings or comments. Remember anything posted online is available to anyone, anywhere. For your safety, do not post personal information (e.g. local address, phone number).

Tuition Waivers

Tuition Waivers are limited by sport by the NWAC. Waivers will be awarded to the student-athlete at the discretion of the head coach. Not all student-athletes receive athletic grant-in-aid tuition waivers, and the amount of credits awarded to individual student-athletes can vary and also vary term-to-term. 

Medical Clearance and Athletic Injuries

All injury prevention and care is managed by the certified athletic trainer. Initial clearance to participate in any team activities, including out-of-season workouts, require a physical to be on file with the athletic trainer. The athletic trainer will evaluate all injuries and, if necessary, make referral to the team physician. The team physician and athletic trainer make all decisions related to a student-athlete's ability to participate in practice and competition, not the head coach. Immediately report any injury or illness to your coach and the athletic trainer.

Athletic Injuries & Insurance Memorandum

Primary Insurance Policy

Maintaining primary medical insurance coverage for the duration of your participation in Linn-Benton Athletics is required! When checking your specific coverage, be sure to ask if your policy is in effect during officially scheduled and supervised participation in varsity athletics. This should include both in- and off- season activities

Athletics Department Secondary Insurance Policy

Linn-Benton Community College provides “excess” insurance coverage for all student-athletes. This means any claims for benefits must first be filed with your primary (and secondary) insurance companies. The Department policy is in effect during officially scheduled and supervised participation in varsity athletics. Please read the Intercollegiate Sports Injury Only Insurance Plan Benefit Summary brochure for specific policy information and the Athletic Injuries & Insurance Memorandum. The Benefit Summary brochure is located in the athletic department office. You can find The Athletic Injuries & Insurance Memorandum in your copy of the Athletic Packet.

Hazing

Hazing is defined (The National Collegiate Athletic Association Definition for Hazing) as any act committed against someone joining or becoming a member or maintaining membership in any organization that is humiliating, intimidating or demeaning, or endangers the health and safety of the person. Hazing includes active or passive participation in such acts and occurs regardless of the willingness to participate in the activities! Hazing creates an environment/climate in which dignity and respect are absent. Participation in a hazing incident will involve an immediate referral to the Dean of Students Office.

Alcohol Use

The use or possession of alcoholic beverages at any time is prohibited.

Marijuana Use

Although marijuana is legal in the state of Oregon, it is a banned substance by the NCAA and the federal government; therefore, the use or possession of marijuana at any time is prohibited.

Drug Use

The use or possession of illegal drugs at any time is prohibited.

Tobacco Use

The use or possession of any form of tobacco during any NWAC college practice, game or athletic activity is prohibited and will result in the participant being removed from that activity.

Team Policies/Rules

Each individual coach may have additional policies and rules in addition to the policies and rules stated in this handbook.

Disciplinary Guidelines

Failure to comply with the Federal, State, Local, College, Athletic Department, and Team policies and rules may result in minimum disciplinary action, including suspension from team activities, competition and up to dismissal from the program. 

NCAA Two-Year Transfer Information

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