Championship qualification changes and testing requirements for 2021

Charlotte, NC -  The NJCAA has announced changes for the 2021 NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field season.  Due to facility policy, COVID-19 testing will be required for all participants and attendees at the championship held March 5-6 at the Robert W. Plaster Center on the campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS.  Proof of testing must be provided for all members of team travel parties including student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and athletic trainers, and must have occurred within four days (96 hours) of the championship event.  

Championship Qualifying Procedures

• Individual performances: Allow all second season participants to use qualifying performances from last year’s indoor season (2020) to count towards qualifying for the 2021 NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships.
  • Each team’s 2021 indoor roster must be finalized on DirectAthletics by February 5, 2021, for DirectAthletics to upload performances of all returning NJCAA student-athletes.
  • The performance must be verifiable on TFRRS from 2020 (must have been an NJCAA athlete last season). Performances by transfers from the NCAA/NAIA or any other association are not acceptable.
• Relay performances: 4x400 and DMR performances can not be composited. 4x800m relay times may still be composited.
  • All qualifying relay times must be run in 2021.
  • 4 x 800m relay performances may still qualify and be entered in DirectAthletics based on a composite time from individual performances achieved in either 2020 or 2021 by active and eligible members of the 2021 roster in accordance with the guidelines outlined above for individual performances.
• Multi-Event performances: A total score (not a composite) from 2020 may be used in 2021 under the same conditions as above for individual performance.
  • For the 2021 men's and women's indoor track % field season, a multi-event performance may occur over the course of three consecutive days and at more than one competition.
  • Coaches will be trusted to enter the multi-event composite scores (like the 4x800m) into DirectAthletics manually.  Proof of performances should always be brought to the NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships in case of a challenge.
• White Cards: The NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association reserves the right to implement an increase in the number of white cards allowed per program from three white cards to five white cards. This option will be reviewed by the Coaches Association throughout the regular season and only be implemented if necessary.

Competition Definition

• The maximum number of competitions per individual student-athlete is 10 competitions during the NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field season.
• All meets must be on each team's schedule and entered in a meet management software to upload to DirectAthletics and/or TFRRS.
  • MeetPro, a free software, is an available option for download.
• Teams are permitted to continue to compete in indoor track & field events held at outdoor venues,
  • All rules that apply for a typical indoor track & field competition will apply to the outdoor venue.
  • Electronic timing is required.
  • Wind gauges are NOT required.
  • A certified official must be present and sign off on the competition.
• Teams are permitted to host competitions under the following circumstances:
  • Events featuring fewer events than the normal schedule
  • Meets that are event-specific (i.e., field-events only).
    • A certified official must be present and sign-off on the competition.
    • Electronic timing is required. 
    • Meet management software must be used to upload all results and performances to DirectAthletics.
    • A minimum of two teams with five-events contested.
      • If a team is unable to compete against other teams, a waiver may be filed with the NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association describing the circumstances and need for a waiver.
      • A waiver must be filed for each potential competition date at least two days in advance on the appropriate form with the following requirements but not limited to:
        • Description of why the above requirements for a competition could not be met and a waiver is needed.
        • Include a copy of team's current indoor track & field meet schedule.
        • Signatures from the Head Coach, Director of Athletics, and College President.
        • Proposed dates and events to be contested and location/venue of the competition.
          • Name and contact information for the:
            • Certified official
            • Automatic timing company
            • Any teams that may also participate
• Participation in an NJCAA region championship is not a requirement for entry to the 2021 NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships.

Limited Venue Attendance at the 2021 NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships

• Due to COVID-19, the Robert W. Plaster Center at Pittsburg State University has a capacity of 750 individuals.
  • Approximately 55 of these individuals will be meet officials and workers.
• The NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association is developing a meet schedule, with minimal alterations, to create two competition sessions during the first day of the championship to allow time for proper venue clearance and cleaning.
  • The NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association encourages teams to refrain from bringing non-competing student-athletes to the Plaster Center during the second day of competition, if possible. 
    • The NJCAA Track & Field Coaches Association will review numbers following the entry process to provide teams with updated recommendations. 

For full championship information, visit: NJCAA Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships

For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit: NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage