The MCLA policy is that every student athlete gets four years of active participation on a team in any way affiliated with an institution of higher learning. There is no limit to the number of years of affiliation in other capacities (coach, practice squad player, redshirt, etc.).

The MCLA recognizes only the spring lacrosse season, meaning anyone can play during the fall and summer seasons without ‘burning’ one of their four years of eligibility.

Active participant is defined as any player who is willing and able to enter a contest during his team’s season defined by the MCLA website. A player who was active at any time has ‘burned’ one of his four years of eligibility whether he stepped on the field or not. A player who will not under any circumstances play in the game should be noted as such on the website for that game(s). If the reason is injury it should be noted on the player’s profile page on MCLA website.

A player is active once his team submits his name on the MCLA website UNLESS he is indicated as Redshirt. The Redshirt designation means the player will not be inserted into a game under any circumstances, but can participate in any other capacity (practice squad for example).

If a Redshirt (inactive) player has been certified as eligible according to the MCLA process, he can be made active by emailing the Conference Eligibility Coordinator (CEC) and National Eligibility Coordinator (NEC).

Example: A third string goalie is eligible, but not using one of his years (Redshirt on the Website). First string goalie gets injured. Team/coach decides to make third string goalie eligible (ACTIVE). He ‘burns’ a year no matter what once the email/text is sent.

Every student athlete needs to be fully enrolled according to the institution he is attending (default definition for the MCLA is twelve hours) unless they are in the final academic term prior to graduation. A graduating player needs to take only the credits needed to graduate. A graduating player remains eligible until his institution starts it’s next regular academic term.

The NEC will address any non-traditional academic programs (Americans with Disabilities Act, Co-op programs, etc.)

A player who is injured during the first four (4) games of a season and does not participate again that season is entitled to petition for an additional year of eligibility. The guidelines for the petition are the player and/or coach should submit the petition to the NEC with documentation of the injury. The Executive Board (through NEC) will hear appeals in other circumstances.

There are two mandated eligibility checks.

The first one is at least one week prior to each team’s first game submitted to CEC. Second check submitted at least 48 hours prior to start of conference playoffs submitted to both CEC and NEC. This second check can be dated ANYTIME AFTER the institutions deadline to drop classes.

(If the deadline is after 48 hours prior to conference playoffs it should be dated within one week of the deadline)

Teams that do not submit the second roster on time will not be considered for MCLA National Tournament.

The eligibility checks are an official roster input on MCLA website. Returning players information should migrate forward (but check), new players information needs to be input. The roster is then locked and printed from the MCLA website. Players sign, coach signs. It is then taken to the institution’s registrar who certifies which players are either fully enrolled or in the final term prior to graduation, or not. Coaches can attach explanation and work with CEC/NEC to certify the player(s) for students the registrar will not certify.

ANY IRREGULARITIES SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED ASAP WITH CEC AND NEC VIA EMAIL.