2021-22 College Season FAQ

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound and detrimental impact on our sport, USA Ultimate’s College Working Group has been engaged in deep and thoughtful discussions focused on evolving eligibility guidelines to remain as inclusive as possible and encourage competitive opportunities. Following last month’s announcement regarding the rescheduling of the 2021 college series for the fall and granting an eligibility extension, the working group has fielded and considered several questions specific to eligibility.

While USA Ultimate strives to organize a nationally competitive and high quality championship series this fall, it will be inherently different in many ways. When drafted, the competition guidelines for a 2021 fall series will reflect this new and challenging environment. At a minimum, the working group believes the primary goal of a fall series should accommodate those who were planning to play college ultimate during the 2020 and 2021 spring seasons and enrolling in college for the first time this fall.

With that goal in mind, and to better answer questions from the ultimate community, please see below an FAQ about 2021-22 college eligibility.

FAQ

What competitive impact will the spring or fall of 2021 have on future college seasons?

If we are able to have any competition in the spring of 2021, those events will have no impact on a fall postseason championship series. Any participation in a 2021 fall series will not have any impact on the 2022 spring series.

Will USA Ultimate be collecting registrar verified rosters in the spring of 2021?

No.

Do I need to have eligibility remaining to participate in the fall series?

To participate in the 2021 fall series, you must be within your eligibility participation clock during the 2022 spring season. For incoming freshman and others new to college ultimate, the fall series will begin your eligibility clock, however it will have the same effect as if you participate in your first event in the spring of 2022.

What academic eligibility requirements will there be?

This has not yet been determined. There will be academic requirements for the fall series, however the bar for participation will be lower than the usual requirements for a normal spring season given the academic challenges caused by the pandemic. Beginning in the spring of 2022, normal eligibility rules will apply with the exception that the extensions granted in the spring and fall of 2020 will be in effect. Similar to a typical spring season, USA Ultimate will require roster and participation verification from your school to participate in the fall series.

Will students who graduated in 2020 and 2021 be eligible to participate in the fall series?

The college working group is currently reviewing potential avenues to allow for participation in the fall series. No final decision has been made. The goal is to allow students to complete their college careers with their former teams. However, there are complications that make this difficult. Graduates will not be allowed to participate unless they are specifically allowed by their university.

Are graduating students in their final year (both current fifth- and sixth-years) only eligible for the 2021 fall series, or are they also eligible for the 2022 spring series too?

The are eligible for both, assuming all academic eligibility requirements are met.

Are non-enrolled graduating students with remaining years of eligibility allowed to play in the 2022 spring season?

If they are not a student in 2022, they will not be eligible for the spring season. However, if they enroll and comply with the eligibility requirements, they may be eligible.

If a player is not enrolled in classes for the 2021 spring semester, would they still be eligible for the 2021 fall season?

Yes, they may be eligible as long as they meet the academic eligibility requirements for the fall series.

Will incoming freshman be eligible to participate in the fall series?

Yes.