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Baker University Student-Athlete Mandatory Day Off Policy

Effective August 1, 2023 and in accordance with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Day Off Policy Bylaw Amendment (23-B1-18), “countable” athletic related activities shall be prohibited during one calendar day per week. The policy is intended to give student-athletes one calendar day off per week during the season or other approved time periods.

  • As per the NAIA, a week is defined as Monday (12:00am) through Sunday (11:59pm).
  • A travel day related to athletics participation may be considered a day off, provided no countable athletic related activities occur during that day.
  • When an institution’s competition is canceled prior to the start of the competition or canceled prior to the competition being considered a complete event in accordance with the playing rules of that sport, an institution may use that day off as its’s required day off, provided the institution does not engage in any further countable athletic-related activities during that day.
  • The day off may fluctuate from week to week, as determined by the coaching staff.
  • The day off may fluctuate between varsity and reserve varsity programs, as determined by the coaching staff.
  • Post season competitions, holidays, fall or spring break and final exam week can affect the day off and can be an exception.
  • An institution is not required to provide student-athletes with a one day off per week during preseason practice that occurs prior to the first day of classes, or the first scheduled contest, whichever is earlier.
  • Student-athletes are free to participate in their own athletic-related activities on the day off but CANNOT be mandated to do so by the Baker coaching staff.
  • Non-athletic related activities, if done on the planned day off MUST meet the criteria listed below.
    • Take place between the hours of 2:00pm-7:00pm
    • Cannot be longer than 2 hours in length

Athletic-Related Activities
For the purpose of this policy, athletic-related activities are categorized as countable or non-countable. Generally speaking, countable activities include those with a member of the coaching staff (head coach, assistant coach, strength and conditioning coach, etc.)

Examples of countable athletic-related activities include:

  • Competition
  • Practice
  • Weight Training
  • Conditioning
  • Skill Instruction
  • Required Camps
  • Field, Floor or On-Court Activities

Examples of non-countable athletic-related activities include:

  • Viewing Film
  • Study Hall
  • Tutoring
  • Community Service
  • Fundraising Activities
  • Medical Exams / Treatment
  • Attendance at an awards banquet
  • Team Entertainment Activities
  • Travel to and from Competition
  • Meeting with Coaches or Athletic Department Staff on non-athletic matters

Student-athletes are encouraged to use this policy towards academic responsibilities, physical recovery and mental health management.
Each head coach is responsible for communicating the day off policy with their student-athletes on a regular basis.

Means of Reporting Issues
 If a student-athlete believes the policy has been violated, they shall report it to the Director of Athletics, Susan Decker via email (susan.decker@bakeru.edu). For executive action to be taken the person reporting must state their name and sport and provide proper documentation of said week of violation. Proper documentation will be defined as a hard or electronic copy of the schedule and/or some proof of said violation of the day off policy. After proper documentation has been presented, a meeting will be held to determine the next course of action.