NAIA Decision Making Protocols- Championships

Council of Presidents and COP Executive Committee Authority Deadline

Guiding principles:
1. Safeguard health and safety of S/A's
2. Recognize the importance of athletics to member viability
3. Defer to institutional autonomy whenever possible
4. Minimize negative future Impact on S/A's
5. Reduce financial burden to members when possible
6. Sustain the NAIA for the long term


COP Dec 2020
Provide conference-level feedback regarding return to play 
Review and provide feedback on "go/no-go" factors for championships
Determine "go/no-go" for Indoor Track & Field Championship COP Dec. 2020
Make "go/no-go" determination for winter championships (60 days out)

COP Jan. 2021
Review/approve testing protocol for championships COP Exec 
Make "go/no-go" determination for winter championships (30 days out)

COP Feb. 2021

Make "go/no-go" determination for fall championships (60 days out)

COP Feb. 2021

B. The following "go/no-go" factors are being considered as the national office reviews available data regarding the viability of national championship events. 
1. NAIA
a. % disruption of NAIA competitions by conference
b. Trends of # of athletes withheld due to COVID symptoms by conference
c. % of NAIA members meeting minimum contest requirements
d. Travel bans or quarantine requirements for members

2. Sport
a. % disruption of NAIA competitions by sport
b. Trends of # of athletes withheld due to COVID symptoms by sport
c. % of teams still competing/declare

3. Host Site(s)
a. Positivity rates in areas where hosts are located
b. Current orders and restrictions that could limit host (including opening round) sites
c. Willingness and ability of host to continue

4. External Considerations
a. Other sport organization decisions on championships
b. Success of similar athletic events
c. Availability and cost of testing and/or other safety measures at championships