You're right. Here's the rule:
Section 7. NUMBER OF SEASONS A STUDENT-ATHLETE CAN PARTICIPATE
A. Student-athletes must not have previously competed during two seasons in a given sport at any intercollegiate level.
B. Participation in any fraction of any regularly scheduled contest during the academic year shall constitute one (1) season of participation in that sport. Participation includes entry into an athletic contest and does not include dressing for such an event.
Section 8. HARDSHIPS
The hardship provision of the NJCAA is available to student-athletes, who are unable to complete a season of competition or did not satisfy one of the other eligibility rules as a result of an injury, illness or some type of an emergency beyond their control.
A. Hardship #1 involves an injury or illness which results in the student-athlete’s inability to complete a season. Prior to the injury or illness, a student-athlete must not have:
1. Participated in more than 20 percent of the college’s regular season schedule
OR
Have participated in no more than two of the institution’s completed events in that sport, whichever number is greater.
2. The injury or illness must also have occurred in the first half of the schedule resulting in the student-athlete being incapacitated for the remainder of the season. (A student-athlete can not participate in the second half of the regular season schedule)
3. The injury or illness must be season ending in nature.
NOTE: In applying the 20 percent limitation, any competition which results in a fractional portion of an event shall be rounded to the next highest whole number, e.g., 20 percent of a 27-game basketball schedule (5.4 games) shall be considered six games.
B. Hardship #2 involves cases other than those affecting a student-athlete's season of competition as specified in Section 8.A.These cases must show that there are circumstances beyond the student-athlete's control which directly result in their inability to satisfy the Rules of Eligibility. The 20 percent limitation still applies to participation. All requests must receive approval from the NJCAA Office of Eligibility.
NOTE: The NJCAA cannot rule on those situations that did not occur at an NJCAA member college.
