California Institute of Technology

View and download the Scholar-Athlete Handbook HERE for important information about being a scholar-athlete, NCAA eligibility information and forms, internal operations, offices and resources, and campus policies.

DIII allows the opportunity to participate in four seasons of a sport over 15 quarters. In order to participate by NCAA standards, scholar-athletes must be:

1. Enrolled full-time
2. In good academic standing
3. Maintain satisfactory progress toward degree

In order to remain eligible for athletics at Caltech, scholar-athletes must also meet the following criteria:

1. Enrolled in a minimum of 36 units while in-season, including during breaks 
   • students graduating midseason may continue to participate after their graduation date only if a postseason event begins within 60 days after the end of their final term, a season of participation has already been charged, or is an eligible graduate student/postbaccaluareate
2. Complete at least 27 units with a 1.9 term GPA in the term prior to participation
3. Complete a minimum of 108 credits over the past 3 trailing terms

Scholar-athletes are provided with uniforms, limited practice gear and select equipment for in-season use. Laundry services are provided to teams while in-season by utilizing the loop system.

Teams are issued color-coded, individual laundry loops that are set out prior to activity by the Equipment Manager and can be dropped off up to 30 minutes after activity. Any loops dropped off after the 30 minute window cannot be guaranteed for the next session.

• Loops should be utilized for practice and competition attire only, personal laundry should not be attached to loops
• Items with bright or saturated coloring should not be placed on the loop due to potential color bleeding
• Medical braces should be discussed with Sports Medicine staff prior to placing on the loop
• For practice session that occur within less than 24 hours (i.e. Friday night/Saturday morning practice), athletes should plan for alternative wear on the second session in the case that the laundry is not ready for pickup
• At the end of season, issued uniforms, practice gear and equipment should be returned to the Equipment Manager; any items purchased may be kept
• Scholar-athletes are responsible for the condition in which all issued items are returned and will be charged any replacement costs, per NCAA regulations

Nutrition plays a big part in performance and recovery, both on and off the court (or field or pool or track).

Beaver Bites

As a part of the scholar-athlete experience, Beaver Bites are snacks provided by the Athletic department for NCAA athletes to promote good fueling choices around athletic activity. Bites are located in the Sports Medicine Clinic, and are available to in-season athletes every day they have a planned team activity.

For more fueling tips, check out these infographics. 

Food and Housing during Break Periods

Athletics provides a $17/day per diem to assist with the purchase of meals during official Institute break periods within the declared playing season. This is not meant to cover all food expenses, but to share that burden; if anyone is struggling to make ends meet during these or any other period, please contact the Director of Athletics, Betsy Mitchell at betsy.mitchell@caltech.edu. Per diem payments should be received electronically by the first day of the designated break period. 

The Athletics' department also will cover on-campus housing costs and reimburse off-campus housing at the same rate as on-campus during the Fall early-season period, but cannot provide such expenses for any day a scholar-athlete misses declared team athletically related activities for reasons other than academic or health issues. Scholar-athletes will be required to pay back excess funds when applicable to retain NCAA eligibility. 

Students experiencing difficulty receiving their per diem should contact the Department Administrator, Lisa Beach at lbeach@caltech.edu.

Dietician and Nutritionist Access

Our Sports Medicine Department has connected with community resources for student-athletes that can help give guidance specific your individual needs. For help connecting with these resources, please email the Head Athletic Trainer, Sarah Beene, at sbeene@caltech.edu. 

Caltech Dining Services

Caltech Dining Services (CDS) provides food service to the Caltech community with 5 student dining halls, 2 cafes, and a large multi-concept dining location for the greater community. 

Undergraduates that enroll in a Board Meal Plan have the option of choosing between the “Anytime Plan" and the “Flex Plan”. Undergraduate meal plan details can be found on the CDS website. 

Click here to see the most updated information of where to eat on campus.

The information below pertains to students enrolled in Board Meal Plans.

Late Plates

Students that may miss dinner time due to time constraints or athletic commitments can request a Late Plate earlier in the day. CDS staff will box food from waited dinners for these students so they can pick up dinner from the Red Door Marketplace. Email dine@caltech.edu to request Late Plates and sign up.

Special Meals Program

For those with dietary restrictions, the Special Meals Program is customized to a student's doctor recommended dietary food requirements and/or other restrictions. An application must be submitted at the start of each academic year. For questions or help with dietary options, email specialmeals@caltech.edu.

Weekend Early Morning Breakfast

If breakfast is needed prior to the dining halls opening on a Saturday or Sunday, students can email dine@caltech.edu to request weekend breakfast burritos, to go! Teams should designate a student liaison to act as point person with dining services. The liaison needs to email dine@caltech.edu by the Wednesday prior to the weekend they need the burritos, with the number of burritos required. By default, burritos will be bacon, egg, and cheese, unless requested otherwise. Earliest pickup on Saturday or Sunday will be 8am.

Other questions about food availability and services can be directed to Caltech Dining Services at dine@caltech.edu.

To maintain amateur status, scholar-athletes may not:

1. Receive preferential treatment, benefits, or services because of athletic reputation or skill, either prior or following enrollment
2. Accept pay or promise of pay in any form for participation 
3. Receive nonpermissible awards, extra benefits, excessive or improper expenses not authorized by NCAA legislation
4. Engage in unethical conduct

The Department of Athletics and NCAA is committed to protecting student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition. NCAA sports wagering rules do not allow student-athletes or athletics employees to bet on any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level, including college and/or professional or to share information for sports wagering purposes. The NCAA has established specific guidelines concerning involvement in gambling and bribery. The NCAA clearly states that a student athlete is not eligible to compete if they: 

• Knowingly provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition; 
• Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team; and/or 
• Accept a bet on any team representing the institution or participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling. 

The NCAA further states that a student athlete will not be eligible to compete if they have shown dishonesty in evading or violating NCAA regulations. 

Student-athletes must report any offers of gifts, money or favors in exchange for supplying team information or for attempting to alter the outcome of any contest to the Head Coach and the Compliance Office. 

Caltech is committed to allowing all student-athletes to earn compensation as a result of the use of their NIL consistent with NCAA rules and policies, California state law, federal law, and Caltech’s policies, mission, Code of Conduct, and Honor Code. 

The full policy can be found here: https://gocaltech.com/documents/2023/4/7/NIL_Policy__1_.pdf 

All Caltech students, coaches, staff, and administration are expected to abide by the Caltech Code of Conduct and represent Caltech Athletics in an appropriate manner at all times. 

Download free PDF of the NCAA DIII Manual here: http://www.ncaapublications.com/s-13-Manuals.aspx