National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA)

The National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA) was formed to protect the integrity of homeschool basketball. The NHBA is an extension of the National Christian HomeSchool Championships LLC (NCHC), which hosts the NCHC District, Regional, and National Championships.

NHBA Membership

All programs and organizations participating in the NCHC District, Regional, and National Championships are required to be part of the NHBA. The NCHBC Invitational & NHBA Membership requirement has been in place since before the 2012-13 season.

Teams that have attended the NCHBC Events in the past are returning members. During post-season registration, you will be given the option to renew your membership.
First-year attendees who wish to join the NHBA formally must first register for the NCHC Post-Season Events. Click here to register!

Membership Agreement

All members of the NHBA must agree to the following terms:

  • We agree to abide by the terms of the NHBA (listed below).
  • All new association applications must be submitted before November 1st.
  • Applications submitted after November 1st require immediate contact with Zack Stargell at zackstargell.nchc@gmail.com to request a special expedited process. Applications submitted after this date will likely not be processed until April.

Member Benefits

Voting Seats for NHBA Members in Good Standing:

  • Each member organization in good standing can assign a leader to the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC).
  • Each member organization’s head coaches and leaders in good standing will be part of the NCHC Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB).

Basic Membership Guidelines

  • Member programs agree to follow all NCHC Eligibility Guidelines.
  • Member programs agree to abide by the vetting process of the NHBA.
  • Member programs agree to use only players who are eligible by the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines for all games throughout the year.

The NCHC Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB), Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC), and/or Regional Committee will resolve all player eligibility disputes.

NCHC Event Participation

For a team to participate in NCHC Events, their program must:

  • Be a member in good standing with the NHBA.
  • Have “Good Standing” status from the NCHC.

Teams in good standing with the NHBA and continuing to abide by the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines will be able to attend NCHC Invitational Post-Season Events. Teams that have had previous eligibility violations reported & deemed accurate are dealt with on a year-to-year basis and are subject to annual EAB, EGC, Regional Committee, and/or Executive Committee Vote.

Appeals Process

Any program declared not in good standing with the NHBA or NCHC may appeal the ruling to the EGC, EAB, or Regional Committee as determined by the NCHC Executive Committee. If the member program is unsatisfied with the NCHC Committee’s ruling, they must follow the NCHC Disputes policy outlined below, as well as during the NCHC Registration process.

National HomeSchool Basketball Association & NCHC Dispute Resolution

When completing the NCHC Post-Season Invitational form, each organization and its leaders agree to the following dispute resolution process for all individuals within the organization.

Mediation

The jurisdiction for any unresolved dispute with the National Christian HomeSchool Championships LLC (NCHC) will be mediation held in Oklahoma City, OK. The disputing organization, team, parent, or player will cover the cost of mediation.

Arbitration

If mediation cannot resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of both parties, any dispute, controversy, or claim between NCHC and an organization, team, parent, or player that remains unresolved through mediation will be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration (at the expense of the disputing party). This agreement to arbitrate applies to all claims and disputes. If in-person arbitration is required, it will be held in Oklahoma City, OK.

NHBA Program Requirements

  • All member programs must consist predominantly of traditional homeschool students and positively promote traditional homeschooling.
    • Definition of a Traditional Homeschool Student-Athlete: A homeschool student who participates in athletics. While they may transfer from one homeschool sports program to another to enhance their athletic opportunities, they remain committed homeschool students. This contrasts with a student who is an athlete first and chooses whatever type of schooling benefits them most athletically.
  • All programs that agree to the NHBA terms and complete the form within the proper timeline will automatically receive temporary approval in the NHBA. Formal approval for new organizations will take place after follow-up emails have been sent and responded to.

Membership and Service Rights

The NCHC Leadership & Executive Committee reserves the right to:

  • Refuse service or remove from good standing any organization, team, leader, coach, or parent from membership if it directly or indirectly undermines or damages the interests or reputation of homeschool sports, basketball, NHBA member organizations, or the NCHC, NHBA Member organization, or NCHC Leadership/Staff.
  • Refuse service or remove from good standing to any organization, team, leader, coach, or parent with previous eligibility violations as voted upon by the EGC, EAB, Regional Committee, or Executive Committee.
  • Refuse service or remove from good standing any leader, coach, parent, or organization that has jeopardized the safety, health, well-being, or reputation of any other NHBA Member organization or NCHC Leadership/Staff, including but not limited to referees.
  • Refuse service or remove from good standing any organization, team, leader, coach, or parent from membership if it works with or supports a program, group, or organization that is directly or indirectly undermining or damaging the interests or reputation of the NHBA Member organizations, NCHC Leadership/Staff, NCHC &/or HomeSchool Sports, Basketball, Volleyball, etc.

NHBA Membership Fee

The fee to be part of the NHBA is $5.00 per program per year.

  • If you had a team at an NCHC Post-Season event last year, your fee is automatically covered in your Regional or National Team Fee.
  • If you are attending as a first-year Varsity Team, please remit either your team’s initial payment OR a $5.00 check made payable to National Christian HomeSchool Championships LLC and sent to 2011 West Danforth Rd. #168 Edmond, OK 73003.
  • If a new organization or program’s invitation is rejected, the NCHC will not retain any payment for this team.

Eligibility Verification for New Teams

Teams that have not attended an NCHC District, Regional, or National Tournament in the last two years must undergo an eligibility verification process before being approved to play in NCHC events.

Formal Withdrawal from NCHC LLC and NHBA

Organizations and programs that register for NCHC Post-Season Events agree to have read and abide by the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines. Leaders, coaches, and parents are accountable for reporting any non-compliance to the NCHC as soon as they become aware of such a situation.

Furthermore, if an organization with ineligible players chooses to withdraw from the NCHC, here is the protocol:

  1. I understand and agree that if my organization or program decides to withdraw from this organization, I must contact the NCHC Staff to formally notify them of my plans to withdraw. Email: nchbchomeschoolnationals@gmail.com
  2. I understand that if my organization/program withdraws from the NCHC/NHBA, I must formally notify the families in my program and the NCHC of any eligibility violations, questions, concerns, issues, or possible violations that occurred as an NCHC Member Organization.
  3. I understand that the NCHC will notify eligible players in a program that withdraws from the NCHC during the season with the option to transfer to an NCHC Member program in good standing.
  4. I agree to communicate to parents in my program the Team USA opportunities the NCHC has available at the event we are withdrawing from.
  5. My organization/program understands that no refund will be offered. The only option available is a credit for the following one year.
  6. I understand that withdrawal during an open investigation into eligibility violations will result in our program receiving the maximum ban (3 years + probation). In these situations, the NCHC Staff will likely notify your organization and NHBA member organizations of the final conclusion of the investigation.
  7. I understand that withdrawal (instead of working with the NCHC to rectify the situation) after using ineligible players will result in our program receiving the maximum ban (3 years + probation) and will require an application via the reinstatement form.

NCHC & National HomeSchool Basketball Association Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action will be taken for conduct that includes violating NCHC eligibility rules, displays of violence, vandalism, blatant disregard for safety, spreading rumors or slander, vulgarity, or humiliation of opposing teams or players (from players, coaches, or fans). Participating organizations are responsible for everyone associated with their organizations.

Disciplinary action may include any of the following:

  • A letter of reprimand.
  • A vote by committee members.
  • A request for a written apology.
  • Suspension from participation in NCHC activities for a designated period, not to exceed three (3) years (not including probationary time periods when organizations are reinstated).

When organizations or individuals are suspended, those individuals directly involved with any incidents must be named (via NCHC’s primary and/or secondary forms of communication to member teams, coaches, players, etc.). Those players, coaches, administrators, or parents named as offenders will not be allowed to participate in NCHC activities as part of any other participating team until the period of discipline has ended. Following these situations, anyone involved will be required to complete an application via the reinstatement form.

NCHC Waiver of Liability

Release of Liability Clauses:

I hereby release and discharge National Christian HomeSchool Championships LLC (“NCHC”), its agents, employees, staff members, directors, hired contract labor, sponsors, and officers from any claims, responsibilities, or liabilities for injuries or harm incurred as a result of my participation and/or my child’s participation in NCHC Tournaments and Events.

I hereby release and discharge the NCHC, its agents, employees, staff members, directors, hired contract labor, sponsors, and officers from any claims, responsibilities, or liabilities for injuries or harm incurred as a result student-athletes on my teams, organization, and program’s participation in NCHC Invitational Tournaments and Events.

I authorize NCHC, its agents, employees, staff members, directors, contract labor, and officers to take whatever action is necessary, in their best judgment, in an emergency, and I hereby release and discharge NCHC, its agents, employees, staff members, directors, sponsors, and officers from any responsibility or liability related thereto.

I hereby grant NCHC permission to use our team/organization’s name, picture, or likeness in any printed media or any form of advertisement. I fully renounce any and all claims upon NCHC for reimbursement for the use of this material.

Reinstatement Application:

If an individual is suspended (named) by the NCHC Regional Committee, Executive Committee, Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC), or the Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB), completion of the NCHC Reinstatement Application is required before this individual can be considered for reinstatement. Additionally, if an individual was a coach, board member, director, or leader on an organization placed under disciplinary action by any of the aforementioned committees or boards, you must complete this form to begin the process of reinstatement. Click here to apply for reinstatement.

NCHBC/NHBA Self-Sanctioning and Probation Process

Definition of Self-Sanctioning

“Self-sanctioning” refers to a situation where your organization voluntarily imposes restrictions or penalties on itself. In this case, a probation process. Essentially, it is a form of self-regulation. Self reporting can be done by emailing: nchbchomeschoolnationals@gmail.com

Understanding the Probation Process

The probation process indicates that if a similar issue were to occur again, it would not receive the same benefit of the doubt or the appeal process that was previously available. Essentially, this provides an opportunity to acknowledge that this was a one-time mistake, but it also reinforces that a repeat occurrence will be treated more severely.

Standard Practice Among Organizations

This approach is standard practice. We have had teams from Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and many other areas self-sanction and place themselves under a probationary period. It is worth noting that there is only one example where this has led to another violation and subsequent disciplinary action: the OKC Storm.

Organizations can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining integrity and adherence to established guidelines by adopting self-sanctioning measures and a probation process.