Retiring the number/jersey of a former NSU student-athlete should be considered the highest honor which can be bestowed upon an individual and should be done only in rare instances and following in-depth consideration as it relates to this policy. Under no circumstances can an administrator, coach or any other individual unilaterally make the decision to retire a number.
 
Once a number/jersey is retired, it is not to be worn again by any NSU student-athlete except in extreme circumstances and with the approval of the individual whose number is retired and/or their family. The exception to this regulation will be the sport of football, based on the number of jerseys that are worn every season. For football, the honoree's jersey with his name on it will be retired and permanently displayed. Furthermore, any numbers – regardless of the sport – that have been retired before March 2019 should remain retired.
 
Evaluation of a nomination begins with vetting by the sports information office, followed by input from a sport-specific subcommittee convened by the Director of Athletics comprised of the nominee's coach(es), plus other current/former staff members (i.e. Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator, Sports Information Director) who have insight on the candidate. The AD or his designate shall prepare a subcommittee report for review by the N-Club Hall of Fame selection committee. The N-Club Hall of Fame selection committee will make the determination to retire a number/jersey and present it to the University President for approval.

The university reserves the authority to reconsider a retired number/jersey if the individual recognized, by subsequent actions, presents a significant negative reflection on themselves and/or the university.

 

Nomination Process

• Any individual can nominate a former student-athlete's number to be retired. The timing of the nomination can be at the discretion of the individual, but it is preferred that the nomination occur at least six months prior to the competitive season of the sport that the nominated individual played.
• To nominate jersey/number for retirement, fill out the online nomination form.
• The N-Club Hall of Fame selection committee, during its annual meeting to choose inductees, should also consider any nominations for retired numbers/jerseys submitted during the past year. Nominations submitted shall be reviewed by the sports information office, which may also provide nominees as appropriate, and reports on nominees shall be presented to the Athletic Director, no later than when the annual N-Club selection meeting date is set. If a nomination is received after the regular Hall of Fame selection meeting, the Athletic Director can call a special meeting of the selection committee to consider the candidate(s) in a timely fashion related to the sport season of the nominee.
• Timeline for consideration of retiring a number/jersey begins five years after competitive eligibility is completed. Exception: extraordinary circumstances as determined by the N-Club Hall of Fame selection committee, the Athletic Director and with the approval of the University President.  If a retirement gains approval and the nominee has not yet crossed the 10-year span after competitive eligibility required to appear on the N-Club Hall of Fame ballot, the nominee will join the ensuing Hall of Fame induction class.

 

Criteria

The following is a list of criteria that should be taken into consideration as it relates to retiring the number of a former NSU student-athlete. To qualify for consideration, the individual must meet at least eight of the 13 criteria: 

• Named to an All-American or All-Region team.
• Selected as an all-conference or All-Louisiana honoree more than once.
• Selected as Southland Conference and/or Louisiana Player of the Year
• Holder (past or present) of at least one and preferably multiple school single game, season or career records.
• Listed as an NCAA statistical leader (past or present) on a single game, season or career basis.
• Contributed significantly to an extraordinary level of team success (i.e. conference title, postseason competition).
• Inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame, a state hall of fame, or the Southland Hall of Honor.
• Represented their country as an Olympian.
• Participated at the professional level.
• Selected for a team award (i.e. season or permanent team captain, Joe Delaney Leadership Award, etc.) on one and preferably multiple occasions.
• Earned a degree (two- or four-year) from NSU or another institution or left NSU in good academic standing.
• Demonstrated good character and exhibited commendable citizenship while at NSU and since leaving NSU.
• Other tangible or intangible factors that may be unique to an individual.

  
Display of retired number
An established location, within athletic facilities and buildings, for display of retired numbers will be determined.  Retired numbers will also be listed as part of the N-Club Hall of Fame digital database in Prather Coliseum.
 
Non-Number Sports
In the sports of tennis, cross country and track and field, which do not have numbers to retire, another way to display that individual's name will be determined.


Adapted - April 15, 2019