FOR CLASSES OF 2005, 2006 and 2007: Division I and Division II.
If you plan to enter college in 2005 or after, your eligibility will be determined under the new rule. That means that you must have 14 core courses to be eligible to practice, play and receive financial aid at a Division I or Division II school.
FOR CLASSES OF 2008: Division I Only – 16 core courses.
If you plan to enter college in 2008 or after, you will needs to present 16 core courses in the following breakdown:
• 4 years of English
• 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)
• 1 year of additional English, math or science
• 2 years of social studies
• 4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)
FOR HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS
Students who were home schooled for any part of high school grades nine through 12 must now register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse will determine whether they will be eligible to practice, competition and institutional financial aid at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution during their freshman year.
Home-schooled students should register with the clearinghouse by visiting the clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
COMPUTER SCIENCE BEING ELIMINATED FOR CORE COURSE PURPOSE
Exception: Computer Science courses (such as programming) that are taught through the mathematics or natural/physical science departments and receive either math or science credit and are on the high school’s list of approved core courses as math and science may be used after the August 1, 2005, effective date.
WHAT TESTS ARE REQUIRED TO MEET YOUR INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY STATUS? SAT/ACT TESTS
What is the SAT and how is it structured? Scholastic Assessment Test that is required by most higher education institutions in the United States. The SAT/ACT tests are giving several times a year, and there is a specific deadline you must meet, otherwise late fees will apply. Mailed registration deadlines must be postmarked by the US deadlines and mailed international registration materials must be received by international deadlines. Go to www.sat.org for test dates in your territories.
The SAT has three parts: Critical reading (formerly known as verbal), Mathematics and writing. On both the SAT/Act, students will be asked to write an essay. The SAT writing section is mandatory, while the ACT writing section is optional. In addition, since each section is worth 200-800 points, the SAT score will now range from 600-2400.
NOTE: The NCAA does not require that the writing component be required. The NCAA has noted the importance of reviewing research related to the impact of the writing component.
How will the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse use the scores on the new SAT? The critical reading and math sections will still be scored on a 200-800 point scale, the clearinghouse will still combine those sections for the combined score. The clearinghouse will use scores from the new SAT in combination with scores from the current SAT for the combined score.
What about the ACT? (ACT Assessment Test) is a standardized, multiple choice admission exam. It is accepted for admission by virtually all the colleges and universities in the U.S., including the Ivy League schools. ACT scores are frequently used for scholarship eligibility. The test is administered sic times per year. The ACT usually takes about three and half hours to complete, including your breaks. KEEP in mind ACT is also adding a writing component, but ACT writing component is optional. The scores remain the same. ACT has information at www.act.org. If you have specific questions contact the NCAA membership staff at 317-917-6222.
WHEN DOES THE COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS BEGIN?
The recruiting process begins at the start of the prospective athletes ninth grade. The NCAA defines “prospect” as a student-athlete who has started classes for the ninth grade. Generally, an institution may not provide any recruiting information until September 1 at the beginning of the prospects junior year. In all sports other than basketball, ice hockey and Division 1-A and 1-AA football, a college coach may not telephone prospects until July 1 following the prospect’s junior year in high school.
The first two years of high school are an opportune time to grow and develop you academically and athletically. Make no mistake if you have made some significant noise in your first two years of high school, you are some college coaches’ radar, but the process is in your hands at this point. You can make or break your career by just simply adopting a laissez faire attitude (aka as Lazy).
HOW DO YOU GET A JUMP ON YOUR COMPETITION?
The level of competition has gotten steeper from school to school, as recruiters are looking for something special to define a “Prospect.” You want to distinguish yourself in several areas sports, academics, extra-curricular activities and community work. Start to consider if you want college athletics as a goal after high school, and you should communicate that to your athletic coaches and academic advisors.
AS A FRESHMAN:
Try to participate in various different camps for your sports. Prepare yourself for these camps and try to distinguish yourself at these camps. Generally there are college scouts in the audience watching for the next great Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Venus Williams, Candace Parker, Peyton Manning, Shaun Alexander, Sheryl Swoopes, Chris Carpenter, Dakota Dowd and Cam Ward; all nominee for the 2006 ESPY awards.
You should also pursue your athletics and your academic goals with the same purpose. At the end of your first year, a strong academic year will start to distinguish you from the pack. Your extra-curricular activities and community work will also show your ability to step out of the box and function beyond athletics. Your ability to demonstrate your skills in handling different life situations will show your growing maturity, and your ability to be a team player. Your progress from year to year should always show progress.
Let just say that your Freshman Athletic year went splendid, but you didn’t reach your academic goal. Don’t fret help is available. Go to your academic advisers and asked for a tutor. Most high schools will work with you to improve your grades. If you can afford it, get some professional help over the summer or in between school breaks. Do not let this slow start in high school derail your college dreams. Keep your eye on the prize.
AS A SOPHOMORE:
NCAA requires that certain core classes must be taken. You must check with your Guidance Counselor to make sure you are on track. Make a schedule up on all the classes that are required to take, and start to strategize with your Guidance Counselors regularly on how you will achieve this goal.
The sophomore year tends to be a defining moment for many high school athletes. Grades are important as well as athletic performance. Play your sport at the highest level possible to get notice. Develop good study habits and learn to manage school and sports activities. At some point, you may want to sit with your parents and start to talk about college choices and scholarships opportunities. With the advent of the Internet, you can take virtual tours of any college athletic programs. Consider playing near home first, as in-state tuition is cheaper than out of state. In addition, it allows your parents and relatives to see you play at the college level, and participate in your college life.
To enhance your national or regional appeal, start to attend college competitions in different areas of the state and the region. Get to know potential players that you may meet at the college competition level. Measure your ability against your competition. Keep records of these competitions and pictures. Many times you can purchase any video that has been shot with you in it. Talk with college athletes at different schools to hear their opinions first hand.
AS A JUNIOR:
By now, it is clear if you have got what it takes to play at the next level. Now it is time to treat your dream to play college sports as a business decision. It is time for you to take charge and become the recruiter as oppose the recruited. Position yourself to be actively scouted and recruited by college coaches. First, you need to match up your abilities and achievements with the criteria set by Universities or Colleges of your choice. If you play multiple sports, you need to determine which sport is transferable into a possible athletic scholarship. If you are stronger in football, then you need to focus on football scholarships. If you are a track star, but you also play basketball, you need to focus on a Track and Field Scholarship. On the other hand if you have outstanding academic record, you should consider pursuing both an academic and athletic scholarship. This will make you a Class A prospect.
Second, you have to begin to put together your marketing plan. In some cases your sports and academics may speak for themselves. However, at the next level, everyone is good. You must make sure that you have taken the SAT/ACT. If you did not score high, you need to take it again. Remember coaches are looking for improvement from year to year. In addition, you must check with guidance counselor to make sure that you are on track for graduation. In other words, are you marketable?Thirdly, at the end of your Junior Year, you must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse after you complete your junior year. You must be certified as eligible if you are to participate in Division I or II as a freshman.
HOW CAN HIGH COACHES AND ACADEMIC ADVISORS HELP MARKET YOU?
The recruiting process will give your high school coaches and opportunity to blow their horn on their star athlete. Ask your high coaches and academic advisors to write letters to your prospective college. College coaches like to hear about your speed, stamina, toughness, aggressiveness, diligence, discipline regarding assignments, ethics, fair play and that you are a team player. In addition college coaches like to see game tapes. A select group of tapes should be duplicated and sent along with your letter. Academic Recruiters like to hear about how the student ranks among their peers, and about the student’s involvement in any extra-curricular activities in school or outside.
Do not rely totally on your high school coaches to help position you in front of college coaches, most coaches are administration people and have no time or skills to assist you. Do not fall into false securities thinking that your coach has all the answers. Get your parents involved in the process before the college coaches come knocking on your door. The most important thing you need from your high school coach is his recommendation letter. Do not sit back and wait, actively pursue colleges and universities of your choice. Preparing yourself and your family before hand can help you managed the process better.
When deciding on a particular school, consider the admission preferences and the scholarship hierarchy first. In certain sports, there are fewer scholarships available.
The real measuring rod when skills are equal could be your academics and or your background or your family lineage.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE YOU START YOUR SENIOR YEAR?
You need to sit with your parents and discuss college cost and expenses. If you are able to hire a college recruiter than you would want to develop a student-athlete profile along with your letters and video tapes of game. These organizations make a considerable effort to get you in front of as many college coaches as possible.
There is a major market for parents who pursue Division I scholarships. If your parents are not able or unwilling to hire a College Recruiter then there are a few things that you need to understand. As a student-athlete you can patiently wait for a phone call or you can take a pro-active approach. It is true that if you are an “elite athlete” calls are probably bombarding you, but how you handle those calls can make a difference.
First: Plan A Strategy That Meets Your Goals. Start by selecting the colleges of your choices, Consider whether you will play your first year or be red-shirted. Determine if there is a good chance that you will at least get to play your second year as well. This will be based on researching your position and the talent at the prospective school.
Second: Determine realistically your chances academically and athletically getting accepted at a particular school. Also consider the likelihood that you would be able to adjust at a particular school environment. For some students leaving home for the first time can be difficult. So careful consider your ability to adjust to new surroundings and make friends. Group all of school choices on a five point system using the following criteria of (1) less likely and (5) most likely.
___Campus Life ____Geographic distance
___Academic Rating ____Will they red-shirt me?
___School’s Tradition ____ Graduating Rates
___Cost and Expenses ____Housing Options
___Athletic Program ____Chance for Scholarship
Third: Request College Brochures, and get your parents involve with your final choices. Evaluate the colleges against your strength and weaknesses. You have to be eligible to play at any school you apply to for admissions. Narrow the colleges down to your top five and your bottom five. Compile your top ten lists of schools and coaches. Plan to visit as many as possible during the recruiting period. The top five will be your “official visits,” and the bottom five would be “unofficial visits.”
HOW TO GET THE COLLEGE COACHES ATTENTION?
By your junior year, you may have already started to receive some correspondence and phone calls from carious college programs. Make sure that you acknowledge those letters, and follow-up with your marketing package.
When you put your Marketing Game Plan, you should approach this process as if you are looking for a job. You want to start with a nice cover letter that explains your intent to attend the particular school, and you want to request an opportunity to meet and view the facilities. You also want to include the latest report on your grades, reference letters, game tapes and any essential phone numbers and addresses of coaches and references. This information can be presented in a video file or a separate folder. Include in this package and any information that will enhance your ability to sell yourself to these coaches. You can get a jump on your competition, if you plan your unofficial visits during the summer months before the senior onslaught starts. As a follow-up, indicate that you will call them for a follow-up, and don’t wait for them to call, call them on a rotation basis. It is important that you get on as many college coaches radar screen and get their feedback. It is equally important to keep a log of what material has been sent, and what feedback has been given. This will prove to be invaluable, when your start to make your “Official” visits.
TWO TYPES OF STUDENT VISITS SANCTION BY NCAA
UNOFFICIAL VISITS
These are made at the expense of and on the initiative of the recruit. There is no limit to the number of unofficial visits. Although the stay is limited to 48 hours, it can still prove to be invaluable in the recruiting process.
You will get points for taking the initiative to request to visit a school, and it will give you an uninhibited opportunity to visit a college program, and evaluate it based on your criteria list. These visits usually help you to narrow your choices down more effectively. Many times seeing a program up front and personal can change your outlook on a particular college. Equally, if you are from a small school where a particular university does not recruit, you allow the coaching staff an opportunity to put a face with the talent.
Make no mistake your present on campus is measured, and you can make lasting impressions during these visits. Make a list of what you want to accomplish on this visit. Visit with as many coaching staff as you can. Visit the academic schools of your choice as well. Combine the visit with an opportunity to speak to other college athletes. Get a first hand impression. Visit the Student Life Center and dormitories. Eat at the cafeteria and emerge yourself into the student life for that visit. This will help you to make a more informed decision as a senior.
OFFICIAL VISITS
The best time for these visits are during Spring Break and during the season. The stay is limited to 48 hours. The process is usually planned speeches and meetings with various school dignitaries like the college president, coaches and professors. These visits are only extended after an athlete has been accepted academically. A college generally finances one visit to its campus for a prospective recruit. This cost will generally include transportation, lodging and meals. Parents, who attend these visits, do it at their own expenses, but there input can invaluable when a prospect is making their final decision.
What should a prospect ask for? Ask for the Team Media Guide. It contains a wealth of information about the team, players, coaches, school, facilities and the school traditions. This will give you more information as you evaluate your choices.
Are you being evaluated for a scholarship? As a Prospective Recruits, you are being evaluated every minute of the visit. Your non-verbal is as important as your verbal questions. Prospective Recruits should be careful not to say or do anything that might be construed as lack of interest. Coaches are terrified that a student may use the admission process to get into the school, and later quit the sport. We see that a lot in Ivy League schools. Coaches are also terrified that a highly sought prospect may give the false impression that they will attend their university, when in fact they plan to commit to another. It is important that the recruit is open and fair with the school, and that they commit as early as possible.
WHAT ROLE DOES A PARENT PLAY IN COLLEGE RECRUITING? COACHES VISITS (off-site and in person)
When a highly sought after prospective recruit has finished his or hers Junior year, college coach officially make off-site visits to their homes and their schools. In a competitive college sports world, a highly sought after prospects parents’ could even receive visits to their place of employment. For some parents, this could become a daunting task, and the phone call could become annoying. It is only fair that you as a prospective athlete communicate fairly and honestly your intent to attend a particular school as early as possible.
When a coach come to visit, his visit is partly observation and investigative. It is their goals to recruit the most viable candidate. Before their visit is announced, they have already done the number crunching, analyze their recruitment needs and are zeroing in on their prospect. The parents should be the gatekeeper, and try to make sure that the recruiting process is fun and significant for their child.
It is important that the coach shows interest, and the willingness to establish a relationship with the parents as well as the prospect. The visit should be in a safe and secure place that you can talk without any interference, and you should be armed with various questions for the coaches.
The safe and security of your child should be paramount. You want to know about the training and conditioning facilities, nutrition program for athletes and the academic standards that the coach has set and enforces during the playing season. Athlete recruiting is not separate from general admission, so you need to know what the coach commitment is to your child graduating.
You want to make an inquiry about whether there is a Parent Associations. This could be a very important way for you as a parent to stay involved in your child’s academic life. Many of these organizations functioned through the Compliance Department and the Academic Advisors Life Skill Department. If they do not, find out if he will support such a group at his school. This will demonstrate the coach’s willingness to work with the parents of athletes.
Asked for references of other athlete’s parents. Asked about Hazing policy of the school. This ancient “right of passage” still exist on some college campuses, and has cause some major injuries in the past. Talked about the pros and cons of the college versus another colleges. Make the “best case” for your child’s success. Make sure your child’s academic and athletic needs are communicated clearly. You want to make sure that you are putting your child in the right hands.
Now parents don’t get comfortable after this visit, and take your child to the school and drop them off and expect the coaches to looked after them. This is highly unlikely without your regular visits to the campus to remind them. You as a parent have the responsibility to monitor your child’s academic and athletic progress, and make their college experience fun and rewarding.
FACTS PARENTS CAN USE TO MANAGED THE RECRUITING PROCESS
NCAA DI – No recruiting material can be received by any means of communication until September 1st at the beginning of the prospect’s junior year in high school. However, one telephone can be made to prospective recruit’s parents or legal guardian during March of the prospects junior year in high school. In-person contacts shall not be made prior to July 1st following the prospects’ completion of the junior year if high school. National Letter of Intent Signing Periods are: Early Signing is generally in November and late signing is generally in April and August.
NCAA DII – The recruiting regulation for Div I is the same for DII, but no telephone call can be made before June 15 immediately preceding the prospect’s senior year in high school. The same rule applies to contact in-person, off-campus as well. National Letter of Intent Signing Periods are generally in November and late signing is generally in April and August.
NCAA III – The recruiting process is a lot different. Institutions are permitted to provide to prospects and to high school and two-year college coaches any official academic, admissions, athletics and student-services publication of a general nature that is available to all students. Absolutely no contact can be made to any high school prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardian(s) until the prospect has completes the junior year in high school.
NAIA – NAIA prohibits any coaches or other officials to make any initial contact with any athlete that is enrolled at another institution. If a student initiates any contact with an NIAA school, the NAIA must notify the other college.
NJCAA – The NJCAA allows an athlete to visit a campus for two days and nights. The visit must be completed no less than ten days before the opening date of classes.
HOW DO COACHES FIND STUDENT ATHLETES?
There are several ways that a college coach can find you, but I want to reiterate the best way is when you contact them.
Many college coaches recruit from National, Regional and State competitions. The disadvantage is that you are competing against all athletes in the competition versus competing against yourself when you contact the school directly. In many instances, college coaches receive recommendations from high school coaches, club coach and other college coaches. This is also a way to get some exposure. You have to ask your high school coach for a recommendation or you need communicate to other coaches your desire to attend a particular school.
Coaches will attend various types of camps and clinics and recruit from on recommendations of those holding the clinics or camps that are familiar with skill level of a prospective athlete. Coach’s will also looked to the National Scholarship roll as well. Coaches like to recruit smart kids, because they can get the athlete exempted quicker than another prospect. In addition, the coaches like the fact when you can qualify for another type of scholarship.
WHY IS THE SENIOR YEAR THE MOST IMPORTANT YEAR?
It’s the beginning of your senior year and your phones are not ringing. Don’t despair but do be somewhat alarmed. It does not mean that you are not a talented athlete because you are not being actively recruited. What it means that you have not done the early preparation work to position yourself to be recruited.
No one knows you exist. You may live in a small town in rural community that college recruiters do not recruit from. It is your job to get in front as many college coaches as possible. You can’t wait to your senior year and start contacting colleges. Now you are fighting against the players that are already in the pipeline. You may have lettered in every sport, and carried a four-point average all four years of high school, but no one knows you exist.
It is time for action. Make sure you are registered with the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse during the fall of your senior year. Start contacting schools immediately. Put equal emphasis on your academic record as your athletic achievements. Stay academically focus and athletic strong. Give your level best in both sports and academics. As a late bloomer, looked for an opportunity to showcase your talent every chance you get. Any positive exposure will close the gap of late preparation in the recruiting process.
Keep in mind, NCAA is not the only organization that can offer you a scholarship. And if you need to supplement your grades before you can attend a NCAA school, consider attending a Junior College. Don’t give up on your dream. Have patience and always try to have fun. Keep in mind the recruiting process is your first step towards marketing your academic and athletic talents. You must be prepared for college sports politics and “surprises.” Begin the recruiting process with an open mind and focus on both academics and athletics when selecting a school. Research the value of your potential degree in the job as a consideration after you stop playing sports as well.
“Begin with the end in mind.” Steven Covey |
