How to Navigate the NCAA Process Saraland City Schools Jeff Kelly , Athletic Director

The Game Plan…… General overview of initial-eligibility rules    Understand AHSAA and NCAA Eligibility Standards are Different!!   Different Standards for Different Levels? What do I need to be focusing on as a Student Athlete?

AHSAA Eligibility…(is not NCAA Eligibility) 4 Core Classes ( English , Math , History , Science ) 2 Electives ( PE, Weight Training , Spanish, Art, Speech , FACS) Must have a 70 Average between those 6 classes. Your Junior Year eligibility is determined by your grades as a Sophomore. Example.. Algebra 75 Phy Science 64 US History 80 Eng 9 CPA 68 PE 92 Art 82 Total 461 / 6 Classes = 76.8 Avg Eligible according to the AHSAA!

Who are the players in this game? Division 1 FBS – Alabama, Auburn, USM , Troy , USA, UAB FCS – Ala State, Ala A&M, Samford , North Alabama , Jacksonville State Division 2 Miles College, Spring Hill, West Alabama, Tuskegee Division 3   Birmingham Southern, Huntingdon College NAIA U of Mobile, Faulkner University, Stillman College NJCAA Alabama Southern , Faulkner , Bishop State

2.3 or take a Knee: GRADES MATTER!!!

NCAA Division I Eligibility Students will need to meet the following requirements to receive athletics aid, practice and compete their first year: 16 Core Courses in the following areas: 4 years of English 3 years of math at Algebra I level or higher 2 years of natural or physical science (one lab class required) 1 year of additional English, math or natural/physical science 2 years of social science 4 years additional coursework from areas above or foreign language Minimum required GPA Minimum GPA of 2.300 in those 16 core courses

Classes to be aware of for NCAA The following classes are core classes in Saraland, but do not count for NCAA Eligibility (They do however determine your AHSAA eligibility) : Algebra Connections The following classes are core classes for NCAA Eligibility and should be taken : All English , Science, History, and Math classes. Speech Mythology Psychology Sociology All Foreign Languages Discrete Math

How do you Compute CORE GPA? Only use the classes defined by the NCAA as Core – Refer to Saraland’s 48 H form . https://web3.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction Freshman Year Sophomore Year Class Grade Quality Pts Class Grade Quality Points Eng 9 B 3 Eng 10 C 2 Alg 1 C 2 Geo C 2 Whist D 1 US Hist C 2 Phy Sc B 3 Mar Sci B 3 Speech A 4 Junior Year Class Grade Quality Pts Eng 11 B 3 Total Quality Points 35 US His 2 C 2 Total Core Credits Earned 14 Biology B 3 Span 1 D 1 CORE GPA 35 / 14 = 2.50 Sociology A 4 NOTICE HOW SPEECH and SOCIOLOGY HELPED !!!

Division 1 Sliding Scale Use for Division I beginning August 1,2016 Division 1 Sliding Scale Examples: 2.20 Core GPA = 79 ACT SUM ( 19.75 ) 2.30 Core GPA = 75 ACT SUM (18.75) 2.60 Core GPA = 64 ACT SUM (16) 2.80 Core GPA = 57 ACT SUM (14.25)

Division I Eligibility Reminders Minimum core GPA = 2.3. Ten core courses required prior to beginning of seventh semester.  Seven of the 10 courses must be English, math or science.  Ten core courses are “locked in” for GPA purposes. Core Classes not in that “10” can be replaced. GPA/test-score index (sliding scale). 

Three Possible Academic Outcomes for Division I Eligibility Full Qualifier  Access to practice, competition and athletics aid in the first year Meets all academic requirements of the rule. Academic Redshirt  Access to practice and athletics aid only in the first year;  No competition in the first year; • Lacks the 10/7; and/or  • Lacks 2.3 GPA. o See Quick Reference Sheet.

Three Possible Academic Outcomes for Division I Eligibility Cont. Non-qualifier  No practice, no competition, no athletics aid in first year; and  Three seasons of competition; may earn fourth season back.   Remember that these rules govern the college-bound student- athlete’s first academic year in residence. Student- athletes may gain or lose their eligibility each term based on institutional, conference and NCAA rules.

Division II Eligibility Requirements (NEW) Complete the required 16 core courses Earn a minimum 2.20 GPA or better in your core courses Earn a minimum SAT or ACT score that matches the 16 core course GPA on the full qualifier sliding scale for Division II Eligibility

Division II Sliding Scale (New)

Taking the ACT and/or SAT Be sure to enter “9999” code when registering for the ACT or SAT This requests for your official test scores to be sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

ACT Secret > Sum vs. Composite Rewards you for taking the ACT multiple times. Allows you to take the highest score for each section on any of your tests. Example: Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 English 17 English 19 English 16 Math 20 Math 16 Math 22 Reading 16 Reading 20 Reading 18 Science 19 Science 22 Science 17 Composite 72 Composite 77 Composite 73 However, because this student took the ACT 3 times, their total Composite Score used by the NCAA is 83 !!!

Register for NCAA Clearinghouse Ideal time is at the end of you Junior Year Certifies academic and amateur status of every student that attends D1 or D2 Schools Must complete before taking an official visit $85 Fee by Credit Card on NCAA Eligibility Center See a counselor , AD, or Coach Croley if you need assistance

NAIA Eligibility – another great opportunity for student athletes If you will graduate from high school this spring and enroll in college this coming fall, the requirements are simple. High school graduation, plus two out of three of these requirements 1. Achieve a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. 2. Graduate in the top half of your high school class. 3. Achieve the NAIA's minimum test score requirement:  16 composite score on the ACT for tests taken after March 2016 (18 if taken on or before March 2016) These rules will continue through the 2018-19 academic year, after which time a change in test score requirements could be implemented.

In Conclusion……What should you be doing NOW? Be the best player you can be NOW for SHS. Take the ACT as often as possible = Sum vs Composite Give your coach a reason to sell the product (you). Focus on Greatness in the Classroom 9th and 10th grade matters.

Contact Information AD – Jeff Kelly jkelly@saralandboe.org AD – Donna Sunnycalb dsunnycalb@saralandboe.org Academic Advisor – Scott Croley scroley@saralandboe.org