Point Loma High School Student Athlete Evening What you need to know to help your student-athlete meet eligibility requirements to play NCAA sports.

Overview NCAA 101 Initial-Eligibility Requirements Year-by-Year Advice Common Questions Important Contact Information PLHS Coach: Alex Van Heuven Sunset Cliffs College Coach: Laurie Hurl Sportsforce: Andrew Beinbrink

NCAA 101 Three Divisions – DI, DII, DIII Division I & Division II institutions may offer athletics scholarships; Division III institiutions may not Division I – 331 institutions Division II – 291 institutions Division III – 429 institutions

NCAA 101 Why initial eligibility? The NCAA member institutions decided it was important to set minimum standards for participation Commitment to student-athlete academic success NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the “Clearinghouse”) is the entity that certifies eligibility for Division I and Division II. Consistent decisions; fair and impartial At DIII institutions, initial eligibility depends on the policies of each institution.

NCAA 101 NCAA initial eligibility vs. college admission NCAA initial eligibility is separate from college admission Each institution makes its own admission decisions, based on established admissions criteria A prospective student-athlete may gain admission to an institution but not meet NCAA initial-eligibility standards OR A prospective student-athlete may meet NCAA initial- eligibility standards but not gain admission

Tracking eligibility is a team responsibility!!!!! The Student The Parents The Counselor And the Coach, should all be vigilant

Four elements to initial eligibility 1. Graduation from high school; 2. Completion of a minimum number of core courses (16); Minimum core grade-point average must be with 16 core classes 3. Minimum core grade-point average; and 4. ACT or SAT test score don’t need to take writing portion of exam. Minimum SAT score of 820 and ACT sum score of 68.

Division I core-course requirements 4 years of English 3 years of math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (one lab) 1 year of additional English/math/science 2 years of social science 4 years of additional core courses (any of the areas above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Division II core-course requirements 3 years of English 2 years of math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years of natural/physical science (one lab) 3 years of additional English/math/science 2 years of social science 4 years of additional core courses (any of the areas above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy) *Beginning in 2013, must complete 16 core courses.

Division I: corresponds to the 16 core-course rule Initial-Eligibility Index (“sliding scale”) This is an abbreviated version of the index. For the full index, see the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete at Core Grade- Point Average SATACT (Sum of Scores)

Division II grade-point average and test-score requirements Minimum core grade-point average must be with 16 core classes Minimum SAT score of 820 and ACT sum score of 68. No sliding scale

GPA tidbits GPA is calculated using core courses only scale A – 4 points B – 3 points C – 2 points D – 1 point If courses taken are “weighted” honors or advanced courses, those courses may improve core-course GPA. Calculated as part of students overall grade point average.

Test-score tidbits SAT/ACT must be taken on a national testing date under standard testing conditions Students with a documented disability may take a nonstandard test if permitted by the testing agency No need to document disability with NCAA for nonstandard test purposes

Test-score tidbits SAT/ACT sum score is used, not the composite score SAT: Add two subscores: Math & verbal/critical reading If the Eligibility Center has more than one SAT score for a student, the highest subscore from each SAT will be used. The writing component of the SAT/ACT is not used at the Eligibility Center (but take for college admissions) Test must be taken prior to initial full-time college enrollment

How to assist your student-athlete throughout their HS careers

How to assist your student- athlete Ninth and Tenth grades: Help students with course selection to: Meet high-school graduation requirements; Adequately prepare them for the rigors of college work; and Meet NCAA initial-eligibility requirements

How to assist your student- athlete Eleventh grade: Help students register to take ACT and/or SAT test When registering, students should select the Eligibility Center as a recipient of their test score  Code 9999  This will ensure scores are sent automatically to the E.C.  E.C. will not accept test scores from a high school transcript

How to assist your student- athlete Eleventh grade, continued: Help students register with the NCAA Eligibility Center Online: $70 registration fee for domestic students (fee waivers available if qualify) Continue to monitor course selection

How to assist your student- athlete Eleventh grade, continued: After junior year, mail official transcript to the Eligibility Center (submit electronically) E.C. must have a transcript with at least six semesters represented to do a preliminary certification Transcripts cannot be faxed Look at the transcript carefully before it’s sent. Are the course titles correct? Are the grades correct? Are the units of credit correct?

How to assist your student- athlete Twelfth grade: Continue to monitor course selection After high-school graduation, School will mail final official transcript to the Eligibility Center Must show proof of graduation Transcripts cannot be faxed Request transcript on Naviance NO SENIORITIS!

Eighth Grade Courses May eighth grade courses be used to meet core requirements? Yes: Must appear on official high school transcript For example Algebra or Geometry Must receive credit Course must be on 48-H (approved core-course list) at the NCAA

New Rules for 9 th Grade Students Full Qualifier must: 1. Complete 16 core courses (same distribution as in the past); Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school. o Seven of the 10 core courses must be English, math or science. 2. Have a minimum core- course GPA of 2.300; Grades earned in the 10 required courses required before the senior year are “locked in” for purposes of GPA calculation. o A repeat of one of the “locked in” courses will not be used to improve the GPA if taken after the seventh semester begins. Meet the competition sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score (this is a new scale with increased GPA/test score requirements); and Graduate from high school.

Rumors True or false: A student must be registered with the Eligibility Center before college coaches can call or come watch the student practice and/or play. FALSE! The student needs to register after the junior year. Coaches may call or come see the student play even if the student is not registered. However, a DI or DII school may not provide an official visit or issue a National Letter of Intent/scholarship offer to a student who has not registered.

Rumors True or false: An athletics scholarship is good for four years. FALSE! Athletics scholarships are for a period of one year. After the year is over, the scholarship may be kept the same, reduced or even cancelled.

Rumors True or false: If a student signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) in November for one school and later changes his or her mind, the student may sign another letter in the spring with another school. FALSE! The NLI is a legal, binding contract. Once a student signs, the student must attend that school for one full year. Make sure you encourage the student to read the letter before signing!

Helpful Resources NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete NCAA Graduation Rates Report Local college athletic department Your High School Athletic and Counseling Department

Andrew Beinbrink