1. Steps for the College Bound Student-Athlete
Presented by: Samantha Hegmann
Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance, Monmouth University

2. Background Served in role at Monmouth for 5 years
Oversee compliance efforts for 23 Division I sports teams
Helped get about athletes eligible over tenure
Former Division III coach
Former Division I & II athlete

3. Overview Differences Between Divisions ( I, II, III)
NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards (I, II, III)
Amateurism
Steps to Achieving Eligibility
Recruiting

4. Division Differences Division I Division II Division III
Schools generally have more students, larger athletics budget and more athletic department support than schools in Division II or III
Schools emphasize a life balance in which academically and athletically gifted student can compete at a higher level while maintain a traditional collegiate experience
Academics are a primary focus. Experience shorter sport season, reducing their time away from academic studies and other campus activities

5. What are Initial Eligibility Requirements?
Set of academic standard set forth by the NCAA
Need to be completed in high school
Allows eligibility for practice, competition and athletics aid in college
Center around taking a certain number of “core courses”

6. What is a Core Course?
A course that qualifies for high school graduation in one or more of the following:
English,
Mathematics,
Natural or Physical science,
Social science,
Foreign language or comparative religion or philosophy
Is considered four-year college preparatory
Is taught at or above the high schools regular academic level
Is taught by a qualified instructor
AP and Honors courses do not hold higher weight than traditional courses
School has a list or core courses that are accepted by the NCAA
Any course on that list will be NCAA applicable

7. What are not core courses?
Non Core areas such as ;
Drivers Education,
Physical Education,
Art,
Performance Arts
Courses that prepare student for the world of work or life
Courses taught below grade level with less rigor or depth
Courses not academic in nature, ( i.e. film appreciation)

8. What are Non Traditional Courses?
Courses Taught through
Online or distance learning
Independent Study
Individualized instruction
Most common form of these courses are through online schools or high school

9. Things to Consider
Must be comparable in length, content and rigor to traditional courses taught
Must have regular instructor led interaction
i.e. daily exchange with instructor
Defined time period for completion
Should be clearly identified on high school transcript
Course must appear on NCAA list of approved core courses
Online/virtual school is the most popular
Need to be cautious about which online entity you use
Online virtual school will have a list of their own NCAA approved coursework
Will state “this coursework Meets NCAA non traditional legislation”

10. Core-Course Time Limitation
Division I
From the time you enter the ninth grade, you have (4) years or eight (8) semesters to complete your core course requirements.
If you fail to complete high school “on time” core courses taken after the eighth semester will not be counted toward your NCAA academic eligibility requirements
Division II
You are permitted to use all core courses completed from your ninth grade year until the time you enroll full time at a college or a university.
-classes will only be accepted for the first four years that you are enrolled in school (DI)
-Classes taken during a reclassification year will not be counted
-Only 1 Core course can be replaced after graduation
-If SA has a learning disability, can take up to and replace 3 core courses after graduation
-1 year grace period for enrollment after HS graduation

11. NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Academic Requirements
There are 3 possible academic outcomes:
Qualifier: Practice, Compete, and receive athletics scholarship during first year of enrollment
Academic Redshirt: Receive an athletic scholarship during first year of enrollment and may practice during first regular academic term. May NOT compete during first year of enrollment. Must pass 9 credits at the end of first term to practice in the spring.
Non-qualifier: No athletics aid, practice or competition the first year of enrollment

12. NCAA Division I Qualifier
Students need to meet the following requirements to receive athletics aid, practice and compete in their first year
16 Core Courses
4 years of English
3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years Physical/ Natural Science (1 year of lab required)
1 year Additional English, Math, Science
2 Years Social Science
4 years Additional (from area above, foreign language, or comparative religion/philosophy)
Minimum required GPA:
Minimum GPA of in those 16 core courses
Core court GPA is determined by taking all the courses, awarding them quality points and adding them up and dividing by # of credits

13. Division I Academic Requirements
Minimum core-course GPA of required
Ten of 16 courses completed prior to senior year
7 of the 10 core courses must be in the areas of English, math or science
These core courses become “selected” for the purpose of GPA calculation
Earn SAT/ ACT sum score that matches your core course GPA on the division I sliding scale
SAT scores earned on of after March 2016 will be evaluated based on the concordance table
A repeat of any of the “selected” courses will not be used if taken after the seventh semester begins

14. Sliding Scale

15. NEW SAT
March 2016 the college board reverted back to the old way of taking SAT’s
1600 maximum score as opposed to 2400
No essay on the new SAT score
Concordance scale- allows for the new score to be converted to old score for NCAA Certification purposes

17. Early Academic Qualifier Division I
Student who meet the following criteria after six semesters will be certified as qualifiers
For Division I: Minimum SAT (math and critical reading) of 900 or minimum sum score of 75 on the ACT; and a core course GPA of 3.00 or higher in a minimum of 14 core courses
3 English
2 Math
2 Science
2 additional core courses in English, math, science and
5 additional core courses in any area

18. Academic Redshirt Requirements for scholarship and practice
16 core courses completed
Minimum Required GPA
Minimum GPA of in 16 core courses
Sliding Scale
Minimum ACT sum of SAT score (critical reading/math only) that matches the 16 core-course GPA

19. Academic Redshirt Cont.:
If you fail to meet the required 10 core courses before the start of your seventh semester ( 7 in English, Math, Science),
Allowed to retake courses in your seventh and eighth semester,
Will be used in certification for the purpose of meeting the academic redshirt requirements

20. Academic Red Shirt Sliding Scale

21. Academic Redshirt Requirements for Scholarship and Practice
If you meet these requirements, you can receive and athletics scholarship during your first year at an NCAA Division I college or university
After the first term is complete, you must successfully complete nine semester hours or eight quarter hours in each applicable term at your college or university to continue to practice for the remainder of the year

22. Nonqualifier Do not meet any of the previous requirements
Cannot receive athletics aid during the first year at an NCAA Division I college or university
Cannot practice or compete during the first year at a Division I college or university
Must serve “year in residence”

23. Early Academic Qualifier Division II
For Division II: Minimum SAT ( math and critical reading) of 820or minimum sum score of 68 on the ACT; and a core-course GPA or higher in a minimum of 14 core courses;
3 English
2 Math
2 Science and
6 additional core courses in any area

24. Division II Core Course Requirements
16 core Courses
3 years English
2 years Math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years natural/physical science ( 1 year lab if offered by high school)
3 years additional English, Math, natural/physical science
4 years additional courses ( from any of the area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)

25. Division II Academic Requirements
Prior to 2018
Earn a GPA or better in your core courses
Earn a combined SAT sum score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68
Beginning August 1, 2018
Complete the required 16 core courses
Earn a minimum 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 scale

26. New Competition Sliding Scale for Division II

27. NCAA Division II Partial Qualifier Academic Requirements
A student-athlete will be allowed to practice and receive athletics aid in first academic year
Complete the required 16 core courses
Minimum GPA of with corresponding test score on the partial qualifier sliding scale
They may receive an athletic scholarship during the first year of enrollment and may practice during first year but NOT compete

28. Partial Qualifier Sliding Scale

29. NCAA Division III Core Course Requirements
No uniform set of eligibility requirements for Division III schools
Eligibility for admission, financial aid, practice and competition is determine by the college or university
The NCAA Eligibility Center does not perform certifications for Division III college bound student-athletes

30. Taking the ACT and or SAT
Be sure to enter “9999” code when registering for the ACT or SAT
This requests you official test scores to be sent directly to the NCAA eligibility Center
Only the best scores of ALL the tests you take will be used to certify you NCAA test score

31. Amateurism

32. Amateurism
The NCAA Eligibility Center encourages you to update your sports participation,
Especially if you participate in events outside of the normal high school season.
Stay college eligible- always ask before you act.
-If you think that you may want to go on to play more than one sports in college make sure that you add ALL sports.
-it is better to be certified right away then to have to go back later down the line to recertify

33. Request Final Amateurism
You will be able to request your final amateurism certification to be completed beginning April 1 ( for fall enrollees) or October 1 ( for spring enrollees)
Please go back and ensure all sports participation history is up to date before requesting final amateurism

34. Once academic and amateurism certification is complete you will be eligible to practice, compete and receive athletically related financial aid

35. Steps to Achieving Your Eligibility

36. Grade 9: Plan
Start planning now by working hard to earn the best grades possible
Ask your counselor for a list of your schools NCAA core courses to make sure you are taking NCAA- approved courses
Your Schools list of NCAA courses can be found at eligbilitycenter.org
-List of “core courses” will be made readily available through your guidance counselors
It is best to ensure that you are taking courses that are on the approved list
-if you enroll for Eng., math, science, social studies and language every year, should meet benchmarks no problem

37. Grade 10: Register
Register at eligibilitycenter.org at the beginning of sophomore year
If you fall behind on courses, do not take shortcuts to catch up.
Your counselor can help you by finding approved core courses or programs that you can take
Be weary of summer classes, and make sure that any “nontraditional” coursework is NCAA approved prior to registering for summer school

41. Grade 11: Study
Students should check with their counselor to make sure that are on track to graduate on time
Students should register to take the ACT, SAT or both. Use the NCAA Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient
At the end of the year, upload student official transcripts
After Junior year, should submit a copy of official transcript to eligibility center for possible “early academic certification”

42. Grade 12:Graduate Take the ACT or SAT again, if necessary
Send scores by using code 9999 to Eligibility Center
Request your final amateurism certification after April 1.
After you graduate, send sealed copy of transcript to Eligibility center ASAP

43. Recruiting

44. Recruiting Coaches Have to abide by specific NCAA
There are certain “periods” coaches are allowed to see a recruit off campus
Age limitations dictate their communication

45. Recruiting Periods
Contact period (Green Period): A period of time when it is permissible for authorized athletics department staff member to make in person, Off campus recruiting contacts and evaluations
Evaluation period (Blue period): A period of time when it is permissible for coaches to be involved in off-campus activities designated to assess the academic qualification and playing ability of prospective student-athletes.
No in person off campus recruiting contact shall be made with prospective student-athlete during an evaluation period.
Contact-Can interact with PSA’s parents and guardians

46. Recruiting Period Cont.
Quiet Period (Yellow Period): A period of time when it is permissible to make in person recruiting contacts only on institutions campus.
No in-person, off-campus recruiting contact or evaluations may be made during that time.
Dead Period (Red Period): A period of time when it is not permissible to make in person recruiting contact or evaluations on or off the institutions campus
Institutional staff member can still to write, or telephone a prospective student athlete during a dead period.

48. Recruiting Timeline
When coaches can start contacting PSA’s via , phone, in person etc.
Different Sports Have Different Timelines

49. Football-Effective August 1, 2017
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR
SENIOR
Recruiting Materials
Questionnaires, camp brochures, nonathletic institutional publications, and NCAA Educational Material published by the NCAA only.
Recruiting Materials and Electronic Transmissions (all forms of private communication permitted).
September 1
Telephone Calls
One call during the period of April 15 through May 31.
Official Visits
Permissible April 1 through the Sunday prior to the last Wednesday in June.
May not occur in conjunction with participation in a camp or clinic.
Maximum of five during high school enrollment.
Once per week after September 1 of the senior year.
Unlimited during contact period.
Off-Campus Contact
July 1 prior to senior year (limited to contact periods).
Official Visit
Maximum of five beginning with the opening day of PSA’s classes.

50. Men’s Basketball-Effective August 1, 2017
Freshman/Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Recruiting Materials
Questionnaires, camp
information, NCAA
materials and nonathletic
institutional publications
only.
June 15 at conclusion of
sophomore year: all
permissible materials per
NCAA Bylaw
Telephone Call and Electronic Correspondence
Unlimited
beginning June 15
following sophomore
year.
Off-Campus Contact
Opening day of classes
of junior year.
Other than during the
April recruiting period,
may have contact only at
PSA's educational
institution.
April recruiting period --
either at the PSA’s
educational institution or
at the PSA’s residence.
Official Visit
Maximum of five
beginning January 1 of
junior year.
Not Permitted During Dead Peirods
Off Campus Contact
May Occur at any location
After an individual has signed
a National Letter of Intent or
the institution's written offer
of admission and/or financial
aid or after the institution has
received a financial deposit in
response to its offer of
admission, the individual is
no longer subject to the
restrictions of Bylaw 13.1.

51. Women’s Basketball-Effective August 1, 2017
Freshman/Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Recruiting Materials
Questionnaires, camp
information, NCAA
materials and
nonathletic institutional
publications only.
Beginning September 1.
Off-Campus Contact
Beginning March 1 through the day before the official start of the WBCA Convention, permissible at PSA's educational institution or residence subject to the recruiting calendar.
Telephone Calls and Electronic
Correspondence (all forms of
private communication permitted)
Unlimited beginning
September 1. ( except during July Evaluation period.)
Official Visits
Maximum of five during high school enrollment.
Permissible starting Thursday following the NCAA women's basketball championship game.
After an individual has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or an institutions written offer of admission and/or financial aid or after the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission the individual is no longer subject to recruiting contact/evaluation restrictions ( i.e. unlimited contact)

52. Questionnaires, Camp info, NCAA and Non athletic
Other Recruiting Materials
Electronic Correspondence
Telephone Calls
Off campus Contact
Official Visits
Women’s Ice Hockey
Anytime
September 1 of Junior Year
September 1 of Junior Year (including all forms)
After Sophomore 1 call to international July7-31
Beginning September 1 of Junior Year
Beginning July 7 following Junior Year
Opening Day of classes of PSA’s Senior year
Swimming and Diving
September 1 of Junior Year (all forms)
July 1 following Junior year. 1 per week
July 1 following Junior year
Women’s Gymnastics
September 1 following Junior year.
July 15 following Junior year

53. Questionnaires, Camp info, NCAA and Non athletic
Other Recruiting Materials
Electronic Correspondence
Telephone Calls
Off campus Contact
Official Visit
Men’s Ice Hockey
Anytime
September 1 of Sophomore year
September 1 of Sophomore Year (including all forms)
Beginning January 1 of Sophomore Year
Beginning June 15 at completion of sophomore year
Opening Day of classes of PSA’s Senior year
Men and Women Lacrosse
September 1, of Junior year
Incoming and outgoing September 1 of Junior year
September 1 of Junior year ( only at Educational institution or residence
Wrestling
September 1 of Junior year
All Other Sports
September 1 of Junior Year
September 1 of Junior Year (including all forms)
Beginning September 1 of Junior Year
Beginning July 1 following Junior Year

54. Official Visit- School Pays for visit
May take a maximum of five expense-paid visits to Division I institutions, with not more than one permitted to any single institution. This restriction applies regardless of the number of sports in which the prospective student-athlete is involved
No limits on Paid Visits to Division II an III
For all only allowed 1 paid visit per institution ( I.e. that specific school you are visiting)
Time period for an official visit is not more that 48 hours.

55. Unofficial Visit- You pay for visit
A prospective student-athlete may visit a member institution's campus at his or her own expense an unlimited number of times. A prospective student-athlete may make unofficial visits before his or her senior year in high school.
Attending camps and clinics at institutions also count towards official visit
Help with player/coaching style

56. Questions