1. “What Students Need to Know to Play Sports at NCAA Institutions”
Briana Vargas
Compliance Coordinator at Indiana University
Alex Stowe
Assistant Director for Compliance at Purdue University

2. Recruitment Topics Difference between DI, DII and DIII
Athletic Eligibility
Scholarships
Timeline
Questions to ask during the recruitment process

3. Division I
Division I schools, on average, enroll the most students, manage the largest athletics budgets, offer a wide array of academic programs and provide the most athletics scholarships.
PARTICIPATION • 176,000 student-athletes •
346 colleges and universities
ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS 56 percent of all student-athletes receive some level of athletics aid
ACADEMICS 2014 Graduation Success Rate: 83 percent*
Power 5 Conferences: ACC, B1G, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC

4. Division II
Division II provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, high-level athletics competition and community engagement. Many participants are first-generation college students.
PARTICIPATION • 118,800 student-athletes
307 colleges and universities
ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS 61 percent of all student-athletes receive some level of athletics aid
ACADEMICS 2014 Academic Success Rate: 71 percent*

5. Division III
The Division III experience provides an integrated environment that focuses on academic success while offering competitive athletics and meaningful non- athletics opportunities.
PARTICIPATION • 187,800 student-athletes
439 colleges and universities
FINANCIAL AID 82 percent of all student-athletes receive some form of academic grant or need-based scholarship; institutional gift aid totals $17,000 on average
ACADEMICS 2014 Academic Success Rate: 87 percent*

6. Athletic Eligibility Division I – 5 year clock
A student-athlete has five years in which to complete his/her four years of athletic eligibility.
Division II- Ten semesters
A student shall complete his/her season of participation during the first 10 semesters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the regulations of that institution.

7. Scholarships Division I, II, III and Junior College
Division I & II can offer athletic scholarships
Division III can offer academic scholarships
Junior Colleges vary with their offers
Division I – Power 5
Offer cost of attendance
What does a scholarship include?
A FULL scholarship consists of:
Tuition
Fees
Room and board
Required course-related books

8. 9th Grade – Freshman Year
Recruiting Timeline
9th Grade – Freshman Year
Telephone
Coaches MAY NOT telephone prospects in the 9th grade. The prospect may call & write the coach at his/her own expense, but the coach may NOT return the call.
Correspondence
The following may be mailed to a 9th grade prospect:
Camp Brochure
Questionnaire
Educational information published by the NCAA
Unofficial Visits
A prospect (and parents/coach) may come to campus at his/her own expense to meet with coaches, students and staff. However, during dead period you may NOT make an unofficial visit.

9. 10th Grade – Sophomore Year
Recruiting Timeline
10th Grade – Sophomore Year
Telephone
Coaches MAY NOT telephone prospects in the 10th grade. The prospect may call & write the coach at his/her own expense, but the coach may NOT return the call.
Correspondence
The following may be mailed to a 10th grade prospect:
Camp Brochure
Questionnaire
Educational information published by the NCAA
Unofficial Visits
A prospect (and parents/coach) may come to campus at his/her own expense to meet with coaches, students and staff. However, during dead period you may NOT make an unofficial visit.

10. Recruiting Timeline 11th Grade – Junior Year
SWM/DIV – July 1 after junior year in HS or opening day of senior year, whichever is earlier
Unlimited calls after this time
MFB – Sept 1 at beginning of senior year in HS
Max one (1) call per week during non-contact period
Once the limit is reached, the institution may not initiate an additional telephone call even if no direct conversation occurs during the additional call (e.g. voic message)
Unlimited calls during contact period
One call may be made to a junior between April 15 – May 31
MBB – June 15 after sophomore year in HS
All other sports – Sept 1 at beginning of junior year in HS
WBB – All communication prohibited during July eval period with PSA
Unofficial Visits: A prospect (and parents/coach) may come to campus at his/her own expense to meet with coaches, students and staff. However, during dead period you may NOT make an unofficial visit.

11. Recruiting Timeline
12th Grade – Senior Year Unofficial Visits A prospect (and parents/coach) may come to campus at his/her own expense to meet with coaches, students and staff. However, during dead period you may NOT make an unofficial visit. Official Visits Seniors may take one official paid visit to a campus after the first day of classes of their senior year. You may only take a total 5 official visits during your senior year.

12. Questions to ask What position/role do you see me filling at xx?
How many players will you be recruiting this year at my position?
Based on my transcript and scores, is my admission inline with past recruits or am I weaker/stronger?
What suggestions would you have to help improve my chances?
What off-season expectations are there for your program? Can I play a second sport?
What majors do most of your students pursue in college?

13. Eligibility and Amateurism Topics
Planning by grade
NCAA SAT and ACT score calculating
Core and Nontraditional Courses
Initial Eligibility Information
Amateurism

14. Grades 9 and 10
Speak with your counselor for a list of your school’s NCAA core courses to make sure you are taking NCAA-approved courses.
This list is also available on eligibilitycenter.org
You should register with the eligibility center at the start of your 10th grade year.

15. Grade 11
Register to take the ACT, SAT or both. The code to send the score in to the NCAA eligibility center is “9999”.
At the end of your 11th grade year, you should upload your current official transcripts to the eligibility center.

16. Grade 12 Take the ACT or SAT again, if necessary.
Request your final amateurism certification after April 1.
After you graduate, ask your counselor to upload your transcript with proof of graduation.

17. Calculating ACT or SAT scores for NCAA Academic Eligibility
If you take the ACT or SAT on more than one occasion, you can combine your best scores for purposes of NCAA Eligibility. This is called a “Super Score”.
If you took the SAT before March 1, 2016, you cannot combine that score with a SAT score after that date.

18. Super Score Example ACT Math English Reading Science Total ACT 10/1622 24 26 20 92
ACT 12/16 27 21 23 25 96
ACT 2/17 91
Score Used
105
SAT
Math
Critical Reading
Total
SAT 11/16
390
470
860
SAT 1/17
430
440
870
Score Used
900

19. SAT Test Quick Note
The SAT recently redesigned the format of their test. Test scores taken after March 1, 2016 must be put on a scale for NCAA Eligibility purposes.
We have printed handouts that discuss this change

20. What is a core course?
A core course is a course that qualifies for high school graduation in one or more of the following subjects:
English, mathematics, natural or physical science, social science, foreign language or comparative religion or philosophy
These classes are the only grades used to calculate your GPA for NCAA eligibility purposes

21. Nontraditional Courses
Courses that are taught through:
The Internet; distance learning; independent study; individualized instruction; etc.
Just because your high school accepts the course for credit does not mean the NCAA will, be sure to check the eligibility center before enrolling.

22. Core-Course Requirements (Division I)
Must graduate with 16 Core Courses
4 years of English
3 years of math
2 years of natural/physical science
1 year of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional courses (from any area above, and foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)

23. Important notes
A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required to be eligible for competition as a freshman;
Ten core courses must be completed before beginning your senior year; and
Seven of the ten core courses must be in either English, math or science.

24. Initial-Eligibility Outcomes
Three possible outcomes based on your GPA and test score:
Qualifier – eligible for competition, athletics scholarship, and practice in your first year of college
Academic redshirt – athletics scholarship, practice in first regular academic term (semester or quarter).
Nonqualifier – no athletics scholarship, practice or competition in your first year

25. Qualifier Status
Students will need to meet the following requirements to be considered a qualifier their first year:
Must complete 10 core courses before senior year
Must meet the minimum GPA requirement to go along with your test score (minimum of 2.3 GPA) for the sliding scale
16 core courses in the areas laid out on slide 22

26. Qualifier Sliding Scale Example
Core GPA
SAT (critical reading and math only)
ACT SUM
3.350
480 43
3.175
550 47
3.000
620 52
2.825
690 56
2.650
760 62
2.475
830 69
2.300
900 75
(full scale available at eligibilitycenter.org)

27. Early Academic Qualifiers
If you meet the following criteria after six semesters you will be certified as an early academic qualifier:
Minimum combined SAT score on math and critical reading of 900 (for tests taken prior to March 1, 2016) or minimum sum score on the ACT of 75; and a core-course GPA of or higher in a minimum of 14 core courses:
3 English;
2 math;
2 science;
2 addition core courses in English, math or science; and
5 additional core courses in any area

28. Academic Redshirt
Students will need to meet the following requirements to be considered an academic redshirt their first year:
Must complete 16 core courses
Minimum required GPA between in the 16 core courses
Must meet the sliding scale for being an academic redshirt

29. Academic Redshirt Sliding Scale Example
Core GPA
SAT (critical reading and math only)
ACT SUM
2.299
910 76
2.200
940 79
2.100
980 83
2.000
1020 86
(full scale available at eligibilitycenter.org)

30. Nonqualifier Status
If you do not meet Qualifier or Academic Redshirt requirements, you will be a nonqualifier. Nonqualifiers cannot receive aid during their first year at an NCAA Division I college. They also cannot practice or compete during the first year at a Division I college.

31. Core-Course Requirements (Division II)
Must graduate with 16 Core Courses
3 years of English
2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
3 years of additional English, math or natural/physical science
2 years of social science
4 years of additional courses (from any area above, and foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy)

32. 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 2018
Earn a GPA or better in your core courses
Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core course GPA on the full qualifier sliding scale for Division II (Handouts are available with this scale)

33. Division II Partial Qualifier
Beginning August 2018
A student-athlete will be allowed to practice and receive athletics aid in their first academic year if he or she:
Completes the required 16 core courses; and
Achieves a minimum GPA of with a corresponding test score on the partial qualifier sliding scale (Handouts are available with this scale)

34. Amateurism Eligibility
NCAA Eligibility Center - The NCAA Eligibility Center is responsible for certifying the amateurism status of all freshmen and transfer prospective student-athletes (prospects) for initial participation at an NCAA Division I or II college or university.
NCAA Amateurism Survey - Prospects must complete the amateurism survey and verification process and be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center to be eligible for initial participation.
Keep Records – Keep good documentation.
Keep the College in-the-loop – Communication with the college (e.g., coach, compliance professional) so that they may assist the prospect through the process.

35. Pre-college Amateurism Issues
Contracts with professional teams.
Salary for participating in athletics.
Prize money above actual and necessary lodging and meal expenses.
Play with professionals.
Education expenses from an individual (or entity) other than the prospect’s parents or legal guardians.

36. Pre-college Amateurism Issues
Preferential treatment based on athletics participation or reputation.
Tryouts, practice or competition with a professional team.
Benefits from an agent or prospective agent.
Agreement to be represented because of athletic ability.

37. More Information NCAA Eligibility Center – High School Portal
NCAA’s “2.3 OR TAKE A KNEE” web site
Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
Questions