1. NCAA ELIGIBILITY WORKSHOP

2. CHALLENGES FACING COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETES
Families may lack an understanding of the recruiting process, including eligibility rules
Determining if the students have the passion to continue competing once they are on their own
Getting students to see themselves beyond their role as an athlete
Ensuring that a successful academic experience is the overriding consideration in the decision

3. GOALS FOR THIS WORKSHOP
Provide a brief overview of the college divisions
Describe the athletic recruitment process
Review NCAA athletic eligibility
Share strategies on how counselors can assist
Answer any questions about the recruiting process

4. “BLUE CHIP” ATHLETE
A highly skilled, accomplished, visible athlete who is already known to college coaches. Recruiters initiate contact.

5. “YELLOW CHIP” ATHLETE
A skilled athlete who can continue competing beyond high school but is less visible to college recruiters and might have to initiate contact.

6. NCAA DIVISION I Highest level of competition
Most of the “big time universities” you see on television
Athletes face an enormous time commitment
Usually have to be a “blue chip” athlete to play there

7. NCAA DIVISION II
Small sized schools with lesser known athletic reputations
Usually feature a number of local or in-state student/ athletes
School is paid through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings

8. DIVISON III Largest division in the NCAA
Division III athletes receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability
Generally, athletes compete because they love the sport. The time commitment is not as huge as Division I.

9. NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is the governing body of a group of smaller colleges.
Time commitment and scholarships vary depending on the school and the sport

10. NJCAA (JUCO)
The National Junior College Athletic Association is the governing body of two- year college athletics
NJCAA members compete at the Division I, II, or III level
Must graduate from JUCO before gaining eligibility at a four year school

11. COMPARING THE NCAA DIVISIONS
Division I
Division II
Division III
Number of Member Institutions
323
283
424
Average Undergraduate Enrollment
10,054
3,306
2,146
Total Operating Expenses for Athletics
$23.2M (I-A)
$6.8M (I-AA)
$2.3M (Football)
$1.5m (No Football)
$1.25M (Football)
$.66M (No Football)
Average Expense per Athlete
$42,000
$8,000
$3,000

12. OVERVIEW OF THE RECRUITING PROCESS

13. COLLEGE COACHES EVALUATE RECRUITS IN THREE WAYS
Athletic Ability
Academic achievement
Quality of character

14. HOW COLLEGES IDENTIFY PROSPECTIVE STUDENT- ATHLETES
Evaluations from high school and club coaches
See athletes play in person or on tape
Newspaper clippings
Recommendations from current student-athletes, alumni or community members
Reputable recruiting services
Student-athletes “introducing themselves” to the coach

15. HOW COLLEGE COACHES INDICATE THEIR INTEREST
Typed letters, handwritten letters or other mailings (e.g. questionnaires, brochures, etc.)
Talking with the high school, summer league or club coach
Phone calls to the home
School and/or home visits
Invite the prospect to visit campus (official vs. unofficial visit)

16. STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GAUGE THE RECRUITER’S LEVEL OF INTERST BY THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THE CONTACTS FROM COACHES

17. ESTIMATED PROBABILITY OF COMPETING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

18. MEN’S BASKETBALL
1 in 35 high school senior boys will go on to play college basketball
Approximately 3 in 10,000 high school senior boys will be drafted by an NBA team

19. FOOTBALL
About 5.8 percent of all high school senior boys will go on to play college football
About 9 in 10,000 high school senior boys will be drafted by an NFL team

20. BASEBALL
Less than 3 in 50 high school senior boys will play college baseball
Approximately 1 in 200 high school senior boys will be drafted by a MLB team

21. WHAT IF YOUR STUDENTS DO NOT HEAR FROM A COLLEGE RECRUITER
THEY NEED TO MARKET THEMSELVES!

22. MARKETING YOURSELF A THREE-STEP PROCESS
Assess athletic ability
Identify appropriate colleges
Communicate with the college coach

23. ASSESS ATHLETIC ABILITY
MOST IMPORTANT!
Student-athletes must be realistic about their athletic talent.
“Broken leg” test-Would you still love the school if you didn’t participate in athletics?

24. IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE COLLEGES
Identify what the students are looking for in a college (e.g. location, size, academic major, campus setting, level of athletic competition)
Make a list of schools that meet that criteria
The final choice should be based primarily on the quality of academics and overall fit, not just athletic interests
Think beyond the next four years

25. COMMUNICATE WITH THE COLLEGE COACH
Create an athletic resume that summarizes academic and athletic accomplishments
Identify head coaches and establish communication through phone or e- mail
Provide college coaches with game tape
Earn the recommendation of the high school coach (the college recruiter’s main contact)
Athletes should be seen (e.g. summer camps, travel teams, summer leagues, showcases, etc.)

26. NCAA ELIGIBILTY RULES

27. MEETING THE NCAA ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU ADMISSION INTO A COLLEGE. EACH COLLEGE HAS ITS OWN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS. YOU MUST STILL APPLY FOR ADMISSION.

28. CORE COURSES
An academic course in English, mathematics, natural/ physical science, social science, foreign language, non-doctrinal religion or philosophy
Four-year college preparatory
At or above your high school’s regular academic level (no remedial or special education)
Must be completed not later than the high school graduation date of your class

29. TEST SCORES
Division I has a sliding scale for test score and grade- point average
Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68
The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections of the ACT: English, math, reading and science

30. HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR CORE G.P.A.
Assign a number value to each core letter grade- A=4 points, B= 3 points, C= 2 points, D= 1 point
Sum total of all core courses and divide by the number of courses (16 for Division I and 14 for Division II)
This is your core G.P.A.

31. ACADEMIC GAME PLAN

32. 9TH AND 10TH GRADES
Take a strong academic course load to prepare for college level work and meeting NCAA requirements
Take advantage of study skills courses that may be available
Take the PSAT in October of sophomore year

33. 11th GRADE Continue to take rigorous academic courses
Start developing a list of colleges
Take the PSAT, SAT and ACT and have scores sent to Clearinghouse.
Meet with high school coach to discuss their potential to play in college
Register with the Clearinghouse at the end of the year

34. 11th GRADE
Visit college campuses (Try to arrange a meeting with a coach)
Develop an athletic resume and cover letter

35. 12TH GRADE Retake the SAT or ACT as needed
Review the college list and double-check eligibility status
Retake any D’s or F’s in core subjects
Contact college recruiters to re-state interest
Visit more college campuses in the fall
Have high school mail final transcript after graduation

36. HOW CAN SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP?
Know how to calculate a core G.P.A.
Answer any questions about eligibility requirements
Can assist in processing Clearinghouse applications and mailing final transcripts
Help students identify schools that fit
Help families develop an academic game plan

37. Thank You for Coming
“Everyone has the desire to win, but only champions have the desire to prepare. “
Author Unknown