Student-Athletes and the NCAA: Navigating the College Process University City High School

NCAA Background Information

NCAA Eligibility Center All students interested in participating in college sports should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center www.eligibilitycenter.org

NCAA Academic Requirements Important things to know If you want to be a college student- athlete, your grades are VERY important! You must graduate from high school to be an NCAA student-athlete. All student-athletes must meet NCAA academic requirements. You must take the ACT or SAT exam

NCAA Academic Requirements Division I What classes should you take? The NCAA has approved classes from each school. These approved classes will be used to calculate your NCAA GPA Art, PE, and Health classes do NOT count towards your NCAA GPA What score do you need on the SAT or ACT? This depends on your NCAA GPA. Student-athletes must have a GPA/test score combination that meets a sliding scale. A high NCAA GPA requires a lower test score – a lower NCAA GPA requires a higher test score

NCAA Academic Requirements Division I Classes Division I- 16 Core Course Requirement English 4 years/ 8 semesters Math (Algebra I or higher) 3 years / 6 semesters Natural / Physical Science 2 years / 4 semester (1 year lab required) Additional English/Math/Science 1 year / 2 semesters Social Science 2 years / 4 semesters Additional Electives (may be an additional course from any subject area mentioned above, or must be from approved academic course list) 4 years / 8 semesters Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school Seven of the ten courses completed before senior year must be in English, Math or Science

NCAA Academic Requirements Division I SAT/ACT NCAA GPA SAT (Reading &Math) ACT (Cumulative Score) 3.550 ‘A’ Average 400 37 3.000 ‘B’ Average 720 44 2.500 ‘B-’ Average 900 68 2.300 ‘C+’ Average 980 75 2.00 ‘C’ Average 1100 86

NCAA Division I – Certification Outcomes Qualifier Student meets all eligibility requirements Access to practice, competition and athletics scholarship in first year of Division I enrollment Non- Qualifier Student did not complete 16 core courses, did not meet sliding scale index or did not graduate Student not eligible for practice, competition nor athletic scholarship from any Division I school during first year of college enrollment Academic Redshirt Student completed 16 core courses but not the 10/7 requirements prior to senior year Student has a GPA between 2.0-2.3 with corresponding SAT /ACT score Student cannot compete in first year of Division I enrollment (practice and athletic scholarship ONLY) Student must also meet increased academic standards during first year of collegiate enrollment in order to regain eligibility to compete with team in sophomore year

NCAA Academic Requirements Division II Complete 16 core courses 3 years English 2 years Math 2 Science (1 lab required) 2 years social science 3 additional years of English, math or science 4 years of additional NCAA electives Earn at least a 2.200 NCAA GPA in core courses Earn SAT or ACT score that matches GPA on Division II sliding scale Graduate high school

Scholarships All students must meet NCAA Academic requirements in order to receive an athletic scholarship There is a maximum amount of scholarship and financial aid a student can receive You can make a verbal commitment to a school at any time Students will sign an Athletic Grant in Aid (GIA) and/or a National Letter of Intent (NLI) during their Senior year as documentation of a student and Universities commitment to each other

Recruiting Unofficial Visit Funded at the student expense Unlimited number of unofficial visits allowed Official Visits Official visits are paid for by the recruiting athletic team A student can take a maximum of 5 official visits during Senior year

Recruiting Are you being recruited? Coaches are evaluating practices/games Coaches are sending written correspondence (camp brochures, questionnaires, etc.) Coaches request that you take an unofficial visit to campus Verbal offer of an athletic scholarship Coaches ask for your academic transcripts

Promoting Yourself Be proactive! Reach out to coaches Be prepared! Create a recruiting video Use your best highlights first, 3-5 minutes, no music

Tips for Social Media Be careful what you post!!!! Coaches are ALWAYS looking at students social media What does your social media say about you? #mistakes #embarrassing #noregrets #fail #doyoureallywanttoputthatoutthere

High School Timeline 9 Grades 9 & 10- Complete courses that meet NCAA and graduation requirements - Register as a student-athlete on NCAA Eligibility Center - Take PSAT Grade 11- Take SAT/ACT exam Take unofficial visits to schools you may be interested in - Send official transcripts to NCAA Eligibility Center * Determine if any courses are needed during summer prior to Senior year** Grade 12 - Retake SAT or ACT if needed - Take official visits - Submit final HS transcript to NCAA Eligibility Center - Sign Athletic Grant in Aid/National Letter of Intent 10 11 12

Resources www.NCAA.org NCAA Eligibility Center HS Portal www.eligibilitycenter.org NCAA High School line: (877)622-2321 University Compliance Personnel Questions?