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June 14, 2006 --
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS OF COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY
For students considering competing in intercollegiate athletics, the first thing they must do is understand the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements and the NCAA Clearinghouse registration process.
The Clearinghouse is an organization that determines players' initial eligibility to practice and compete at the Division I and II collegiate level.
If they desire to further their athletic career after high school, they must first register and qualify with the NCAA Clearinghouse, in addition to completing their college applications.
Though it is important to match athletic goals with the right school, quality coaches like Boston College Head Football Coach Tom O'Brien look for good citizens just as much as good tacklers when considering scholarship athletes.
"I do believe that if you aren't a champion in the classroom and in the community," said O'Brien, "you won't see the football field at many institutions. Being a champion on the field is really only the third part of the equation."
In addition to being a good citizen, a good athlete, and a well-rounded individual, most reputable coaches look for student-athletes who believe in the importance of academics as the foundation for a successful life.
"The whole country has become confused on what sports are supposed to be about," said JFK High School football coach Tony DeMatteo. "Kids see professional football players on television. They don't see firemen and doctors and lawyers doing commercials on television. Parents and kids think their child is supposed to become a professional athlete. Coaches know how slim those chances are and have to teach them the importance of a good education."
Those high school students who would like to continue their athletic career in college need to gauge whether the institution promotes higher learning and personal growth before considering the win/loss record of a particular sports team.
Jimmy Kennedy of the St. Louis Rams espouses just that view. "My motto is, football doesn't last forever," said the rookie tackle who was a first round draft choice in 2003. "No matter what, I know I have my degree."
If student-athletes complete the process carefully and consult with advisors and guidance counselors as well as coaches and parents, picking the right college or university can be one of the most important and rewarding experiences of their lives.
What is Initial Eligibility?
By Kelly O'Brien, NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport, Springfield College
Would you like to attend a Division I or II college or university? Would you like to participate in sport at the
varsity level? Then you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, an organization that determines your
"initial eligibility" to practice and compete at the collegiate level. The information that follows will give you a
better understanding of the requirements for Division I sport participation.
The first step in determining your initial eligibility is registration. If you want to participate in Division I or II
athletics during your first year of college, you should begin the registration process at the completion of your
junior year. You can complete a registration form either online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or you can
submit the Student Release form included in the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete*. A $30
registration fee must accompany your form.
At the completion of your registration, you must be classified as a "qualifier" according to the following
standards in order to practice and compete at the Division I level. These standards include a core course
grade point average (GPA) in conjunction with your score on either the SAT or ACT exam.
A "core course" must be recognized as an academic course used for high school graduation and must be
considered a college prep course. The standard is currently transitioning from 13 core courses to 14. This new
standard will not be in complete effect until 2005. Therefore, if you plan to enter college during 2004, then
you must successfully complete either the 13 or the 14 required core courses. Your transcript will first be
evaluated using the 14 core course standard. If you are not eligible, then the 13 core course standard will be
used. If you plan to enter college in 2005 or later, then ONLY the 14 core-course standard will be used. For a
list of the core courses in your high school, speak with your guidance counselor or visit
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
The new requirements for the 14 core course standard are distributed across the following categories:
�� 4 years of English
�� 2 years of math (Algebra I or higher)
�� 2 years of natural or physical science (1 year of a lab if offered by the high school)
�� 1 year additional of English, math, or natural/physical science
�� 2 years of social science
�� 3 years of additional courses from any area above or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion/philosophy,
computer science**.
(If you plan to enter a college or university after Aug. 1, 2005, computer science will no longer be used as a
core course)
You must have a core course grade point average (GPA) based on the 4.000 scale. In order to calculate your
core course GPA, your best grades are used from the courses in the above distribution list. For example, if you
have taken Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Pre-calculus and received a B+, A- and C+ respectively, then the two
highest grades would be used to fulfill the math requirement.
This core course GPA is then used in combination with your score on either the SAT or the ACT. Your 13 or 14
core course GPA will determine the minimum combined score on the SAT or the minimum sum score on the
ACT that you need to have in order to be considered a "qualifier". Therefore, if you have a high core course
GPA, then you can have a lower SAT or ACT score and vice versa. For example, if your 14 core course GPA is
a 3.5, then you must score at least a 420 on your SAT or a 39 on the ACT exam. If your 14 core course GPA is
a 2.1, then you must score at least a 970 on your SAT or an 82 on the ACT exam. You cannot mix and match
standards. If your transcript is evaluated using the 14 core course standard, then you cannot use the sliding
scale for the 13 core course standard.
This article has provided you with a basic introduction on how to determine your "initial eligibility." If you wish
to continue your sport at a Division I or II level, you must complete this important process in addition to your
college applications. For a more detailed explanation of the rules and regulations, it is best to speak with a
guidance counselor, athletic director, or to visit the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
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* This information in this article has been adapted from the 2003-04 NCAA Guide for the College-Bound
Student Athlete. To obtain an official copy of the guide, call 877-262-1492.
NCAA Eligibility Requirements
Courtesy of www.thesportsource.com
The NCAA has established a National Clearinghouse from which all decisions regarding an athlete's initial
eligibility at an institution will be determined. If the athlete is not registered and certified through the
Clearinghouse he will not be able to participate in Division I(including I-AA) or Division II programs.
KEY STEPS IN ELIGIBILITY:
Freshman through Senior year in High School academic requirements are provided and should be used as a
general guideline when reviewing your course selections.
�� 1. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
�� 2. Credit in at least 13 core academic courses, including:
�� 4 years of English (3 years for Division II)
�� 2 years of Math
�� 2 years of Social Science
�� 2 years of Science (minimum 1 lab science)
�� 1 additional English, Math, Science
�� 2 years additional any of above or foreign language
�� 3. NCAA-Division I & II
NCAA Division I-A, I-AA ~ academic sliding scale (based on GPA and standardized test scores) SEE
BELOW
NCAA Division II:The student athlete must have a minimum SAT/ACT score of 820/68 and a minimum GPA
of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
NCAA-Division III:Based on eligibility requirements set by the member institution and the college's
participating athletic conference.
NAIA:Qualification criteria's are based on any 2 of the 3 requirements outlined below.
�� A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
�� A combined score for the SAT of 860 or ACT of 18
�� Rank top 50% of high school graduating class
Junior Year: Registration with Clearinghouse
Immediately after the completion of the second semester the student-athlete should register with the
Clearinghouse. This is accomplished by requesting a Clearinghouse "Student Release Form" from the high
school counselor's office. The student should provide two copies of the form to the high school counselor for
processing. (The guidance counselor has these forms.)
Senior Year: Verification of Standardized Test Scores Verify standardized test scores and official transcripts
have been sent to the Clearinghouse.
Finally, there are other valuable reference materials to aid in the student's pursuit of college playing
opportunities. We have listed a few key references for the student to contact for additional information.
NCAA RULES
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National Collegiate Athletic Association
700 West Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN. 46206-6222
Telephone: 317-917-6222
Fa 317-917-6888
Website: www.ncaa.org
NAIA RULES
NAIA Headquarters
6120 South Yale, Suite 1450
Tulsa, OK. 74136
Telephone: 918-494-8828
Website: www.naia.org
NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE
NCAA Clearinghouse
2255 North Dubuque Road
P.O. Box 4044
Iowa City, IA. 522243-4044
Telephone: 319-337-1492
Be aware that NCAA and NAIA rules and regulations are under constant review and anyone interested in
participating in athletic programs should request the current edition of the NCAA and NAIA Guide for the
College Bound Student-Athlete.
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt of The Sport Source Official Athletic College: Football. For more information,
please visit www.thesportsource.com
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