Section VII: Information for Student Athletes

SECTION VII INFORMATION FOR STUDENT ATHLETES A. B. C. D. E.

NCAA Initial eligibility standards NCAA Initial eligibility timeline NCAA Quick reference sheet Frequently asked questions about the NCAA College recruiting terms and definitions

THE NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS Prospective collegiate student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center during high school. The Eligibility Center evaluates a student's academic record to determine if they are eligible to participate at a Division I or Division II college as a freshman student-athlete. This is not necessary if you attend a Division III school. However, if you are not sure which division you will play in, it is recommended that you register. The Eligibility Center is not the NCAA, but an organization that performs services relative to initial eligibility for the NCAA.

ELIGIBILITY CENTER REGISTRATION To register with the Eligibility Center, a student must complete and sign the Student Release Form (SRF) and send it to the Eligibility Center along with a $70 registration fee. The SRF authorizes each high school the student has attended to send the Eligibility Center a transcript, test scores, proof of graduation, and other necessary academic information. It also authorizes the Eligibility Center to send the academic information to all colleges that request a student's eligibility status.

The preferred method is online registration. Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center online at www.eligibilitycenter.org Select "Prospective Student-Athletes" and then "US Students Register here" or "International Students Register Here." Complete the SRF online and include credit or debit card information to pay the $70 fee. Print both Copy 1 and Copy 2 of the transcript release form, sign them and give both forms to the Counseling Office secretary who will send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center.

Additional Clearinghouse information may be obtained from the following sources: NCAA Eligibility Center Certification Processing P.O. Box 7136 Indianapolis, Indiana 46207-7136 Web address: www.eligibilitycenter.org Clearinghouse customer service: Toll free 877-262-1492 (representatives are available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday

NCAA INITIAL ELIGIBILITY TIMELINE JUNIORS •During your junior year, complete your registration at www.eligibilitycenter.org Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code "9999" as a score recipient. Doing this sends your score directly to the Eligibility Center.

• Double-check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school's list of NCAA courses.

• Ask your high school counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. If you have attended more than one high school, the Eligibility Center will need official transcripts from all high schools attended. (The Eligibility Center does NOT accept faxed transcripts or test scores.)

• Before registering for classes for your senior year, check with your high school counselor to determine the amount of core courses that you need to complete your senior year.

SENIORS • Take the SAT and/or ACT again, if necessary. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score.

Continue to take college-prep courses.

• Check the courses you have taken to match your school's list of NCAA courses.

• Review your amateurism responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1 (for spring enrollees). Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible. Graduate on time (in eight academic semesters).

• After graduation, ask your high school counselor to send your final transcript to the Eligibility Center with proof of graduation.

NCAA QUICK REFERENCE SHEET – KNOW THE RULES! Divisions I and II Initial-Eligibility Requirements Core Courses NCAA Divisions I and II require 16 core courses. See the charts below.

Beginning August 1, 2016, NCAA Division I will require 10 core courses to be completed prior to the seventh semester (seven of the 10 must be a combination of English, math or natural or physical science that meet the distribution requirements below). These 10 courses become "locked in" at the start of the seventh semester and cannot be retaken for grade improvement. o Beginning August 1, 2016, it will be possible for a Division I college-bound student-athlete to still receive athletics aid and the ability to practice with the team if he or she fails to meet the 10 course requirement, but would not be able to compete.

Test Scores Division I uses a sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-point averages (GPA). The sliding scale for those requirements is shown on Page No. 2 of this sheet.

Division II requires a minimum SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68. only the critical reading and math sections.

The writing section of the SAT is not used. sum of the following four sections: English, mathematics, reading and science.

When you register for the SAT or ACT, use the NCAA Eligibility Center code of 9999 to ensure all SAT and ACT scores are reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used.

Grade-Point Average

Be sure to look at your high school’s List of NCAA Courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center's website (www.eligibilitycenter.org). Only courses that appear on your school's List of NCAA Courses will be used in the calculation of the core GPA. Use the list as a guide.

Division I students enrolling full time before August 1, 2016, should use Sliding Scale A to determine eligibility to receive athletics aid, practice and competition during the first year.

Division I GPA required to receive athletics aid and practice on or after August 1, 2016, is 2.000-2.299 (corresponding test-score requirements are listed on Sliding Scale B on Page No. 2 of this sheet).

Division I GPA required to be eligible for competition on or after August 1, 2016, is 2.300 (corresponding test-score requirements are listed on Sliding Scale B on Page No. 2 of this sheet).

The Division II core GPA requirement is a minimum of 2.000.

DIVISION I 16 Core Courses 4 years of English.

3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).

2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).

1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.

2 years of social science.

4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy).

DIVISION II 16 Core Courses 3 years of English.

2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).

2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).

3 years of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.

2 years of social science.

4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or comparative religion/philosophy).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NCAA For those students who are considering participation in intercollegiate sports, there are extra steps in the college planning process. Students interested in playing NCAA Division I or II sports must meet initial eligibility requirements before they can join a university team. The following is a list of frequently asked questions about the process of meeting these requirements:

WHAT IS THE NCAA INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CENTER? The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the organization through which the nation's colleges and universities speak and act on athletic matters at the national level. Additionally, the NCAA creates and enforces regulations designed to protect a student during the recruitment process. The Initial-Eligibility Center was established to ensure consistent application of NCAA requirements for all prospective student athletes at all member institutions. Registration with the Clearinghouse assures coaches that their athletes have met key academic requirements. These requirements include: graduation from high school with a minimum 2.00 GPA in the completed basic academic core, and SAT or ACT scores. The minimum scores on SAT and ACT exams will vary based upon GPA, as it is a sliding scale. A student with a GPA above 2.50, for example, must achieve a 820 on the SAT or ACT 68, while a student with a 2.00 must achieve a 1010 SAT or ACT 86.

WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER FOR THE CLEARINGHOUSE? Students should register with the Clearinghouse during their junior year in high school. You can only register at www.eligibilitycenter.org.

Because these forms require SAT or ACT scores, remember to have your scores sent directly to the NCAA. The code number for NCAA is 9999. Once your registration is complete, your eligibility status is available to any college that requests it.

SHOULD I REGISTER WITH THE ELIGIBILITY CENTER AS A JUNIOR EVEN IF I’M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC PROGRAM? The decision to pursue university athletics can be a difficult one. Many athletes practice as many as 20 hours per week while attending classes full time. However, if you think you may participate, it would be to your advantage to complete the forms at this early stage.

Remember, though, you can also begin this process in the senior year if you should decide at a later date that you want to play.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AMONG DIVISION I, II, AND III SCHOOLS? Generally, the differences lie in the number of sports that institutions are required to sponsor and in the amount of athletically related financial aid they award to students. Institutions select the division in which they wish to hold membership. In Divisions I and II, scholarships may be awarded to student-athletes, while division III institutions may not award scholarships on the basis of athletic talent. Furthermore, you do not have to register with the Clearinghouse to play Division III sports.

HOW DOES THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS WORK? In an attempt to minimize high-pressure recruitment tactics, the NCAA strictly regulates the conversations that take place between coaches and prospective student-athletes. During the junior year, coaches are allowed to mail or email information to students, but all verbal contact (phone calls or appointments) must be student-initiated. For this reason, it is important that student athletes email or call coaches to express interest in schools they may want to attend. It is a good idea to send a resume, including both academic and athletic accomplishments. It can also be helpful (though not imperative) to send videos that demonstrate a student's athletic abilities, especially to coaches at distant universities. Beginning in July before the senior year, coaches are allowed to call students in their homes but are limited to one call per week.

However, students may initiate conversations as frequently as necessary. For a complete list of all regulations, see the NCAA web site at www.eligibilitycenter.org.

IF I AM A RECRUITED ATHLETE, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT MY CHANCES FOR ADMISSION TO A VERY SELECTIVE UNIVERSITY? Remember that even the most talented athlete must be eligible academically before they can be admitted to a university. Athletic ability is yet another factor considered when trying to assess the potential contributions an individual can make to a campus community. While the recommendations of coaches can be important considerations in a decision to admit, they cannot ensure an applicant's success. It is also

important to maintain perspective in the process. Consider each school for its overall academic programs and compatibility with your needs.

COLLEGE RECRUITING TERMS AND DEFINITIONS (If you don't know these simple things, there's much more you won't know about college recruiting. What you don't know can costs future college and funding opportunities.)

WALK ON - Any Student Athlete that is not guaranteed a Roster Spot on a college team. You must try-out for the college team. You are promised nothing other than a try-out. Good Luck. Statistically, only 2% of all college Walk On Athletes receive a Roster Spot on a college team! If a Coach believes in you, they will help you to obtain some amount of funding to help pay for college. No help with funding means no fun for the Student Athlete!

PREFERRED WALK ON - A Student Athlete that will not be receiving any athletic funding from the college program but is verbally guaranteed a roster spot. You may only end up being a practice player, but you will be on the team in some form. Most Preferred Walk On's are "Red Shirts" or may only be used as practice players.

RED SHIRT - A Student Athlete that may participate in practice, but will not dress for or participate in games or competition. Many college coaches will Red Shirt athletes (especially freshmen) in order to let them: (1) Acclimate to College. (2) Develop more maturity physically. (3) Improve their Academics. (4) Overcome medical problems or injuries that may prohibit top performance. (5) Maintain a solid rotation in their Player Roster Depth Chart to keep a balanced recruiting rotation by school year of player positions / events needed year to year.

NOTE: *Any Red Shirt Student Athlete will be required to take a minimum of 12 College Credit Hours.

GREY SHIRT - Many people are not familiar with this term. A Grey Shirt is a student athlete that is taking less than 12 Credit Hours at the college or university. Grey Shirts cannot participate in team practices, games or competitions. They cannot be on an athletic scholarship. A College Coach may Grey Shirt an athlete in order to save a year of eligibility for participation in athletics. Grey Shirt Athletes must be part time students at the college.

ACADEMIC EXEMPTIONS - College Coaches don't like to discuss this option, nor do they like to use it. This is an option at some (not all) four year colleges and universities which enables a College Coach to bring into their athletic program a very small number of athletes who do NOT meet the minimum academic requirements of the college. Typically, only 2-6 exemptions may be available. (For example, a Football Program may potentially receive5-6 exemptions, while a basketball program may only receive 1-2). Coaches do NOT like using exemptions.

They put great pressure on the coaching staff to have an athlete live up to the requirements they should have met in the first place. If a Student Athlete does not conduct themselves with the highest standards, it will back fire and reflect negatively on the Student Athlete, the Coaching Staff and the College.

OFFICIAL VISIT - An OFFICIAL RECRUITING VISIT is when a college program pays for part or all of you're recruiting visit. If you live within a few hours of a college campus, we recommend you only take an UNOFFICIAL VISIT to a college campus. Why? You can only take 5 NCAA OFFICIAL VISITS to 5 different colleges, even if you're playing 2 to 3 different sports! Save OFFICIAL VISITS for colleges farther away if you are getting a lot of invitations.

UNOFFICIAL VISIT - An UNOFFICIAL RECRUITING VISIT means you are paying your own way to go visit a college campus. This is what occurs in 90% of all college recruiting. Most NCAA II, III, NAIA and Junior Colleges do not have the type of funding to fly you out for a visit. A Coach does not pay for travel or overnight expenses for you. IF YOU ARE INVITED (Official or Unofficial) BE EXCITED. This means a college coach has some level of interest.