Recruiting Advice from Scholarship Heaven

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NCAA
What you must know academically and athletically to be eligible for collegiate athletics:

• Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse
• Amateurism-Eligibility
• Academic Eligibility Requirements
• College Preparation Calendar
• Academics
• Contacting Schools
• Recruiting

INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE
If you want to play DI or II tennis as a freshman, you MUST register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse (the clearinghouse). What is the clearinghouse? The clearinghouse is not the NCAA, but an organization that evaluates student-athlete academic records to determine eligibility to participate in DI or II college athletics as a freshman.

Do not register until after your junior year. If you have completed your junior year, go online to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and complete the Student Release Form online.

NOTE: Initial-eligibility certification from the clearinghouse does not guarantee your admission to any DI or II college. You must apply for college admission separately.

Division III does not use the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Each Division III school has its own requirements and they do vary from school to school. Contact the DIII colleges you are interested in and request information regarding academic requirements for student-athletes.

HOME SCHOOLING
Home schooled students who want to play DI or II college tennis must register with the clearinghouse and meet the same requirements as all other students. For more information refer to the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org or the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete. We recommend you check with the colleges you are interested in to verify your courses and any other requirements.

ACADEMIC-ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Go to the clearinghouse website at www.NCAAclearinghouse.net or via the NCAA website.

Click on “General Information” to review the new eligibility rules and general information about the website and services offered.

To view a list of approved core courses click on “List of Approved Core Courses (formerly 48H)”, search by your high school code or high school name to view a list of courses that meet the NCAA criteria for core courses.

Division I: Student-athletes enrolling in a Division I college in 2005-2007 must meet the 14-core course requirement for the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Division I: Student-athletes enrolling in a Division I college in 2008 and after must meet a 16-core course requirement for the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse.

Division II: For student-athletes enrolling in 2005 and after must meet the 14-core course requirement for the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

For more detailed information check the website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

AMATEURISM-ELIGIBILITY CLEARINGHOUSE
If you plan to compete in Division I or II tennis in the fall of 2007 or thereafter, you must have both your academic and amateurism status certified by the clearinghouse before competition.

The Amateur-Eligibility Clearinghouse is a new addition to the clearinghouse and will determine the amateurism eligibility of all prospective freshman and transfer student-athletes. (Please note: amateurism rules have not changed) Certification will be required for all student-athletes enrolling in a Division I or II college on or after August 1, 2007. Registration will be available beginning spring 2006. In Division III, certification of amateurism status is completed by each college, not the clearinghouse, for more information on Division III amateurism rules visit the NCAA website.

When you register with the clearinghouse, you will be asked a series of questions that will be reviewed to determine your status as an amateur. For additional information regarding the NCAA amateurism rules click here www.ncaa.org

AMATEURISM
“NCAA rules do not prevent meetings or discussions with an agent. However, you will jeopardize your eligibility if you agree verbally or in writing, to be represented by an agent while attending high school or college, regardless of whether the agreement becomes effective immediately or after your last season of college eligibility”. A Career in Professional Athletics – A Guide for Making the Transition

NOTE: If you need an interpretation of an NCAA rule please contact the NCAA directly at 317-917-6222 between 12noon and 4:00pm EDT Monday – Friday.

NAIA
The NAIA has 25 conferences in 14 regions across the U.S. and Canada. With almost 300 colleges and universities. NAIA schools offer four-year colleges and universities with small class sizes and smaller campus communities, the flexibility to transfer without missing a season of eligibility, fewer recruiting restrictions, championship opportunities and 90% of schools offer scholarships. For more information on NAIA colleges and universities visit the website at www.naia.org. Student-Athletes wishing to participate in varsity tennis at a NAIA school must meet the requirements for each institution.

NJCAA
National Junior College Athletic Association offers tennis for men and women at 84 and 88 junior colleges across the U.S. respectively. Junior colleges are a great way to get started with your college experience with the opportunity to transfer to a four-year college or university without missing a season of eligibility. Many college coaches look for players in junior colleges to complete their teams. For more information on NJCAA schools visit the website at www.njcaa.org. Student-Athletes wishing to participate in varsity tennis at a NJCAA school must meet the requirements for each institution.

NCAA Sports Recruiting Steps
1. Familiarize yourself with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse and the difference between NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA are.

2. Get Recruited

• Getting noticed among college recruiters and scouts is very critical to getting an offer.
• Use effective communication efforts and strategies when dealing with different coaches and recruiters. “Remember you don't have to be a record breaker or state champ to get your talents noticed.
• Have your family, friends, and community sign up for an account to support your efforts.

3. Make your College Visits
• Learn every thing about the college you are to visit. (Example: Where would you live and train, how is the coaching staff, how would your academic venture fit in, and what does this mean to you?

4. Committing to a School is a large step. Understand that you are not there just for athletics, but also for improving your education.

5. Stay eligible after you‘re in college. {If you fall below minimum scholastic level requirements your scholarship can be revoked.}

Be prepared for the Recruiting process!

• Start the recruiting process early. Once you have decided that you are interested in playing collegiate sports, start to research different colleges that meet your wants and needs in a school. Remember to think about the size of the student body, location (urban/rural), size of individual classes, courses offered, and financial aid if applicable. Make sure you are looking at athletics and academics. A good rule to go by: if you were hurt and could not participate in your sport, would you still be happy at that school?
• Carry a portfolio notebook. Use 4"x5" cards to jot down question you want to ask coaches and recruiters.
• Have a copy of your academic and medical record. List medical history including injuries, allergies, and medical conditions that a trainer should be aware of.
• Once you have established your list, e-mail each coach. This first e-mail should contain information including who you are, where you go to school, individual stats, honors in that specific sport, and why that specific school interests you. Also, you should ask them to send you any information on their program, and ask if there is any evaluation you should fill out (many schools have this online). DON’T FORGET to check the e-mail address, and make sure you are sending the e-mail to the right coach.
• Staying in contact with coaches is one of the most important things in the recruiting process. Even if a coach doesn’t e-mail you back, it does not mean you have to take them off your list right away. Keep e-mailing your schools updates in your athletic and academic career. Also, definitely make sure to e-mail coaches if you are going to summer camps or tournaments that they might attend, making sure to include the team you play for and your number. If you are further along in the process, e-mail the coach (or call if NCAA rules allow you to) and ask how their end of the recruiting is going (are they talking with admissions and so forth).
• If the coach offers you an official visit to the school, take it if you can. On official visits, all expenses should be paid for and there is no harm in checking out a school, even if you don’t think it is for you. If the coach does not offer you a visit, visit on your own. Admissions in most schools have programs where you can stay with a student who will show you around, giving you an inside view of the school.
• Keep a file of questionnaires you received from colleges along with the names of recruiters and the coaching staff.
• Make a list of things important to you about the school you are prospecting.
• Create a list of pros and cons for each school you have contacted.
• Note: Official visit are ones that have been paid by the respected college in full or partial. You can only make five official visits during your senior year.
• Unofficial Visits are ones that you pay completely on your own. You can make as many of them as you want on your own. (It important to schedule an unofficial visit ahead of time to ensure that you get to meet the coaching staff and see the facilities.
• Talk to other students about their college experience.

Transfer Athlete
1. You have worked hard on your college pick and are not satisfied with the school you chose. Maybe it is your plan to transfer in a couple of years. Before you act on it be aware of the schools policy.
a. You cannot have direct or indirect contact with another coach or anyone from the athletics department from another four year school without the permission of your current college. The release must be in writing from the athletic department of your current school.
b. You must voluntarily withdraw from your sport and give up your scholarship before moving forward.
c. There may be options or penalties of transfer to meet certain legal and financial requirements. Talk with you athletic department or guidance counselor.
d. You can request an official letter of withdrawal from your coach.

The National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent is a letter that you sign to commit to an institution for an academic year in return for an athletic scholarship or other financial aid. It marks the end of the recruiting process and prevents other schools from contacting you. Although these letters can be signed at any time during a signing period, many are finalized on National Signing day in February. Signing periods vary based on the sport. National Signing Day celebrates new recruits in many major collegiate sports including: football, field hockey, soccer, and water polo.

Basic Information
The institution offering you the athletic scholarship will mail, e-mail, or fax you two copies of the letter to be signed. Sign both copies, sending one back to the institution and keeping the other for your records. If you verbally committed to one institution, you are allowed to sign a letter of intent with a different school. You only sign a letter of intent once, although it is renewed annually. If you are under the age of 21, you need a parent to sign the letter of intent to make it legally binding. Your potential coach may not be present during the signing of your letter in accordance with NCAA rules. You may sign the letter even if you have yet to qualify with the NCAA Clearinghouse. If you are not cleared, the letter is nullified. Your letter is also nullified if you fail to be accepted to the institution academically.

Signing your letter of intent is usually a happy time. It marks the end of the recruiting process. Pending acceptance to the university, you can rest easy knowing where you are going to school next year. It is important to understand that simply signing with a team does not guarantee playing time. You still have a lot of hard work ahead of you, both in the classroom and on the field, to earn playing time. Athletic scholarships are the result of hard work. When you sign your Letter of Intent, you should be proud of how far you’ve come and excited about where you are going!

Earning an athletic scholarship is not an exact science. Therefore, there are common mistakes that are made by many prospective athletes. Avoid these pitfalls and you will increase your chances of earning an athletic scholarship to the school of your dreams.

NCAA Academic Eligibility Requirements: Division I & II - PDF File

Frequently Asked Questions on Initial Eligibility

What requirements do I need to be able to practice, play and get a scholarship at a Division I or Division II school?
You need to complete the following:

• Graduate from high school;
• Complete a minimum of 14* core courses;
• Present a minimum grade-point average (GPA) in those 14* core courses; and
• Present a qualifying test score on either the ACT or SAT test.

How do I know if the courses I'm taking will count as core courses?
You need to look at your high school's list of NCAA-approved core courses. Follow these steps:

• Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center Web site,
• Click on "General Information,"
• Click on "List of Approved Core Courses,"
• Input your high school's code (if you know it) or search by your high school's name and state, and
• Review the list.

What do I do if a core course I took isn't on the list?
See your high school counselor immediately. Someone at your high school is responsible for keeping your high school's list updated. It is important that they do this every year to make sure the core courses you are taking appear on the list.

May a correspondence or independent study course be used to meet the 14 core-course requirements?
Yes. Independent study, Internet or correspondence courses may be used as core courses if the following conditions are met:
• They meet all requirements for a core course;
• The instructor and student have access to one another during the course for the purpose of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance to the student;
• Evaluation of the student's work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the high school's established academic policies; and
• The course is acceptable for any student and is placed on the high-school transcript.

May courses taken in the eighth grade that are high school core courses (e.g., Algebra I, Spanish 1, Freshman Composition) be used to meet the 14 core-course requirements?
A high school course taken in the eighth grade may be used if the course is on the high school transcript with a grade and credit and if the course is on the high school's list of approved core courses.

How is the NCAA core grade-point average different from a student's overall grade-point average?
The NCAA core-course grade-point average is calculated using only NCAA-approved core courses in the required 14 core units. High-school grade-point averages generally include the grades from most or all courses attempted in grades nine through 12.

Can weighted grades for honors or advanced placement courses be factored into the calculation of the student's core grade-point average?
A school's normal practice of weighting honors or advanced courses may be used as long as the weighting is used for computing grade-point averages. Weighting cannot be used if the high school weights grades for the purpose of determining class rank. Additionally, in no instance may the student receive greater than 1.000 additional quality points for purposes of calculating the grade-point average for initial eligibility.

What options are available to students who do not meet the NCAA initial-eligibility standards?
Students who do not meet the initial-eligibility standards may be granted a waiver of their deficiency through an NCAA initial-eligibility waiver. NCAA academic committees have the authority to authorize waivers of the initial-eligibility requirements based on objective evidence that demonstrates circumstances in which a student's overall academic record warrants the waiver of the normal application of the legislation. The waiver must be filed by an NCAA institution (college or university) on behalf of the student.

May students use courses taken after high school graduation?
In Division I, all core courses must be completed in the first eight semesters of high school, based on when a student first started ninth grade. If a student graduates on time with his or her class (in eight semesters), the student may use one core course taken after graduation.

In Division II, all core courses will be used up until the student enrolls as a full-time student in any college or university.

When should a student register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
Students should register with the eligibility center after the completion of their junior year in high school. At this time, a transcript, which includes six semesters of grades, should be sent to the eligibility center from the high school. Additionally, students should have their SAT or ACT test scores forwarded directly to the eligibility center whenever they take the exam.

May courses taken at a local college be used to meet the 14 core-course requirements?
College courses may be used to satisfy core-curriculum requirements if the courses are accepted and awarded credit by the high school for any student and, meet all other requirements for core courses. For NCAA Division I only, such courses must be placed on the student's high school transcript. Courses taken at a college will NOT appear on the high school's list of Approved Core Courses. The high school's list of NCAA Approved Core Courses will include only those courses taught/offered by the high school.

Can students with a diagnosed disability use courses that are designated for students with a disability to meet NCAA core-course requirements?
Students with appropriately diagnosed disabilities may use courses for students with disabilities for the purpose of meeting NCAA core-course requirements. Courses for students with disabilities must appear on the high school's list of NCAA Approved Core Courses in order for a student to receive NCAA credit for the course.

May a nonstandard ACT/SAT be used for initial eligibility?
Yes. Students with diagnosed disabilities may take a nonstandard ACT or SAT. The test score must still be provided to the eligibility center, just as any other test.

Does the prohibition against special education, remedial or compensatory courses apply to students with disabilities?
No. In order for courses designated for students with disabilities to be approved, the course must be substantially comparable, qualitatively and quantitatively, as a regular core course offered in that academic area.

Are vocational courses acceptable?
Traditional vocational courses are not acceptable. These include courses such as agriculture, auto mechanics, driver's education and health.

What if a student's final high school transcript contains an error or the student has grade changes that are not included on the first final transcript mailed to the eligibility center?
Once the eligibility center has received all required documentation including a final high school transcript for a student, they are able to produce a final certification report. If a high school sends a revised final transcript, the eligibility center will not be able to use the changes. Instead, any changes to a student's final high school transcript must be approved through the initial-eligibility waiver process.

May courses taken at high school "A" be accepted if they appear on high school "B's" transcript?
No. High school "A" may provide the eligibility center with an official copy of high school "B's" transcript, but grades from one high school cannot be accepted on another high school's transcript.

How are students prioritized for processing at the eligibility center?
Students who have their status requested by an NCAA institution are prioritized by the Eligibility Center for processing. If a student's eligibility status is never requested by a member institution, the Eligibility Center may not process such a student's status.

[NOTE:This is not a complete list of NCAA regulations regarding initial eligibility. Please call or write the NCAA or access the NCAA Web site if you have specific questions.]

NCAA Eligibility Center
PO Box 7136
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7136

Phone: 317-223-0700
Fax: 317-968-5101
Toll Free Number: 877-262-1492
www.ncaa.org