Competing at the Next Level

Matt Barber

School Counselor

NCAA Eligibility Coordinator

Competing at the Next Level

Only 2 in 100 high school athletes will compete at the NCAA level and only 2 of 1000 college athletes will compete at the professional level.

1. Academics

2. Recruiting

• Most of the information for this presentation was gathered from ncaa.org, Recruiting Realities (Jack Renkens), and Varsityedge.com

Academics

NCAA Eligibility College choices Career opportunities NCAA Clearinghouse How can I improve?

College Choices

Each college has different academic requirements ASU and UA require that your core GPA is a 3.0 and

that you have taken 16 core classes in high school Stanford or Harvard would want 18 or more core

classes as well as being top in your class The better your education the more opportunities you

may have access to

Another reason to care about school?

Average salaries based on level of education Dropout $21,000 HS Diploma $28,000 Associate’s $34,000 Bachelor’s $45,000 Master’s $54,000 Ph.D $74,000 Professional $100,000

Academic Eligibility

Each division of college have different academic requirements

If you want to compete at the DI or DII level you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

If you want to compete at the NAIA level you now have to register with the NAIA Eligibility Center

NJCAA and DIII do not require registration

What Are the Differences Between the College Levels?

The major difference relates to the number of scholarships and the size of the athletic budget.

Football example: DI has 85 full scholarships, DIAA has 63, DII

has 36, NAIA has 24, DIII do not have athletic scholarships

NJCAA offers athletic scholarships as well

NCAA Eligibility Center

The NCAA has the toughest standards to compete at the DI level

Division I requires: A good GPA in16 core classes and a good

ACT/SAT score4 English, 3 Math, 2 Social Studies, 2 sciences 2 foreign language is recommended, 3 Additional

core classes (at least 1 must be science, English, or math)

NCAA Eligibility

For classes 2010, 2011, & 2012 Division II requires:

A 2.0 GPA in14 core classes and an 820 SAT or 17 ACT 3 English, 2 Math, 2 Social Studies, 2 sciences, 2 foreign language

is recommended, 3 Additional core classes (at least 1 must be science, English, or math)

For classes 2013 and after the D II requirements are changing to 16 core courses

NAIA, DIII, NJCAA Eligibility

DIII eligibility is determined by the institution NAIA require 2 of 3 criteria:1. 2.0 Cumulative GPA

2. Top 50% of your class

3. 860 SAT or 18 ACT

NJCAA eligibility is based on graduation

NCAA Clearinghouse

How and when do I register for the NCAA Clearinghouse?Register at the end of your junior yearGo to www.eligibilitycenter.orgComplete the My Sports SectionSend your ACT/SAT Scores using the code (9999)Send your transcripts to the clearinghouse at the end of your junior

year and your final transcripts at the end of your senior year.There is a fee to registerFee Waivers are available

NAIA Clearinghouse

How and when do I register for the NAIA Clearinghouse?

Register anytime during your senior year at www.naiaeligibilitycenter.org

You’ll create a profile and fill out a personal profileSend your transcripts to the clearinghouseSend your ACT/SAT Scores to the clearinghouse using

the code (9876)There is a fee to registerFee Waivers are available

Junior College

Junior colleges can be a good way to prepare academically and/or athletically for bigger colleges.

You must graduate to attend a junior college, but there are no GPA or test requirements.

You become eligible for DI or DII competition academically by completing 48 credit hours towards your major at the junior college.

Many colleges recruit heavily out of junior colleges: Example: 13 of 99 football players at ASU are from JC’s

or other colleges. 18 of 99 from U of A are from JC’s

How can I get better grades?

Use your resources

Make it important to you

Manage your time better

Stay organized

Develop your study skills

Recruiting Myths

“I received a letter from a college they are recruiting me.”

• University of Michigan sends out 8,000 letters a year but only gives a maximum of 25 scholarships

• “I received a call from an assistant coach they want to give me a scholarship”

• Often times you can receive a call from an assistant coach or graduate assistant showing interest, but it doesn’t mean you’re getting a scholarship from the school

How Do I Know I’m Being Recruited?

I have spoken directly to a head coach or upper level assistant on the phone or in person

I have been asked to go on an “official visit” A school has talked to me about a scholarship A school wants me to sign a letter of intent or

make a verbal commitment

How do I get recruited?

Before you actively work to get recruited there are several questions you need to ask yourself:

- Realistically what level can I play at?- Am I willing to go anywhere to play?- Does the school have the program of study I

want?- Is the school or athletic program a good fit?- What is the true cost to attend?

Am I willing to go anywhere to play?

You know your junior year if you are a DI prospect

There are 811 colleges with football 117 are DI, 124 are DIAA,150 are DII, 229 are DIII, 92 are NAIA, and 72 are junior colleges

There are many more opportunities at smaller colleges

Many 4 year colleges recruit from junior colleges

Does the college have my program of study?

Not every college has every academic major You’re number one job in college is to graduate

so go to a school that prepares you for your career

Smaller colleges have fewer programs www.collegeboard.com

Is the college or athletic program a good fit?

Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a little fish in a big pond?

Does location matter? Are the coaches trustworthy and care about

their athletes? Do I need small class sizes or not?

What is the “True Cost” to attend?

Don’t be scared by the sticker value Small colleges and private colleges find ways to

help you pay Apply for financial aid Apply for merit based scholarships Combine different aid A school may cost $35,000 but may only cost

you $3,000 after your financial aid package

How do I get recruited?

After answering these questions and you want to be recruited there are several ways to get recruited

Participate in events that showcase your talent to many schools

Coach’s reference Market yourself to as many schools as possible Hire a marketing company Develop your character

Resources

www.eligibiltycenter.orgwww.naiaeligibilitycenter.orgwww.fafsa.ed.govwww.finaid.orgwww.fastweb.comwww.ncaa.orgwww.njcaa.orgwww.naia.orgwww.collegeboard.comwww.act.orgwww.ncsasports.orgwww.recruitingrealities.comwww.collegiatedirectories.com

HELP?????

Do you need help signing up for the NCAA Clearinghouse or NAIA Clearinghouse?

Every Thursday in the Career Center (C201) during conference counselors will help students sign up.

Bring your parents credit card to sign up!Get a conference pass from your counselor.