Understanding NCAA Recruiting: Codes, Guidelines, and Important Milestones for Athletes

1. NCAA and Recruiting Katie Diiro

2. Ethical Codes • 3.2.4.12 Standards. Active members agree to establish and maintain high standards of personal honor, eligibility and fair play. (D1 manual) • (G) Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes; (D3 manual) • ARTICLE 10

3. Handbook • Division I is 444 pages • 30 question test is 60 minutes with 80% correct • Division II is 374 pages • 40 question test in 80 minutes with 80% correct • Division III is 282 pages • Take the test • NAIA is 113 Pages

4. Eligibility • Start Early- FRESHMAN YEAR • ACT/SAT SUM Score (Junior Year) #9999 • 2.0 GPA DII • Sliding GPA/ACT or SAT for DI • Division III has institutional GPA/Credits • 16 Core Credits Division I and II • Must be sent to NCAA for verification • Each high school has an NCAA Rep within the school • Needs to be done EVERY year as NCAA rules change • Page 178 for DI and 138 for DII

5. NCAA.com • Link for Eligibility Center • Should be on your high school website • Has legislation updates • Inspiring stories of collegiate athletes

6. Recruiting • Can be brutal/illegal/unethical • Use connections from coaches, etc • Not solely on athletics/academics- Personality • Use e-mail, calling, texting, letters, video, etc. • DIII has different rules • Athletes can call students, might “feel” more recruited • No Scholarships • Offer “under the table” deals- unethical (13.2)

7. Being Recruited • Use Berecruited.com and NCSA.com • If a coach contacts the athlete they are being recruited. • All coaches can watch competition and speak to athletes/parents AFTER the competition. • June before Junior year is when athletes will start being CALLED and OBSERVED. • The above are for ALL divisions. • Good athletes should be picky, otherwise they will be overwhelmed. • Honesty with coaches

8. Unofficial Visit • Can be taken any time. • Coaches can pay for on-campus meal in DI and DII • Should start these junior year • The earlier the more chance of being offered a scholarship sooner. • No division is allowed to provide extra benefits to a potential student athlete. (money, team shirt, etc.)

9. Official Visit • Encourage students to take these!!! Offer incentives. • Start them EARLY in senior year. • Need an ACT or SAT score to go on Official Visit • Update physical at start of Senior year for potential “Try-out” • All-expenses paid or partial. (i.e. food/housing, no airfare) • 48 hour on-campus limit (currently)

10. Official visit (cont) • Student host is given money per day to entertain prospective student athlete: DI- $40, DII- $30, DIII- $20 • All Divisions can pay airfare – coach class only • No parties are allowed. Athletes can report that school. • Spend time with the head coach • Bring a list of questions • One per college

11. Letter of Intent • Verbal Commitment usually comes first. • Athlete must sign without a University Coach present. • Letter of Intent is from the NCAA in accordance with the institution. • ONLY for athletes offered a scholarship.

12. NAIA and NCCAA • Other Athletic Options • NAIA- less structure, scholarships offered • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • NCCAA- not much info. Not many sports offered. • National Christian College Athletic Association

13. Exceptions • In all divisions there are always ways to get around the rules. • Exceptions are huge in the handbook.

14. Am I Good enough? • Always Assume YES! • Freshman Year set athletic/academic goals • School Records don’t mean much- look at top ten and the years they were achieved. • Ask the coach • DI Material? They might be… but DII might be a better place for them.

15. COnclusion • Rules exist to PROTECT the athletes. • Start informing athletes early!! Freshman year, even 8th grade! • There are places for the “non-elite” in college athletics. • Be confident in being recruited by knowing the rules.