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
o Academics
o Tennis Requirements / Contacting Schools
o 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.
DIII 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.