Athletics
is an area of special talent that can make a difference in the college
admissions and financial aid process. At most colleges, athletics
are regulated by the rules established by the NCAA (National Collegiate
Athletic Association) which divides all college sports programs into
three divisions known as Division I, II and III. The recruitment and
enrollment of college athletes are governed firmly by the NCAA’s
rules for each division.
To be eligible to participate at the Division I or II level, where
full athletic scholarships are awarded, students must be certified
as eligible by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse’s
pamphlet, Making Sure You Are Eligible To Participate In College Sports
explains the academic standards and process needed to be certified.
This NCAA form is available online.<http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net>Interested
students need to complete and return a copy of Clearinghouse’s
three part Student Release Form to the Clearinghouse along with an
$18 fee. Additional copies go to the LHS Registrar’s
Office.
At a Division III college, where athletic scholarships are not awarded,
admission offices generally look favorably upon student athletes who
also meet the college's academic entrance requirements. |
| Suggestions
for the student athlete: |
| • |
Inform your high school
coach that you are interested in playing that sport in college. Ask
the coach if he or she is available to college coaches. |
| • |
Prepare and mail a short
letter of introduction and an athletic resume to college coaches. |
| • |
Become familiar with
the NCAA rules regarding the recruitment of athletes. |
| |
Below
is a list of resources for perspective college athletes:
A Guide For College-Bound Athletes and Their Parents: This pamphlet
has a good sample letter, athletic resume, and bibliography.
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete: A free publication
and the best place to start to familiarize oneself with the rules,
philosophy, and organization of the NCAA. Most athletic directors
and guidance offices are mailed free copies each year.
National Directory of College Athletics: Separate editions published
yearly for men's and women's athletics. Organized alphabetically by
college with name and phone number of each coach.
Peterson's Sports Scholarships and College Athletic Programs: Information
on scholarships, men’s and women’s sports, facilities, team
records, coaches, and advice on how and when to apply and whom to
contact.
Official Directory of National Association of Collegiate Directors
of Athletics NACOA |
| |
| The Guidance
and Counseling Department suggests that student athletes do the following: |
| 1 |
Inform their counselor that they are
interested in competing in athletics at the college level. Counselors
can outline the athletic recruiting process and what the role of the
student should be in that process. |
| 2 |
Inform their high school coach that
they are interested in playing that sport in college. Ask the coach
if he or she is available to the college coaches. |
| 3 |
Prepare and mail a short letter of
introduction and an athletic resume to college coaches. |
| 4 |
Become familiar with the NCAA rules
regarding the recruitment of athletes. |
| 5 |
Register with the NCAA Clearing House
if planning to play a sport at a division one or division two college <http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net> |
| Return
to Guidance Home Page |