NAIA https://www.naia.org/covid19/eligibility-center-faqs
NCAA https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
College sports are one of the most highly publicized aspects of college life. This creates the illusion of an abundance of college scholarships for athletics. In fact, a very small percentage of scholarships awarded to students are athletically based. Most scholarships are for grades and test scores, grades being more important. However, if your passion is athletics, you have highly developed skills, and you have to play just to "be," college sports may be for you.
Assets supports students in pursuing their dreams. Here is a brief outline of the steps for those hoping to shoot for this dream!
Work closely with your high school counselor and principal starting freshman year to make sure your course selections are aligned with NCAA course requirements.
Approved courses: https://web1.ncaa.org/hsportal/exec/hsAction
Assets School Code is 120216
Speak with your current coach. Ask for an honest assessment of your likelihood of playing at a collegiate level. If after that conversation you want to pursue this dream, complete the following:
Take the SAT or ACT during junior year, these may be helpful in your eligibilty.
Complete the NCAA eligibility registration process. Learn more about the NCAA and register at: http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/how-register
Register for the NAIA at: https://www.naia.org/student-athletes/index
Contact coaches at each school of interest, through online contact sheets, email, or mail. Create and send out a resume, player sheet and player video for use in self-marketing with coaches. Gather letters of recommendation from coaches as well.
Ask your current coach to make some contact for you with the coaches at your colleges of interest. Make them a “cheat sheet” on a notecard so they know what to say, along with the complete contact info for each of the coaches you have been in contact with. Please note that calls and emails from parents are often disregarded by college coaches, but calls from coaches are more highly regarded because they can provide a more honest assessment.
Follow up with coaches, even if not contacted back. Realize that especially with the NCAA, they are highly regulated about how and when they can contact prospective players.
If you are interviewing or visiting a school, be sure to let the coach know that you are visiting.
Apply for colleges of interest early and follow up with athletic department. Follow all the regular steps to apply to these colleges, apply early/ on time senior year so you have a better chance of getting on a roster.