Student Athletes 

·       It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all of the rules and regulations. 

·       Your coaches can be a great resource, but always remember to follow up with them and with the colleges yourself.

·       Go to the website of the schools where you might like to play and complete the Prospective Student Athlete form.  It can have other names – just go to the school’s website, go to the athletics page and search.  Almost all schools have something like this, no matter what division they play in.

·       You must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to play DI or DII sports.  Start with a free account at 

o   You must request that your high school send your official transcripts. 

§  If you have taken online or other coursework not at your high school – even if the grades are on your high school transcript – you must have those transcripts sent as well

o   You must request that your SAT and/or ACT scores are sent to the NCAA.

·       Check the rules for the schools/conferences you are considering.  For example, the SEC has a rule that states that if a student does not qualify academically as an incoming freshman, they can NEVER play. 

·       The NCAA has a very straightforward, yet complicated process.  For DI and DII schools, the student MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, submit a transcript and test scores.  However, because there are so many students who register, ONLY THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE PLACED ON AN INSTITUTIONAL REQUEST LIST (IRL) will be processed.  What does that mean?  It means that a college coach must contact the NCAA and request that you be placed on his/her IRL.  Once one coach has placed you on the list, your file will be processed, and then ANY coach can see your file.  In other words, you only need to find one coach to put you on the IRL, then all of the coaches will be able to see you. 

·       If your grades and test scores are high enough after your junior year, if you are on an IRL, and if you have registered and paid the NCAA, you can get Early Academic Qualification.  This essentially means that you are cleared to play in college based on your record for the first 3 years of high school.  It saves you, the NCAA and the college a lot of worry and stress over getting qualified after your senior year.  If you have a 3.0 GPA in 14 “core” courses, and a 900+ SAT or 75+ sum ACT, you may be qualified. 

·       Questions to ask a coach:

o   Will you place me on your IRL?

o   Are you offering me a spot on the roster?

o   Will you support my application?

o   How do students balance school and sports? 

o   What kinds of resources are available to student-athletes (tutoring, early class registration, housing priorities, meal plans, etc)?

o   What is the student-athletes graduation rate in my sport?

o   Can I talk to some other athletes about their experience at your school?