The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the organization that basically runs college sports. In order for a student to play college sports in a division I or II program, the student must be registered with NCAA. Students in high school who wish to play division I or II sports should register with NCAA during their sophomore or junior year. 

College athletics are offered at three levels:

Intramural Sports

For students within a school who want to stay active in a sport. Teams in intramural leagues play against other teams within their school, and do not compete against other schools. Competitiveness varies, and time commitment is generally low.

Club Sports

Typically more competitive than intramural, and may be as competitive as Division III sports teams. Club sports teams play against other schools, who may or may not be in the same geographic area. Club sports teams typically have tryouts, and there is a time commitment involved. Club sports are great for a student who still wants to be active in their sport, and play as part of a team that competes against other teams. Many schools offer ice hockey, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and equestrian clubs, but do not also offer those sports on an intercollegiate level.

Intercollegiate Sports

Teams play other schools, and are part of a league or conference. Most schools (about 1200) are in the NCAA (Division I, II and III), and a smaller number are part of the NAIA. Division I NCAA schools are typically the most competitive, most selective, and most time-consuming. Note that only NCAA Division I and II sports offer athletic scholarships; Division III sports do not offer athletic scholarships. Some schools offer both the intercollegiate and club level for a sport, which allows more students at the school to play at the appropriate level. 

In order to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college, student-athletes must meet the eligibility standards of the NCAA Eligibility Center. The main factors that determine eligibility are your core-course GPA and course you have taken. 

Students who want to play DI or DII sports must register in the NCAA Eligibility Center. Generally, we recommend that you do this by the end of your junior year, though you can do it in your senior year.

How to Register:

STEP 1: Click here to access the Eligibility Center

​STEP 2: Create a new account

STEP 3: Scroll down until you see the section for Division 1 or Division 2, on the left side of the screen

STEP 4: Click the Create an Account button

STEP 5: On the next screen, click Create an Account again

STEP 6: You will then have to enter your email address and then a verification code will be sent to your email address (You should use a personal email address, not your school email)

STEP 7: Put the verification code in the box

STEP 8: Create your account. Fill out all of the information (Lakeland HS Code is 391925)

STEP 9: Submit standardized test scores (if desired - test scores are no longer required for the NCAA). You can do this by entering the NCAA Eligibility Center code (9999) when you register for the SAT's or ACT's, or by sending them through your College Board or ACT student accounts.

*Please note, ​for the Division I or II account, there is a $110 registration fee. The Profile Account for Division III is free.* 

Guide for the NCAA Bound Student Athlete

NCAA Eligibility Information - Division I

NCAA Eligibility Information - Division II

NCAA DI and DII Recruiting Calendars

NCAA Eligibility Center

NAIA Eligibility Center