This document provides information about the college recruitment process for student-athletes. It discusses the various athletic divisions (DI, DII, DIII, NAIA), notes that less than 1% of athletes receive full scholarships to DI schools, and explains that recruitment now often begins before a student's senior year of high school. The document defines key terms like official visits, unofficial visits, and national letters of intent. It also outlines the eligibility requirements for DI, DII, and DIII.

2. Options to Play
 NCAA D1
 NCAA D2
 NCAA D3
 NAIA
 NJCAA
The options to play athletics in college is abundant. However
less then 1% get a D1 full ride, so be realistic.

3. WHEN DOES RECRUITMENT
START
 MYTH: Recruiting begins when you are contacted by a
college coach during junior or senior of high school
 FACT: More and more coaches are identifying younger
athletes as potential recruits. It has gotten so bad that
some recruits are committed to a university before their
freshmen year in High School.
It has gotten so out of control that NCAA is looking to step in
and do away with early offers. In this proposal students
wouldn’t be able to sign until July 1 before the senior year.

4. Recruitment Calendar

5. Technological Recruitment
 Texting Coaches
 Division I – Not Allowed
 Division II – Not Allowed
 Division III – Not Allowed
 ** Exception to this rule: if you’ve already signed a
national letter of intent, texting is allowed.

6. Recruitment Vocabulary
Official Visit
Definition: any visit to a college campus by a prospective student-athlete which is paid for
by the institution.
Official Visits:
 Allowed in 12th grade
 1 per institution
 5 overall (even for multiple sport athletes)
 Cannot last for more than 48 hours
Prior to making an “official visit”, prospective student-athletes must:
• be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• have test scores (PSAT, SAT or ACT) forwarded to the college or university of
interest.
• have transcripts (high school or college in the case of transfer) forwarded to the
college or university of interest.

7. UNOFFICIAL VISITS
 Definition: a visit by the prospective student-athlete and members of the
family, which is paid for by the prospective student-athlete and/or their
family. A prospective student-athlete is allowed to make an unlimited number
of “unofficial visits” during their sophomore, junior and senior years in high
school.
During an unofficial visit the prospective student-athlete can:
- have a tour of the campus.
- meet with counselors.
- meet with coaches.
Athletic Department personnel may arrange academic interviews and meetings
during an unofficial visit.

8. NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT
 The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student athlete
and an institution
 The student athlete agrees to attend the university for one year
 The institution agrees to provide financial aid for at least one year
 All colleges and universities which participate in the NLI program agree to
cease recruiting any prospective student-athlete once they have signed
an NLI with another institution.

9. ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS
 Athletic Scholarships at Division I and II Institutions:
 based on athletic ability
 can be awarded on a term-by-term or year-by-year basis
 not for more than one academic year at a time
 total of five years if continually enrolled in a six year period
 May be reduced or canceled under certain circumstances:
 misrepresentation of information
 serious misconduct
 failure to participate
 May not be reduced or canceled based on:
 athletic performance
 failure to participate due to injury

10. How to get recruited
 Identify Schools of interest
 Attend the showcase circuit
 Create a recruitment reel or hire an outside company
 SAMPLE WEB PAGE
 SAMPLE ATHLETIC RESUME
 RECRUITMENT CALENDAR
 Make yourself attractive as a student
You need to be pro-active in getting your name, academic
scores and athletic achievements in front of coaches.

12. Division I Requirements
 Students must complete 16 core courses as
stipulated by the NCAA and have appropriate
SAT scores – see sliding scale
 4 Years of English
 3 Years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)
 2 Yrs. Natural/Physical Science (1 lab)
 1 Additional Year of English/Math/Science
 2 Years of Social Sciences (Social Studies)
 4 Years of Additional Core Courses from any of the
above (includes foreign language)

13. Division II Requirements
 Students must complete 14 core courses as
stipulated by the NCAA.
 3 Years of English
 2 Years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)
 2 Yrs. Natural/Physical Science (1 lab)
 2 Additional Year of English/Math/Science
 2 Years of Social Sciences (Social Studies)
 3 Years of Additional Core Courses from any of the above
(includes foreign language)
***There is no sliding scale for SATs in Division II. Minimum GPA is a 2.0 (75)
and the minimum SAT requirement is 820.

14. Division III Requirements
 There is no NCAA Clearinghouse that needs to be
completed to compete in Division III Athletics.
 Students must meet the standards of the academic
institution regarding remaining eligible.

15. Final Thoughts
 Determine the type of school you are looking for
 Determine your level of play (D1 D2 D3 or NAIA)
 Create a timeline
 Return recruit forms, send films and transcripts
 Visit schools
 Prioritize schools
 Apply