NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER Jared Bruggeman

Lynn NewsonNovember 12, 2008

All Staff Meeting

Topics we will Cover:

Things to look for regarding recruited prospective student-athletes;

High School Review trends; Top certification issues; Operational considerations; What you should be working on now.

NCAA Eligibility Center’s Goals for You To have your student-athletes available

to you when you need them (access to financial aid, available for practice).o Less waiting and fewer surprises.

Get over those old initial-eligibility hurdles early.

The Eligibility Center wants to work together with us to get there.

First Identification Opportunities Recruiting.o Things to look for:o Does the high school pass the smell test?o Does the prospective student-athlete have a clear

academic track?o Does the prospective student-athlete fit the

academic profile of our institution?

Phone calls, contacts and evaluations.oCoaches, admissions officers, registrars and compliance officers, academic coordinators.

Evaluate the Risk Are there flags that will result in

prospective student-athlete review?o Online/correspondence courses.o Questionable or multiple schools.o Credit recovery.

Can the courses taken at the high school be used as core courses?

NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate.○ Is the individual likely to be successful?○ APR has changed the dynamics of college

athletics

High School Admissions Transcript Evaluation for Official Visits What do we see?

o Transcript issues.o Test-score issues.

Are the courses on the high school’s list of NCAA -approved core courses (48-H)?

Make sure the student-athlete sends copies of each high school transcript, not just the graduation transcript to the EC.

There are no quick fixes on transcript discrepancies.

14.1.2.3.1 Institutional Responsibility.

An institution is responsible for promptly reporting all discrepancies in information used in a student-athlete's initial-eligibility certification to the NCAA Eligibility Center.  Discrepancies in information include, but are not limited to, corrections, additions, potential academic misconduct with regard to high schools attended, grades, completion of coursework or test scores. 

This means we have to investigate anything that seems suspicious and you’re required to let us know.

High School Review Current red flags:

o Unregulated high schools, either academically or athletically or both.

o Teams playing under a name that sounds like a high school, but education is outsourced.

o Credit recovery.o Shopping for schools.

Top Certification Issues

1. HO2 – Complete or not complete?o Currently means: Final HS transcript with

proof of graduation and a test scoreo Current system limitations-EC is working on

these.

2. 8th Grade Courses versus high school courses taken in the 8th Grade:o Is credit given towards graduation?o Is the high school using the grade in the

grade point average calculation?

Case Study

• PSA took Geometry in 8th grade• HS does not place this course on final

transcript• Algebra II is required for graduation• Sequence: Geometry, Algebra I and

Algebra II

Does PSA meet core math requirements?

Answer:

NO – even if the Geometry course is required in the sequence, but was taken in 8th grade and not placed on the HS transcript, then it will not count.

Rationale: 8th grade math is not taught at the same level as 9th grade math, even if they are equivalent courses.

They should take 3 years of math in HS (Algebra I or higher).

Top Certification Issues3. Never, never, never advise a high school to

change a transcript.o What is needed for a transcript change?

a) Official revised transcript;

b) High school policy on revising transcripts;

c) Explanation of the revision; and

d) Proof supporting these assertions.

o Grading scale changes require similar substantiation, especially retroactive changes.

4. Revisiting the core curriculum time limitation (bylaw 14.3.1.2.1)

What does the Eligibility Center mean when it says “graduate with

your class”?o PSA must complete state graduation exam prior to

the graduation date on HS transcript.o Just walking with your class on graduation day

does not mean PSA “graduates with his or her class.”

o A PSA does not pass the state graduation exam (failed the first time) until after graduation, therefore they did not graduate with their class.

o If you don’t graduate with your class, you do not get the opportunity to complete a core course requirement beyond high school.

Top Certification Issues

5. Revisiting the definition of a core course (bylaw 14.3.1.2):o Must be four-year college preparatory; ando Must be taught at the regular academic level

in the high school.

6. Non-traditional courses (bylaw 14.3.1.2.2):o Does the course meet the definition of a core

course?o What does the Eligibility Center look at to

determine this?

What Is the Eligibility Center Looking For?

In all cases, the review is about:Academic preparation.Is the prospect meeting the course

expectations?

Remember, there are no quick fixes.For Example: BYU Online Courses

○ Time of course, proof of coursework, when were assignments completed?, Does BYU give credit?

Early Certification Waivero Students who meet the following criteria

after six semesters will be certified as qualifiers:• Minimum SAT (math and critical reading) of 1000 or

minimum sum score of 85 on the ACT; and• Core-course GPA of 3.0 or higher in a minimum of

13 core courses:o Three English;o Two Math;o Two Science; ando Six additional core courses.

Top Certification Issues - continued

7. Why is this PSA under review for amateurism?o Shared responsibility reminder.o Amateurism is an investigative process.

8. Why is our case not resolved?o When did the prospective student-athlete

register? When did she request her final certification by signing her 10.1 statement?

o Are we working on that sport yet?o Are there any unanswered questions?o Have you provided everything you know?

Current Amateurism Challenges

Registration, Registration, Registration.o The Eligibility Center needs to start working

on your prospective student-athletes’ certifications as early as possible.

o Encourage your prospective student-athletes to register and complete the amateurism questionnaire honestly.

o Prospective student-athletes need to request final certification.

o Do not forget to remind walk-ons and transfer student-athletes.

Current Amateurism Challenges – Division I International prospective student-athletes.

o Professional team rule.○ When recruiting international prospective student-

athletes, keep in mind that pro-team determination is made by the amateurism certification processing staff. NCAA’s definition of “pro” is what matters.

○ One or more players on your prospective student-athlete’s team can trigger the rule, even if your prospective student-athlete is not triggering the rule himself.

o Compensation. ○ Be aware of any compensation (salaries, stipends,

bonuses, etc.) that your prospective student-athlete or his or her teammates are receiving from their team.

Keeping the IRL’s updated

Are you legitimately recruiting the prospective student-athlete?

Is the prospective student-athlete admitted to your institution?

Are you planning on giving the prospective student-athlete aid?

Has the prospective student-athlete signed a National Letter of Intent?

Are you counting on the prospective student-athlete reporting for training camp?

IRL Management

85,000 – active PSA’s on IRLS

40,000 – PSA’s added after June 1st.

12,000 – PSA’s added in July and August.

What is the EC doing to address issues?

Mail, mail, mail, lost, lost, lost.

Investigating how they can pull prospective student-athletes through the academic certification process?

Continue upgrading the website.

What should we be working on now?

Are all of your walk-ons and transfers certified?

Are the recruits preparing for official visits registered?o Do we have transcripts, test scores and

complete amateurism questionnaires? Are your verbal commitments

registered? Are you working on transcript reviews? Are your January enrollees ready for

certification?

Don’t Wait, EDUCATE

Take every opportunity to educate people you come in contact with.

o Prospective student-athlete.o Parent or guardian.o High School Coach.o Guidance counselor.

Questions?