“The NCAA has begun identifying nontraditional courses form various secondary education programs that do not meet the parameters of recently adopted Division I legislation regulating such courses. Nontraditional courses included online, virtual, independent study, correspondence, individualized instruction, and courses taught through similar means, which also include software-based credit recovery courses.”
“Courses identified thus far as insufficient include those from BYU Independent Study and American School. Courses that meet (as well as those that don’t meet) core-course requirements for eligibility purposes are updated on the NCAA Eligibility Web site.”
“Division I adopted legislation earlier this spring (Proposal 2009-64) requiring nontraditional courses considered as core to include regular access and interaction between an instructor and a student for purposes of teaching, evaluating and providing assistance to the student throughout the duration of the course.”
“As of now, these decisions do not apply to students seeking to use these courses for eligibility to complete at Division II institutions.”
In response it is very important that MSHS student athletes are discouraged from taking online etc., related courses. The NCAA is also questioning and at times denying summer based Extended Learning courses (like those offered by the SVSD). Available for download here is the “HECB College Academic Distribution Requirements and NCAA Eligibility". This is very informative and useful guidance tool which should help clear up any questions regarding NCAA eligibility issues between Division I, II and III requirements.
Also, please note that the following MSHS courses do not qualify as NCAA core course(s) and therefore cannot be used for NCAA initial eligibility certification: Business English; Film Studies; LA Lab 9: LA Lab 10; LA Lab 11; World History Lab; Horticulture; Journalism (on hold pending further documentation and review); Algebra 3 (on hold pending further documentation and review). IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNSELOR IMMEDIATELY!
From the NCAA Eligibility Center: Just released the 2010/11 Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete Download your FREE copy...CLICK HERE
35 Proactive Steps All Recruits Can Take
Recruits are always wondering what they can to do improve their recruiting process. Here are 35 steps that ALL recruits can take to get one step closer to an athletic scholarship opportunity. Some interesting reading for those players wanting to take soccer to the next level. The following download is a must read if you are interested in playing college soccer. If you want to play college soccer...you can...but you have to want to and be willing to do what it takes to get there. Download the full article by clicking here. THE PROCESS
There are many college playing opportunities for high school graduates. There are many schools with soccer programs. The colleges and universities vary widely in size, location, and academic offering, and the soccer programs sponsored range from moderately to very competitive.
Steps in the process include these points
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Preparing academically
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Preparing athletically
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Completing administrative preparations
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Identifying realistic college options
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Generating contacts among these options
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Following up on contacts
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Making a selection and committing
For players of equal academic and athletic ability, those who have the opportunity to create more contacts, and those who are more diligent about communicating effectively, do better in finding good opportunities to attend school and play soccer.
Special Opportunities for Women
The tremendous increase in the number of women's college soccer programs has exceeded the rate at which information about recruiting, scholarships, college soccer, and college life for student athletes can be presented to potential college players. In response, many college and youth coaches and club programs have worked hard to prepare information for players that is presented in person, through newsletters, in brochures and guides, and recruiting pages on web sites. This information is intended to help provide a good understanding of the level of play in college, the various types of college programs, schools, and conferences, to explain the recruiting process, and to eliminate misunderstandings and myths.
A great many web sites and printed publications are available to show the prospective student athlete through the recruiting process, and to help the student make a good college decision. Some of these resources are identified here.
Communicating with the Coach
Good communications are essential. Complete forms carefully and return them promptly. Follow up by mail and phone. Return phone calls immediately, and remember that the NCAA coach can not usually call more than once a week. If you have a message, call back and keep calling until you get through.
If you fail to return phone calls promptly or to return paperwork or get your paperwork into the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse, the coach will have to move on to other players, giving your playing opportunity and financial aid to another player who was prompt about returning paperwork and phone calls.
When the coach calls, the coach wants to present the school and soccer program, to learn more about you, the player, and to arrange to move you further along the recruiting pipeline, possibly to a home visit or to an official visit to the school. If you are not interested, save everyone time and be honest about it. However, if you are interested, there's a lot you need to find out about the school and program so that you'll be able to make a good decision. See What to Ask.
For access to team web sites for many NCAA and NAIA schools, see the team links on the College page.
Recruiting - What To Ask - College Links