I was just reviewing my uc apps and I realized that I put down that i’m eligible to play sports in college (NCAA). Looking at the NCAA website is a little tricky because I know nothing about the organization, but I do track and field and would consider doing it in college. Do I have to register with the NCAA officially? Since I’m not registered currently, am I technically lying on my application?
No you aren’t lying, but if you do want to participate in an ncaa sport you have to register with the ncaa clearinghouse. To be eligible you need to have a minimum gpa and test scores, but if you are admitted to a UC it is very likely you have those. You also need to submit original transcripts from each high school you attended.
@twoinanddone thanks!
I believe you also need to request to have your test scores sent to NCAA
To be eligible you also have to prove your amateur status to the NCAA. If you believe in good faith that you have amateur status I think it is safe to answer the question affirmatively pending NCAA confirmation later.
Yes, you can send scores to the clearinghouse just like you’d send them to any college (I think the code is 9999), but each high school has to send an original transcript in, and the high school that issues the degree has to send a second transcript showing graduation. It’s easy, costs $70.
Can you tell which part my daughter screwed up? Three high schools, only transcript sent was from the graduating school which sent it early and not showing graduation (well, final was sent and lost, which high school claims NCAA loses about half the time). We had to scrabble to get them all in before DD could participate in Sept of freshman year.
If you want to go on an OV, or will be discussing athletic scholarship opportunities while you are still in high school, you will likely need the NCAA number that will be assigned to you when you pay the registration fee. If you just want to consider being a walk on and will possibly attend try outs at your new school, don’t rush to pay the money just yet. The NCAA website has a list of core courses that you need to take and what GPA and test scores minimums are, if you meet those requirements you are not lying if you say you are eligible.
My older son went to D1 tryouts at the school he attended. He was going to this particular school (state flagship university) with or without being on the track team. While he needed to get a pre-tryout physical and sign several waivers, he did not need to register with the NCAA. He specifically asked about it, and was told once you are an active student they can access all of your records directly and you do not need to sign up for the NCAA verification service.
My younger son, also a track athletic, considered several schools. Since he was talking to coaches before being a student and while he was still in HS, he registered with the NCAA his senior year. He was required to provide his NCAA number to the two schools he went on an OV to before they would book travel.
I don’t think you can participate on a D1 or D2 team, even if you do not receive money, without going through the clearinghouse. A team can’t let someone compete who didn’t meet the minimum gpa/score requirements or schools would be playing all kinds of games with giving students other kinds of scholarships (non athletic), not having the right high school courses, etc.
You don’t have to register to talk to college coaches, but you do for an official visit (if they are paying for transportation or lodging, making it an official visit). DD’s schools never asked if she was registered but other kids we new were asked if they were registered before the OV.