What's my college sports eligibility like?

Athletic Recruits
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<p>Ok, well I've been doing a ton of research on this topic, and have found many interesting things. However, I kind of have a different scenario than the rest of the people trying to play college sports. So here's my scenario: Right now, I am going to be a senior at the university that I am currently attending. I have NEVER played college sports (for any school, NCAA, etc.), I have however played on several club teams including our school club team, and am ready to try to take my skill to the next level. This upcoming school year, I plan to play for a local junior college (NJCAA) at the same time as attending my university full time (yes, you can do that, as long as you're a full time student at the juco as well, which is a challenge I am willing to accept). </p>

<p>So anyways, lets say I finish this year playing at the juco, I will still have one year eligibility remaining for NCAA. I have changed my major quite a few times so I'll be at the university for at least another year. I have looked on transferring schools but a lot of schools have a requirement that you must finish 60 credit hours at that institution as a transfer before they hand you a degree, and since I have junior/senior standing, I don't really quite want to do that especially if I'll only get one year of eligibility. </p>

<p>So anyways, what else can I know about my remaining eligibility? Is there any way I can play as a graduate student somewhere upon after graduation (expected to graduate fall 2014)? Since I NEVER played college sports, how does that affect my eligibility? PLEASE ONLY ANSWER IF YOU understand these college sports rules. Sorry I didn't quite take the normal route a college athlete took because I am definitely a "late bloomer" in my sport.</p>

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<p>DwightMillard33,</p>

<p>You need to call the NCAA @ 317/917-6222 and speak to them about your unique situation. Generally speaking you have 5 years to complete 4 years of eligibility. I don’t know when your “clock” started. There are other caveats and requirements specific to transfers, years in residence, club baseball and varsity sports eligibility that you need to verify with the NCAA. </p>

<p>My two cents…you shouldn’t rely on a message board to answer these types of “one off” scenarios. You need to talk to the experts. Please call the NCAA.</p>

<p>[NCAA</a> Publications - NCAA Transfer Guide - 2012-13](<a href=“http://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4288-ncaa-transfer-guide-2012-13.aspx]NCAA”>NCAA Publications - NCAA Transfer Guide - 2012-13)</p>

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<p>Good advice from Fenway as always. Good luck, DM33, hope you get a lot of answers.</p>

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<p>Do you guys know, if D1 probably isn’t a possibility for me, is eligibility a little more lenient with D2, D3, or NAIA schools?</p>

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<p>The NCAA has structured D1 with the most requirements, rules and regulations. It is also the most competitive athletic division overall.</p>

<p>To be honest and direct, I’m not sure how you are going to do it physically. You want to be a full time student at your University, AND a full time student at the JUCO, AND a JUCO athlete? If I understand that correctly, that is a lot on your plate. I’m not sure I understand the end goal either. </p>

<p>My oldest son will be a senior baseball player, and I know many, many college athletes. Nobody would want your suggested academic and athletic load. But, you have to do what you have to do. Please call the NCAA, and run this by them. They will clearly articulate what is needed, and your status. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Your situation is unusual, so take fenway’s advice. FYI, for D1 NCAA soccer, playing a year on the school’s official club team burns a year of eligibility, but that may not be true for other sports.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>I know I’m crazy, but I just want to play college baseball at a high level, that’s all. It’s been my dream my whole life to one day pitch for a good D1 team like U of A, ASU, UCLA, Vandirbilt, etc. I was really a below average player in high school, which was why I never really got any college offers at all, so I stopped playing for a year as I started university, with a dull student life because of the fact that baseball in my life was missing, accepting the fact that my baseball dream was over. </p>

<p>Luckily, about a year later, I saw our school had a club team, so I decided to join that. It’s pretty good competition as we play the local junior colleges in our area as well as other universities’ club teams. Pretty much, you can say I was a REALLY late bloomer, it wasn’t until this spring where I saw much success on the field, velocity increase, control throwing strikes, etc. and this is the best I’ve thrown in all my life and most successful I’ve been in this game. I even played in a summer collegiate league here and thats pretty much where I felt the boost that I may have what it takes to pitch at a little bit of a higher level. </p>

<p>Basically, I know now that yes I may indeed be too old, but I feel that playing at the next level in college may now be a possibility for me. I feel that maybe playing at a JUCO for at least a year may be able to help me achieve the end goal (JUCO ball is HUGE out here, Arizona where college/pro scout attendance at JUCO games are very large). I know I’m crazy, but that’s what I want. I have only one chance to play baseball at a high-level, and I believe this is the best shot to take. I feel that I only just need to do this for one year, as I would like to continue my studies at the university and at the same time, get more experience and competition. I hope to one day have a job in baseball (not as a player, but something like front office, college coach, on-field, etc.), so that’s why I would indeed like to play as long as I can and learn as much as I can. </p>

<p>I know I’m crazy but I have such a huge passion for this game… I’ve grown weary of the university “club” level baseball as it has many disadvantages (very expensive player dues/fees, no coach, player manager runs everything, etc.), and I just want to play real, organized baseball in my life while I still can. Basically I’m thinking JUCO ball may increase my “college baseball” resume if I indeed go through with it. I understand D1 generally want the standouts from high school or JUCO’s.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this. If this is indeed such a crazy idea, do you have any other suggestions that I can still play baseball here in college? I’d really would rather not play club anymore, but if this JUCO ball really may interfere with my academics and time management, I indeed will not really pursue it any longer and just play the rest of college in club. I know two guys that did it as freshmen, and sophomores (where they go to university+JUCO at the same time).</p>

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<p>And don’t get me wrong, I’m very serious about my academics, and I understand at the end, earning a degree from my university is the MOST important than any dream of mine.</p>

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<p>Dwightmillard33,</p>

<p>Understood. Call the NCAA, and get the necessary status and options available.</p>

<p>My two cents…Rather than burning the academic candle at both ends, I would try to locate a pro scout in your area that is familiar with pro tryouts. Start with the Arizona Diamondbacks (I was at their stadium last week…it is sweet!)</p>

<p>Pro teams have tryouts fairly regularly where I live, and I would expect even more so where you live. If you continue to play club baseball you are going to get the reps you need without killing yourself by doing too much. After you finish your degree, go to one of these tryouts. If you have the tools, they will let you know at the pro tryouts. </p>

<p>I totally understand where you are coming from. Some folks want to pursue this until they are told yes or no. Determination is a great thing to have for a baseball player (I have 3 in my house). I think this gives you the best chance to live that dream without creating a nightmare for yourself. </p>

<p>Good luck and please let us know what the NCAA tells you and what you decide to do. I wish you the best.</p>

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<p>FenwaySouth,</p>

<p>Thanks a lot, but I’m not quite too sure about professional baseball though (at this time). Realistically, I think my talent level (currently) is maybe good enough for a D2, D3, or NAIA competition, not even quite D1 just yet (I feel maybe a year at JUCO could help polish my skills a little bit); I do think professional baseball is a little out of reach for me at this time. I just would like to play college baseball.</p>

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<p>Dwightmillard33,</p>

<p>So, you want to burn the candle on both academic ends for a chance to play 1 year of JUCO as a senior? I really think you need to think about the reality of this and research it a lot more. I know in our area the club baseball (ACC and SEC) is slightly stronger than JUCO, so from my perspective I’m not sure what this one year is getting you if you don’t want to go pro.</p>

<p>I have a friend (used to be my son’s asst high school coach) who is now coaching at a top ranked JUCO in NC. They played about 50 games in the Spring with four starting pitchers getting about 50 innings each total. After that there are 3 middle relievers getting between 20-30 innings each and then about 5 guys getting less than 10 innings each for entire season. Do you really think you are going to get significant innings parachuting into an established JUCO program? How many innings are you pitching now? Will the JUCO coach give you a fair shake over guys that he recruited and selected. The more I think about your situation the more I think you are running against the wind. From where I sit, I think you a giving something up something of equal value to take on more headaches, and get involved in an endeavor that will have no bearing on your future professional life. JMO.</p>

<p>BTW…My middle son will be a freshmen engineering major at an ACC school next week. He knows players on the club team, and they want him to tryout. We’ve seen some of their games. I’ve also seen JUCO games in my area. There is no significant difference IMHO.</p>

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<p>Yes, you’re actually very correct actually. Maybe this whole idea will do more bad for me than good. I just wanted to play actual college baseball really bad. Anyways, the more I think about this, the more I think this probably isn’t the best idea. Perhaps maybe playing at another university as a transfer student maybe? Or wait till a graduate and see if I can play elsewhere as a graduate student? (once again unfamiliar with eligibility rules) But most likely I’ll just continue playing club for now. I am still eligible to play in collegiate summer leagues and such, so that too can also fill my passion of playing at a higher level during the summer time.</p>