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Get Scouted Scouting CareersThe NCAA has instituted an innovative way to assist D-III athletes through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?
From its inception, the NCAA’s Eligibility Center, formerly known as the NCAA Clearinghouse, has been where Division I (D-I) and Division II-bound (D-II) high school student-athletes have gone to have their academic records and amateurism statuses examined and certified. NCAA staffers pour over each applicant’s information. Upon completion, the NCAA determines who meets the minimum requirements to play sports as an incoming freshman at the D-I or D-II level. Although the standards have steadily risen over the years, the process hasn’t.
That is, until this school year. Division III recruits now have their place to go in the Eligibility Center’s Website.
With record numbers of high school student-athletes registering, more than 180,000 annually, the NCAA’s staff was swimming with applicants. As prospects’ wait times increased, so did the complaints from families and NCAA coaches. No one was happy.
Contributing to the problem was the high number of D-III-caliber athletes unnecessarily registering with the Eligibility Center. D-III affiliated schools take care of certifying athletes based on the individual college’s admissions standards. Since every D-III member institution establishes it’s own eligibility process, athletes don’t need to register with the NCAA.
How do D-III athletes use the Eligibility Center?
High school seniors, that will be attending D-III institutions, can by-pass the registration process altogether. All they have to do is use the correct section of the NCAA Eligibility Center’s website. Now, all athlete’s heading to a D-III institution will create a profile page instead of a certification account.
Insider tip: If an athlete is unsure of their level then they should create a certification account. The NCAA allows athletes to switch from a certification account to a profile page with ease. However, they don’t allow athletes to go from a profile page to a certification account.
The certification account offers helpful information about the D-III level, and how its members handle academics. Generally speaking the new D-III path has worked to everyone’s advantage.
The NCAA has diverted a significant number of high school seniors away from the registration process, saving countless hours of work. Those needing to register for D-I or D-II are experiencing quicker turnarounds on their applications. And coaches are getting academic decisions faster from the Eligibility Center.
You can contact NSR with any questions about NCAA rules, regulations and the recruiting process.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.