The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the organization that basically runs college sports. In order for a student to play college sports in a division I or II program, the student must be registered with NCAA. Students in high school who wish to play division I or II sports should register with NCAA during their sophomore or junior year.
What Are The Levels Of Sports In College
College athletics are offered at three levels:
Intramural Sports
For students within a school who want to stay active in a sport. Teams in intramural leagues play against other teams within their school, and do not compete against other schools. Competitiveness varies, and time commitment is generally low.
Club Sports
Typically more competitive than intramural, and may be as competitive as DIII sports teams. Club sports teams play against other schools, who may or may not be in the same geographic area. Club sports teams typically have tryouts, and there is a time commitment involved. Club sports are great for a student who still wants to be active in their sport, and play as part of a team that competes against other teams. Many schools offer ice hockey, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and equestrian clubs, but do not also offer those sports on an intercollegiate level.
Intercollegiate Sports
Teams play other schools, and are part of a league or conference. Most schools (about 1200) are in the NCAA (Division I, II and III), and a smaller number are part of the NAIA. Division I NCAA schools are typically the most competitive, most selective, and most time-consuming. Note that only NCAA Division I and II sports offer athletic scholarships; Division III sports do not offer athletic scholarships. Some schools offer both the intercollegiate and club level for a sport, which allows more students at the school to play at the appropriate level.
Intramural Sports
For students within a school who want to stay active in a sport. Teams in intramural leagues play against other teams within their school, and do not compete against other schools. Competitiveness varies, and time commitment is generally low.
Club Sports
Typically more competitive than intramural, and may be as competitive as DIII sports teams. Club sports teams play against other schools, who may or may not be in the same geographic area. Club sports teams typically have tryouts, and there is a time commitment involved. Club sports are great for a student who still wants to be active in their sport, and play as part of a team that competes against other teams. Many schools offer ice hockey, gymnastics, tennis, fencing, and equestrian clubs, but do not also offer those sports on an intercollegiate level.
Intercollegiate Sports
Teams play other schools, and are part of a league or conference. Most schools (about 1200) are in the NCAA (Division I, II and III), and a smaller number are part of the NAIA. Division I NCAA schools are typically the most competitive, most selective, and most time-consuming. Note that only NCAA Division I and II sports offer athletic scholarships; Division III sports do not offer athletic scholarships. Some schools offer both the intercollegiate and club level for a sport, which allows more students at the school to play at the appropriate level.
What Does Eligibility Mean?
In order to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college, student-athletes must meet the eligibility standards of the NCAA Eligibility Center. Two of the main factors that determine eligibility are your core-course GPA and your standardized test scores.
NCAA Division I Eligibility
Division I Academic Eligibility
To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division I school, you must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements. To view LHS courses that are currently NCAA approved, click here and enter the CEEB code of 391925.
1.) Complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses:
-Four years of English
-Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
-Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
-One additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
-Two years of social science
-Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy
2.) Complete 10 core courses, including seven in English, math or natural/physical science, before your seventh semester (before the start of senior year). Once you begin your seventh semester, you may not repeat or replace any of those 10 courses to improve your core-course GPA.
3.) Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses.
To be eligible to compete in NCAA sports during your first year at a Division I school, you must graduate high school and meet ALL the following requirements. To view LHS courses that are currently NCAA approved, click here and enter the CEEB code of 391925.
1.) Complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses:
-Four years of English
-Three years of math (Algebra 1 or higher)
-Two years of natural/physical science (including one year of lab science if your high school offers it)
-One additional year of English, math or natural/physical science
-Two years of social science
-Four additional years of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy
2.) Complete 10 core courses, including seven in English, math or natural/physical science, before your seventh semester (before the start of senior year). Once you begin your seventh semester, you may not repeat or replace any of those 10 courses to improve your core-course GPA.
3.) Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses.
NCAA Eligibility Center
Students who want to play DI or DII sports must register in the NCAA Eligibility Center. Generally, we recommend that you do this by the end of your junior year, though you can do it in your senior year.
How to Register:
STEP 1: Click here to access the Eligibility Center
STEP 2: Create a new account
STEP 3: Scroll down until you see the section for Division 1 or Division 2, on the left side of the screen
STEP 4: Click the Create an Account button
STEP 5: On the next screen, click Create an Account again
STEP 6: You will then have to enter your email address and then a verification code will be sent to your email address (You should use a personal email address, not your school email)
STEP 7: Put the verification code in the box
STEP 8: Create your account. Fill out all of the information (Lakeland HS Code is 391925)
STEP 9: Submit standardized test scores (if desired - test scores are no longer required for the NCAA). You can do this by entering the NCAA Eligibility Center code (9999) when you register for the SAT's or ACT's, or by sending them through your College Board or ACT student accounts.
*Please note, for the Division I or II account, there is a $90 registration fee. The Profile Account for Division III is free.*
How to Register:
STEP 1: Click here to access the Eligibility Center
STEP 2: Create a new account
STEP 3: Scroll down until you see the section for Division 1 or Division 2, on the left side of the screen
STEP 4: Click the Create an Account button
STEP 5: On the next screen, click Create an Account again
STEP 6: You will then have to enter your email address and then a verification code will be sent to your email address (You should use a personal email address, not your school email)
STEP 7: Put the verification code in the box
STEP 8: Create your account. Fill out all of the information (Lakeland HS Code is 391925)
STEP 9: Submit standardized test scores (if desired - test scores are no longer required for the NCAA). You can do this by entering the NCAA Eligibility Center code (9999) when you register for the SAT's or ACT's, or by sending them through your College Board or ACT student accounts.
*Please note, for the Division I or II account, there is a $90 registration fee. The Profile Account for Division III is free.*
Helpful Links
Guide for the NCAA Bound Student Athlete
NCAA Eligibility Information - Division I
NCAA Eligibility Information - Division II
NCAA DI and DII Recruiting Calendars
NCAA Eligibility Center
NAIA Eligibility Center
NCAA Eligibility Information - Division I
NCAA Eligibility Information - Division II
NCAA DI and DII Recruiting Calendars
NCAA Eligibility Center
NAIA Eligibility Center
