Collegiate Athletic Information for Families

At MMSD we are committed to providing quality information to help families navigate the often difficult task of playing collegiate athletics.

From understanding the often complex academic rules to navigating the recruiting landscape the process to play collegiately is not always easily understood. We want to provide quality information to help you better complete tasks and gain an understanding of how to provide the best opportunity to play beyond high school. Playing college athletics is not a one size fits all approach so feel free to take these resources and identify a plan with your family, school counselor, coach and/or athletic director. We hope you are able to develop a plan that works best for you.

If you would like additional assistance or information please contact your school counselor.

The Basics

What is NCAA?

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes. Over 1,000 colleges and universities make up the NCAA. Staff at the member institutions make up committees whose role it is to define the rules and regulations that govern NCAA legislation. The NCAA governs Division I, Division II and Division III schools.

What is NAIA?

What is NJCAA?

As a prospective athlete you should understand the time commitment it takes to play in college. Please find the NCAA informational documents helpful in thinking about whether or not playing collegiately is something you have time for or would like to do.

Checklist for College-Bound Student-Athletes

NCAA Time Management Document

Registration

As a student athlete it is important to consider all the variables associated with collegiate athletics. If you and your family have decided that playing collegiate athletics is the path you would like to pursue please use the following links to register for the appropriate organization.

Please see your counselor if you believe you are eligible to receive a fee waiver.

NCAA Division I & II Profile Account (Free) - A free Profile Page account is the right account if you are a college-bound student-athlete who is:

Still deciding which NCAA division is right for you.
Planning to compete at an NCAA Division III school and have only attended a U.S. high school.

NCAA Profile Account

NCAA Registration Checklist

NCAA Academic & Amateurism Certification Account Division I & II ($100) - For future NCAA student-athletes, an Academic and Amateurism Certification account is the right account for college-bound student-athletes who are planning to:

Compete at an NCAA Division I or II school.
Take an official visit.
Sign a National Letter of Intent.

NCAA Academic & Amateurism Certification Account

NCAA Registration Checklist

NAIA Certification Account ($90) - For any student who is interested, or committed, to play at an NAIA school. You must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.

NAIA Certification Account

Academic Requirements

Getting Started

To maximize your opportunity to play collegiately every student should make sure they are taking courses that will allow them to graduate and also qualify for all collegiate athletic options. Make sure you are aware and are taking qualifying courses during every year of high school. To find your school's list of qualifying classes please visit here. In the section designated "NCAA HS Code" you will want to type your schools 6-digit code:
LaFollette (501163)
Madison East (501150)
Madison Memorial (501157)
Madison West (501165)

NCAA Division I

NCAA Division II

NCAA Division III

NAIA

A prospective student athlete looking to play at an NAIA college or university must meet the following criteria:

Minimum test score of 18 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT
Achieve a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Graduate in the top half (50%) of their high school class

For MMSD students who are incoming freshmen can now become NAIA eligible without a test score or class rank - provided they meet the following minimum GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

2.3 GPA for recent graduates
2.8 GPA for students who have completed their 7th semester
3.3 GPA for students who have completed their junior year

NJCAA

Recruiting

Recruiting for college athletics is considered by some the most difficult part of the process in becoming a college athlete. While there are many ways to help yourself gain opportunities and exposure the process does not always lend itself to success. There are many variables at play when it comes to getting recruited. Provided for your viewing and understanding are some ideas to help you get started.

Click Here for more information about the following categories.

Understanding Your Goals
Being Realistic
Contacting Coaches
Social Media
HS & Club Team Contacts
Exposure Camps
HS & Club Teams

Helpful Tools

NCAA College-Bound Student-Athlete Guide 2023-2024

NCAA Eligibility Webinar

Checklist for College-Bound Student-Athletes

2023 NAIA Guide for College Bound Student Athlete

NAIA Updates

College Athletics FAQ’s

Why do I need to get the best grades possible early in high school?

The NCAA Division I and Division II levels require specific subjects to qualify, in addition to matching GPA and ACT score. See below for the current NCAA Division core-course subject requirements.

Level	English	Math	Science	ADC *	History	ADC	Total
Division I	4	3	2	1	2	4	16
Division II	3	2	2	3	2	4	16

*(must be in Eng, Math, Sci) - Certain subjects have specific requirements, please see your High School counselor for more information.

If you would like to play as a freshman in college you must graduate in 8 semesters and obtain a minimum of a 2.3 GPA for Division I, a 2.2 GPA for Division II and a 2.0 for NAIA.

The NCAA determines eligibility by a sliding scale, combining core-course GPA and ACT/SAT test scores.