In order to be eligible to compete as a freshman in college, you need to make certain that you meet the academic eligibility requirements of the athletic association where you are planning to participate (NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA). Each athletic association has their own list of initial eligibility requirements, and whether you qualify or not will determine if you are allowed to compete as a freshman. It is important to know that meeting these standards DOES NOT necessarily mean that you will be accepted for admission into an institution. In the athletic association's eyes you may be eligible, but each institution reserves the right to set entry level requirements at a higher standard than the NCAA's, NAIA's, or NJCAA's minimum requirements. These entry level requirements will be discussed in more detail in Session 4.

     Another good reason to take care of business in the classroom during your high school years, is because you need to be prepared for the rigorous academic schedule you will have in college. It is one thing to be accepted into a school and be eligible immediately, but it is another to maintain that eligibility throughout the course of your 4 or 5 years as a student-athlete at the college level. Start preparing NOW!

Remember, the odds of a high school football player making it to the pros are about 6,000 to 1. The odds for a high school basketball player are about 10,000 to 1. What really matters in the long run is receiving a good college education.