How to Register Your Child to Be an NCAA Athlete

As each school year comes to a close, parents have an important decision to make. The ability to register your son or daughter to be an NCAA athlete can be a daunting task. However, it is not as difficult as you may think. These steps are easy to follow and easy to use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access

1. Evaluate your child's athletic ability. This step is vitally important in the process. Sometimes parents have a one-sided view of their child's ability. Getting two or three individuals' impressions of your child's ability will give you a clearer view to see if your child can compete at the NCAA level.
2. Understand the recruiting process. Dealing with recruiters from various universities can be overwhelming. Contact the NCAA to check the validity of the recruiters that have contacted you concerning your child.
3. Evaluate the choice of the university, looking primarily at educational opportunities. Then determine your child's educational interests and come up with a plan that fits their needs.
4. Review the acdemic achievements of your child through their high school. Ensure they are in concert with the university that you are choosing. Keeping track of your child and his academic progress is essential.
5. Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. This is one of the last steps in the process. Your child cannot compete at the NCAA level without registering with the Clearinghouse.
6. Coordinate a list of on-campus visits at the universities that are being considered. This step is vital due to the fact the potential NCAA student athletes can only make six on-campus visits per calendar year.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not assume a letter of intent means a guaranteed scholarship. You will receive an official notification of a scholarship that is being offered.
• You child is just one of many scholarship players being recruited. The ability of your child to develop academically and athletically is paramount for success at the NCAA level.