Winthrop University Athletics

• Introduction
• General Information for Prospects
• NCAA Eligibility Center FAQs
• National Letter of Intent (NLI) FAQs

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We are excited that you are considering joining the great tradition of Winthrop University Athletics. To make your journey toward becoming a student-athlete at Winthrop as smooth as possible, we want you to be aware of some general information regarding the recruiting process for prospective student-athletes at Winthrop.  The NCAA has created a comprehensive website for prospective student-athletes that details everything from initial-eligibility, recruiting, financial aid, and more.  For extensive information regarding these topics visit the NCAA "Guide for the Collegebound Student-Athlete".

 

STEPS TOWARDS ELIGIBILITY

 

Before joining the ranks of intercollegiate athletics, you must follow certain guidelines in order to achieve NCAA eligibility.  Academic success in conjunction with athletic skills can foster the development of a successful overall individual beyond graduation, a shared goal of the NCAA and Winthrop University.  The following three steps MUST be completed to join the Winthrop University Athletics program as a competing individual.

 

1. NCAA Eligibility Center: At the end of your junior year you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The Eligibility Center evaluates your academic record to determine if you are eligible to participate as a freshman student-athlete.  You can either register online or print a hard copy of the release form and mail or fax it to the Eligibility Center.  From this site, you will be able to determine whether or not the classes you are taking will be applied toward your core requirements.

 

2. University Application: The next step is to apply to Winthrop University early in your senior year. You can apply online at the Winthrop Office of Admissions or print an application out and fax or mail it to Winthrop University.

 

3. National Letter of Intent: The final step in becoming a student-athlete here at Winthrop University is to sign the National Letter of Intent (NLI) and Winthrop University Financial Aid Agreement that is offered.  If your athletics scholarship is a partial scholarship, then you may also want to seek additional financial aid. You can find out more information about financial aid online at Winthrop Office of Financial Aid.

 

 

DEFINITIONS FOR PROSPECTS

 

Below are some basic definitions and other helpful information focusing on recruiting for prospective student-athletes.   For a more detailed analysis please visit the NCAA "Guide for the Collegebound Student-Athlete".

 

                Prospective Student-Athlete

A “prospective student-athlete” is any student who has entered the ninth grade.

 

                  Official Visit

An “official visit” is a visit to a college campus paid in whole or in part by the college.  Official visits can be no longer than 48 hours.  A prospect is limited to five (5) official visits (one per university).  Here is a copy of Winthrop University’s “Official Visit Policies”. 

• Before Winthrop can have a prospect on an official visit, the prospect must provide Winthrop with a copy of his/her high-school transcript and SAT, ACT or PLAN score.
• At this time, Winthrop is also required to disclose its federal graduation-rate data, its graduation success rate (GSR) data, and its academic progress rate (APR) data.  Winthrop’s data, along with all NCAA institution’s data, for all three of these reports can be found at the links provided below.
  • NCAA Academics and Research
  • Winthrop's 2001-2002 Federal Graduation-Rates and GSR Data
  • Winthrop's 2007-2008 APR Data
  • Winthrop's Historical (1998-2001) GSR Data

 

                Unofficial Visit

An “unofficial visit” is a visit made to a college campus at the prospect’s expense.  The college may provide free tickets to an on-campus athletics event in which the college team competes.  Transportation to view off-campus practice or competition sites within thirty (30) miles are also allowable.  There is no limit on the number of unofficial visits a prospect can make.

 

                National Letter of Intent

The “National Letter of Intent” is the official documentation administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used by universities to establish a prospect’s commitment to attend a certain university.

 

                Recruiting Contact

A “recruiting contact” is any face-to-face, off-campus encounter between a prospect, prospect’s parent or relatives and a college staff member or athletics representative; if the conversation goes beyond a greeting.

 

                Recruiting Evaluation

A “recruiting evaluation” is any off-campus activity designed to assess a prospect’s academic qualifications or athletic ability.  (e.g., reviewing transcripts on the high school campus or watching practices/games).

 

                Other Helpful Information

 

• Coaches are NOT allowed to call or return your calls until after July 1^st prior to your senior year in high school.  However, you are allowed to call them at any time. 
• If a prospect emails a coach, the coach is not allowed to reply until September of your junior year in high school.

 

 

FAQ'S ABOUT THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER 

 

Q: What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?

A: The NCAA Eligibility Center is the governing organization that officially certifies student -athletes as academically eligible to compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

 

Q: Why do I have to register?

A: If you want to compete in NCAA Division I athletics, you must fulfill certain academic requirements, which include coursework, grade point average, and test scores. The clearinghouse evaluates whether you meet these requirements and certifies your eligibility to play at Winthrop.

 

Q: When should I register?

A: If you want to play as a freshman, you should register with the clearinghouse at the end of your junior year of high school. The clearinghouse will not evaluate your record unless you have completed six semesters of high school coursework. You must be certified by the clearinghouse before you can receive an athletic scholarship, practice, or compete at Winthrop.

 

Q: How do I register?

A: You may choose from either of the following methods of registration:

1)       Online registration at the NCAA Eligibility Center website;

OR

2)       Pick up an NCAA Eligibility Center application from your high school guidance counselor.

a)       Complete the student-release form. This form authorizes your high school to send your academic records to the Eligibility Center.

b)       Mail or fax the top copy of the form to the Eligibility Center along with your registration fee. Give the copies of the form to your guidance counselor, who will send a copy and your official high school transcript to the Eligibility Center. Your high school should keep a copy for its files.

c)       After graduation, your school must send the Eligibility Center a copy of your final transcript, confirming your graduation from high school.

 

Q: What happens after I submit my registration forms?

A: During the summer before your senior year, the Eligibility Center will send you an evaluation of your academic record. This evaluation will tell you what high school coursework you still need to take in order to become certified as eligible to play NCAA Division I athletics. Use this evaluation to schedule courses during your senior year and see which courses offered by your high school count toward your core requirements.

 

 

FAQ’S ABOUT THE NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT & ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS 

 

Q: What is the National Letter of Intent?

A: The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospect and Winthrop in which Winthrop agrees to provide a prospect athletics aid for one academic year in exchange for the prospect's agreement to attend the institution for one academic year. Prospects are considered as such if they are admitted to the institution and are eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. All colleges and universities that participate in the NLI program agree to not recruit a prospect once he/she signs an NLI with another institution. Therefore, a prospect who signs an NLI should no longer receive recruiting contacts and calls and is ensured an athletic scholarship for one academic year. The NLI must be accompanied by a Winthrop financial aid agreement. If the student-athlete does not enroll at that institution for a full academic year, he/she may be subject to specific penalties, including loss of a season of eligibility and a mandatory residence requirement. Please contact the Winthrop Compliance Office if you have further questions.

 

Q: What happens if I sign a National Letter of Intent then decide to go to a different college?

A: If you sign an NLI, you are committed to attend that institution for your initial year of collegiate enrollment. If you do not attend the signing institution or attend that institution for less than one academic year, and you enroll in another college that participates in the NLI program there may be eligibility ramifications. The basic penalty may preclude you from representing the second college until you have completed two academic years in residence at the latter institution and you may lose two seasons of competition in all sports.

 

Q: What are the National Letter of Intent signing dates?

A:  

Signing Dates for the 2010-2011 Academic Year

Do not sign prior to 7:00 a.m. (local time) on the following dates or after the final signing date listed for each sport.

Sport Initial Signing Date Final Signing Date Basketball (Early Period) November 11, 2009 November 18, 2008 Basketball (Late Period) April 14, 2010 May 19, 2010 Football (Midyear JC Transfer) December 16, 2009 January 15, 2010 Football (Regular Period) February 3, 2010 April 1, 2010 Field Hockey, Soccer, Men's Water Polo* February 3, 2010 August 1, 2010 All Other Sports Not Listed (Early Period) November 11, 2009 November 18, 2009 All Other Sports Not Listed(Late Period) April 14, 2010 August 1, 2010

* - These sports do not have an early signing period.

Q: Can a college or university reduce or cancel my scholarship during the academic year?
A: If a student-athlete is receiving athletics aid, that financial aid MAY be reduced or canceled during the period of award (e.g., during that year or term) only if the student-athlete:

• Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition; 
• Misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement; 
• Commits serious misconduct which warrants a substantial disciplinary penalty (the misconduct determination must be made by the university's regular student disciplinary authority); or
• Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons. In this case, the student-athlete's financial aid may not be given to another student-athlete during the term in which the aid was reduced or canceled.

Institutional athletics aid MAY NOT be reduced, canceled or increased during the period of award:

• Based on a student-athlete's ability, performance, or contribution to a team's success;  
• Because an injury prevents the student-athlete from participating; or
• For any other athletics reason.

Q: How long does a scholarship last and can Winthrop cancel my scholarship after the first year?
A : Aid based in any degree on athletics ability cannot be awarded in excess of one academic year; the decision of whether a student-athlete is awarded financial aid is made on a year-by-year basis. Renewal of financial aid occurs at the discretion of Winthrop University according to their regular student practices.

If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, Winthrop’s Office of Financial Aid must notify the student in writing on or before July 1 whether the aid has been renewed for the next academic year.

If Winthrop decides not to renew the aid, or plans to reduce the aid, the institution must notify the student-athlete in writing that he or she has the right to a hearing. This hearing is held before the institutional agency making the award.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

 

The above information does not explain every NCAA rule.  Also, NCAA rules are constantly changing.  Do not do something to put Winthrop University or your status as a prospective student-athlete at risk of a penalty or loss of eligibility.  Remember ASK BEFORE YOU ACT.  Please call the Winthrop Office of Compliance if you have any concerns:

 

Scott McDonald,                                  

Associate Athletic Director for          

Compliance, Student Services and Donor Relations        

Winthrop Coliseum                              

(803) 323-2129 ext. 6227                       

mcdonalds@winthrop.edu