By Enlightium Academy Blog on Thursday, 07 July 2016
Category: Homeschooling Parents

5 Tips for Families of a Future NCAA Student Athlete

The primary role of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is to ensure that an NCAA student athlete is equipped to handle experiences that occur on the field, in the classroom, and in life, and its categorization of the diverse schools that make up its membership—over 1,100 schools which play in 3 divisions—put the NCAA student athlete on a level playing field with other like-minded institutions.

For high schoolers hoping to become an NCAA student athlete, pursuing this path can be overwhelming. You are left with a lot to navigate without much direction. Beyond the normal factors of SAT scores, AP exams, and choosing a school and career path, you have to consider schools with the sports programs and coaches you will thrive under in the division (I, II, or III) that you want. For Christian athletes, the values and culture of the school are also important factors.

While the NCAA does set academic requirements for an NCAA student athlete, little attention is paid to whether the courses the student is taking will lead to a degree in the area that the NCAA student athlete would like to pursue. For this reason, it is crucial that you engage in the advising process early with a counselor who is invested in your student’s academic and athletic career.

We have five tips to help both parents and students navigate the maze of choosing and applying to a college or university when your high schooler is hoping to play an NCAA sport.

Discuss Career and Sports Interests with Your Student

Meet with a Counselor

Once you have made a list and begun visiting schools, you and your future NCAA student athlete should meet with his or her current high school counselor.

Get a Head Start on College Academics

Diving into the world of NCAA athletics can take a toll on a student new to college. Working harder in high school can help lighten the load and build good study habits for when he or she is an NCAA student athlete. The more of a head start that a student is able to get, the easier the transition will be.

Keep Athletic Goals in Perspective

If your student wants to become a professional athlete, encourage them and connect them to the resources they may need, but also help them keep these goals in perspective. The reality is that fewer than 2% will go pro.

Monitor Your Student's Experience as an NCAA Athlete

Once all of the decisions and preparations have been made, you can sit back and watch as your student works his or her way through the rigors of college and playing sports.

Figuring out what school is right for you is a challenging process—and not all high schools are up to the task. If your school is not up to the task of guiding your student through the process of becoming an NCAA student athlete, consider Enlightium Academy, an NCAA approved and accredited online Christian school that allows your student to work at his or her own pace on a flexible schedule.

The high school counselors at Enlightium Academy are committed to guiding your student on the road to college. They will help you choose courses, prepare for entrance exams, and help you find colleges that adhere to your academic and athletic standards, as well as your values. They can also give you guidance into online courses that your college will accept. For more information, click on the button below.


 

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