With the recent changes in NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules and guidelines, specifically roster limits, the transition between high school and collegiate athletics has evolved. The process of recruiting students has become more complicated for students and recruiters alike due to stricter restrictions in both the academic and athletic spaces. For high schoolers intrigued by collegiate athletics, the recruiting process becomes an essential feature in college preparation. To combat this complexity, Mater Dei hopes to simplify the procedure with additional athletic, academic, and recruiting support. 

Part of the complexity of NCAA rules can be attributed to differences among divisions. The NCAA offers three separate subcategories: D1, D2, and D3. The requirements of academic GPA, core classes, and athletic expertise can vary per division and per school. Schools in the D1 and D2 categories usually have a greater emphasis on athletics, and thus, give a higher quantity of scholarships. D3, however, tends to have more academically rigorous universities. Students must be accepted into D3 universities first on an academic basis before signing as a recruit. Jeremy Riche, Mater Dei’s Academic Admissions Counselor/NCAA & AP Coordinator, speaks of the athletic and academic differences between divisions. 

“Each division [has] a different set of initial eligibility requirements,” Riche said. “The biggest [difference between] D1, D2, and D3 is the competitive level that students will experience. D1 is the most competitive, [and] D2 starts to [have] a little bit more of a balance between academics and athletics. At the D3 level, sports is more than just an extracurricular, but the academic experience is primary.” 

Students are recommended to research the benefits and disadvantages of each division, while taking into account the college experience and academic requirements as a whole. Location, size, and academic majors are all factors to consider before sending recruitment emails and communicating with collegiate coaches. Jody Wynn, Mater Dei Girls Basketball Head Coach and Coordinator of Admissions and Fundraising, and former USC Basketball Coach, gives insight into determining a college list. 

“I tell our [players] where do you want to be [and] what location do you want to be in?” Wynn said. “Then find universities that fit what you’re looking to study, or [that have] the campus environment [you seek]. [Most importantly,] what kind of university do you want to be a part of?”

An NCAA Eligibility Center Account is also required for aspiring collegiate athletes. The NCAA offers three levels of certification: The Academic & Athletics Certification, Athletics Certification, and Free Profile Page. The qualification rank depends on the division in which a student will be competing at the collegiate level. NCAA-eligible athletes must create an account, complete all academic requirements, and submit transcripts via the credentials program Parchment. The NCAA does not require SAT or ACT testing on its website, but a growing amount of schools are reinstating their test-required policy. 

“Starting with a free profile account on the NCAA Eligibility Center [freshman year] is a great [beginning]e,” Richie said. “It [consists of] personal information and school information. It generates an NCAA ID number, which sticks with you, regardless if you stay with the free profile page or if you upgrade it to the paid certification account.”

Beginning early with the NCAA Eligibility website and receiving the NCAA ID number allows younger students to reach out to coaches sooner. With a large pool of interested recruits, students should send messages to coaches on a consistent basis to gain their attention and differentiate themselves. Some coaches even recommend mailing hand-written notes to collegiate recruiters. Often, these coaches only read emails and notes for a few seconds, so it is recommended that students keep them concise, while communicating their interest in the specific program. 

“[You have to be] somewhat creative with the [emailing process],” Riche said. “With the sheer number of students that are reaching out to college coaches, they’re probably spending seven to ten seconds looking at an email from someone. [You can] link the Instagram bio or a live stream to an upcoming tournament. You want to make it as easy as possible for the coach to know you.” 

Beginning in the 25-26 academic year, the NCAA gave roster limits on all sports. The roster limits depend on the sport and division. Prior to this year, the number of scholarships was fixed. Although there are fewer spots on athletic teams with this new policy, more scholarships are available with higher monetary quantities. Subsequently, many current college athletes enter the transfer portal on the website making recruitment even more competitive and fueling the need for athletic and academic differentiation. 

“It’s going to be the athletic ability with the compliments of the academic profile that are going to be the biggest draws for coaches,” Riche said. “It’s also the daily, consistent steps over time. It’s the office hours, [and] it’s the academic support that we offer here. It’s doing that to [prepare] and give oneself as many options as possible moving forward.”

The Mater Dei athletic coaches serve as key advisors in this complicated process. With the recruiting differences between sports and divisions, these guidelines tend to be overwhelming for a young student. These coaches, many of whom were former college recruiters, give unique insights into navigating the new NCAA guidelines and the competitive nature of college athletics. 

“We have different NCAA recruiting calendars per sport, so it’s a little challenging, and it changes quite frequently,: Wynn said. “[Currently,] you see basketball players verbally committing in the spring of their junior year. [From] the connections that I’ve had from coaching collegiately for 25 years, I try to help our girls look at certain programs [and] talk to those coaches.”

From the support and expertise Mater Dei provides, collegiate universities know that Mater Dei student-athletes are both academically and athletically prepared for a competitive and dynamic environment. To receive the best chance of recruitment, students should initiate communication with coaches, demonstrate a positive mindset, and balance both athletics and academics to find their “ideal fit” university. 

“It has to be a marriage between not just the recruit wanting that university, but the university has to equally want the student,” Wynn said. “[All MD students are] getting a quality education and their character as [a] student athlete is very high. Being at Mater Dei is a very attractive platform [for colleges]. We have recruitable student athletes, at every level and in every sport, and they’re going to be prepared.”