NCAA Information and Signing Dates

Mount Olive Athletics Guidelines for NCAA Signing 23-24 School Year

Mount Olive High School Athletic Department has established guidelines for signing days to celebrate our student-athletes who will be continuing their athletic careers in college. We have aligned our dates with the official NCAA signing periods coordinated with the National Letter of Intent (NLI) program. The NLI is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and a Division I or Division II academic institution that has offered the student-athlete financial aid.

For the 2023-2024 School Year, we will recognize the following future collegiate athletes:

- Division I student-athletes receiving a National Letter of Intent (NLI).
- Division II student-athletes receiving an NLI.
- Division III student-athlete receiving a Celebratory Signing Form.
- All future collegiate athletes receive a Preferred Walk-on Letter (PWL)

Note: Any Division I or II schools that do not do NLI's (Ivy Leagues and Service Schools) will be included.

The athletics office will share signing day photographs and information with the local media.

Student-athletes wishing to take part in any of the Signing Days listed below must notify the Athletic Office and complete a Signing Day Info Sheet before being placed on the signing day program.

For 2023-2024, the following dates are in effect:

Fall Signing Day Period: November 9
Winter Signing Day Period: February 9
Spring Signing Day Period: May 21

In May, a photograph of all future college student-athletes will be taken. This is a final celebration for all our student-athletes competing in a sport outside of High School at an academic institution. NCAA I, II, or III, NAIA, Junior, Community College/ Military Academy.

WHAT ARE COLLEGE COACHES LOOKING FOR?

While some college coaches are looking for the prototypical athlete, big, strong, & fast, most coaches are simply looking for student-athletes that are 1) - Good athletes, 2) - Good athletes at their particular sport, 3) - Good academic students, 4) - Interested in their college, and last but not least, 5) - A good person.

Coaches seek out players that want to compete at the college level, can compete at the college level and that can succeed academically and socially at the college level. While some coaches sacrifice academic achievement when recruiting athletes, its important for coaches to know that you can gain admission to their university on your academic merits and you have the discipline to do the academic work that is required and that you will enjoy the university you have chosen.

There are many student-athletes who concentrate too much on athletics and think their athletic skill is enough to gain admission to college and get them through college. While all schools have different criteria for admittance, if your academic achievements is insufficient to gain acceptance to the school, it will not matter how good an athlete you are.

As far as athletic ability is concerned, coaches simply want student-athletes that want to compete at the next level and have displayed a passion and desire to play their chosen sport. You don't have to be the strongest, or the biggest, or the tallest athlete to succeed in college depending on the level you choose, but you have to be better than the majority of the high school athletes you compete against. Only a small percentage of high school athletes move on to play in college.

Since the college recruiting process is now a global process, meaning, coaches now look further away for student- athletes and student-athletes look further away for schools they can play at, its important for you to be able to distinguish yourself as a quality student-athlete. While this is often difficult to do, its important for you to market yourself through phone calls, letters, videos, & recommendations from instructors and coaches.

It is also important for you to gain as much exposure as you can through, athletic camps, showcases, AAU events, & tournaments. The more you play, and the better the competition, the better you will become and the more exposure you will gain.

One of the other factors that many parents and students overlook is the fact that coaches want to recruit players that have shown an interest in not only learning about their college and program but an interest in being part of their program. While athletic and academic talent are important, a coach needs to know that you are truly interested in his/her team and school, otherwise they will be apprehensive about recruiting you because they may fear you may not be happy there in the long run, might quit the team, or possibly transfer.

WHAT I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT
BEING A COLLEGE ATHLETE

• The importance of grades starting as a freshman.
• The importance of preparing for the ACT’s and SAT’s.
• Be aware of your privacy settings, your posts, or being tagged in, on social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
• Applying for regular admission as well as athletic admission.
• Setting long-range goals for ten years after high school.
• Look at schools that meet my academic needs as well as athletic needs.

4 Year Action Plan

Mount Olive High School Student-Athlete
Four Year Action Plan

Freshman and Sophomore Year

• Plan a challenging academic program that will meet NCAA requirements.
• Work to maintain a 3.000 Grade Point Average (GPA) out of 4.000 in core courses. .
• Participate on high school athletic teams.
• Participate in off-season conditioning and programs in your sport(s).
• Attend summer athletic camps at colleges that you might like to attend.
• K eep record of your athletic and academic achievements.
• Keep record of community service involvement and hours.
• Begin to send highlight video to college coaches (summer heading into junior year).

Junior Year

• Continue to focus on your core courses.
• Take ACT prep class.
• Take ACT in fall and spring.
• Register with NCAA Clearinghouse
• Develop a list of colleges with coach and counselor to find academic and athletic match.
• Get a realistic evaluation from your coach on what level you are currently at (Div I, II, III, JUCO)
• Continually update your athletic resume.
• Ask coaches, your guidance counselor or Ms. Suflay for assistance in the recruiting process.
• Send a letter of interest to college coaches with your athletic resume
• Organize a filing system/spreadsheet on all colleges and coaches that respond to your inquiry.
• Create a database of college coaches names, emails, and phone numbers you are contacting.
• Participate in summer and offseason programs.
• Attend summer athletic camps at colleges that you might like to attend.
• Continue to send highlight video to college coaches.

Senior Year

• Finalize the checklist for MO College Bound Student-Athletes and Parents.
• Meet with your counselor to make sure you meet current NCAA academic requirements.
• Complete the MO College Bound Student-Athlete Profile Sheet
• Complete all necessary items through the NCAA Clearinghouse.
• Send off college applications in fall.
• Fill out transcript request forms in Counselors Office.
• Complete Financial Aid forms early (before January).
• Retake ACT (if needed).
• Continue to send highlight video to college coaches.
• Provide your coach with your list of colleges, with coach’s name, email, and phone number.
• Follow Up ! Follow Through! Do the Work!

Student Athlete Plan

Freshman Year

• Talk to your counselor about core class requirements.
• Get to know all the coaches in your sport.
• Keep your grades up.
• Attend sports camps.
• Start thinking about a realistic analysis of your ability.
• Start thinking about your academic and career goals.

Sophomore Year

• Keep your grades up. Take the PSAT Test in October
• Talk to your coaches about your ability and ambitions.
• Stay out of trouble!!!
• Make preliminary inquiries about colleges that interest you.
• Consider writing a brief letter to a college coach to introduce yourself.
• Take a retired version of the ACT test.
• Start making your athletic resume.
• Consider creating a video and/or a site with highlight footage (i.e. youtube, hudl, etc.). Check with your
coach to see if highlight footage is available through them.

Junior Year

• Talk with your counselor about career goals and core course requirements.
• Talk with your coach about a realistic assessment of which college level you can play.
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center [eligibilitycenter.org] & NAIA [if applicable]
• Take the ACT and/or SAT. Send all test scores to NCAA for eligibility process (they superscore).
• Refine your list of possible college choices. Know their entrance requirements.
• Send athletic resume to college coaches.
• Update your video and/or your site with your highlights (i.e. youtube, Hudl, etc.).
• Ask your high school coaches for letters of recommendation.
• Participate in sports camps (last chance)!

Senior Year

• Make sure you have all graduation requirements and core classes.
• Make sure you have registered in the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Update your video and/or your site with your highlights (i.e. youtube, Hudl, etc.).
• Attend college programs and financial aid workshops.
• Narrow your college choices.
• Make sure you have applications for admission and transcripts sent to colleges in which you are
interested.
• Make sure you are aware of recruiting rules regarding campus visits.
• Send federal financial aid form for analysis.
• Make copies of all forms.
• Be sure of your final choice before signing any papers.
• Sit down with your parents and coach and list the pros and cons of each school you are considering.
• Let coaches know when their school is no longer in the running. Thank them!!
• Make your final decision based on a meaningful college education, excellent career preparation, and a
satisfying athletic experience.

Roles & Responsibilities

Student

The Student’s Role and Responsibilities:

• Be aware of and understand eligibility requirements
The requirements established by the NCAA Eligibility Center can be confusing and difficult to understand. Understanding these requirements might save future surprises and/or problems that occur during the eligibility process.

• Be aware of approved core courses
The NCAA Approved Core Course List for Initial Eligibility (formerly 48-H form) changes each academic year. A list of courses can be found under the “resources” tab of the eligibility center website.

• Register with the NCAA and/or NAIA Eligibility Center
To register, prospective student-athletes should access the registration materials by visiting the Eligibility Center website at www.eligibilitycenter.org and www.playnaia.org.

• Contact coaches and admission offices at colleges
It is your responsibility to write letters, go online and/or make the phone calls requesting information about each college. Remember you are the one going to college so you should be the one making the contacts.

• Keep updated files of college information
Your mailbox will be stuffed with college literature. Keep an organized file of current college literature to help keep each college’s information separate.

• Keep updated files on coach contacts and information discussed
Information, recruiting status, possibilities, etc. can and probably will change through each contact with a coach. Keep a list of phone calls and highlights of the discussion to help you know where you “stand” and what the next step will be.

• Keep a list of priorities in selecting a college
Remember, there are many reasons for selecting a college. As you look at location, size, governance (public vs. private), cost, athletic participation, etc. keep a list of your “priorities” to help you stay focused on what YOU want in a college!

• Seek out your counselor and coach for advice
You should contact both your counselor and coach at the beginning of your junior year to discuss possibilities, eligibility, recruiting, etc. Their experience can be a valuable asset during what can be a very confusing time.

HMBHS APPROVED CORE COURSES
Students can access the up-to-date approved core course list on the NCAA eligibility Center.
Go to: www.eligibilitycenter.org

Parent

The Parent’s Role and Responsibilities:

• Be supportive of your child
Knowing that one can turn to his/her parents for help and support can be very reassuring during the process. Although this is a student-based decision, it is a family process.

• Help your child keep college files updated and organized

• Allow your child to do the legwork
While this is a family-based decision, it should also be student initiated. This means that the student needs to be the one doing the work: researching the schools, contacting the admission offices, the coaches, etc.

• Help your child be responsible
Help and promote the student to develop the personal responsibility necessary to become a successful student athlete.

Counselor

The Counselor’s Role and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the student’s advocate
Your counselor serves as your advocate and is your spokesperson to the college admission offices and coaches if necessary. It is important that you keep him/her updated on your recruitment status.

• Provide a neutral position
This can be overwhelming for you as the student-athlete. Pressures to apply “early decision” so coaches have more “weight” in the admission office, pressures to sign the letter of intent, coaches not committing to you, etc., can become confusing, frustrating, and may lead to premature decisions. Seek your counselor for neutral advice while sorting out emotions. A neutral advocate can help you stay focused!

• Transcript requests
If you need an unofficial copy of your transcript to make a visit to a college, you will need to either print one off of the Infinite Campus portal or come to the Guidance Office.

• Provide NCAA Eligibility Center & NAIA Eligibility Information
Your counselor has information about the policies and procedures of the certification process. You should meet with your counselor in EARLY fall to discuss this information.

• Give advice on college choices
Your counselor can be helpful to you in categorizing your list of colleges. You are recommended to have a few “reach” schools, “target” schools, and “safety” schools. Your counselor can offer insight as to which schools fall into each group.

• Assist the family in the process
Remember this is a family process. If parents have any questions, they should feel free to contact your counselor for assistance.

Coach

The Coach’s Role and Responsibilities:

• Provide insight
Your coach can share information with you regarding your possible level of participation. Speaking with your coach about the realities of participating at each level (Division I, Division II, or Division III) can be helpful information for you during the college recruitment process.

• Be involved during college coach’s visit to Half Moon Bay High School
Coaches from colleges/universities frequently visit Half Moon Bay High School and your coach can be very instrumental in orchestrating these visits. You are encouraged to speak to your coach regarding these possibilities.

• Provide necessary recruitment information to student athlete
Your coach also has information regarding the recruitment process that could be helpful to you. Seek their advice throughout the process to help you make an informed decision.

Athletic Resume

The Athletic Resume plays an important part in the recruiting process. The purpose of the resume is to highlight the student-athlete’s accomplishments and goals and to peak a coach’s interest. The following is a brief summary of what should be included in an athletic resume. Remember there is no set standard for athletic resumes, but you should take the time to put it together in a manner that demonstrates your seriousness. The resume packet should be organized as follows:
• Page 1: Cover Letter
• Page 2: Athletic Resume (includes Items 2-4)
• Page 3: School or Club Schedule
• Page 4: Letters of Recommendation

Item 1: Cover Letter
It should be short, concise and to the point, and is meant to introduce you to the coach. Always address the letter to the coach using his/her name, not “dear coach.” Use the school name instead of saying “I’d like to find out more about your school…” The letter should be from the athlete not the parent. Give specifics of yourself. State your name, school, year of graduation, your GPA and your college goals and major interests. Also pique their interest with an athletic accomplishment.

Item 2: Personal Profile
Included in this section should be a summarized version of the following: state your name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, parent's names, your high school's address and a contact telephone number, your year of graduation, your GPA, and SAT/ACT scores. Also include a brief description of your sport specific position and preferences (i.e. defender, left footed kicker, or 100 M freestyle swimmer).

Item 3: Athletic Profile and Accomplishments
In this portion give more specifics about you and your sport. This is also a good place to include a color photo of yourself. State your position(s) played, preferences (i.e. running speed, vertical jump, batting average, other sports played). You should include a list of teams you have played for, current and previous season stats and records. You should also include all of your coach's names and telephone numbers. List your and your team’s accomplishments (i.e. championships, your athletic awards, Most Improved, MVP, Athlete of the Year, Scholar Athlete, Captain, All Tournament Team selection). Include records held, press clippings and any other athletic honor.

Item 4: Academic/ Extra-Curricular Profile
Coaches want to know about you, the person. List your academic accomplishments, your academic goals, Honor Rolls, Student offices, National Honor Society, and Club offices. You should also list community service activities and volunteer work, church, hospitals, retirement homes, jobs, etc. This shows that you are well-rounded and can succeed and still be involved with other "social" activities. Many athletes fail to become involved in areas like this, but it is really a benefit to be able to add to your resume.

Item 5: Current High School or Club Schedule
This is to give the coach time so that they may be able to see you. If you don't have this available, send it in follow-up letter as soon as you receive it.

Item 6: Letters of References from Coaches
Letters or quotes of references from your coaches should be included. An even better thing todo is to get an opposition coach to say something nice about you (don't forget to list all their names and telephone numbers)

Estimated Probability of Competing in College Athletics

	High School Participants	NCAA Participants	Overall % HS to NCAA	% HS to NCAA Division I	% HS to NCAA Division II	% HS to NCAA Division III
Men
Baseball	482,740	36,011	7.50%	2.20%	2.30%	2.90%
Basketball	540,769	18,816	3.50%	1.00%	1.00%	1.40%
Cross Country	269,295	14,303	5.30%	1.80%	1.40%	2.10%
Football	1,006,013	73,712	7.30%	2.90%	1.90%	2.50%
Golf	143,200	8,485	5.90%	2.00%	1.60%	2.20%
Ice Hockey	35,283	4,323	12.30%	4.80%	0.60%	6.80%
Lacrosse	113,702	14,603	12.80%	3.10%	2.50%	7.30%
Soccer	459,077	25,499	5.60%	1.30%	1.50%	2.70%
Swimming	136,638	9,799	7.20%	2.80%	1.20%	3.20%
Tennis	159,314	7,785	4.90%	1.60%	1.00%	2.30%
Track & Field	605,354	28,914	4.80%	1.90%	1.20%	1.70%
Volleyball	63,563	2,355	3.70%	0.70%	0.70%	2.30%
Water Polo	22,475	1,072	4.80%	2.70%	0.80%	1.30%
Wrestling	247,441	7,300	3.00%	1.00%	0.80%	1.20%
Women
Basketball	399,067	16,509	4.10%	1.30%	1.20%	1.70%
Cross Country	219,345	15,624	7.10%	2.70%	1.70%	2.70%
Field Hockey	60,824	6,119	10.10%	2.90%	1.40%	5.80%
Golf	79,821	5,436	6.80%	2.80%	1.90%	2.10%
Ice Hockey	9,650	2,531	26.20%	8.90%	1.10%	16.20%
Lacrosse	99,750	12,452	12.50%	3.70%	2.60%	6.20%
Soccer	394,105	28,310	7.20%	2.40%	1.90%	2.90%
Softball	362,038	20,419	5.60%	1.80%	1.70%	2.20%
Swimming	173,088	12,980	7.50%	3.30%	1.20%	3.00%
Tennis	189,436	8,596	4.50%	1.50%	1.00%	2.00%
Track & Field	488,267	30,326	6.20%	2.80%	1.50%	1.90%
Volleyball	452,808	17,780	3.90%	1.20%	1.10%	1.60%
Water Polo	21,735	1,217	5.60%	3.30%	1.10%	1.20%
Sources: High school figures from the 2018-19 High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations; data from club teams not included. College numbers from the NCAA 2018-19 Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report.