Information For Prospective Student-Athletes (PSAs) (Freshmen & Transfers)
Definitions
A prospective student-athlete is any student who:
- Has started classes for the ninth grade;
- Is a student younger than the ninth grade who has received a benefit from Vanguard;
- Is a student in a preparatory school or two-year college;
- OR Is a student at a four-year institution who has been issued a release by his/her university.
You become a "recruited" prospective student-athlete at Vanguard if any coach or representative of the Vanguard’s athletics interests (i.e. "booster") does any of the following:
- Provides you with an official visit to Vanguard
- Contacts you or your family member on more than one occasion
- Meets with you or a family member anywhere off-campus
NCAA Recruiting Rules
The NCAA strictly regulates when and how coaches and athletic department staff members can contact prospective student-athletes. Depending on the circumstances, they may not always be able speak to you or get back to you via phone or email. When contacting a coach or administrator, ALWAYS leave a detailed message that includes your age, grade level and school. This will help the coach/administrator determine whether he/she is allowed to have contact with you. The NCAA has a helpful
Division II Recruiting Guide (PDF) with important definitions and a DII recruiting timeline to help you understand some of these rules. Please note, recruiting contact rules are different across Divisions I and II and III. See FAQs below for answers to some of the most frequently asked recruiting questions.
NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards
Incoming freshmen must meet certain academic standards to be considered eligible at Vanguard. These NCAA eligibility standards are separate from the admissions standards you must meet to be considered for admission to Vanguard. Divisions I and II have different eligibility standards so check in early to make sure you are on track to meeting
NCAA Initial Eligibility Standards (PDF).
Transfer Student Eligibility
Prospective student-athletes who wish to transfer to Vanguard are subject to Division II transfer eligibility rules. The rules are different depending on whether you are transferring from a two-year junior college or a four-year institution. For an overview of transfer eligibility rules, please reference the
Two-Year Junior College Transfer Guide (PDF) or
Four-Year Institution Transfer Guide (PDF).
If you are a student currently at another four-year NCAA or NAIA school, OR if you have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year, Vanguard coaches and administrators are not allowed to have any contact with you unless you have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal (NCAA DI and DII institutions), have a release (also known as permission to contact) from your four-year institution (NCAA and DIII institutions), or a Vanguard representative has notified your current school of the intent to contact you (NAIA institutions).
NCAA Eligibility Center
All incoming student-athletes are required to register with the
NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certain information. The Eligibility Center evaluates both the academic and amateur status of all incoming student-athletes. Any prospective student-athlete planning an Official Visit is required to be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to the visit. Register and complete your assigned tasks as early as possible to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an official visit?
A: Any visit to a college campus where the institution pays for part or all of your expenses. You are only allowed to make one official visit per institution during your junior or senior year of high school.
Q: What is an unofficial visit?
A: An unofficial visit is any visit to a college that is not paid for by the institution. Unlike with official visits, you are allowed to take as many unofficial visits to a school as you like AND you can go on an unofficial visit at any age.
Q: When is the first opportunity a Vanguard coach may communicate with me?
A: Vanguard coaches may contact a prospective student-athlete and/or a family member June 15 prior your junior year in high school. There are different rules for different means of communication. The NCAA Division II Recruiting Guideline (PDF) will give you a complete breakdown of when and how Vanguard coaches can have contact with you and your parents. Remember recruiting rules are different for Divisions I, II, III and the NAIA.
Q: When can I start calling a Vanguard coach? When can I start emailing them?
A: Prospective student-athletes and their parents may call a Vanguard coach at any time. If the coach answers the call, he/she is free to talk to you. However, if you leave a message, NCAA rules may not allow the coach to return your call. Please reference the above mentioned NCAA Division II Recruiting Guideline (PDF) for specific information.
Similar to phone calls, you can always email a Vanguard coach. However, unless you've reached June 15 prior your junior year in high school, the coach is not allowed to email you back except to explain the NCAA contact rules. Remember, if you are a student at another four-year institution and are attempting to contact a Vanguard coach or administrator, you must follow the transfer procedures for each specific division of college athletics.
