Compliance and Eligibility
Prospective Student-Athletes and Parents

 

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Prospective Student-Athletes

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NCAA rules and regulations are complex and can be difficult to navigate. University of Illinois Springfield's compliance staff is dedicated to help you and your family better understand what some of these rules are and how they affect you as a prospective student-athlete (PSA). Below you will find some some helpful links, along with some common terms used in regards to NCAA legislation with helpful definitions.


Common Terms

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE (That's You!)
A prospective student-athlete is any student who: has started classes for the 9th grade; is younger than the 9th grade, but who has received a benefit from UIS; is enrolled at a preparatory school or 2-year college; OR is enrolled at a 4-year institution, but who has been issued a release by his/her university.

You become a "recruited" prospective student-athlete at UIS if any coach or representative of the University's athletics interests (i.e. "booster") does any of the following:
  • Provides you with an expense-paid visit to UIS (official visit)
  • Calls you or your family member on more than one occasion
  • Meets with you or a family member anywhere off-campus
  • Issues you a National Letter of Intent


Initial Eligibility Resources

To be eligible to compete for UIS athletics directly out of high school, you will need to complete the following initial eligibility requirements prior to your initial full-time enrollment at any NCAA Division II institution.

CORE COURSES (16 Total)
  • 3 years of English
  • 2 years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)
  • 2 years of Natural/Physical Science (at least one year of a Lab Science)
  • 3 additional years of English, Math, or Science
  • 2 years of Social Studies
  • 4 additional years of English, math, physical/natural science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion, or philosophy
You must also earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score that matches your core-course grade point average (minimum 2.20) on the Division II competition sliding scale.

Additionally, UIS maintans its own Admissions Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT IS AN OFFICIAL VISIT?
Any visit to a college campus during which the institution pays for part or all of your expenses. You are only allowed to take one official visit per institution. For Division II, there is no limit to the number of schools you may visit for an official visit. You may not go on an official visit until June 15 immediately preceding your junior year in high school.

WHAT IS AN UNOFFICIAL VISIT?
An unofficial visit is any visit to a college that is not paid for by the institution. Unlike 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.

WHEN ARE PRAIRIE STAR COACHES FIRST ALLOWED TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME?
The general rule is that UIS coaches can have contact with you and your parents via phone, email, or in-person contact beginning June 15th prior to your junior year in high school. Remember that recruiting rules are different for Divisions I, II, and III.

WHEN CAN I START CALLING OR EMAILING A UIS COACH?
Prospective student-athletes and their parents may call a UIS coach at any time. If the coach answers the call, they are free to talk to you. However, if you leave a message, NCAA rules may not allow the coach to return your call. Similar to phone calls, you can always email a UIS coach. However, if you haven't reached June 15th prior to your junior year in high school, the coach is not allowed to email you back except to explain the NCAA contact rules.

Please keep in mind, if you are a student at another four-year institution, you must be issued a release from your institution's Compliance Office before attempting to contact a UIS coach or administrator.