As a parent of two scholarship athletes, here’s my advice: don’t leave U SPORTS eligibility to chance. Stay ahead of the academic requirements, keep an eye on course loads, and ask questions early. The earlier you understand the rules, the less stressful Grade 12 becomes—and the more options your athlete will have.

NCAA eligibility isn’t automatic—your athlete must meet academic requirements, core-course standards, and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Don’t wait until Grade 12. Their choices today—courses, grades, mindset—determine tomorrow’s opportunities. Stay proactive, stay informed, and give your athlete every chance to compete at the next level.

Following the recent NCAA and NBA betting scandals, here are three takeaways every parent and coach should keep in mind for their student-athletes: (thank you to Amit Chitre for these!) 1️⃣ Values come before visibility. Young athletes are often celebrated for performance before they’re grounded in principles. A strong sense of self protects against pressures from fame, followers, and fast money. 2️⃣ Consistency builds credibility. Reputation isn’t shaped by a single moment — it’s built in daily habits, small choices, and how you treat people when no one’s watching. That’s where character (and brand) are truly formed. 3️⃣ Guidance matters. Parents and coaches are the first brand mentors athletes ever have. Conversations about integrity, accountability, and decision-making now can prevent headlines no one wants to see later.

Here are key links to the official NCAA recruiting rules & guidelines for football and other sports: - NCAA Recruiting Overview page: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/10/recruiting-calendars-faq.aspx — includes definition of recruiting, contact/evaluation periods and links to sport-specific recruiting calendars. NCAA.org - Division I & II Recruiting Calendars and Guides: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/5/8/division-i-and-ii-recruiting-calendars.aspx — provides sport-by-sport recruiting calendars (including football, basketball, etc.). NCAA.org - Media release on the proposed comprehensive FBS/FCS (football) recruiting model: https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/4/7/media-center-comprehensive-di-football-recruiting-model-recommended.aspx — shows football-specific recruiting rule changes. NCAA.org