Prospective Student-Athlete

Welcome to NCCU! The information and links below include NCCU’s recruiting policies, Student-Athlete Handbook, federal graduation & student-athlete success rates, and academic performance rates. 
Also included are valuable links to the NCAA Clearinghouse, National Letter of Intent, SAT and ACT websites. All prospective student-athletes should visit these sites and become familiar with the requirements to participate as a Division I student-athlete. Probably one of the best sources of information can be found on our link to the College Bound Guide for the Prospective Student-Athlete. This guide will assist prospective student-athletes in navigating not only through the Clearinghouse process, but also in recruitment situations and standardized testing. 

Prospective Student-Athlete Links 
•  2007-08 NCCU Student-Athlete Handbook
•  NCCU Student-Athlete Academic Success Rate
•  Academic Progress Rate
•  NCAA Eligibility
•  Recruiting
•  Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete
•  NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse
•  International Student-Athletes
•  National Letter of Intent (NLI)
•  National Letter of Intent Signing Dates
•  SAT Website
•  ACT Website
•  North Carolina Central University Admissions
•  Frequently Asked Questions
•  Prospect Student-Athlete Questionnaire

If you are interested in competing in intercollegiate athletics for North Carolina Central University, please complete the Prospective Student-Athlete Questionnaire and submit it to the athletic program in which you are interested in participating. This form is NOT an official university application. Please be aware that this is not a secure form. 

For general correspondence, you can also use the Athletic Staff Directory.

So you are aware, NCAA rules and regulations prohibit coaches and administrative personnel from sending letters or electronic mail to high school students until after September 1 of their junior year in high school. While we are not permitted to write or e-mail high school students if they are not eligible per the above restriction, high school students are permitted to telephone coaches and administrators prior to the completion of their junior year in high school, but only at the high school student's expense. 

Prospective student-athletes are also permitted to contact the admissions office for information regarding North Carolina Central University and its academic programs at any time. You may call our admissions office at (919) 530- 6298 or submit a request form. 

WARNING: If you are a student-athlete enrolled at another four-year institution or if you have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year (Division I, II or III), NCAA rules and regulations strictly prohibit us from having any communication with you, directly or indirectly, until that institution grants our institution permission to contact you. You may obtain this permission to contact at the compliance office of your current or previous institution. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of commonly asked questions that addresses many if the critical areas of compliance. If you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the compliance office at (919) 530-7053. 

Q: Who is a prospective student-athlete? 

A: A prospective student-athlete or a prospect is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. A student who has not yet started ninth grade may become a prospect if North Carolina Central University or a booster provided the student, their relatives, or friends with financial assistance or benefit that is not generally provided to other students. In addition, student-athletes enrolled in preparatory school or two-year colleges, or those who have officially drawn from a four-year school, are considered prospects. Special 

Note: A prospect remains a prospect even after he/she has signed a National Letter of Intent or accepted an offer of admission or financial aid to attend North Carolina Central University. A prospect becomes a current student-athlete only when he/she reports for preseason practice or the first day of fall classes, which ever occurs first. 

Q: What is recruiting? 

A: Recruiting is the solicitation of a prospect or the prospects parent(s) or legal guardian(s) by a North Carolina Central University staff member for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment at the North Carolina Central University and/or participation in NCCU’s athletic program. Recruiting activities include correspondence, email, faxes, telephone conversations, in person contacts (on and off campus), and evaluations. 

Q: What is a Contact? 

A: A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and a University staff member or booster during which any dialogue in excess of an exchange of a greeting occurs. Any encounter that is prearranged or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect's school or at the site of organized competition or practice is considered a contact regardless of the conversation (including a greeting) that occurs. 

Q: What is an evaluation? 

A: An evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospect, including any visit to a prospect's educational institution (during which no contact occurs) or the observation of a prospect participating in any practice or competition at any site. 

Q: What is an official visit? 

A: An official visit by a prospect is a visit to campus that is financed in whole or in part by North Carolina Central University. 
• An official visit may not exceed 48 hours in duration. 
• North Carolina Central University may pay the prospect's transportation costs for his or her official visit, provided a direct route between the prospect's home and the institution is used. 
• North Carolina Central University may also entertain a prospect and his or her parents or legal guardians during an official visit provided the entertainment takes place on the institution's campus or  within a 30-mile radius, and is at a scale comparable  to that of normal student life. 
• As a reminder, boosters are not permitted to have contact with a prospect during his or her official visit. 

Q: What is an unofficial visit? 

A: An unofficial visit by a prospect is a visit made to the North Carolina Central University at the prospect's own expense. If any expenses are paid by North Carolina Central University or booster, the visit will become an official visit. 

Q: What is an extra benefit or inducement? 

A: An extra benefit or recruiting inducement is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or booster to provide a current student-athlete, prospect, or their relatives or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Examples of impermissible recruiting inducements and extra benefits include, but are not limited to, the following: 
• Cash or loans in any amount, or signing or cosigning for a loan. 
• Gifts of any kind, including birthday and holiday gifts. 
• Free or reduced-cost services such as car repairs, haircuts,  tutoring, etc. 
• The use of an automobile. 
• Free or reduced rent or housing. 
• Tickets to an athletic or community event. 
• Academic course supplies or assistance. 
• Arranging the employment of the relatives or friends of a prospect or student-athlete. 
• Entertaining a prospect or prospect's family or legal guardian on or off campus.