An Important Message for Prospective NCAA Student-Athletes from Kentucky

Students and Counselors,

As you may have seen in the news, Kentucky recently enacted a law allowing for Kentucky K-12 students to enroll in a supplemental year of schooling to retake or supplement courses taken during the 2020-21 academic year as a result of the prolonged remote instruction and barriers created by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some important considerations related to NCAA initial eligibility for high school students evaluating this option. Additional information regarding the potential impact on NCAA certification is provided below.

• For questions about your specific situation, please work directly with your high school counselor, the athletics compliance office at the NCAA school you plan to attend and/or the NCAA customer service center (877-262-1492). 

Academic Eligibility

NCAA Division I requirements:

• 16 core-course units, to be completed within four years/eight semesters from the initial start of year 9.

• Core-course 10/7 progression requirement: 10 of the 16 required core-course units (including seven units in English, math or science) must be completed before starting the seventh semester.

• On-time graduates may also complete one additional core unit within a year after graduation and before initial full-time enrollment.

• For students initially enrolling full time in college during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 academic years, additional flexibility has been provided due to COVID-19.

The impact of repeating a year is highly variable depending on a student's academic class and record; however, there could be a detrimental effect on a student's ability to meet Division I core-course requirements in some circumstances. Specifically, students in the freshman or sophomore classes during 2020-21 should ensure that they have a plan to meet the Division I requirement of completing 10 core-course units before starting the seventh semester.

• Academic eligibility in NCAA Division II or III should not be impacted.

Amateurism Certification

Generally, NCAA legislation permits students to continue participating in their sport one year after their expected high school graduation date (based on four years/eight semesters after the initial start of year 9) without impacting their NCAA eligibility.

• The only shorter grace period is Division I men's and women's tennis, which permits participation for six months after the expected graduation date.

As a result, if students repeat a year of high school, they should be mindful of the potential impact on their seasons of eligibility. Participating in their sport beyond the grace period could result in losing a season(s) of eligibility. Click here for additional information regarding these rules.
 
Impact of a Supplemental Year

In short, we strongly advise students and families considering this path to work with their high school counselor, the athletics compliance office at the NCAA school they would like to attend and the NCAA customer service center to ensure they have the best information available as they make decisions regarding their academic future. The following information provides key points student-athletes and their families need to consider when evaluation a supplemental year.

Seniors (expected graduation 2021/actual graduation 2022): Impact of Supplemental Year 

Competition in your sport beyond the legislated grace period may impact your NCAA eligibility.

1 hour ago, Colonels_Wear_Blue said:

An Important Message for Prospective NCAA Student-Athletes from Kentucky

Students and Counselors,

As you may have seen in the news, Kentucky recently enacted a law allowing for Kentucky K-12 students to enroll in a supplemental year of schooling to retake or supplement courses taken during the 2020-21 academic year as a result of the prolonged remote instruction and barriers created by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some important considerations related to NCAA initial eligibility for high school students evaluating this option. Additional information regarding the potential impact on NCAA certification is provided below.

• For questions about your specific situation, please work directly with your high school counselor, the athletics compliance office at the NCAA school you plan to attend and/or the NCAA customer service center (877-262-1492). 

Academic Eligibility

NCAA Division I requirements:

• 16 core-course units, to be completed within four years/eight semesters from the initial start of year 9.

• Core-course 10/7 progression requirement: 10 of the 16 required core-course units (including seven units in English, math or science) must be completed before starting the seventh semester.

• On-time graduates may also complete one additional core unit within a year after graduation and before initial full-time enrollment.

• For students initially enrolling full time in college during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 academic years, additional flexibility has been provided due to COVID-19.

The impact of repeating a year is highly variable depending on a student's academic class and record; however, there could be a detrimental effect on a student's ability to meet Division I core-course requirements in some circumstances. Specifically, students in the freshman or sophomore classes during 2020-21 should ensure that they have a plan to meet the Division I requirement of completing 10 core-course units before starting the seventh semester.

• Academic eligibility in NCAA Division II or III should not be impacted.

Amateurism Certification

Generally, NCAA legislation permits students to continue participating in their sport one year after their expected high school graduation date (based on four years/eight semesters after the initial start of year 9) without impacting their NCAA eligibility.

• The only shorter grace period is Division I men's and women's tennis, which permits participation for six months after the expected graduation date.

As a result, if students repeat a year of high school, they should be mindful of the potential impact on their seasons of eligibility. Participating in their sport beyond the grace period could result in losing a season(s) of eligibility. Click here for additional information regarding these rules.
 
Impact of a Supplemental Year

In short, we strongly advise students and families considering this path to work with their high school counselor, the athletics compliance office at the NCAA school they would like to attend and the NCAA customer service center to ensure they have the best information available as they make decisions regarding their academic future. The following information provides key points student-athletes and their families need to consider when evaluation a supplemental year.

Seniors (expected graduation 2021/actual graduation 2022): Impact of Supplemental Year 

Competition in your sport beyond the legislated grace period may impact your NCAA eligibility.

Makes you wonder if it is really worth taking the supplemental year in the long run.

1 hour ago, KY Outsider said:

Makes you wonder if it is really worth taking the supplemental year in the long run.

That last sentence especially makes me nervous if I'm an high school athlete or one of their parents.

So how would a freshman meet the minimum requirements if they are repeating their freshman year? Or am I misunderstanding the guidelines?

Also, you have to remember this is for NCAA Division 1 eligibility. The majority of your kids staying back won't be going on to play D1.

2 hours ago, colonel-fan said:

So how would a freshman meet the minimum requirements if they are repeating their freshman year? Or am I misunderstanding the guidelines?

I wouldn't even consider it if I was a high school under classman. If you have higher aspirations, do the work and hope it pans out.

I feel like it pretty plainly states if you reclassify, your gonna be ineligible at the NCAA level. 

52 minutes ago, Juggman said:

I feel like it pretty plainly states if you reclassify, your gonna be ineligible at the NCAA level. 

Kind of does, doesn't it. The extra year the NCAA gave is really hurting these younger kids.

The only way I could see a non-repeating senior being eligible is if they somehow managed to get enough credits during summer school sessions (like catching up on their fourth English credit) but schools typically reserve summer sessions for remediation only.  So it'll be interesting how districts approach this if it concerns someone's eligibility down the road.

Was there any indication as to how the NCAA was going to view these situations prior to this release? Thinking specifically about Hergott from Beechwood, did they make the decision to return too soon?

21 hours ago, DearToday said:

Also, you have to remember this is for NCAA Division 1 eligibility. The majority of your kids staying back won't be going on to play D1.

Great point, but at the same time, you have to really admire the hypocrisy of the NCAA here.  They allow extra years of eligibility all the time in various facets and gave everyone a do over for next year as well.  I was watching the Wake Forest spring game the other day and they have a DT that's coming back...for a 7th year!  And yet, kids repeating in KY, if they are fortunate enough to receive a D1 offer, could be ruled ineligible in they repeat their HS year!?!?

26 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

Was there any indication as to how the NCAA was going to view these situations prior to this release? Thinking specifically about Hergott from Beechwood, did they make the decision to return too soon?

For seniors like Hergott I would argue they are in the clear because they have their required course units as per the NCAA formula.  For freshmen through juniors, though, things could get complicated.

51 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

Was there any indication as to how the NCAA was going to view these situations prior to this release? Thinking specifically about Hergott from Beechwood, did they make the decision to return too soon?

I would say in most cases it would be best to move on, do the work where you get the offer to at least be on a roster and hope that leads to something more. PWOs, D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO kids transfer into D1 programs all the time. If you are meant to be there you will get there.

Just now, KY Outsider said:

I would say in most cases it would be best to move on, do the work where you get the offer to at least be on a roster and hope that leads to something more. PWOs, D2, D3, NAIA and JUCO kids transfer into D1 programs all the time. If you are meant to be there you will get there.

This is where I am as well. 

11 hours ago, Unrivaled97 said:

Great point, but at the same time, you have to really admire the hypocrisy of the NCAA here.  They allow extra years of eligibility all the time in various facets and gave everyone a do over for next year as well.  I was watching the Wake Forest spring game the other day and they have a DT that's coming back...for a 7th year!  And yet, kids repeating in KY, if they are fortunate enough to receive a D1 offer, could be ruled ineligible in they repeat their HS year!?!?

The covid year in NCAA has created a mess. However, some kids are using it to their advantage. Talked to a kid at eastern and he had to redshirt when he first got there. Well he’s going to use this covid year as well, so he’s going to get six years from his scholarship and knock his masters out too.