College Bound Athlete
College Bound Athletes
Resources for Student Athletes Pursuing Collegiate Sports
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NCAA Eligibility Center
Required for Division I and Division II athletes. Create your profile early and start the certification process for your collegiate athletic journey. Division III athletes do not need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.Check Eligibility → -
NAIA Website
Explore NAIA schools, sports programs, and championship events. The NAIA offers strong collegiate athletic opportunities outside of the NCAA structure.Explore NAIA → -
NAIA Eligibility Center
Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to connect with coaches and receive information about scholarship opportunities at NAIA institutions.Register Now → -
NCAA Guide for College-Bound Athletes
The most current NCAA guidebook covering eligibility, recruitment rules, and academic requirements for prospective student athletes. Updated each school year by the NCAA.Download Guide → -
Submit Your Commitment
Committed to compete as a collegiate athlete? Let us know so we can celebrate your achievement and recognize you as part of Holmen's college-bound athletes.Submit Here →
Recruiting Terms to Know
Contact
Any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face meeting with a college-bound student-athlete or their parents off the college’s campus.
Evaluation
When a college coach observes a student-athlete practicing or competing without having a face-to-face conversation.
Verbal Commitment
When a student-athlete verbally agrees to play at a college before signing a National Letter of Intent. The commitment is not binding on either party and can be made at any time.
National Letter of Intent (NLI)
A binding agreement signed by a student-athlete to attend a Division I or II college for one academic year. No NLI exists for Division III as no athletic financial aid is allowed.
Official Visit
Any visit to a college campus paid for by the college. The college may cover transportation, lodging, three meals per day, and reasonable entertainment including three tickets to a home sports event.
Unofficial Visit
Any campus visit paid for by the student-athlete or their family. The only expense a college may provide is three tickets to a home sports event.
Recruiting Calendar Periods
NCAA member schools limit recruiting to certain periods during the year to promote student-athlete well-being and ensure fairness among schools.
Period 1
Contact
Coaches may have face-to-face contact with student-athletes or parents, watch them compete, visit high schools, and write or call.
Period 2
Evaluation
Coaches may watch student-athletes compete and visit high schools, but may not have face-to-face contact off campus. May write or call.
Period 3
Quiet
No face-to-face contact. Coaches may not watch student-athletes compete or visit high schools. May write or call.
Period 4
Dead
No face-to-face contact and no watching student-athletes compete. Coaches may write or call during this period only.
Division I & II
National Letter of Intent
The NLI is signed by a student-athlete agreeing to attend an NCAA Division I or II college for one academic year. In return, the college agrees to provide athletic financial aid for that year provided the student-athlete is admitted and eligible.
The NLI is voluntary and not required to receive financial aid or participate in sports. Signing an NLI ends the recruiting process — other schools are prohibited from recruiting a student-athlete who has signed with another school.
A student-athlete who signs an NLI but attends a different school loses one full year of eligibility and must complete a full academic year at the new school before competing.
Division III
Celebratory Signing
Division III institutions are permitted to use a standard, NCAA-provided non-binding celebratory signing form. A student-athlete may sign this form at any point, including at high school signing events, after being accepted to the institution.
Institutions may not publicize a student-athlete’s commitment until the student-athlete has submitted a financial deposit (Bylaw 13.10.7).
Because no athletic financial aid is permitted at the Division III level, there is no National Letter of Intent requirement for these programs.
Why Consider an NAIA School?
For student-athletes who prioritize playing time, program fit, scholarships, and a close relationship with coaches, the NAIA offers a compelling collegiate athletics experience.
Recruiting Flexibility
NAIA recruiting rules encourage coach-student mentoring and personal relationships. The NAIA also hosts Showcase events — the only official recruiting events offered by any college athletics association.
High-Level Competition
The NAIA offers 26 national championships including the only competitive cheer and dance championships in college athletics. Student-athletes compete at a high level in a more personalized environment.
Student-Athlete Focus
The NAIA emphasizes academics, character, and athletics equally. Schools have the flexibility to tailor their programs to provide the best possible student-athlete experience beyond just on-field performance.
Committed to Play?
If you’ve committed to compete as a collegiate athlete, we want to celebrate with you. Our annual College Signing Recognition is May 5, 2027 — submit your commitment so we can recognize your achievement and share the exciting news with the Holmen Vikings community.
Submit Your Commitment