Concordia University Athletics and NCAA Eligibility

Intercollegiate athletics are considered an integral part of Concordia University’s educational experience. Concordia University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The university agrees to abide by the rules and policies governing the association. Eligibility rules and regulations governing students’ participation in intercollegiate athletics are available through the Office of the Athletic Director.

The Director of Athletics supervises and directs the intercollegiate program of athletics. The Director of Athletics recommends the appointment of coaches for the various teams.

The Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and the Faculty Athletic Representative are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all participants in intercollegiate competition are eligible in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA prior to their representing the institution in any manner. The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Report (EADA) can be found in the athletic department. The report can be requested from the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance.

Freshman NCAA Eligibility Requirements 

A student-athlete who enrolls in a Division II institution as a freshman shall meet the following academic requirements to be considered a qualifier and thus be eligible for financial aid, practice, competition and travel during the first academic year in residence.

Qualifier

A qualifier is defined as one who is a high-school graduate and who presented the following minimum academic qualifications:

A minimum grade point average of 2.20 (based on a maximum 4.00) in a successfully completed core curriculum of at least 16 academic courses.)

1. The record of the above courses and course grades must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center using an official high-school transcript or official correspondence forwarded directly from the high school or upon a high-school transcript forwarded by an institution’s department of University Enrollment, Marketing and Enrollment, and
2. A minimum combined score on the SAT verbal and math sections or a combined score on the ACT that meets the NCAA sliding scale requirements. The required SAT or ACT score must be achieved under national testing conditions on a national testing date. By clicking here, you can view the sliding scale requirements.

NCAA Progress Toward Degree Requirements 

The student-athlete must demonstrate continued academic achievement in subsequent years while participating in athletics.

The following requirements must be fulfilled on an annual basis in order for a student-athlete to maintain their NCAA Eligibility. 

1. Student-athlete must pass 9 credits toward their major/minor/general education program each semester. 
2. Student-athlete must pass 24 credits toward their major/minor/general education program between Fall, Spring and Summer (Please note: An athlete may only take 6 credits during the summer session that can count towards this requirement).
3. Student-athlete must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA after Fall, Spring and Summer. 

Please keep in mind if your major or minor require a certain grade in a course, Concordia University can only count those credits if you receive a grade that meets those requirements (If a grade of C or higher is required for your major/minor and you receive a D, this institution cannot count those credits). 

NCAA legislation requires a student-athlete who is in their fifth semester or beyond to have declared a major with the Registrars office at Concordia University. This provision shall be applicable to the eligibility not only of a continuing student, but also of a transfer student from a four-year or two-year collegiate institution who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year in residence or utilized a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution.

Students who have attended college previously are eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics under other regulations. It is important that the prospective student-athlete determine, with the help of the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, which set of rules apply.

Quick Facts about NCAA Eligibility 

1. A student must be enrolled, attending classes, and be a student in good standing, in a minimum of 12 credit hours at the time of participation. Courses below “100” in the number system and repeated courses do not count toward satisfying the “normal progress” rule.
2. All participants must be making normal progress toward a degree. This is defined as earning 24 semester credits in the previous two semesters before participating in the activity. A maximum of one repeat course per term previously passed with a grade of “D” (or the equivalent) may be counted toward satisfying the 12-hour current enrollment rule. Repeated courses previously passed with a grade of “C” or better cannot be applied to meet either the 12-hour enrollment rule or the 24-credit rule.
3. All athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.00.
4. An athlete who is eligible during the regular sports season for a particular sport and who is eligible at the end of the regular sport season shall retain eligibility in the particular sport for participation in post season approved events.
5. A student must meet the standards of the athletic conference and associations of which the university is a member.
6. A student must meet the requirements listed under medical examination in order to be eligible.
7. All athletes must be covered by health and hospitalization insurance.
8. Financial authority regarding participation rests with the Director of Athletics.
9. The Director of Athletics may refer hardship cases to the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance. Medical hardship cases deal only with seasons or competition and must receive final approval by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference staff. 
10. The university does not provide special insurance coverage for athletes. Student-athletes assume the risks associated with competition and practice.