News & Features

Question:

I heard that the NCAA is implementing another clearinghouse. What is it and why? When does it start?

Answer:

The NCAA has had a clearinghouse for academic eligibility for many years - the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse. That clearinghouse has the massive job of making sure that all athletes hoping to attend and play NCAA Division I or Division II athletics have taken appropriate courses - and received acceptable grades.

Starting this year, there is a new clearinghouse with even more ambitious goals: the NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse. It's purpose? Checking all athletes' amateur status. The job is huge - there are an estimated 140,000 incoming freshmen and transfer students each year. And it is here now for all you juniors and beyond. The Class of 2007 will be the first certified under the new initiative.