Student Athletes
Overview
All HPA student-athletes should understand the various opportunities to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level through participation in the NCAA (D1, D2, and D3 levels), NAIA, club and intramural athletics. While we believe that high school sports should be played simply for the love of the game, we also believe that making the effort to continue with athletics in university will add a great deal to a student's overall college experience.
If a student-athlete's ultimate goal is to earn an athletic scholarship to help pay for college, we strongly recommend that they and their parents read Athletes Wanted by Chris Krause. This outstanding guidebook covers every detail of the college athletic recruiting process. This book is available through your HPA varsity coach. You can purchase your own copy of Athletes Wanted at the HPA Book Store or online at Amazon. You can also check out a copy from the upper school library, dormitories, or College Counseling. We believe that this is the best guidebook for students who are working towards earning an athletic scholarship.
The most important thing to remember is that grades and test scores matter. College coaches are very interested in recruting athletes with a solid academic profile. A strong profile assures them that the athlete is truly prepared for college and will not be an academic risk or fail to meet academic eligibility if recruited. It is also important to point out that many more HPA students will earn scholarships or merit aid due to academic strength rather than athletic ability. Many of our most fortunate graduates ended up playing sports at the D3 level with a merit scholarship based on their academic ability, character, community service, and recommendations along with their ability to play sports. This well rounded applicant can often earn more funding at the D3 level than a student pursuing an athletic scholarship from a D1 or D2 program.
Students interested in playing NCAA D1 or D2 must complete the eligibility process through the The NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Center. Students should make an appointment with their college counselor in the spring semester of their junior year to complete this assignment. College Counseling assists students in sending their transcripts and test scores to the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Important Websites
NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Center - Students interested in playing NCAA sports at the D1 or D2 level (athletic scholarship level) must complete the application process on this website. They will also need to send their transcripts and test scores. There are fees associated with this process. Students who plan on playing NCAA sports at the D3 level (no athletic scholarships) do not have to go through NCAA Eligibility Center.
The NAIA Eligibility Center - Students interested in playing NAIA sports must complete the application process on this website. They will also need to send their transcripts and test scores. There are fees associated with this process.
Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance - This website helps guide athletes from Hawai`i through the college athletic recruiting process. It also provides a place for the athletes to market themselves to college coaches.W - for more student-athlete pages on the internet.
Wiseman Tech - This website maintained by Martha Wiseman, a retired college counselor, has a number of internet resources for high school athletes involved in the athletic recruiting process.
