Free Eligibility Seminar Beckons

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Vann Whitfield and Princeton Day set to assist parents and players in a sadly overlooked facet of the high school-college athletic transition process.

June 4, 2009 – Meeting an urgent need - some would compare the effort to emergency intervention - Vann Whitfield and the Princeton Day Academy staff are holding a NCAA eligibility guideline seminar later this month. One would think such activity would be commonplace in high school sports, but sadly many adults responsible for working with, shepherding, and counseling young people have not met their responsibilities. As a result, ignorance abounds as to exactly what's necessary to become eligible for a scholarship to a Division I or II level National Collegiate Athletic Association institution.

Vann Whitfield (left), with Beloved Rodgers last year. Rodgers enrolled in and played at Oral Roberts last year.

According to Whitfield, Princeton Day's basketball coach reached yesterday by telephone, the event, to be held June 28th in Clinton, MD - a date chosen to "directly precede the NCAA's new website" unveiling a day later - at 5:00 pm. Everything relevant to the NCAA eligibility process, "From start to finish. we will have the infamous chart - the NCAA sliding scale, and discuss how that works" shared Whitfield.

Participants will leave well armed with information to guide a child's progress towards NCAA eligibility.

Following is the event's press release, with all pertinent information. RSVP immediately, as spots are filling fast.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

So many of our children are athletically inclined at the high school level but don't have a clue regarding what it takes to move to the next level in the process. Athleticism is a blessing, however we need to be aware of the entire eligibility process as soon as our children enter high school.

Every year, there are collegiate athletic scholarships offered to high school athletes, however it seems that when it's time for them to make the transition they fall short academically because they are not fully informed regarding the academic requirements. College coaches aren't considering a lot of our children because they know that eligibility is going to be a problem. It is imperative that parents and students are informed!

On Sunday, June 28th at 5:00 p.m. in Clinton, Maryland Princeton Day Academy Boys Basketball Coach Van Whitfield will be conducting a free 90 minute seminar on NCAA eligibility for high school athletes and their parents. This school year, Princeton Day sent eight seniors to college on scholarship (www.princetonday.com).

Coach Whitfield has written several published articles on the NCAA eligibility process, he has former players in the ACC, Big East, Big 10 and the Big 12 conferences amongst others and is providing this seminar at no cost.

He'll be discussing how core courses, grades and the SAT and ACT relate to NCAA eligibility and much more. When you and/or your son or daughter leave this session you will have a CLEAR understanding of exactly what is required to qualify. Parents are highly encouraged to attend.

There are only 20 seats available for the seminar so please check with your family, friends and church members as soon as possible to see if they would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Please provide me with the information below so that I can add their names to the seminar roster and provide them with additional information regarding the location etc. Hurry, seats are filling-up quickly!

This seminar will empower, motivate and encourage our children and their parents.

To RSVP or for additional information contact: CWoodard@bis.doc.gov or armorofGod@comcast.net