We are beginning to hear from clients with specific questions on answering the new Amateurism Questionnaire with the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

First, the Eligibility Center is contacting clients who have been registered for a time and informing them they need to re-register (at no cost) on the new Eligibility Center web site.  This is legitimate so if you are asked to register on the new site, you should do it.

 Once the student goes to the new web site, a version of the question, "Have you authorized anyone other than your parent or legal guardian to provide college coaches with information about you?..."  (phrasing may not be exact, but this is the gist of the question).  

 If the CPOA client correctly answers "Yes", a pop up box appears with a listing of who is providing this information to coaches.  One of the options is "a talent evaluator or recruiting service".  This is the selection that best describes CPOA.  If a question appears asking for the specific name of who is assisting the student-athlete, "College Prospects of America" is the best answer, not the local representative's name.  The NCAA will not necessarily recognize an individual name, but they do know College Prospects of America, and they know we are a legitimate marketing service!

 Another question may appear asking how much the family paid for the services.  Refer to your contract with CPOA for the amount paid.

 Yet another question asks about the specific services that are provided.  A good answer is, "mailing and e-mailing statistics and personal information" or something similar, or, you may simply write, "permissible services outlined in NCAA Bylaw 12.3.3.1".  This is the specific NCAA bylaw that addresses the services we provide and will be so recognized by the Association.

 It may still be necessary for the family to provide a copy of the CPOA contract if requested by the Eligibility Center. This is standard procedure.  

We just want to make sure our clients understand that they are not in jeopardy with the NCAA for using CPOA's services.  These new questions are simply part of the NCAA campaign to step up amateur verification.

The sports of Track and Field and Cross Country for both men and women have a new National Letter of Intent Signing Date.

 The beginning date for 2009 grads signing an NLI in these sports is Feb. 4, 2009.  The ending date is Aug. 1, 2009.

These sports were formerly in the Early (Nov.) and Late (April) signing periods, but according to the National Letter of Intent web site, the date change is in effect immediately for current high school seniors.

 The CPOA Important Dates calendar does not have track & field and cross country listed among those sports that can begin signing in the month of February.  We do not know whether this was an oversight from when the list of dates was e-mailed to us in June or whether it was a late change, but we do know these are new signing dates that will impact seniors who might sign a National Letter of Intent in these sports.