Biola University Athletics

A prospective student-athlete is any student who has started classes for the ninth grade. A student who has not yet started ninth grade also becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution provides that individual, or their relatives or friends, any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.

You become a "recruited" prospect at Biola if a coach or booster

• Provides you with an official visit to Biola University
• Calls you or a family member on more than one occasion
• Meets with you or a family member anywhere off campus
• Issues you an Athletics Scholarship Agreement

The NCAA strictly regulates when and how coaches and athletics staff can contact prospective student-athletes. Depending on the circumstances, they may not always be able to speak with you. When you contact a coach or administrator, always leave a detailed message that includes your age, grade level and school, which helps them determine whether they are allowed to have contact with you.

Rules now permit communication by email, phone call and social media, but not in-person off-campus contact, for prospects who have not yet reached June 15 before their junior year. The FAQ below answers the most common recruiting questions.

Incoming freshmen must meet the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements for Division II in order to practice and compete. These academic requirements combine a core course pattern and GPA, and can include SAT or ACT scores.

NCAA eligibility standards are separate from Biola University's admissions standards, and Divisions I and II have different eligibility standards. Check in early to make sure you are on track.

Contact restrictionIf you are currently at another four-year NCAA school, or have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year, Biola coaches and administrators are not allowed to have any contact with you until you have completed the Notification of Transfer process at your current institution.

Prospective student-athletes who wish to transfer to Biola are subject to Division II transfer eligibility rules. The rules differ depending on whether you are transferring from a two-year junior college or a four-year institution.

Two-year college transfers should pay particular attention to the NCAA's two-year transfer academic requirements. Failing to meet them before beginning classes at Biola will result in ineligibility. The most important thing to keep in mind is to load your schedule as full as you can with academic coursework while at your two-year school, because the NCAA limits how many credits of PE and activity courses can count toward the requirements. You can check which courses from your school already transfer to Biola using the transfer equivalency tool.

All incoming student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and submit certain information. The Eligibility Center evaluates both the academic and amateur status of every incoming student-athlete. Register and complete your assigned tasks as early as possible to avoid delays once you arrive at Biola.

• All incoming freshmen must select an academic and athletics certification account.
• Most transfer students can register for an athletics-only account. This video helps you decide, or ask the Biola compliance office.
• Transfers with fewer than two full-time terms of college attendance must have an academic and athletics certification account.

Register before the end of your junior year if you can, get your school to send new transcripts after each semester, and again immediately following graduation. Your high school guidance counselor can help with registration materials.

Eligibility riskUnder Division II rules there are potential eligibility issues if you delay full-time collegiate enrollment beyond one year from your high school graduation date. If you graduate in June 2026, for example, issues arise if you do not enroll as a full-time college student by fall 2027.

If you have delayed, or plan to delay, enrollment beyond the one-year grace period, you may be charged with using one of your four seasons of eligibility if you participate in any manner of organized competition. That includes activities that seem harmless, such as a recreational league.

What counts as organized competition (Bylaw 14.4.3.4.2.1.2)

• Scheduled in advance
• Official score kept
• Standings or statistics maintained
• Official timer or game officials used
• Admission charged
• Rosters predetermined
• Team uniforms used
• Privately or commercially sponsored
• Sponsored, promoted or administered by any organization

The NCAA randomly selects institutions and student-athletes for drug testing throughout the academic year, including the summer. All student-athletes are subject to testing before, during or after their competitive seasons. Student-athletes who test positive face a minimum 365-day suspension and loss of eligibility.

Many nutritional and dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. The FDA does not strictly regulate the supplement industry, so purity and safety cannot be guaranteed. Biola Athletics does not promote the use of nutritional or dietary supplements; use is at the student-athlete's own risk.

The Center for Drug Free Sport sponsors a confidential resource, Drug Free Sport AXIS, for questions about supplements. Toll free: (816) 474-8655, ext. 129. Internet password: ncaa2.

Biola student-athletes traditionally graduate at a higher rate than the general student body.

Biola University Athletics has strategic priorities available on request. The PacWest Conference strategic plan also shapes the Biola Athletics experience.