Recruiting Hub
Welcome to the Gaither Cowboys Recruiting Hub
Welcome to the Gaither Cowboys Recruiting Hub, your premier destination for discovering and connecting with the rising stars of tomorrow. Our program in Tampa, Florida, is dedicated to nurturing top-tier football talent, ensuring our players not only excel on the field but also embody the principles of teamwork, discipline, and academic achievement.
Prospect Information
Our Prospect page is meticulously maintained to provide the most current and comprehensive information on our players. Updated regularly, this resource includes detailed player profiles, stats, academic achievements, and highlight reels. To access the latest Prospect Pages Below
Connect With Us
We are eager to collaborate with college scouts and athletic programs interested in our athletes. For inquiries, scheduling visits, or more detailed information about our players, please reach out to us at:
E-mail: Recruiting@GaitherFootball.com
Head Coach: Kirk Karsen
Mobile: (813) 817-6025
Twitter/X: @cowboycoach2016
Gaither High School Mailing Address: c/o Kirk Karsen 16200 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
NCAA Clearing House
The NCAA Clearinghouse, now known as the "NCAA Eligibility Center", is an organization that certifies the academic and amateur credentials of student-athletes who wish to participate in NCAA Division I or II sports. It ensures that students meet the necessary academic requirements and maintain their amateur status to be eligible for collegiate athletics.
Why Is It Important to Register?
Signing up for the NCAA Eligibility Center is crucial for high school student-athletes who aspire to compete in NCAA Division I or II sports.
Signing up for the NCAA Eligibility Center is crucial for high school student-athletes who aspire to compete in NCAA Division I or II sports.
Eligibility Verification - It ensures the student meets the academic requirements set by the NCAA, confirming they are prepared for college-level coursework.
Amateur Status Certification - It verifies that the student maintains amateur status, a requirement to participate in collegiate sports.
Recruitment - Many college coaches require potential recruits to be registered with the Eligibility Center to consider them for athletic scholarships and team spots.
Compliance - It helps both the student-athlete and the college adhere to NCAA rules and regulations, avoiding potential eligibility issues.
Early Preparation - Starting the process early helps students understand the academic and amateurism standards they need to meet throughout high school.
When Should I Register My Student Athlete?
The ideal time to sign up for the NCAA Eligibility Center is at the beginning of your high school student's junior year. Here’s why:
Timely Academic Planning - Signing up early allows the student to ensure they are taking the required courses and maintaining the necessary grades to meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements.
Amateurism Certification - It gives ample time to complete the amateurism questionnaire and resolve any potential issues regarding amateur status.
Recruitment Opportunities - College coaches often start looking at potential recruits during their junior year. Having a profile in the Eligibility Center makes it easier for coaches to verify your eligibility.
Early Awareness - It provides early awareness of what is required for NCAA eligibility, allowing students and parents to plan accordingly and avoid last-minute surprises.
Document Submission - It allows sufficient time to submit required documents like transcripts and test scores and address any issues that may arise with these submissions.
By registering early in the junior year, student-athletes can stay on track and ensure they meet all the necessary requirements for NCAA participation.
I Missed The Ideal Time to Enroll, Is It Too Late?
No, it is not too late to sign up for the NCAA Eligibility Center if you are entering your senior year. While it is ideal to start the process in your junior year, registering at the beginning of your senior year still provides time to meet all the necessary requirements and be cleared for participation in NCAA Division I or II sports.
However, it is important to do so as soon as possible to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements for eligibility. Here are the steps you should take:
General Instructions to Sign Up for the NCAA Eligibility Center
Create an Account:
Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center website at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
Click on "Create an Account" or "Register" to start the process.
Choose either the "Certification Account" for those who plan to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school or the "Profile Page" for those who aren't sure yet or will play at Division III. (Option 3 is the most common option for Student Athletes D1 or D2)
NCAA Eligibility Center Account Options
Option 1: Free Profile Page Account
Who should create this account?
High school students who are not yet sure if they want to participate in college sports.
Students considering Division III or are undecided about which division they will participate in.
Students who want to start the process but do not need an immediate certification decision.
Option 2: Amateurism-Only Certification Account
Who should create this account?
International students who are not planning to receive athletic aid or compete in NCAA sports but still want their amateur status certified.
Students who need to confirm their amateur status but do not need academic certification.
Option 3: Academic and Amateurism Certification Account
Who should create this account?
High school students planning to attend an NCAA Division I or II school.
Students seeking both academic and amateurism certification.
Students who will be receiving athletic scholarships or intend to participate in college sports immediately.
1a. Provide Basic Information:
Fill out the form with your personal information, including name, address, email, date of birth, and gender.
Set Up Account:
Create a username and password for your account.
Select and answer a few security questions for account recovery purposes.
Complete Your Profile:
Enter information about your high school(s) attended, sports participated in, and sports teams outside of school.
Provide details on any standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) you have taken.
Payment:
Pay the registration fee (currently $90 for students from the U.S. and its territories, $150 for international students). Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for a waiver of the SAT or ACT fee.
Submit Transcripts:
Request your high school guidance counselor to send your official transcripts to the NCAA Eligibility Center. They can do this electronically via the High School Portal or by mailing them to the Eligibility Center’s address.
Submit Test Scores:
Use the NCAA code 9999 when registering for the SAT or ACT to have your test scores sent directly to the Eligibility Center.
Amateurism Certification:
Complete the amateurism questionnaire as part of your account setup. This ensures you have maintained amateur status according to NCAA rules.
Monitor Your Account:
Regularly check your account for updates and to ensure all required documents have been received and processed.
Follow Up:
Stay in contact with the NCAA Eligibility Center and your high school guidance counselor to ensure all steps are completed correctly and on time.
Following these steps will help your high school student-athlete become eligible to participate in NCAA Division I or II athletics.
Differences Between D1, D2, D3 Schools, Junior Colleges, and NAIA in Football and Financials
NCAA Division I (D1) - FCS and FBS
Competition Level: Highest level of collegiate competition.
Scholarships: Offers the most athletic scholarships. D1 football schools can offer up to 85 full scholarships for FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) programs and up to 63 scholarships for FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) programs.
Financials: D1 schools typically have larger athletic budgets, facilities, and resources. They often generate significant revenue from sports programs, especially football.
NCAA Division II (D2)
Competition Level: Competitive, but generally not as high as D1.
Scholarships: Offers partial athletic scholarships. D2 football programs can offer up to 36 full scholarships, which are often divided among players. Typically the amount your student athlete will receive will be determined by the parent or guardians income status. The school will provide "Financial Aid Packages, based off GPA, Test Scores and other factors"
Financials: Smaller budgets compared to D1 schools. Less revenue generation from sports, but still significant investment in athletics.
NCAA Division III (D3)
Competition Level: Competitive, but typically lower than D1 and D2.
Scholarships: Does not offer athletic scholarships. Financial aid is available based on academics and need.
Financials: Smaller athletic budgets. Focus is more on the overall student experience rather than revenue generation from sports. Typically the amount your student athlete will receive will be determined by the parent or guardians income status. The school will provide "Financial Aid Packages, based off GPA, Test Scores and other factors"
Not NCAA Affiliated - Clearing House is NOT REQUIRED for either route below
Junior Colleges (JUCO) - National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
Competition Level: Varies, but can be very competitive. Often a stepping stone for athletes aiming to transfer to D1 or D2 programs.
Scholarships: Offers partial or full athletic scholarships, but fewer than D1 or D2 programs.
Financials: Smaller budgets compared to NCAA schools. Lower overall costs for students. Typically the amount your student athlete will receive will be determined by the parent or guardians income status. The school will provide "Financial Aid Packages, based off GPA, Test Scores and other factors"
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Competition Level: Comparable to NCAA D2, but generally lower than D1.
Scholarships: Offers athletic scholarships, though fewer than D1 programs. Each NAIA football program can offer up to 24 full scholarships.
Financials: Budgets and facilities can vary widely, but generally smaller than D1 and D2 schools. Focus on balancing athletics with academics. Typically the amount your student athlete will receive will be determined by the parent or guardians income status. The school will provide "Financial Aid Packages, based off GPA, Test Scores and other factors"
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Financial Comparison
D1 Schools: Highest budgets, most scholarships, significant revenue generation, especially from football.
D2 Schools: Moderate budgets, partial scholarships, less revenue from sports.
D3 Schools: Smaller budgets, no athletic scholarships, focus on academics and overall student experience.
JUCO: Smaller budgets, some scholarships, lower overall costs.
NAIA: Varies widely, offers athletic scholarships, typically smaller budgets than NCAA schools.
Each type of institution offers a different balance of athletic competition, academic focus, and financial commitment, allowing student-athletes to choose the environment that best fits their goals and needs.