DOBBS FERRY, NY - Members of the Mercy College athletics administration visited Section I athletic directors at a winter meeting held at Crystal Bay on Hudson in Peekskill, NY to give a presentation about the NCAA initial eligibility process for prospective Division II student-athletes on Friday.

Mercy College Director of Athletics Pat Kennedy, Assistant Athletic Director Ashlee Kelly and Assistant Athletic Director Bill Sullivan were on hand to give attendees an overview of the academic and amateurism certification processes. They also discussed the advantages of Division II, how high school athletic directors and guidance counselors can help their student-athletes with the NCAA Eligibility Center, compliance issues, and fielded questions on ways to prevent pitfalls in the process.

Along with a detailed power point presentation, each attendee received a packet of information from the NCAA to use as a reference tool for their student-athletes that will take them from ninth through twelfth grade.

"We are very thankful to the Section I athletic directors for allowing us to speak with them," Kennedy said. "One of our initiatives is to engage the community, but also to educate coaches, students, parents and administrators about the process of becoming a collegiate student-athlete. We truly appreciate the opportunity to spend time with some talented administrators today."

The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics. For more information, visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net, then click on "Prospective Student-Athletes" and then "Information and Resources for Prospective Student-Athletes." 

-Provided by Mercy Sports Information Department.