Freshman Year Matters: How Early Grades Impact NCAA Division I Eligibility

By Connecticut Superiors | [www.connecticutsuperiors.com](http://www.connecticutsuperiors.com)

If your child dreams of playing Division I college sports, it’s not enough to dominate on the field. Academic performance—starting freshman year—is just as important, and in some cases, it can be the very thing that determines whether they get a scholarship or sit on the sidelines.

Here’s what every athlete and parent needs to know about how **9th grade** sets the tone for NCAA eligibility, and how **Connecticut Superiors** can help athletes stay on the right track from day one.

What Does the NCAA Require for Division I?

To be eligible for NCAA Division I athletics, students must:

- Complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses

- Earn at least a 2.3 GPA across those core classes

- Score appropriately on the SAT or ACT based on the NCAA’s sliding scale

- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

Wait, Is the 2.3 GPA Per Class or Overall?

This is critical: The 2.3 GPA requirement is cumulative across all 16 core courses, not per class.

Let’s break that down:

- NCAA uses only your core courses: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language.

- Each class gets converted into grade points:

- A = 4.0

- B = 3.0

- C = 2.0

- D = 1.0

- These points are **averaged across all 16 classes** to calculate the **core GPA**.

One “D” in Algebra during 9th grade can drop your average and leave you scrambling to recover—especially if it’s not retaken.

Freshman Year = Foundation Year

Here’s why 9th grade is so important:

All core classes count toward the 16-course requirement.

- Early grades shape your cumulative GPA. A weak freshman year forces you to play catch-up.

- Recruiters look at academic consistency—not just junior year test scores.

If you don’t build a strong GPA early, you’ll need exceptional SAT/ACT scores to offset it—and even then, eligibility might still be in question.

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Can You Fix a Low Core GPA Later?

Yes, but it’s harder than most people think. You’d need to:

- Retake low-grade core classes (online, summer school, or approved college courses)

- Score higher on the SAT/ACT (based on the NCAA sliding scale)

- Submit transcripts to the NCAA for re-evaluation

But all of this becomes harder and riskier the longer you wait. That’s why we believe: Don’t recover—prepare.

How Connecticut Superiors Supports Academic & Athletic Growth

At Connecticut Superiors, our off-season program isn’t just about game reps. It’s about life prep.

Here’s what we do for our student-athletes:

- Track GPA progress and course completion starting freshman year

- Educate families on NCAA academic rules and timelines

- Help identify NCAA-approved summer and online course options

- Develop discipline and time management to balance school and sports

- Offer mentorship on how to register for the NCAA Eligibility Center and SAT/ACT testing

We understand that your kid is more than an athlete—they’re a student-athlete. And we’re committed to helping them succeed at both.

Don’t Let Freshman Year Sink the Dream

You can’t play if you don’t qualify. Every class counts. Every grade counts. And it all starts freshman year.

Let Connecticut Superiors guide your athlete through the process, build their confidence, and position them for Division I success—on and off the field.

Ready to Build the Foundation?

[Join our Off-Season Program](http://www.connecticutsuperiors.com)

Train hard. Study smart. Earn your spot. Become a Superior.