The Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse has been established to determine a student’s academic eligibility upon acceptance to a Division I or II college/University.  A student not approved by the Clearinghouse will not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate sports as a freshman. 

Athletes with ambitions of continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level should become familiar with the NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.  Students must assume the responsibility to schedule an appointment with the counselor in his or her freshman year to ensure the proper core classes will be taken, and to remain updated as to the completed core class requirements.  Parents should also become involved in this process from the beginning of a student’s freshman year.

MHSAA 

The Bendle Public School District is a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).  Member schools voluntarily join the MHSAA each year, vowing by formal resolution to abide by and enforce common rules for educational athletics.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

For grades 9-12 as adopted by the Bendle Board of Education on 08/09/82, revised on 10/14/91:

I.  CHANGES FOR 2009/2010

Effective with the 2009-10 school year, the minimum academic standard for athletic eligibility changes to “66 percent of credit load potential for a full-time student,” and the period of ineligibility following a deficiency at the end of a term is “the next trimester or 60 scheduled school days in schools not operating under a trimester system.”

The current rule states that students who are failing to meet the minimum standard are ineligible for the next semester, or 90 school days in schools using academic systems other than semesters. The change that is coming in 2009-10 stipulates that students are ineligible for the next trimester, or 60 school days in schools using academic systems other than trimesters.

The 2009-10 school year will be one of transition, and the following policies and procedures have been approved by the MHSAA Executive Committee as minimum standards for this time of transition:  

1. Students must be completing 66 percent in their first term of the 2009-10 school year.

2. Students in trimester systems who were ineligible at the end of the second trimester of the 2008-09 school year but have a satisfactory third trimester record become eligible on Aug. 1, 2009.

3. Students in trimester systems who were ineligible at the end of the third trimester of the 2008-09 school year become eligible at the start of their second trimester of the 2009-10 school year.

4. Students in semester systems who are ineligible at the end of the second semester of the 2008-09 school year become eligible on their 61st scheduled school day of the 2009-10 school year, provided they have been doing passing work cumulatively for the previous 60 days.

5. Students who achieve credit for four courses but not 66 percent of full course load potential for a full-time student (e.g., four of seven) during their last academic term of 2008-09 remain eligible at the start of the 2009-10 school year.

II.  PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS 

To be eligible to participate in practice sessions or athletic contests, a student MUST have a completed physical exam form with physician's signature on file for the current school year PRIOR TO ANY PRACTICE OR TEAM PARTICIPATION. 

III.  ATTENDANCE RECORD

                A.     Day of Contest:  In order to participate in a contest, the student must be in attendance the full day unless the building principal grants an "Excuse for Participation".**

                B.     Day Following Contest:  The student must be in attendance the full day following a contest in order to participate in the next contest of that sport season except when the building principal grants an         "Excuse for Participation".**

                C.     Saturday or Sunday Contest:

                                1.     Attendance prior to contest:  A student must be in full day's attendance on the school day prior to the contest in order to participate except when the building principal grants an "Excuse for Participation".**

                                2.     Attendance following contest:  A student must be in full day's attendance the following school day in order to participate in the next contest of that sport season except when the building principal grants an "Excuse for Participation".**

                D.    Continuous or patterned absences may lead to game suspensions or possible squad dismissal.

 Eligibility Rules for Senior High School students are outlined in the Michigan Athletic Association Handbook as printed each year.  Bendle Schools have agreed to be bound by their minimum rules and regulations.

**EXCUSE FOR PARTICIPATION: is only authorized and granted by the building principal or athletic director when the absence is due to a doctor's appointment WITH a doctor's verification, or because of a significant or unusual circumstance of which the parent or guardian has PERSONALLY NOTIFIED the building principal either by phone or conference by 1:00 p.m. on the day of the student's absence.