the Student-Athlete Playbook: Navigating NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA & NIL — For Student-Athletes, Educators, Coaches Parents

Three governing bodies. One confusing system. A clear path through all of it.Every year, thousands of families walk into the college recruiting process assuming there's one rulebook. There are three - the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA - and each one handles eligibility, scholarships, recruiting contact, and NIL income differently. Missing that distinction is one of the most common and most costly mistakes a student-athlete's family can make.The Student-Athlete Playbook is the complete, plain-English guide to getting it right - written by Dr. Terence M. Booth, Ed.D, a school counselor with more than 25 years of experience guiding student-athletes through exactly this process.Inside, you'll find: The real odds - sport-by-sport data on how many high school athletes actually compete in college, and how many go pro, so families can build a plan grounded in reality.Eligibility, decoded - core-course requirements, GPA minimums, and testing rules for NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and NJCAA, explained side by side.The full recruiting timeline - a year-by-year roadmap from 9th grade through signing day, including contact periods, official visits, and what to do if a coach leaves after you commit.NIL, without the confusion - what Name, Image, and Likeness deals actually allow, how taxes and agents work, and the red flags that signal a predatory deal.Real financial aid math - how to stack athletic, academic, and need-based aid, and why comparing net cost matters more than comparing scholarship percentages.A dedicated chapter for parents - the exact questions to ask every school, and the financial decisions that can save or cost a family tens of thousands of dollars.A dedicated chapter for coaches and school counselors - practical tools for the adults guiding these students through the process.A full section for international student-athletes - visas, academic credential evaluation, and how NIL interacts with F-1 visa status.Mental health, taken seriously - recognizing burnout and building a culture where asking for help is treated the same as any other part of training.Plus appendices with fill-in eligibility worksheets, a complete glossary, and a resource directory - everything a family needs in one place.Whether you're a student-athlete just starting 9th grade, a parent trying to make sense of a scholarship offer, or a coach or counselor guiding someone else through it, this book is built to be used - not just read.The rules change. This book keeps you current, and keeps you covered.