I am often asked to explain how two-year colleges operate and how student-athletes may benefit from this experience. I will discuss the differences between community college football in different parts of the country and the many options that students and their parents have. I will touch on the academic requirements. Also, I will discuss what the JC coaches are looking for and what the high school coach needs to know to help advise his students.
JC IS DIFFERENT
Community college football, also called “Junior College”, “Juco” or “JC” football is different than four-year college football. First and foremost, JC football teams have no juniors and seniors playing for them. The players have the opportunity to play right away. Second, the JC coach has the responsibility to recruit players to his campus, then turn right around and assist them to transfer to the four-year level.
ACADEMICS
The JC player’s best opportunity to advance to a four-year school depends on his academic success. The curriculum matches that of the first two years at the four-year school. Each athlete is tested for Math and English and builds an education plan with his counselor. He is required to take an academic load and is provided free tutoring. Most programs have study hall requirements. The football players get ‘Priority Early Registration’. This is absolutely the most important student service a California JC can offer a football player.
All high school seniors should attempt to become qualified through the NCAA Clearinghouse. An NCAA qualified student attending a JC must complete 12 transferable units for each full-time semester. He may attend a JC for one semester and upon completion of 12 transferable units, transfer to another college. If the qualified student remains in JC for a second semester, he must have 24 transferable units to move on. Some qualified students get recruited after their first (fall) semester. A greater number get recruited after their second (spring) semester. Many qualified students need a second season of football and three semesters (36 units) to develop to the point where a FBS college recruits them.
A non-qualified JC player must complete 48 transferable units with a total of 60 units and earn the Associate of Arts (AA) degree to become FBS or FCS eligible. He then enters the four-year institution as a junior. The admission standard for JC players entering a university has become increasingly more difficult. JC players who test into remedial (non-transferable) Math and English are often encouraged to Gray-Shirt the first semester. This means the student-athlete enrolls part-time and may practice with the team. They do not become freshmen until one year later. Many athletes would benefit from two semesters of college before starting the FBS/FCS clock of five years to play four seasons. Division II/III and NAIA allow students to attend college for ten full-time semesters before eligibility runs out. Students who started their clock, quit school, and are returning at a later date and students who struggle with academics and require more time benefit from this rule.
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) fields 70 intercollegiate football programs. There are 33 teams in northern California and 37 teams in southern California. In northern CA, there are three tiers of competition. In southern CA, it is now a two-tier system with 21 upper tier and 16 lower tier teams. The upper tier champions go into the state playoffs.
CCCAA is a non-athletic scholarship program. Financial aid is available to all qualified students. California coaches may only first make contact with prospects residing in their contiguous district. Recruiting of students residing outside those borders requires that the student make the first contact. Recent studies show that 26% of the CCCAA football players come from out of state. Out of state players come to the California JUCO system for several reasons. First, the opportunity to play and be seen by four-year recruiters is tremendous. California has no limits on out of state players. Second is the fact that many of these out of state students can establish residency in California and after one year be eligible for in-state tuition and the Board of Governors fee waiver which makes tuition free.
First year out of state students who are financial aid qualifiers receive $5,550 as part of the Pell Grant program. They may apply for an SEOG Grant of $1,000, Federal Work-Study Grant of $2,000 and Stafford Loan which is $3,500. Parents of out of state students may expect to contribute perhaps $3,000 the first year ($250 per month). California resident students who are financial aid qualifiers have their tuition waived.
Second year out of state students who are financial aid qualifiers receive $5,500 through the Pell Grant program. If they have established California residence, then tuition is free and the Pell Grant is used for living expenses.
NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The NJCAA has 65 intercollegiate football programs. They are in Mississippi (14), Minnesota (10), Kansas (8), Arizona (7), Texas (6), New York (6), Iowa (3), North Dakota (2), Illinois (1), Oklahoma (1), Utah (1), New Mexico (1), Pennsylvania (1), Massachusetts (1), North Carolina (1), Georgia (1) and Arkansas (1).
The NJCAA has a scheduling challenge. Teams travel as much as 19 hours to away games. Many games are scheduled with small college JV teams, prep schools, club teams, semi-pro teams and some play teams twice in the same year. Half of the 65 teams did not play ten games in 2011.
Just about half of the NJCAA programs offer some sort of athletic scholarship. It can be confusing because within conferences there are scholarship and non-scholarship programs. NJCAA programs are allowed to sign 85 athletes to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) each year. Some programs have recruiting budgets and travel around the country recruiting. To further confuse the situation, different conferences allow different numbers of out of state (OOS) players on their rosters. In Texas, 5 OOS players are allowed while Mississippi allows 8, Kansas 12, and Iowa 18. High school coaches and parents must ask questions before signing a NLI. Learn if the signing guarantees a scholarship. Ask if the signing is nothing more than an offer to try out for the team in the summer. Ask about how many roster spots are available to new OOS players. Ask if you will be red-shirted or cut if you are not one of the roster players.
HOUSING
In the CCCAA, only four football programs have dorms. An out of area student considering moving to play for a team should have a clear understanding of local rental properties, their proximity to campus, their availability and cost. CCCAA coaches do not provide housing. Many coaches may advise students where they can find affordable housing. For the OOS student looking for a CCCAA school to attend, housing is a very important issue. The NJCAA schools in rural areas usually have dorms.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Consider the head coach and his record of success in the past. Consider the program’s record of placing their players to four-year schools. Consider the level of competition. There is a school and an opportunity for athletes of all talents. If an athlete feels he was passed over by an FBS college because of playing at a small high school, find a JC that plays at the highest level and prove you belong. If you are less talented then FBS/FCS players and your goal is to transfer to a small four-year school, then consider playing for a JC that does not recruit top talent every year. The JC opportunity is fantastic.
To learn more about JC football: you can go to these websites:
California Commission On Athletics at www.coasports.com
Southern California at www.scfafootball.com NJCAA at www.njcaafootball.com
Kevin Lustgarten’s JC Football/JC Grid-Wire at www.jcfootball.com Brad Hoiseth’s JC Gridiron at www.jcgridiron.com
About the Author: Tom Maher is the Quarterbacks Coach at Fullerton College and has been there since 2007. He previously coached at Compton College, Pasadena City College, Mt. San Antonio College, Citrus College, the University of LaVerne, Pomona-Pitzer College and was also a graduate assistant at Long Beach State.