Interested in joining the SPU Athletics team? Are you wondering what opportunities await you? Or maybe you just have some questions about how to get the ball rolling on becoming an intercollegiate athlete.

Whatever the case, it's best to plan ahead. First, we suggest you learn a little more about Falcon Athletics, Seattle Pacific University and its admission process. Plus you may want to check out the NCAA web site for more information on competing at any Division I, II or III institution.

Also, here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ's) and responses regarding recruiting:

• What intercollegiate varsity sports does Seattle Pacific University offer?
• Are there any plans to add more sports?
• Tell me about athletic scholarships. Which teams offer them?
• If I am not offered an athletic scholarship, may I still participate?
• I'm a high school student and I'd like to start the recruiting process. How does it begin?
• Once I'm enrolled, are there any eligibility requirements?
• I'm already competing in athletics at a four-year institution, and I'm considering transferring. What do I do?

Frequently Asked Questions

What intercollegiate varsity sports does Seattle Pacific University offer?

Men's Basketball	Women's Basketball
Men's Cross Country	Women's Cross Country
Women's Gymnastics	Men's Rowing
Women's Rowing	Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer	Men's Track & Field
Women's Track & Field	Women's Volleyball

Are there any plans to add more sports?

Women's Soccer begins play in 2001 and the Athletic Department's Five-Year Plan does not include any additional varsity programs at this time.

Tell me about athletic scholarships. Which teams offer them?

Eight of the 12 varsity sports -- men's basketball, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's gymnastics, men's soccer, women's soccer, women's track & field, and women's volleyball -- offer athletic aid. There are both full and partial scholarships, and all aid is distributed at the discretion of the head coach.

Many of our athletes qualify for other aid as well, such as academic scholarships, work study and loans.

If I am not offered an athletic scholarship, may I still participate?

Each of the SPU varsity programs include non-scholarship athletes and/or walk-ons. In fact, many of those athletes are significant contributors and may later earn athletic scholarships based on their performance.

Some of the teams conduct preseason tryouts and make cuts before finalizing their rosters. Other teams are not constrained by roster limits and make no cuts.

I'm a high school student and I'd like to start the recruiting process. How does it begin?

The NCAA allows coaches to contact prospective recruits beginning in the summer prior to your senior year (exact dates differ by sport). You can contact SPU coaches either via postal mail, E-mail or by phone. (Completion of the questionnaire -- links at the top of this page -- is a great start!)

Once I'm enrolled, are there any eligibility requirements?

All NCAA athletes must carry a full load of 12 or more credits to be eligible for practice and competition. If you drop below 12 credits during your sports season, you become immediately ineligible. Students in a graduate program must carry a minimum of 8 credits per quarter.

Following your first year in college, you must meet the NCAA's satisfactory progress regulations by:

1) having earned 36 credits since the beginning of the previous fall term, or

2) having earned an average of 12 credits during all of your terms of attendance.

Seattle Pacific University's academic standards for student athletes are higher than those of the NCAA. By the beginning of your second academic year, you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher to be eligible for competition. Athletes in cross country, basketball, track & field and volleyball are required by the Pacific West Conference to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher after their first quarter.

I'm already competing in athletics at a four-year institution, and I'm considering transferring. What do I do?

You must first obtain permission (often referred to as a release) from the athletic director at your current school before any member of our staff can communicate with you or your parents.