The NCAA Clearinghouse is one of the most necessary, frustrating programs in college sports. What is the clearinghouse? Essentially it is the final hurdle to becoming eligible to play a division 1 sport in college. Many people have the misconception that the clearinghouse goes hand in hand with University admissions; it does not.
When I was a freshman I had arrived on campus in the summer with the rest of my class. I was accepted, enrolled, and moved in when I found out, along with two other players that I was not eligible through the NCAA clearinghouse. I was unable to attend any team event, which included meetings, meals and even team trips off campus. It took me 10 days to get eligible and to this day, I have no idea why I was in fact deemed ineligible when I first got to camp. I attended two high schools, one was a public school and the other a private school, and therefore I think some of my credits did not transfer right away.
Paris Ford, Pitt’s highest ranked recruit is dealing with the NCAA clearinghouse right now. Ford attended three high schools, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Seton LaSalle, and Steel Valley. A lot of what he is enduring with the clearinghouse is due to transfer credits from the two private schools he attended, to Steel Valley. Ford has finished the classes he had to take and is now waiting for the clearinghouse’s response. Ford has an unbelievable family and support system through evolve and two tenths training, not to mention the respect he has from the Pitt coaching staff. This is an extremely stressful time for the Ford family, but Paris is a Pitt man. The Ford’s, Coach Narduzzi, and Panther fans everywhere are waiting to hear the ruling from the NCAA.
In the meantime, Paris has been training with long time trainer D Brown and Aaron Donald. When Ford becomes cleared he will be ready to go physically. That will determine how soon he is on the field, will all come down to getting up to speed on the playbook and meshing with his teammates. Ford is not a kid I worry about; he is a natural leader and someone that makes all of the players around him better. I believe the NCAA will get back on the ruling early this week.
