Welcome to the Home of the Hawks!

Before getting started, we need to have registration forms and participation fees completed prior to tryouts or the first practice. Completed paperwork should be turned in to the Activities Office, not to the coaching staff or adviser. Forms can be found below and are also available in the Activities Office.

Items needing to be completed includes:

1. Athletic Registration Form
2. Activity Emergency Card
3. Proof of a qualifying sports physical (Spanish, Somali, Hmong) done in the past three calendar years as required by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)

   1. ** It’s recommended that families check with the Activities Department secretary or the school nurse to confirm a current sports physical is on file. If a student-athlete does not have a copy of a qualifying sports physical on file, families should call their doctor/clinic and get a copy. If a doctor/clinic needs a form to fill out, a copy of our physical exam form may be picked up in the Activities Office or downloaded below. If a student-athlete has not had a physical in the last three years, they must get a sports physical. The physical must state whether the student is able to participate in sports.

4. Payment of activity or sport registration fee. Students who are eligible for Educational Benefits may be eligible for reduced activity fees.

   1. To qualify for reduced fees, families should submit a copy of their most recent Educational Benefits eligibility letter

   2. Refunds will be given to student-athletes in the event they don’t make a team

Other requirements that need to be completed:

1. Payment of any outstanding fines or fees; return any outstanding equipment from previous activities or sports, and/or media materials
2. A student-athlete who has transferred to Cooper High School during their high school career, is moving into the school district or is a foreign exchange student, should register in-person accompanied by their parent/guardian
3. Middle school students will be allowed to participate in athletics and activities at the high school-level only if the sport is not available at their middle school, or if they will be playing at the junior varsity or varsity level of competition.

   1. Middle school students will not be allowed to play on 9th or 10th grade teams with the exception of: cross country, swimming and diving, nordic or alpine skiing, or adapted sports.

   2. Middle school students will not be allowed to leave school early for high school team practices.

   3. Contact the Activities Office for more details or questions about middle school eligibility.

   4. Fill out the Middle School Participation Form

If you have questions regarding NCAA requirements, please contact the Counseling department.

Here are nine recruiting pitfalls that may keep you from playing collegiate sports:

1. Underestimating the importance of academics.
2. Unrealistic expectations of your ability.
3. Parental over involvement.
4. Burning bridges by bad mouthing other schools and coaches.
5. Under valuing assistant coaches.
6. Talking money too soon.
7. An over confident demeanor.
8. Waiting to be contacted by a school.
9. Limiting your options to only a few schools.
    

Timeline for the Collegiate Recruiting Experience

Here are several suggestions, by school year, to ensure eligibility and enhance your ability to be recruited for collegiate athletics. Remember, the eligibility standards for recruitment are different between Divisions I, II, and III. Check eligibility standards and get more detailed information from your coach and the athletic department. 

Do not make the mistake of focusing only on the biggest and most prominent schools. It is very easy to get caught up in the glamour of NCAA Division I athletics at the expense of a wider range of opportunities and playing time on a Division II or III level. You must make and accept an honest appraisal of your skills and ability. Now choose the right level and school.
 

Freshmen Year

1. Now is the time to commit yourself to the best grades that you can achieve.
2. Remember! The NCAA does not recognize a + or – for your grades. Work for the next higher grade.
3. Familiarize yourself with AHS approved NCAA courses. The complete list can be found at NCAA.org. Our school code is 241627.
4. As an incoming freshman, make sure you have reviewed your schedule with your counselor.
5. Meet with your counselor to insure that you are enrolled in the proper classes for NCAA eligibility in your sophomore year.
6. Make sure that your counselor knows that you hope to pursue collegiate athletics.
7. Attend a variety of sport camps.
8. Participate in a variety of sports the year around.

Sophomore Year

1. Meet with your counselor to ensure you are enrolled in the proper classes for NCAA eligibility in your junior year.
2. Take the PLAN and/or the PSAT in the fall when it is first offered.
3. Make sure that the varsity head coach is aware of your desire to participate in collegiate sports.
4. Develop an athletic resume.
5. Continue to attend sport camps and participate in a variety of sports.
6. Begin a college and career search through your Family Connection account.
7. Begin to decide which part of the country you would realistically wish to attend school.
8. Determine what your financial needs will be and what will be best financially for your family.
9. Keep your focus on all appropriate schools on NCAA Division I, II and III levels.

Junior Year

1. You must register online with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the end of your junior year.
2. Continue to meet with your counselor to insure that you are enrolled in the proper courses for NCAA eligibility in your senior year.
3. Continue your athletic resumes and sport camp participation.
4. Take the PSAT in the fall when it is first offered. Take the SAT and ACT in the spring when they are offered.
5. Respond back to any and all schools that contact you with their return post cards or letters.
6. Make unofficial visits to those schools that you may wish to attend.

Senior Year

1. Review with your counselor that you have taken or will take all the classes that will be required for NCAA collegiate eligibility.
2. Retake the SAT/ACT if necessary.
3. Continue to meet with your head coach as to what schools and on what level you are most suited to play.
4. Begin to mail your college applications.
5. Narrow your choice of schools and take your five official visits to the schools that you might like to attend. Remember, it is an education decision first, followed by athletics.
6. Begin to research a variety of resources for financial aid.

Recruiting Terminology You Should Know

1. Contact: Any face-to-face meeting between a college coach, yourself or your parents.
2. Core Courses: Recognized courses specified by the NCAA
3. Evaluation: Any off campus activity used to assess your academic or athletic abilities.
4. Official Visit: College paid trip to a campus during your senior year. You may visit up to five different schools that have your application. You must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse before you take any official visits.
5. Partial Qualifier: Eligible to practice during your freshmen year but you cannot play due to academic deficiency.
6. Qualifier: You have met all NCAA requirements.
7. Recruited Prospective Student Athlete: You become this when approached by a coach or representative of a school about enrolling and playing a sport.
8. Redshirt: You may practice with the team but you cannot play.
    

Some Questions to Ask

1. What position will I play?
2. What other players are being recruited at that position?
3. Will I be redshirted?
4. How would the coach describe his or her coaching style?
5. When does the head coach’s contract expire?
6. How good is the department in my major?
7. What percentage of the players graduate on time?
8. What kind of academic support will be available to me?
9. What are the details of financial aid at your institution?

robbinsdale area schools authorization and eligibility guidelines for athletics 

Minnesota state high school league (MSHSL) Official handbook / bylaws

District Eligibility policy

Robbindsale armstrong high school activities/athletics policies