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Whether you are signing to join a team in the fall or are just starting to think about doing it in the future, you need to make sure your academics have a high level of priority. Regardless of how great your tennis is, you still need good grades to get into college.

A few years back, there was a certain highly touted junior who wanted to play for a school with very high academic standings. Even though this player was one of the very best in the country (and would go on to be a top 20 professional player in the world), the coach could not get him into the school. This phenomenal player ended up scrambling at the last minute to get into another college.

If you think this is an isolated instance, you are wrong. Grades count. They could be the difference between getting into the school you want. They also could keep you from getting enough money to afford the school. And, not having the right grades and course schedule can even keep you from being able to play college tennis at all.

First of all, the NCAA will make sure you are a student before you are a student-athlete. They have certain requirements that must be met. In order to be considered a "Qualifier" and be eligible to practice, compete and receive a scholarship on a team, you must:

NCAA Division I

Graduate from high school;

Complete these 16 core courses:

• 4 years of English;
• 3 years of math;
• 2 years of natural or physical science;
• 1 extra year of English, math, or natural or physical science;
• 2 years of social science; and
• 4 years of extra core courses.

The 16 core-course requirement must also be completed within four consecutive academic years.