athlete retreat


Welcome 2025-26 Cougars!
2025-26 Pre-Participation Requirements

All active student-athletes are required to complete pre-participation requirements electronically via the Athletic Trainer System (ATS), annually (returning student-athletes' 2024 paperwork submissions will expire as of June 1, 2025). Each student-athlete receives user specific login credentials and instructions via e-mail to complete the following: 
 
New (Freshman & Transfer) Student-Athletes
 
  • Proof of Valid Primary Insurance (fall & spring)
  • Valid Physical (on CCU Form downloadable from ATS)
  • Medical History Questionnaire
  • Sickle Cell Policy
  • Sickle Cell Status
  • Insurance Policy
  • Injury & Illness Disclosure Form
  • HIPAA Release
  • Concussion Agreement
  • Care Consent Agreement
Returning Student-Athlete 
 
  • Proof of Valid Primary Insurance (fall & spring)
  • Medical History Update
  • Insurance Policy
  • Injury & Illness Disclosure Form
  • HIPAA Release
  • Concussion Agreement
  • Care Consent Agreement
         
                                   
                                                                                                                **ATS required documentation is subject to change**


Until that time, contact the following staff persons based on your specific question.
 
Retreat & Orientation
Questions
NCAA, Compliance &
Eligibility Questions
Medical Clearance (Insurance, Physical, Forms) Questions
Marketing, Events  Compliance Office Sports Medicine Staff
Please email ONLY Please email ONLY Please email ONLY
Grace McCartney Christy Hinch Blake Pollema 
grmccartney@ccu.edu  chinch@ccu.edu bpollema@ccu.edu
 

** Fall sports will move in Friday, August 15th (XC, MG, WG)
        - VB moves in August 5th
        - MS and WS moves in August 8th
** First day of fall practices on August 18th. 
** Winter and spring sports (WBB, MBB, SB, BA, Track) move in based on WOW schedule.
**For specific questions on move in please reach out to your coaches directly



Athlete's Retreat - Saturday-Sunday, August 23-24th at All Star Park

MORE TO COME ....  On this day(s) athletes will go through physical, mental, and spiritual challenges with their teammates. There will also be an opportunity to compete and fellowship with athletes from other teams within the CCU athletic department. We will have a speaker and worship sessions. Our goal is provide an environment where athletes can experience Jesus.


CCU Admitted Student Checklist
Complete any remaining items on the CCU Admitted Student Checklist by July 1
You should have already completed all items on the Admitted Student Checklist. Please note that the Health Insurance Information below for CCU Student-Athletes replaces the Admitted Student Health Insurance requirement. You will still need to submit the Immunization and Meningitis forms, however.

NCAA Eligibility Center
Transfer student-athletes may skip to the amateurism worksheet section.

Before you start to pack in August, make sure that you have completely taken care of the following - you will not practice or play until this is complete.
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
If you are a first-time student athlete in the NCAA, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center in order to play. You may not practice or play until you receive full clearance from the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Submit your final high school transcript and test scores to the NCAA
Your transcript may have been sent to the NCAA when you first registered, but a new one must be sent now that you have completed all of your high school requirements. This requires work on your part. Call your school's counseling office and make the request. Continue to call them until a transcript has been sent. This is the slowest part of the process but the most important. Remember, not only are you relying on your school to send the transcript, but you're also relying on the NCAA to review your courses and make their final decision. Waiting until August to get your transcripts and test scores to the Eligibility Center is not an option. Start this process now!

Fill out the amateurism worksheet on the NCAA Eligibility Center Website by July 1
The NCAA Eligibility Center Web site is very user-friendly, and you should have no trouble maneuvering through the information. Filling out the amateurism worksheet is as simple as checking a box and filling out your name. Both new and transfer student-athletes must complete this worksheet. 

Student Athlete Retreat and Move-In Information
Attendance at the retreat is mandatory so you must make arrangements to take time off from work if needed. Students will move in to their assigned apartment for the 2025-26 school-year on various dates depending on which sport they play. (Stated Earlier)

Sports Medicine

** The Sports Medicine staff has processed to a new software system. You will receive login information and directions for the new software system via e-mail once it's activated. Incoming athletes are to fill out all their paperwork on that system by July 1st. Returning students will use their same account to fill out any required forms by July 1st.