Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.
Like such organizations as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), PWLS has academic guidelines and criteria that need to be met in order for a child to participate.
SCHOLASTIC FITNESS: THE NATIONAL POLICY
Proof of satisfactory progress in school is required. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average acceptable to participate. In cases of doubt or conflict of opinion, a written statement by the school administration shall be deemed final. (NOTE): This rule as it relates to scholastic grades may not be made more stringent by any team, association, or league, as other rules may be. No local team/squad may be eligible to participate in league championships and/or bowl games if it has not met the nationally published scholastic requirements.
WHAT IF THE ATHLETE”S GRADE POINT AVERAGE IS BELOW 2.0/70% ?
We understand that not all student-athletes are able to meet our scholastic requirements. If a child does not meet the requirements of scholastic fitness, he/she may fill out and submit a Scholastic Eligibility Form which is to be signed by a school administrator stating that the child will benefit from participating in the Pop Warner Program. It is the discretion of the school administrator as to whether or not the student would benefit from participating in Pop Warner. This form allows us to monitor the progress of the child so that they maintain a minimum standard and understand the value of academics in conjunction with athletics.
SCHOLASTIC RECOGNITIONS
Besides the Pop Warner National All-American Scholars Team program, our athletes are also eligible to be recognized for their exceptional scholastic achievements at the regional and local levels. There is the Pop Warner Eastern Region Scholar Team, the Mountain Valley Conference Don Block Award, the Hillsborough Dukes James Langdon Award, and the Hillsborough Dukes Nick Muller Award.
