What is the role of the NCAA Eligibility Center?

The NCAA Eligibility Center plays a critical role in ensuring that student-athletes meet the necessary academic and amateurism standards required for NCAA participation. Its primary responsibility is to assess and certify the eligibility of prospective student-athletes. This includes evaluating a student-athlete's academic records, standardized test scores, and their compliance with NCAA rules regarding amateurism. By doing so, the Eligibility Center helps maintain a fair and level playing field in college athletics and ensures that student-athletes are prepared for both the academic and athletic challenges they will face at the college level.

The focus on academic achievements and adherence to ethical standards reinforces the NCAA's mission to promote education and integrity in sports, making option B the correct response. The other choices, while integral to the NCAA's operations, do not involve the specific function of determining eligibility, which is the central purpose of the Eligibility Center.