Heather Gogel founded Beyond Varsity in 2023 after spending over ten years as an education professional specializing in assisting high school athletes transitioning to college athletics. As a dedicated high school counselor and head of the counseling department, Heather has made it her mission to support and guide student-athletes on their journey from high school to collegiate sports.
Heather’s expertise lies in navigating the complex process of NCAA/NAIA academic eligibility and certification for aspiring college athletes. She understands the unique challenges faced by these students and is well-versed in the academic requirements and core class mandates set by athletic organizations. Through her extensive knowledge and personalized approach, Heather ensures that student-athletes are well-prepared to meet these requirements while excelling both academically and athletically.
Heather attended University of Missouri – Columbia and received a B.A. in Psychology. After Mizzou she received her Masters in School Counseling at Lindenwood University.
- NCAA Eligibility Certification through NFHS
- NIL Certification through NFHS
- State of Missouri Lifetime High School -School Counselor Certification
- Washington University in St. Louis – Application Review Specialist
- I reviewed application materials like transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statements, and test scores to assess eligibility and alignment with the institution’s criteria. I conducted an unbiased evaluation, considering academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities, while offering clear and constructive feedback to applicants, emphasizing their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
- High School Swim Coach
- Ensure that swimmers were following all school athletic rules, MSHAA rules, and maintain student amateur status for NCAA.
- High School Primary Contact for NCAA Courses
- Served as NCAA counseling department expert. Maintain list of NCAA approved courses on the high school portal, submit requests and documentation for new NCAA classes. Provide the department with NCAA updates regarding student eligibility and college admissions. Attend NCAA training and provide staff, parents, and students with updates regarding NCAA eligibility. Complete high school level NCAA academic evaluations
- SLU1818 On Site Coordinator
- UMSL ACP On Site Coordinator
- CollegeBoard & ACT On Site Administrator
