May 2012
23 posts
7 tags
May 31
Some basic guidelines that student-athletes should know when creating their videos before sending them off to college coaches are: 1.) Start with a short intro that states name, school, and contact information 2.) Start the video with the most impressive plays because the athlete only has one chance to make a first impression 3.) Use video that is clear and easily identifies each player as well as...
7 tags
May 30
The key to this process is research, research, research. Determining which school is a perfect fit for you involves much more than merely deciding which college you like the most. Not every school in which you’re interested will have a need for a student-athlete of your caliber or at your position, so you need to study and contact as many schools and coaches as you can to determine which one is a...
11 tags
May 29
Sports camps are an excellent opportunity for an athlete to build skills, experience campus life, or connect with a coach. However, students are usually not discovered at sports camps. Sports camps are businesses that most often accept as many students as will pay to attend the camp, which means coaches do not often recruit from camps because the level of play is so diverse. Subscribe to get the...
11 tags
May 24
Once the student-athlete has introduced herself to the college coach—either by responding to a questionnaire or by sending an introductory letter—-she should begin phoning the coaches to build relationships and ask questions that allow her to determine whether the program is a good match. She should also be prepared to answer specific questions the coach will likely ask. Subscribe to the...
May 23
When most students think of collegiate athletic scholarships, they imagine attending a Division I school with a world-class athletic department known throughout the country for its sports programs. For them, the definition of a “good school” rests on one criterion: the school’s athletic reputation. And for some students, this might be the right approach. But for other athlete’s, Big Ten schools...
12 tags
May 22
In most cases college coaches will begin the recruiting process by sending letters and questionnaires to the student-athletes on their lists during freshman year. Relationships are developed by student-athletes who take advantage of their ability to call, write, and take unofficial visits to these college coaches at any time. Waiting to connect with a coach might be the biggest mistake a young...
9 tags
May 1
Do NAIA and NJCAA coaches have any restrictions on contacting potential recruits? No, NAIA and NJCAA coaches can call, email, text, send direct messages on Facebook, post to a recruits wall, and chat online— anything at any time. Commit, Succeed & Lead
12 tags
May 2
Is an athletic scholarship guaranteed for four years? At a minimum, an athletic scholarship must be a one academic year agreement. In Division I, institutions are permitted to offer multiyear scholarships. Athletic scholarships may be renewed and the school must notify the student-athlete in writing by July 1 whether the athletic scholarship will be renewed for the next academic year. Individual...
8 tags
May 3
Committing to a school is probably the biggest decision a kid has to make, and it will not be a four or five year decision, but a decision that will have forty years of consequences. It should be made with the parent’s support and guidance. Parent should ask many questions to help their children find a right fit, and they should consider several criteria. Commit, Succeed & Lead
13 tags
May4
ATHLETE-INITIATED COMMUNICATION- Direct contact via phone or in-person visit is the best way for students to develop personal relationships with coaches. Students—not parents—who initiate relationships with coaches or submit questionnaires on a college program’s web page increase the chances of getting on that coach’s radar. Commit, Succeed & Lead
10 tags
May 5
Throughout the course of their athletic careers, most young athletes will play many different roles. At some point, whether an athlete is team captain of the soccer team or section leader of the cheer squad, the team will rely on the athlete to take leadership position. Like learning to deal with authority, being a leader provides an athlete with an opportunity to interact with a broad spectrum of...
8 tags
May 6
If a student-athlete receives admissions material and brochures he should research every institution that sends him information. If he/she has any interest at all in a college, he should: 1. Search the college’s website and see if it offers his sport. 2. Look at the roster and evaluate the level of competition to see if he fits in this school. 3. Respond to the admissions officer who sent info and...
8 tags
May 7
Some parents think that opportunities are reserved for only elite athletes, and indeed, some opportunities are. More than seven million high school athletes of both genders are vying for only about $1.4 billion awarded in athletic scholarships. If this pot were awarded proportionately, each of the nation’s athletes would receive less than $200 to help pay for tuition. Only about 6.76 percent of...
12 tags
May 8
The college recruiting process is based entirely on relationships and the ability of the student and parent to ask the right questions. The student-athlete should know exactly where she stands with each coach, and she should use every tool available, including offers from other schools, to help a college make a decision. Some families and athletes are afraid that the process is subtle. They try to...
13 tags
May 9
Coach Contact Prior to September 1st of Junior Year Division I college coaches can’t send “recruiting materials” prior to the start of a student-athlete’s junior year of high school, but college coaches CAN and DO send the following information to student-athletes before junior year in high school: - Questionnaires - Camp Brochures - General information about the college, generated by the...
9 tags
May 10
One of the biggest myths in recruiting is understanding what can happen during a dead period. Most assume nothing can happen between a coach and a recruit. Actually, coaches can still call and write. To learn more, check out this special article on Recruiting Periods.
10 tags
May 11
When an NCAA coach is evaluating a recruit at a tournament, they are not allowed to converse with the recruit during an evaluation period. The coach is only allowed to say hello, which in NCAA terms is considered a “bump.” Commit, Succeed & Lead
11 tags
May 14
A list of questions to ask the coach. Regardless of whether the student is a freshman or junior, or whether this is the first or fifth call with the coach, an athlete should always ask two questions: What else would I need to do to have a chance to compete for your program and earn a scholarship? What is the next step I should take with you? Commit, Succeed & Lead
8 tags
May 15
Connecting with the coaching staff before an unofficial visit is critical. The purpose of an unofficial visit is to allow the athlete to experience campus life and build a relationship with the staff. But if the coaches are not eager to host a student, they likely are not interested in recruiting that athlete.
13 tags
May 16
Just because the visit is “unofficial” doesn’t mean you should come unprepared; think of it as a preliminary job interview. If you’re hoping for a scholarship offer from a school, why not take the time to prepare some thoughtful questions about the direction of the program, or about the school’s academic reputation, so that a coach understands you’re responsible and concerned about your future.
13 tags
May 17
Start researching institutions to get a feel for the different types of campuses. A student-athlete should be directed to evaluate a wide range of schools, understanding that bigger is not always better, and Division I schools do not always offer better playing time, opportunities, or education than Division III or NAIA schools.
13 tags
May 21
What the student does off the field is just as important as what takes place on the field. As the recruiting process begins, maintaining good grades becomes more and more important. Performance in the classroom tells a coach plenty about an athlete’s likelihood of reaching their potential on the playing field. Coaches know that good students tend to make the most of their abilities and stay out of...
9 tags
May 25
As of June 15th, 2012 Division I coaches are allowed unlimited contact with men’s basketball recruits (Juniors) including texts, calls, and chatting online through social media (no wall posts or public messages allowed for social media however). Official visits will be allowed during the junior year on or after January 1st.
