Athletic Recruiting and the College

Process

Principles and Steps for Guiding Scholar-Athletes

Principle #1: The Desire to Play Varsity Athletics

ASK YOURSELF:

Do you really want to play in college?

Are you prepared to do everything you need to do to find the right “fit”?

Do you understand how being a recruited athlete will affect your college process?

Are you merely using your athletic ability as a “lever” or will you fully commit to the college team once you arrive on campus?

NCAA Requirements Graduate from High School

Complete required number of NCAA-approved courses

All Athletes must have a 2.0 GPA to be Eligible to participate in College Athletics or receive any Athletic Scholarship

Div. II Athletes must have an 820 SAT or 68 ACT Score

Div. I Athletes must use NCAA sliding scale

* GPA minimum will increase to 2.3 for students starting 2016!

More… Students must register with NCAA Eligibility Center

Go to: www. eligibilitycenter.org

Must send SAT/ACT scores to Eligibility Center Enter code “9999” when registering for the Test

Fee Waivers are available for registration if student qualifies

For detailed listing of NCAA requirements visit http://fd.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Your_Path_Presentation_for_Student-Athletes.pdf

Scholarship Facts

Appx. 2% of High School Athletes receive an Athletic Scholarship

Less than 1% of High School Athletes receive a Full Athletic Scholarship

No Athletic Scholarships for Div. III

Principle #2: Admission Offices Admit Students,

Coaches do Not: Unless you are a Division I scholarship athlete applying to schools where the NCAA

Eligibility Index sets the standard for admissibility, YOUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, in terms of grades and standardized test scores, will significantly impact your choices.

Highly selective colleges have admissions requirements far above the NCAA Guidelines. Some of these schools are regulated by league rules:

The Ivy League Academic Index (AI) The NESCAC banding system Institutional Standards (Div. III)

It is important to educate yourself about each college’s admission expectations and academic parameters for recruited athletes.

Principle #3: Find the Right Match: Academic, Social, Athletic, Cost

3 Major Steps in finding your Collegiate Athletic Fit:

1. “Recruitability”2. Athletic and Academic dynamics3. Initiation of Contact with Athletic Programs

Step 1: Determining “Recruitability”

Talk to people that know you as a player and whom you trust (coaches, outside coaches, your guidance counselor)

What is your ‘market value’ Varsity? Starter? All-League? All-American? National ranking? At or yet to reach potential? For multi-sport athletes; in which sport will you be recruited? Do you want to/can you

play more than one in college?

Difference between aspirations/perception and reality

Step 2: Finding the Right Fit:

Athletic Fit: Current head coach’s tenure? Assistant’s tenure? Team’s style of play? How many current players are in your position? How many in your position are in the recruiting pipeline? Coaching style - will it enhance your playing experience and potential? Graduation rate over the last five years?

Academic Fit: What does the college offer that interests you? (majors, minors, special programs and

certificates; internships, study abroad, etc.) How does the team’s practice and travel schedule impact your academics? What do players major in? Are any majors discouraged? How does the college support student-athletes and students in general? (tutoring, academic

centers, accommodations for students with learning disabilities, counseling and health services, etc.)

Step 3: Initiating Contact with Coaches

Develop a list of schools with your college counselor and current coaches

Get organized- Develop a boilerplate letter (Cover Letter)- Create a spreadsheet of coach contact information- Draw up a resume (Athletic Resume)

Call, write, send information to coaches

Take the initiative!

Athletic Resume Your Name and Contact Information

Academics: Junior and Senior Courses (if known), GPA (if applicable)

Standardized Testing: PSAT/ SAT (and/ or Subject tests)/ ACT where needed / AP’s

Athletic Achievements

Contact Information for Coaches and Guidance Counselor

Athletic Cover Letter:Dear Coach Titus:

I am writing to let you know of my interest in the basketball program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. I am currently a junior at (insert school name) in Boston, Massachusetts. I have a B/B+ average with a 1960 (600 CR/ 710 M/ 650 Wr) on the SATs. I have started at point guard for the past three years, and last year I received First Team All League honors.

This past summer, I attended the Nike All Star Camp in Las Vegas and played in the National AAU tournament for the Boston Bombers in Memphis, Tennessee. I will also be playing for the Bombers again this season

During the first weekend of Spring Break (April 7-10), I will be playing in the New England All Star tournament in Providence, Rhode Island. I will be on the North Region All Star squad wearing jersey #23.

I would very much appreciate it if you could send me some more information on your basketball program. Enclosed is a copy of my schedule for the remainder of the 2011 season and my basketball resume.

Thank you very much. I hope to hear from you soon.Sincerely,(Your name)(email address)(Street address: City, state, zip code)

Become Your Own Best Advocate:

Return all questionnaires promptly

Visit the campus with or without coach

Email/call often - don’t wait to be called!

Gather/edit game tape as needed

Attend appropriate camps, tournaments, races, etc.

Send college coaches a game schedule (High School and club or outside team)

Know what YOU want

Avoid Potential Pitfalls: Assuming no call = no interest

Budget Timing: July 1st, Senior Year

Overly aggressive parents

Overly aggressive coaches

Coach call/support = guaranteed admission

Don’t let coaches dictate your priorities

Don’t short change the admission process

Don’t be a wallflower; self-promote!

Deciding Where and When to Apply

Coach Pressure: How to handle it?Determining AdmissibilityAdmission Cycles and Deadlines

Early DecisionEarly ActionEarly Decision IIRolling Regular DecisionALWAYS CHECK a college’s admission website for

the correct information

Take-Aways Few Scholar-Athletes receive athletic scholarships, your ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE plays a huge role in your athletic recruitment process Before contacting coaches:

Know what you are looking for Athletically AND Academically With help, determine your “Recruitability” and create realistic expectations Familiarize yourself with all Academic Requirements with the NCAA and the institutions

you are interested in Prepare Athletic Cover Letter and Athletic Resume so they are ready to go at any

moment Return all questionnaires and emails promptly Visit the schools and take admissions tours Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and have Test scores sent Be proactive and don’t be discouraged if you do not receive immediate

interest Take advantage of school resources for support with this process (Guidance

Counselors, Coaches, Zone Facilitators)