Information to assist you

 

Posted September 7,2018

2018-19 ACT TEST DATES

Test Date	Deadline	Late Deadline	Score Release*
Sept 8, 2018	Aug 3, 2018	Aug 17, 2018	Sept 18; Oct 2, 2018
Oct 27, 2018	Sept 21, 2018	Oct 5, 2018	Nov 6; Nov 20, 2018
Dec 8, 2018	Nov 2, 2018	Nov 16, 2018	Dec 18, 2018; Jan 1, 2019
Feb 9, 2019	Jan 4, 2019	Jan 18, 2019	Feb 19; Mar 5, 2019
Apr 13, 2019	Mar 8, 2019	Mar 22, 2019	Apr 23; May 7, 2019
June 8, 2019	May 3, 2019	May 17, 2019	June 18; July 2, 2019
July 13, 2019	June 14, 2019	June 21, 2019	July 23; Aug 6, 2019

 

SAT TEST DATES 2018-19

SAT Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
August 25, 2018	July 27, 2018	August 15, 2018
October 6, 2018	September 7, 2018	September 26, 2018
November 3, 2018	October 5, 2018	October 24, 2018
December 1, 2018	November 2, 2018	November 20, 2018
March 9, 2019	February 8, 2019	February 27, 2019
May 4, 2019	April 5, 2019	April 24, 2019
June 1, 2019	May 3, 2019	May 22, 2019

 

Posted September 25, 2015

 

RECRUITING MISCONCEPTIONS: THE REALITY FOR ALL TYPES OF PROSPECTS

There are many recruiting misconceptions throughout the entire process.

In fact, this was the basis for NCSA founder Chris Krause to start our organization. As a high school football student-athlete, he fell for one of the most prominent misconceptions out there (still happening today): any mailing from schools means you’re being recruited.

At first glance it makes a lot of sense: a college coach found your name and address and is sending you information on their program. This has to mean he or she is interested, has seen you play, or wants you to check out their school. Right?

In all actuality, mail from schools means little-to-nothing at all.

And it can be a hard fact to face, because it feels really good to collect pamphlets and letters from all kinds of programs. But until there is personal contact with a coach – phone calls, emails, personalized, hand-written letters– the mailers are simply coming from a database of names.

Trust me when I tell you this misconception is so common.

Former University of Miami all-star linebacker and current NFL free agent Tyler Horn shared almost an identical account to Chris Krause on his own recruitment earlier this year. Horn was receiving tons of mail from colleges across the country, which he took as meaning the offers would be next. He knew he was a good football player, good enough to play in college, and a piece of mail from a school must mean the coach will be calling shortly after.

Well, exactly like Krause, Horn’s junior season came and went; his senior season came and went. No calls, no emails, no offers.

A panic began to set in.

Luckily for both Krause and Horn, they decided to get proactive and call coaches, send film, write letters and emails. They decided to have no regrets and not hang up their dream of playing at the next level without some answers.

And lucky for the rest of us, they decided to share their stories and knowledge so others could learn from their mistakes. That’s why we’re a team of over 500 strong today – committed to not letting another student-athlete fall through the cracks of the recruiting process.

Recruiting misconceptions stem from false expectations.

Putting junk mail aside, the first thing on a student-athlete’s checklist has to be getting a realistic idea of what NCAA division (DI, DII, DIII), NAIA or junior college their size and ability could help them achieve. While the dream for so many is to be a Division I athlete, the reality is Division I is where the smallest percentage of athletes – and smallest amount of scholarship money – lies.

Next, sit down and determine your current level of recruitment. And be honest. There are many ways to tackle either side of the spectrum. One way? Being clear on other common myths like our junk mail debunking above.

In one of the chapters of his first book, Athlete’s Wanted, our founder Chris Krause goes through the top five recruiting misconceptions, and the actual truth of the situation.

Take a look at the top 5 myths below.

Recruiting Misconception: The recruiting process begins when a coach contacts an athlete during their junior or senior year.

The reality is this: Due to the rise in athletic scholarship need and the increase of available information for college coaches, the recruiting process is now started earlier than ever. According to the NCAA, college coaches are starting to identify seventh and eighth graders as recruits and are even starting to offer scholarships to prospects before their freshman year.

Recruiting Misconception: College coaches discover talent junior or senior year at camps, combines, showcases, tournaments, and high school games.

The reality is this: College coaches depend on verified information from reliable sources, and they purchase lists of prospects as young as seventh grade. (Remember those mailers we were talking about?) Most coaches attend tournaments, games, and camps with lists of student-athletes they intend to evaluate, not with hopes of discovering random prospects.

Recruiting Misconception: College coaches initially evaluate talent by attending high school games and watching unsolicited videos sent from students and families.

The reality is this: College coaches do a majority of their initial evaluations by looking at videos requested or received from reliable sources and delivered online or digitally. After watching a video, a coach may decide to make an in-person evaluation.

Recruiting Misconception: NCAA Division I is the only option for collegiate athletic scholarships.

The reality is this: Over eighteen hundred colleges and universities sponsor collegiate athletes and are able to offer financial packages. Most opportunities fall outside of Division I programs.

Recruiting Misconception: A student-athlete’s high school or club coach is responsible for getting the athlete a scholarship.

The reality is this: The average high school coach has contact with fewer than five college coaches, most of whom are local. Student-athletes and families are ultimately responsible for connecting with college coaches.

 

 

 

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THE ONE QUESTION A COACH WILL ASK YOU — AND THE RIGHT ANSWER

Knowing what questions a college coach will ask

Inevitably, a college coach will ask you one important question during the recruitment process. It might happen during an official visit, an unofficial visit, or during one of the many conversations you should be having with college coaches if you want to earn an athletic scholarship.

That one question?

“What other colleges are you interested in?”

Knowing how to answer a coach’s questions

Here’s the wrong answer: Listing other colleges with worse athletic or academic programs.

This does nothing to raise your stock because it fails to tell the college coach that you are someone in contention for other scholarships.

Instead, always list universities that are comparable to or better than the coach’s university both academically and athletically. Coaches need to know that other programs are recruiting you, and that these other programs stack up. If you list a rival university, even better! The coach will be even more interested in recruiting you if it means that she or he gets to steal you from an arch-nemesis.

Of course, if the coach asks you to list your top three universities, always list that coach’s institution first. Coaches do not want to waste their time on a student who considers that school to be a back-up plan.

Phrasing your answer well

You can also think of strategic ways to answer the question so that the coach thinks these universities are highly interested in recruiting you.

Always be honest, but instead of saying something like “I’m looking at the following colleges,” you should say something like “I’m talking with the following colleges,” or “I’m in the process of setting up visits with the following colleges.”

This will likely trigger a stronger response and sense of urgency for the coach to evaluate you. After all, it sure sounds like you are a worthwhile recruit.

Understanding variations of the question

Be on the lookout for variations of the question “What other colleges are you interested in?”

College coaches want indicators that you are someone they should be looking at. A good indication that you should be taken seriously is if colleges that are comparable to or better than their own are considering recruiting you.

So coaches will ask a few questions to try to determine this information. These questions might include:

“What other colleges are you visiting?”
“Have you spoken with other college coaches?”
“What other universities are recruiting you?”
Found on NCSA Website

Posted September 13, 2014

WHAT COLLEGE COACHES SAY FRUSTRATES THEM THE MOST IN RECRUITING
POSTED BY CHARLIE ADAMS ON JUL 17, 2013 IN LIVE CHAT | 6 COMMENTS
Dan Tudor has worked with hundreds of college coaches in all sports. As President and Founder of Tudor Collegiate Strategies, Dan works with colleges around the country, teaching their coaches to recruit more effectively. As a result, he has had thousands of conversations with them about the recruiting process. I recently interviewed Dan to learn what college coaches are saying about the recruiting process. His answers can help you understand what you can be doing better to be more recruited.
CHARLIE ADAMS: Dan, What do college coaches tell you is the most frustrating part of the recruiting process from their perspective?
DAN TUDOR: Initially, they are frustrated that prospects (and their parents) aren’t more open to considering their school as an option. Many coaches have great things to offer, both from their program and at their college, and they really want the chance to tell talented athletes about what they have to offer. However, many college recruits are too narrowly focused – especially at the start of the process, when many kids think the only acceptable option is high level Division I athletics. My advice to college athletes is to show interest to many college coaches, and let them get the chance to show you what they can provide athletically and academically.
CHARLIE ADAMS: What are some other things college coaches tell you about recruiting, that could help families?
DAN TUDOR: The biggest obstacle for college coaches these days is communication with prospects. It’s happening earlier and earlier, yet there are significant limits on how and when a coach can contact a recruit. If a family is proactive and calls, emails or communicates through social media with a coach they are interested in – or a program that is trying to get in touch with them – they could really jump to the front of the line with that particular coach. DO NOT be a family that is hard to reach, or appears to be disinterested at the start of the process…it will kill the process before it gets started.
CHARLIE ADAMS: Where do you think the greatest lack of education is regarding families in recruiting?
DAN TUDOR: One of the biggest is that coaches will just “discover” an athlete. Certainly, that’s true for the top 1-2% of top level athletes, but the vast majority of recruits are brought in after they initially communicate with a coach. I think families are still under the impression that they should sit back and wait for a coach to come knocking, and the truth is that just doesn’t happen very often. It’s a huge misconception that really ruins some opportunities for good student-athletes.
The other aspect is just the lack of communication skills on the part of athletes and parents. More often than not, it’s a lack of communication on the recruit’s part that ends the recruiting process. It’s extremely competitive, so if you are a recruit who is scared of talking to a coach or hesitates in answering their email and expresses interest in what their college has to offer, be prepared to see scholarship and college playing opportunities dry up.
Dan Tudor, seen here working with college coaches
Dan Tudor, seen here working with college coaches
CHARLIE ADAMS: People assume college coaches know every prospect there is so they should wait to be contacted. That’s not necessarily so, right?
DAN TUDOR: Not at all. As i said earlier, waiting around for a coach to “discover” you is a horrible strategy…even if you’re All-Region and a varsity starter in their sport for four years, colleges outside your immediate area may not know about you. College coaches tell me all the time that they are most interested in the athletes that show interest in them and their program. It makes sense, right? We all want to be wanted, and college coaches are no different. Athletes that are proactive – whether that is registering for a resource like NCSA or picking up the telephone and calling a coach – are going to be the athletes that have the most opportunities.This is a competitive process, and coaches want to know who wants to compete for them. A serious prospect should be asking themselves every week, “How did I demonstrate my interest to that coach this week?”
CHARLIE ADAMS: What do college coaches look for in recruits, beyond talent?
DAN TUDOR: Academics are a key component, obviously. If an athlete has good grades and test scores, a college coach knows that they won’t have to babysit that athlete and worry about whether or not he or she goes to class. After that, one of the things coaches mention to me might surprise families: They look to see how the prospect treats his or her parents when they visit the school. Are they polite, courteous and respectful towards them? College coaches look for that, because they are wanting mature, respectful student-athletes as a part of their program. So, just like a family is observing a coach when they visit a school, that coach is probably watching them, as well.
CHARLIE ADAMS: Dan, you have a daughter who is going to run in the Big Ten Conference as a member of the University of Iowa women’s cross country and track and field team. As a parent that went through recruiting, what did you learn and observe?
DAN TUDOR: My daughter, Cambria Tudor, fell in love with the team and coaching staff at Iowa, and that happened very early on in the process. She wanted a big school with lots of spirit, and someplace away from home (we live in California).
As she went through the process and I observed her as a parent, I felt it was my job to direct her and make sure that she was managing the “process” correctly. That is to say, I was clear about being prompt in returning a coach’s email or phone call, and making sure to ask coaches the right questions at the right time. However, I didn’t want to be “that dad” that makes college coaches cringe…the kind that acts as a manager and gatekeeper, and runs the process on behalf of their son or daughter. College coaches DO NOT like that…they want to hear from the recruit they are recruiting primarily, and get to know parents along the way.
In the end, once my daughter found a school and a coach that fit her goals and meshed well with her personality, I was fine with her committing and supported her decision to be a Hawkeye. In her case, she picked a school where she won’t be the “star” right out of the gate…she’ll have to work extremely hard as an incoming Freshman, but she wanted that challenge and I am very proud of her for choosing that tougher road.
My advice for parents: Direct your athlete, but don’t run interference for them. This is their life, and while they will obviously look to their parents for advice and direction, it needs to be their choice. And, how they “feel” about the coach, program and school matters…it can’t be strictly based on facts or who offers them the most money, if possible. This is four years of their life, and they need to feel good about their decision and excited about taking on the challenge of competing in college athletics, no matter what level it is.
CHARLIE ADAMS: What are trends you see in college sports, including recruiting?
DAN TUDOR: Earlier and earlier communication from coaches and athletes. A serious athlete should be approaching the process aggressively beginning (in my opinion) in their Sophomore year of high school. Visit campuses, call coaches, and get on the radar. If an athlete is eligible and can register for a resource like NCSA, they should do it sooner rather than later. There is no logical reason why a solid student-athlete should sit around and wait for a coach to contact them. If earlier communication is the trend, make sure your family is on the leading edge of that trend.
Charlie

 

Posted July 19, 2014

Read recruiting tips from a Parent Perspective……………………………..

A Parent’s Perspective: Recruiting Tips and Picking the Right College

Posted by Aaron Sorenson on Jul 8, 2014 in Basketball | 1 comment

The following post was received from Topeka-Hoops.com. Thanks for letting us share!  Click here to check out their website!

Lisa Rivera-Fillyaw is the mother of former Topeka High graduate Marcus Fillyaw, who began his college basketball career at Cloud County Community College before transferring to Division I Southern Illinois University. After one season at SIU, Fillyaw has transferred to Division II Kentucky Wesleyan.

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I have gathered some tips that we have learned along the way in our three recruiting experiences. Some tips may seem silly or pretty basic, but they are all things to consider when trying to decide on a school/athletic program when you’re being recruited. Going to college is a big decision and you’ll want to make sure you end up at the school that’s right for you.

Don’t depend on your current coach to do all the work for you     

If you’re trying to move onto the next level, you have to promote yourself. Your current coach has several other players who are all in the same boat as you. You may rely on your coach to help get your name out, but there is more that you can do yourself. Sign up on a recruiting website–there are a ton of them. Make your own highlight video and mail copies to schools that you’re interested in. Send a bio of your stats, ACT score, and grade history. E-mail coaches that you’d like to talk with, but be mindful of the recruiting periods and “dead” time when coaches aren’t allowed to speak with prospective athletes.

Don’t fall for the used car salesman approach   

A coach that’s trying to impress you will spew out every positive thing he or she can think about their school. Yes, maybe the coach coached someone who is now on the PGA circuit or in the NFL. That’s awesome! That has nothing to do with you. That really doesn’t have much to do with the coach either. That professional athlete got where they are by hard work, natural gifts, the willingness to succeed, good coaching, AND a good head on their shoulders. Also, they’ll brag about the championships the school has won and they’ll show you the trophy case on your visit. Those are all great accomplishments, but again, they really don’t have anything to do with you as an athlete. Those things may have occurred even before this coach came to the program. Some coaches have every right to boast about the players who have come through THEIR program and have gone onto the next level. Of course, coaches help athletes get there, but don’t let them take all the glory for the work an athlete has put in just to make themselves or their program look good in your eyes.

Consider location and check out the school’s and city’s local newspaper online                            

Do you have family near the school(s) you’re considering attending? Who will be able to help out if an emergency arises?   Do you have bad allergies? Do you prefer colder or warmer climates? Will a campus close to a beach lure you to the beach more often than class? Do you plan on living up your college years by partying every other night at house parties and bars? Or do you rely on a quiet community where you can stay focused on your athletics and academics? Get a feel for the “campus vibe”. Does the campus offer activities to keep students involved without them resorting to the bar scene for their social life? Check the local newspaper for the crime rate. Car break ins, drunk driving accidents, and drug busts happen everywhere, but if the crime rate makes you uncomfortable, that’s something to consider. Be honest with yourself and assess your maturity level or what stresses you can and can’t handle.

Check into class size, campus size, and city size                                      

Will you thrive in an average class of 15 students each? Or are you going to be fine in lecture halls with over 100 students per class? Will a smaller campus where you can get around by foot or bike be more suited to your liking? Or would you rather drive or take a bus around campus? Do you prefer a small town atmosphere where all the locals know you as a student athlete and greet you by name in the grocery store? Or do you prefer the hustle and bustle of a larger city?

Make the head coach tell you EXACTLY what is expected of you and your position                     

Coaches will say what they feel they need to say so that you’ll be impressed with them and their program/school.   Make sure the coach has a definite plan for you and your position before signing on. Find out how many other athletes they are recruiting for the same position. Find out how many players they will carry on their squad at that position. Ask how you will fit in with the returning players on the squad and the recruits that have already signed or committed.

Don’t assume that a D-I school is your best option                                            

“Going D-I” – that’s the most overused and misunderstood phrase I’ve heard in our recruiting experiences. D-I schools versus D-II schools are no different than a 6A high school versus a 5A high school. There are probably some 4A high school athletic programs that can embarrass some 6A programs, just like there are some JUCO programs that could probably embarrass a low or mid-major D-I program.   Don’t think because it’s bigger, that it’s necessarily better. The D-I schools have more money, more boosters, maybe better facilities, and the coaches kiss babies and go on ESPN talk shows, but what it comes down to is the QUALITY of the program and coaching staff. You have to be real with yourself and know what you need to do to be successful at the next level. If going to a JUCO for a year or two to get stronger or faster is what you need, then do it. If you’re the type that doesn’t mind sitting on a D-I bench just to say that you’re at a D-I university, then by all means, sit on that bench proudly. If you want to play, then you need to honestly be that bigger, stronger, smarter player so that you’re not a bench warmer. Also understand that D-I universities are on the look-out for recruiting prospects 24/7/365. If they find someone that’s bigger, faster, stronger, whatever…they WILL recruit him to take your spot. They also have larger squads with more athletes on scholarship. There could be five players on one squad all trying for a chance at one position. Do you want to be one of many in that position or THE one?

Talk to former players if possible                                         

Coaches will introduce you to or have current players call you to try to persuade you to choose their program. A current player isn’t going to be totally honest about any negatives within the program while they’re on scholarship. It may sound a little crazy, but go to the school’s website and look up the prior year’s roster is it’s still available.     See if you can possibly locate a graduated senior or a transfer and contact them. Ask for their honest opinion. They have nothing to lose by telling you the truth.

If possible, check out the relationship between the head coach and his staff                                

If the head coach and one or more assistant coaches from one school are contacting you, compare what they say. Do they all say the same thing? Does it seem rehearsed? Or are they just on the same level and same wave length? If you go on a visit, watch how the coaches interact with each other. Do some seem like “yes-men” or are they    really a valued part of the program? Does the head coach tell you something totally different from the other coaches)? If so, that’s a pretty good indication of how your season will go too. If they all agree on the same core values and direction the program is going in, then your season will probably go smoothly.

Make sure the school offers classes required for your major                                      

Just because a school has a great athletic program, you’ve got to consider the classes offered. After all, you ARE there to get an education. They’re offering you that free education in exchange for representing the school on the playing field. It’s normal for incoming college freshmen to have no clue of what they’d like to major in, but look over the course offerings and see if there’s enough variety that you won’t have trouble finding something that interests you.

Check out the weight room, gym, locker room, housing, equipment, and meet the trainers to make sure you’ll have everything you need                                             

Does the weight room have a pull-up bar, a treadmill, and one set of barbells? If so, how are you going to work out? Is there a dedicated trainer just for your sport? Is there a trainer that can tend to medical injuries? Are there facilities with hot tubs and ice baths? Check out the housing situations. Do you hate sharing a bathroom with too many people? Are athletes expected to live together? Can you live off campus? How many people have to share a dorm room or a suite?

Ask the coach if he can commit to you since he’s asking you to commit to him                                    

Coaches who are recruiting will tell you what they expect from you, or what kind of commitment they need you to make. Turn the tables on the coach and ask what kind of commitment he/she will make to you. Is the coach happy coaching there or does he have his eye out for other offers and may leave within a year? Find out the turnover rate of the assistant coaches. Look up the coaching staff’s employment history. Do they hop from school to school, looking for the next “big gig” or have they stayed committed to only a few programs?

Make sure the head coach has an open door policy with you and your parents                             

Talking to the assistant coaches is fine, but if you have a serious issue or concern, make sure your head coach is always available to you and your teammates. That doesn’t mean you’re allowed to call him at 2:00 AM when you need a ride home from the library/bar/friend’s house. That means if you or your parents have some concerns regarding your status or progress at the school or within the program, the head coach should be available to discuss your concerns.

If you intend to live off-campus, don’t let anyone make you sign a lease longer than the school year

Just because you plan on attending a particular school for the next two, three, or four years, don’t assume anything. What you like about the program in the beginning may change and you may want to transfer. You may get injured and not able to fulfill your scholarship arrangement. Your roommates may transfer. Don’t be stuck in a lease that you will be held responsible for even if you don’t continue living there or even being enrolled at your original school.

Understand that the boosters, the community, and the media can have a huge impact on what the coach does                        

The bigger the school, the more people are involved in the athletic programs and the more opinions are given. The coach has to keep the administration happy, the boosters happy, the community happy, his staff happy, and his players happy. The school, the boosters, and the community are the ones giving the money into the program. The athletes don’t, so where exactly do the athletes fall on the happiness priority ladder? There are some coaches who make their players a priority and there are some coaches whose main concern is to keep the boosters happy and giving up the money. The more money the program has, the flashier they can be, which sometimes lures players to commit.

Be humble and don’t have an arrogant attitude                                       

Be confident, but not arrogant. If asked, admit any shortcomings you have, but assure the coaches that you’re planning to get better at those skills. You have to sell yourself also, but make sure you’re honest. Thank the coaches for their consideration of you and let them know that you appreciate their time and offers. Even if you’re not offered a scholarship at a particular school, the coaches ALL TALK to each other and word will quickly spread about your demeanor, attitude, skill level, and grades. Make sure you make a good impression even if you’re not interested in a particular school or sports program.

Courtesy of ncsasports.org

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Posted May 23, 2014

Do I need a highlight video for track?????  The answer is YES.  College Coaches are unable to visit every track meet throughout the country and a highlight video will enable them to see what you are about.

Check out this link :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlA-XHRdPBw&elq=7648be89786949f2a6a1f5d2519a844e&elqCampaignId=1782

Courtesy of NCSA

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Posted January 20, 2014

If You’re Aren’t Calling Coaches, You are Behind the Competition

Posted by Kerry Brown on Jan 10, 2014 in Coach Communication | 2 comments

Calling coaches can be one of the most intimidating aspects of a student-athletes recruiting process, but it can also be one of the most important. If you are interested in a school, it is vital that you be in contact with the coach. A coach is never going to invite someone to be part of their team if they’ve never heard their voice.

It is okay to have initial contact with a coach through email, as long as you progress towards phone calls. Coaches want to speak with you on the phone so they can get to know you better. Remember that you can call a coach at any time, but coaches have strict rules placed upon them by the NCAA depending on what year in high school you are.

Before you call a coach, you must prepare. First, you need to research the school you plan to call. You should learn some background information on the school and program so you will be comfortable talking with the coach and answering their questions. Second, you should write down a list of questions that you plan to ask the coach.

As a good rule, plan to ask only 2-4 questions per conversation; coaches are extremely busy and if the interest level is mutual, you will have plenty of future conversations to get all of your questions answered. Lastly, you should have at least a couple of practice phone calls to a coach. A good way to practice is to role play with a teammate, family member or coach.

Always remember to be enthusiastic when speaking with coaches so they will want to have future conversations with you. The most important thing to remember is that they are just like any other adult. They are aware that it is difficult for a high school student to pick up the phone and call them and they will respect you more for it. Prepare yourself as best you can and just be yourself!

 

 

Posted January 5,2014

Completing Your FAFSA

Posted by Kerry Brown on Jan 3, 2014 in Financial Aid | 7 comments

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ The biggest mistake a lot of families make is not filling the FAFSA out because they think their family income is too high. This could not be further from the truth. Every family, regardless of income, has an EFC (estimated family contribution) number and the LOWER your EFC, the more aid you will receive. Even if you may not receive a significant amount of financial aid, you should still complete the FAFSA because it can act as an insurance policy for your son/daughter’s education. If there is a change or loss of income or an emergency in your family; you will not be eligible for college funds if you do not complete the FAFSA on an annual basis.

The first date you may submit the FAFSA is January 1 of senior year. Submit the FAFSAS on this date or as soon after as possible! University financial aid budgets are limited and are awarded on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you submit your FAFSA, the better your chances of receiving aid. Each college/university has a specific deadline and at a certain point, the money does run out.

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Posted November 23, 21013

Early Signing Period

 

Posted by Kerry Brown on Nov 15, 2013 in Signing Day | 4 comments

 

For all sports November 13th- November 20th, 2013

 

(These sports are not included in early signing football, soccer, track & field, cross country, field hockey and men’s water polo.)

 

The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student athlete and an NLI member institution

 

• A prospective student athlete agrees to attend the institution full time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters
• The institution agrees to provide financial aid for one academic year

 

Penalty for breaking this contract

 

• Student athletes have to serve one year in residence at the next NLI member institution

 

• Sit out for one season of competition in all sports

 

What is Signing Day?

 

• Signing day is the day you actually sign the NLI

 

Does every division 1 and 2 athlete sign an NLI?

 

• Most people will say that every D1 and D2 athlete will sign an NLI, but this is not the case.
• It is not so much about being in a certain division as it is whether or not the school is a member of the NLI program.
• There are 600 schools who participate in the NLI program
• All D1 schools are involved with NLI except for service academies and Ivy league.
• A majority of D2 programs participate in the program
• No D3, NAIA, Prep schools or 2 year colleges participate
• For a complete list of schools who participate in the NLI, visit the NCAA’s website

 

Is the NLI binding if the coach leaves the institution?

 

• Yes, you sign the NLI with the institution, not with the coach

 

Can a coach rescind an NLI?

 

• When a school drafts up the NLI, they are committing the agreed upon funds for at least one year and cannot break that commitment, regardless of injury or any other reason

 

Can a college coach be present on signing day?

 

• No, a college coach cannot be present when you sign an NLI off-campus. NCAA rules say that it is strictly prohibited for a coach to be present at the signing of the NLI or any related activities. The rules also prohibit the coach delivering the NLI in person.

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3 Things to Learn in High School to Prepare for College

Posted by Kerry Brown on Feb 28, 2013 in Athletic Scholarships | 8 comments

When I was in high school, I thought I was more than ready to take the leap and be a college student-athlete.  I played multiple sports, had good grades, and never had any issues making time for a personal life. But, I quickly discovered playing two sports in college and having a full course load was more than I was ready for.  There are three things that I could have done differently in high school to prepare me for the shock of how different college is: learning how to study, learning how to effectively write, and developing proper time management skills.

1.       Learn How to Study

Academically, high school was relatively an easy experience for me. I took AP classes and honors classes and never seemed to struggle with the course load or material.  My study habits would include looking over the textbook, notes, and trying to memorize key terms the night before a test or exam.  This is how I studied, and I never had an issue with my results. When I got to college, this style of studying would not be acceptable, and I had to quickly shift my mindset of what effective study habits were.  Here are some things I started to do to study effectively. First, I started to give myself more than one night to study! I also practiced writing out my answers, made note cards, found a place in the library where I could focus, and I made sure I kept up with the reading. I also learned how to study in a group and learned how to ask questions to the teachers.  All of these steps played a major impact in my confidence when taking the test as well. Learning how to adapt to a situation is part of being an athlete but taking these steps at the high school level now will only help prepare you for college.

2.       Learn How to Write

Being a successful college level writer is much different than getting good grades in your high school classes. Learning how to write effectively in college was by far my biggest academic challenge.  When I got to Lawrence University, I found out very quickly my writing ability was not up to the standards they were looking for. This was a very discouraging moment for me in college because I had no idea how to write and I felt very lost. Luckily, I had a very good support system with my basketball team where a teammate stepped up to be my tutor.  Overtime, I was able to understand how to effectively write a college level paper. So, my advice to any athlete is to challenge yourself now in high school if there are writing classes. Having the skill and confidence to write a term paper or a research paper will make your life so much easier once you are in college.

3.       Time Management

Going off to college and being on your own for the first time will demand some time management skills. But being a student-athlete who is entering the college life is even more important.  The student-athlete will have to manage taking 18 credits, studying, completing projects, participating in study groups, going to workouts, practice, games and traveling. This can overwhelm anyone who is not prepared. Most student-athletes will have help planning their schedule out and most are creatures of habit anyways. But, it will never hurt to have a plan. I used to make up my own due dates for projects and papers to insure I would be able to have them done in time. I would set goals to get school work done and my reward would be free time. There are many tricks to having effective time management skills as a college athlete but knowing the importance and developing these skills earlier on will make you more successful  college student-athletes.

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Posted November 21,2013

NCAA Eligibility Basics

FAQs about the NCAA Eligibility Center

Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to be eligible to play NCAA Division I or II sports in college. Athletes playing in Division III do not have to register.

What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?

The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies whether prospective college athletes are eligible to play sports at NCAA Division I or II institutions. It does this by reviewing the student-athlete’s academic record, SAT® or ACT scores, and amateur status to ensure conformity with NCAA rules.

What are NCAA Divisions I, II, and III?

The NCAA is the governing body of many intercollegiate sports. Each college regulated by the NCAA has established rules on eligibility, recruiting and financial aid and falls into one of the three membership divisions (Divisions I, II and III). Divisions are based on college size and the scope of their athletic programs and scholarships.

When should students register?

The NCAA recommends that student-athletes register at the beginning of their junior year in high school, but many students register after their junior year. There is no registration deadline, but students must be cleared by the Eligibility Center before they receive athletic scholarships or compete at a Division I or II institution.

How do students register?

Students must register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center. They will have to enter personal information, answer questions about their course work and sports participation outside of high school and pay a registration fee.

Can students have the registration fee waived?

Students who have received a waiver for the SAT or ACT are eligible for a waiver of the registration fee. The student’s counselor must submit confirmation of the student’s test fee waiver. Go to the NCAA Eligibility Center High School Portal for more information.

What records does the Eligibility Center require?

Students should arrange to have you send their high school transcript as soon as they have completed at least six semesters of high school. The transcript must be mailed directly from their high school. They must also arrange to have their SAT or ACT test scores reported directly by the testing company to the Eligibility Center.  Students can arrange this when they register for the tests.

You are responsible for sending in students’ final transcripts and proof of graduation at the end of their senior year.

How often can students update their athletics participation information?

Students can update the information on the athletics participation section online as often as they want (and should update it regularly), up until the time when they request a final certification of their status. At that point — usually three to four months before enrolling in college — students must finalize their information.

What are the NCAA academic eligibility requirements?

To play sports at an NCAA Division I or II institution, the student must:

• Complete a certain number of high school core courses (defined below).
• Earn a certain minimum grade point average in these core courses.
• Earn a certain minimum score on the SAT or ACT.
• Graduate from high school.

For more information, see the NCAA’s Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, in the Publications section of the NCAA website.

What are core courses?

This is the name that the NCAA gives to high school courses that meet certain academic criteria specified by the association. Students must complete a certain number of core courses for NCAA Division I and II eligibility.

How are high school courses classified as core courses?

All participating high schools submit lists of the courses that they offer that meet NCAA core-course criteria. If approved, the courses are added to a database that the NCAA Eligibility Center maintains. You can check this database or view a list of approved core courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center High School Portal to see whether your student-athletes are enrolled in courses that will count toward NCAA eligibility.

It is often the counselor who provides the NCAA with the list of your school’s core courses and updates it annually. The NCAA may ask for more information before approving a core course.

What are the NCAA amateurism eligibility requirements?

To play sports at an NCAA Division I or II institution, the student athlete must follow NCAA amateurism rules about receiving a salary or prize money for athletic participation, playing with a professional team and other areas. For more information, see the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete.

Keep in mind

The best way for students to prepare for a future in college athletics is to complete the approved core courses and earn appropriate grades in them. Indeed, more students fail to qualify to play NCAA sports because of lack of appropriate course work than for low test scores.

Make sure your athletes are enrolled in the courses on your high school’s core-course list, and also know the eligibility requirements of the NCAA Eligibility Center. Then make sure your athletes are taking the necessary courses, earning the necessary grades and doing anything else they must to stay on track for NCAA eligibility.

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Posted October 8, 2013

Recruiting Checklist for Parents

October 4th, 2013 – by Kerry Brown

Read more: Recruiting Checklist for Parents – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2013/10/04/recruiting-checklist-parents/#ixzz2hBO3Tldc

Posted September 6, 2013

ACT TEST DATES

Test Date	Registration Deadline	(Late Fee Required)
September 21, 2013	August 23, 2013	August 24–September 6, 2013
October 26, 2013	September 27, 2013	September 28–October 11, 2013
December 14, 2013	November 8, 2013	November 9–22, 2013
February 8, 2014*	January 10, 2014	January 11–24, 2014
April 12, 2014	March 7, 2014	March 8–21, 2014
June 14, 2014	May 9, 2014	May 10–23, 2014

SAT TEST DATES

SAT Date	SAT Subject Tests Available (Find Dates)	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline		Deadline for Changes	Status
			Mail	Phone/ Online
Oct 5	Subject Tests	Sep 6	Sep 20	Sep 23	Sep 23	Register Today
Nov 2	Subject Tests	Oct 3 Send Reminder	Oct 18	Oct 21	Oct 21	Register Now 27 days left
Dec 7	Subject Tests	Nov 8 Send Reminder	Nov 22	Nov 25	Nov 25	Register Now 63 days left
Jan 25	Subject Tests	Dec 27 Send Reminder	Jan 10	Jan 14	Jan 14	Register Now 112 days left
Mar 8		Feb 7 Send Reminder	Feb 21	Feb 24	Feb 24	Register Now 154 days left
May 3	Subject Tests	Apr 4 Send Reminder	Apr 18	Apr 21	Apr 21	Register Now 210 days left
Jun 7	Subject Tests	May 9 Send Reminder	May 23	May 28	May 28	Register Now 245 days left

 

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Posted July 27,2013

How Colleges Determine Merit Scholarships

 By Lynn O’Shaughnessy

August 23, 2011

 

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15 Items to Put on Your Recruiting To Do List

June 6th, 2013 – by Natalie Pedersen

Read more: 15 Items to Put on Your Recruiting To Do List – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2013/06/06/15-items-put-recruiting-list/#ixzz2aHxpbQnG

 

What college coaches say frustrates them the most in recruiting

July 17th, 2013 – by Charlie Adams

Read more: What college coaches say frustrates them the most in recruiting – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2013/07/17/college-coaches-frustrates-recruiting/#ixzz2aHulaYRT

 

Sports Swag

July 24th, 2013 – by Liza Solberg

Read more: Sports Swag – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2013/07/24/sports-swag/#ixzz2aHsa1cD1

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 Posted June 2, 2013

6  Things You Need to Know About Athletic Scholarships

          November 8th, 2012          – by Callie  Hemming         

Read more:  6 Things You Need to Know About Athletic Scholarships – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/11/08/10-athletic-scholarships/#ixzz2V74sGdOX

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Posted May 31, 2013

Read more:  How Recruiting is Like Prom – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2013/05/09/recruiting-prom/#ixzz2V743RGEx

 

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Posted April 29, 2013

The Mistake 90% of Athletes Make When Emailing College Coaches

Information provided from Athnet Newsletter

Posted February 1, 2013

The other day a coach interested one of the basketball players my husband coaches, contacted her to speak with her.  We handed the phone to her and the conversation lasted all of  30 seconds ( her responses that we could hear were mere yes, no but no real conversation) yes I said 30 seconds.  Athletes, a coach needs to get to know you and does not have alot of time to spend doing it ( not meaning to sound mean but just speaking the truth) so you need to work on being confident when speaking with someone about who you are.  Of course I was reading again and came across this interesting article about the common questions coaches ask and how you should be prepared to answer them.  ( See you guys get by with texting and never talking directly with someone but that will not fly in the recruiting process- Lauging Out Loud or as you guys would text LOL)  Please read on …………………….

20 Questions to Expect from a College Coach

          January 29th, 2013          – by JC  Kibbey

Courtesy of: NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog

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Posted February 1, 2013

As I was reading one of the many newsletters I receive regarding athletics, recruiting, etc., I came across this article written by a parent impressing how you must take recruiting into your own hands and not leave it up to someone finding you.  I cannot impress upon you if you are not being recruited don’t give up.  Start making calls to the colleges you are interested in and explain to the coach why you would be an asset to their program.  Please read on…………………….

Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

          January 22nd, 2013          – by Chris  Prokop

Posted February 1, 2013

National Signing Day is fast approaching……..

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Posted January 28, 2013

What the New NCAA Rules Mean For You

 Information courtesy of athleticscholarships.net

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Posted January 17,2013

How to Email College Coaches and Get Noticed

10 years ago when coaches were just getting used to email it was easy to get a response from every coach. You would be able to write an email and they would get back to you in a couple days letting you know if they were interested in you. Now, everyone has email and some coaches get hundreds of emails a day. It can be difficult to break through the noise and get responses from coaches. Below we explain how to use email to contact coaches and get on their recruiting board.

When You Can Email Coaches

You are allowed to email college coaches at anytime, but coaches are restricted in when they can respond to athletes. The key to hearing back from a coach is to include contact information for your high school and/or club team coaches. If you email a college coach before they can write you back, they can respond to your high school or club coach and let you know when to call them so you can talk.

The rules around when a coach can respond to your emails are complex (The NCAA Coaches Contact Rules), but in general if you are not in your Junior or Senior year of high school coaches at the NCAA D1, D2 or NAIA levels cannot respond to you. If you email them and they are interested in you, they will contact your coach and schedule a time for you to connect with them; usually over the phone.

Coaches are busy and receive hundreds of emails each day; you might have to email a coach several times before you hear back from them. If you haven’t heard back from a coach after 5-10 emails and several weeks, you just have to assume they are not interested in recruiting you and find other schools.

What to Email Coaches

Every coach needs to be able to quickly evaluate and contact an athlete who emails them. You want to have all of your academic information, physical stats, sport specific measurements and contact information for you and your coaches. Additionally, if you have a highlight video, get it online and include the link in your email to coaches. Here is a sample recruiting resume you can use for a guide on what to have in your email.

Make Sure Coaches Respond to Your Email

Getting responses from college coaches isn’t a guarantee but there are a couple of things you should do to improve your chances. Have an adult sounding email address; try to use only your name as the email address. Create a brand new email account that you use only for recruiting. When writing the title to your email, include your name, graduation year and most impressive stat about you. This makes it really easy for a coach to know what the email is about. The last tip is to personalize each email for every coach and program. Show the coaches you have researched their program and taken the time to write them a personal email.

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Posted December 28, 2012

It is time to fill out the FAFSA( Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on January 1, 2013.  Please visit www.FAFSA.ed.gov for more details. 

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Posted December 28, 2012

New Year’s Resolution in Recruiting

Like all New Year’s resolutions, you need to be committed to meeting your set goals and aspirations. In any case, your New Year’s goals will take plenty of time to achieve just like your college recruitment. If you are ready to make your resolutions match your recruitment goals then this blog will help you kick-start your 2013 recruitment.

Recruitment and the New Year

The New Year is the perfect time to be wrapping up your recruitment if you are a SENIOR, get organized and create your sports resume and video if you are a JUNIOR, and decide your plan of recruitment if you are a SOPHOMORE or FRESHMAN in high school.

No matter your year in high school you need to always be working on your game skills and grades along with your recruitment. Below you will find New Year’s tips on making sure you’ll be successful during 2013.

Seniors: This year is your time to prepare to sign an NLI with a college you’ve been in contact with. If you have NOT been in communication with coaches, now is a time you can work extra hard to get your name out there and to see if there are any spots still available regardless of an athletic scholarship option.Signing day is just around the corner, so unless you have already committed to a college you may need to start thinking about other options. Student-athletes who still want to be a part of a team, but are too late to earn a scholarship should consider walking- on. Start asking college coaches about walk-on opportunities as you continue to reach out and learn about their 2013 team.

Juniors:  Starting off the year you should be spending time reaching out and contacting college coaches. This is the time in your recruitment when you will need to put the most time and effort into finding the best college opportunities. This year you will be extremely busy with researching programs and contacting college coaches. You need to be updating coaches with all your progress, both on the field and in the classroom the remaining part of this school year.  Remember, some coaches are restricted to talking with juniors until the summer, so do not get frustrated if you have a lot of one-sided conversations from now until the contact period.

Sophomores:  Now that you have a year and a half of high school competition under your belt, you can be concentrating your efforts on learning about the different college division levels and reality checking the type of student-athlete you really are. Not all players are equipped for NCAA division I competition; be open to exploring other division levels and the opportunities those colleges have for student-athletes.

Freshman:  Now that you are in high school and half-way through with the school year, you should begin to think about your future plans. Starting to understand how the recruitment process works, as a freshman is one of the best strategies you will gain as you continue through the process during high school

Information courtesy of collegesportsscholarships.com

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Posted December 28, 2012

Next ACT is February 9, 2013.  Registration deadline is January 11, 2013

Next SAT is January 26,2013.  Late Registration deadline is January 11, 2013

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Posted December 24, 2012

The Recruiting Funnel

          June 13th, 2012          – by JC Kibbey

Read more:  The Recruiting Funnel – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/06/13/the-recruiting-funnel/#ixzz2Fwx2enHa

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Posted December 6, 2012

Why You Need Good Questions to Ask a College Coach on Recruiting

Asking well-informed and thought out questions will help you get recruited.

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Posted November 23, 2012

Next ACT Test Date

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Academic Eligibility: Athletes Need to Counsel Themselves

I found this article quite interesting and I know it can happen to anyone.  It is very important that you check your classes against the NCAA approved class list otherwise your eligibility can be in jeopardy. 

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4 Things You Need to Know About NAIA Eligibility

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Posted November 22, 2012

It has been awhile since the last posting.  I found this article that I thought would be interesting especially because may athletes use social media to communicate.  Read on……

5 Lessons for Recruits From the Minnesota Gophers’ AJ Barker Fiasco

All recruits can learn from the dispute between AJ Barker and the Minnesota Gopher’s coaching staff.

Junior walk-on AJ Barker, the Minnesota Gophers’ leading receiver, abruptly quit the team this past Sunday, November 18th. His reason for leaving stemmed from a dispute between Barker, head coach Jerry Kill, and the athletic training staff. Barker injured his ankle October 27th while scoring a touchdown vs. Purdue.

The trainers and coaches felt that had Barker followed their instructions he would have recovered from his injury by now and returned to the lineup. Barker feels that the training staff didn’t have his best interests at heart. Barker also claims that Kill has been publicly berating him while privately kissing up to him and telling him how important he was to the team.

Any way you look at it, this situation stinks for both Barker and the University of Minnesota: Barker doesn’t have a team to play for and only has one year of eligibility left. The best case scenario for Minnesota is they lost their best receiver; the worst case scenario is they may lose some recruits due to the bad press.

Lesson 1: The relationship with your potential coach can make or break your college experience

This is exactly why we say you need to spend your time developing your relationships with coaches throughout the recruiting process. If it turns out that you and your coach don’t get along then your college athletic experience can take a serious turn for the worse.

You can get to know potential coaches by talking to them as much as possible while you are still in high school. You can also try to contact some current team members to ask them about the team and coach. Sometimes you can get a better idea of a coach’s personality and style by hearing from the kids who already play under him than you can from only talking directly to him.

Lesson 2: Social media and the internet are not the best places to vent your problems

Barker took to Twitter and Tumblr to explain his position. And what was the result? A 4,000 word rant explaining why he quit. Whether his position is right or not, these types of things can snowball out of control once the internet gets involved. By discussing things publicly, Barker is bringing the media and fans into this mess. Other coaches at schools may hesitate to recruit Barker because they may think he has too much baggage for what he brings to the table; after all, we all know the internet and social media has caused prospects to lose opportunities in the past.

Lesson 3: In most cases you should follow your trainer’s advice

Barker claimed that the trainers didn’t have his body’s best interest at heart, but in his letter he explicitly states that he didn’t always ice his ankle because he didn’t like how stiff it felt after icing it. That sounds like pretty standard advice from a trainer. If you aren’t going to follow their directions, make sure you have a completely clear line of dialogue with them and the coaching staff about why you are uncomfortable following their instructions.

Lesson 4: Barker has more power to transfer because he is a walk-on

Barker can simply say that he wants to transfer because he is a walk-on. Barker does not need a signed release to talk to other coaches. He can start talking to them about transferring immediately (now that he’s off the team). On top of that, he can transfer anywhere he wants and not have to sit for a year, which means he could go to a rival school and play against Minnesota next year.

If you signed a scholarship you will need to get a release from the athletic department just to talk to other coaches. They can also restrict what schools you are allowed to transfer to, and they usually don’t allow you to go within the same conference.

Lesson 5: Don’t quote your mother’s best friend

Barker tells Kill in his open letter what his mother’s best friend thinks about the coach:

He’s an ego-maniacal, self-centered, narcissistic jerk who appears to care about no one but himself, and certainly not AJ’s health. And AJ just happens to be his best player, who he obviously will sacrifice at the drop of a hat

Even if Barker is right in this whole situation, bringing up name calling from his mom’s best friend just looks childish. If you want coaches to take you seriously then you need to act like an adult. Barker doesn’t sound like an adult when he is talking about his mom’s best friend in his letter. Hopefully for Barker coaches won’t avoid recruiting him because of this, but coaches look maturity in the athletes they recruit, and childish behavior like this brings up some serious red flags.

Courtesy of athnet

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Posted November 5,2012

Playing the Name Game in Athletic Recruiting

          October 31st, 2012          – by Kerry  Brown

Read more:  Playing the Name Game in Athletic Recruiting – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/10/31/playing-game-athletic-recruiting/#ixzz2BPVKhPLBsted November 5, 2012

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Posted November 5, 2012

Physical training is not enough .Under pressure it takes mental toughness skills to step up with confidence and get it done!

90% of competing is mental  Until you shift your thinking from physical to mental, performing under the lights will always be a struggle

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Posted October 22, 2012

I found this article to be of interest regarding the Official Visit.  Please read on.

If an institution pays for any part of a visit, it is considered an official  visit. Typically the school will pay for travel, housing, meals and some  entertainment costs.

• The school is allowed to pay for lodging, transportation, meals, and  entertainment. That includes (1) round-trip transportation (rental car or  airfare) for the student-athlete between home (or high school) and the campus,  (2) you (and your parents) may receive 3 meals per day and (3) complimentary  admissions to campus athletics events.
• Official visits cannot be made until the opening day of class senior year,  no matter what division. The date will vary depending on your school.
• The NCAA allows 5 visits to D1 and D2 schools combined.
• You may only take ONE official visit per institution, no matter the  division.
• Each official visit may be up to 48 hrs.
• The NCAA allows each school (DI, DII, and DIII) to offer official visits,  but each school differs in policy and budget.
• Official visits are not allowed during dead periods.
• You are allowed an unlimited number of official visits to NAIA & D3  schools.

Who takes official visits?

Coaches usually offer official visits to their top recruits. You must be  invited on an official visit by a coach; you cannot invite yourself on one.

How many official visits can a coach offer?

The number of official visits a college or team can offer depends on their  budget each year. Division I schools usually can afford the most official  visits, followed by Division II schools. NAIA and Division III colleges usually  do not offer paid official visits, even though they are allowed to offer  them.

How many official visits am I allowed to  take?

Per NCAA rules, you are allowed to take no more than five official visits to  Division I and/or Division II schools and you can only take one visit, per  school. There is no limit on the number of official visits you can take at the  Division III and NAIA levels, but you can only take one visit per school.

When can I take my first official visit?

You may begin to take official visits starting the opening day of classes, in  your senior year of high school. You must also be registered with the NCAA  Eligibility Center before you will be able to start taking official visits.

What does it mean if a coach offers me an official  visit?

If a coach offers you an official visit, you are most likely very high on  their list of recruits. Official visits are typically reserved for top recruits.  If a coach does not offer you an official visit (especially at the Division I or  II levels), you are most likely not very high on their recruiting list and you  should look into other options.

How do I set up an official visit?

Coaches will usually extend an official visit offer during a phone  conversation with you, but you do not have to wait for them to make the first  move. It is okay to be upfront with the coach and ask him/her if they plan to  offer you an official visit. Tell them that you are in the process of scheduling  your official visits and you would like to know so you can plan accordingly.  This will also show the coach that you are being seriously recruited at other  places.

How do I know if a coach is offering an official visit vs. an  unofficial visit?

Usually the coach will specify what type of visit they are offering you. If  they don’t specify and they asked you to visit during your senior year, you  should always ask them to clarify what type of visit it is.

Are there any common questions a coach may ask during an official  visit?

Here are some common questions a coach may ask during your official  visit:

What other schools are recruiting you?

Be honest and if possible, list colleges that are comparable to, rivals with,  or better than the institution you are visiting. This will make them want to  fight for you more!

What colleges will you visit?

Be honest and name any schools you have visited officially or unofficially.  If this is the first college you have visited state that you are in the process  of scheduling the rest of your visits.

When can you commit?

If you are visiting your number one choice and feel comfortable committing,  go for it! If you have other visits pending or feel you need more time, tell the  coach you want to take your other official visits, just to make sure you make an  educated decision. Ask the coach, “How long does your offer stand for?” and “When do I have to make my decision by?” You can also explain to the coach that  you need to discuss the offer with your parents, which can buy you some more  time.

Will coaches be evaluating me during a visit?

Yes! Just because you are offered a visit, does not necessarily mean you will  receive a scholarship offer or even a spot on the team. The coaching staff  already has identified you as a top prospect, but the visit gives them an  opportunity to judge your personality, lifestyle and character. Usually, coaches  will make an effort to match recruits up with team members who have similar  personalities and lifestyles. Be yourself, but remember, coaches are looking for  young men and women who will be a positive asset to their university and team  and who get along well with others. At some point during or after your visit,  the coaches will probably ask your host about you, so always be courteous,  positive and respectful.

Is there anything in particular that I should pay attention to while  on my visit?

Make it a priority to get a good feel for the college as a whole. You need to  evaluate the campus, the students, your prospective teammates and the coaches.  Ask yourself, “Is this a place where I can see myself being comfortable and  happy, for four years, even if I could not play my sport?”

Will I be offered a scholarship?

Sometimes coaches make offers during a visit, but this is not always the  case. If a coach does not bring it up, it is okay to ask if you are being  considered for a scholarship or if there are any academic scholarships you  should look into.

Are student-athletes allowed to tryout or practice with the  team?

As an NCAA rule, Division I and Division III schools do not allow tryouts. On  an official or unofficial visit, you may participate in workouts that are not  organized or observed by the coaching staff. Typically, the workout will be lead  by the team’s captains and they must not be designed to test your athletic  ability. Division II and NAIA schools are allowed to conduct one tryout, in the  off-season of your sport, during your senior year.

Are there any times when visits are not allowed?

Yes. There are Dead Periods in which it is not permissible to make in-person  recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off campus. Dead periods generally fall  right before the signing periods.

Read more:  Everything to Know about Official Visits – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/10/11/official-visits-3/#ixzz2A5MpvqW5

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Posted October 20,2012

What’s in a Personal Statement

The first thing you might ask: “What IS a personal statement?” It’s your  chance to show college coaches who you are outside of your academic and athletic  life. It provides an opportunity to show off your character, extracurricular  activities and anything else you would want a coach to know about you that they  can’t get from stats or video.

A personal statement is something you should include in your online  recruiting profiles, including your NCSA profile. You can also use the  information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction  letters/emails to college coaches.

So, what should you include in your personal statement? You can use these  questions as a guideline to help you, but make sure your personal statement is  unique to you. It should highlight what is impressive about you and your  life.

• What details of your life have influenced who you are?
• When and how did you become interested in your sport?
• What have you learned about yourself through playing your sport?
• What are your academic goals for high school? For college?
• Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get where you are?
• What unique characteristics or skills do you possess?

When writing your personal statement, be honest and be personal. Be specific  when necessary. Finally, make sure you use proper grammar and check for spelling  errors. This is your chance to shine and make a good impression on a college  coach, so give your full effort. If you have family or friends who can proofread  your personal statement, that will only make it better.

Read more:  What’s In a Personal Statement? – NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/10/19/whats-personal-statement/#ixzz2A5LvJu3t

Posted October 10, 2012

Why You Should  Fill Out Recruiting Questionnaires

• Help keep your options open: By responding to more schools, the more chances you’ll have to find a scholarship opportunity.
• Get in the coaches’ recruit systems: Coaches are less likely to pursue recruits who don’t return the questionnaires that they send. Make sure not to miss any opportunities!
• Get a better gauge of where you lie with coaches: once coaches read your questionnaires, they will determine if they want to actively recruit you. If you start getting more personal attention from coaches at one division level rather than another, then you know where to start focusing your efforts

What to do with Your Recruiting Questionnaire

• Once you receive the questionnaire: Fill it out with as much information as you can provide. Make sure to keep a record of which questionnaires you fill out and keep a copy if you can.
• After you have filled it out: Return it promptly to the appropriate coach. Follow up with the coach to make sure they received it.
• Be Proactive: Many college coaches offer their recruiting questionnaires on the team websites. If a coach hasn’t sent you a recruiting questionnaire in the mail, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance there. Fill it out online to help keep your options open and get in the systems of any school you are interested in.

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Five Ways to Tell You Are Getting Recruited By a College Coach

Courtesy of Athnet

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Posted September 16, 2012

The NCAA has established new eligibility standards beginning with the Class of 2016 but that does not mean you can wait until 2016 as the new standards effect the incoming freshman 2012.  Read on for more information……

(Information courtesy of espn.go.com)

The NCAA’s new eligibility standards for prospective student-athletes go into effect for the 2016 class but begin applying to this fall’s high school freshmen. To be eligible for a scholarship and compete at a Division I institution, a high school student must have done the following:

16: Number of core courses required for NCAA eligibility
10: Number of core courses that must be completed by the beginning of a high school athlete’s senior year
7: Number of 10 initial core courses that must be in English, math or science
2.3: Minimum GPA in those 16 core courses (up from 2.0)
2.5: Minimum GPA for junior college transfer

What is a core course?

As part of the NCAA’s new eligibility requirements, high school students must have completed 10 of their 16 core courses prior to their senior year. According to the NCAA, a core course is an academic course receiving high school graduation credit that meets the following criteria:

1. Subject is one or a combination of these areas: English, mathematics; natural/physical science; social science; foreign language; comparative religion or philosophy. 2. Four-year college preparatory course 3. At or above the high school’s regular academic level 4. Algebra I or higher in mathematics 5. Taught by a qualified instructor

 

According to NCAA statistics:

15.3: Percentage of student-athletes who enrolled in 2009-10 but would not meet the 2016 academic standards
35.2: Percentage of football players who enrolled in 2009-10 but would not meet the 2016 academic standards
43.1: Percentage of men’s basketball players who enrolled in 2009-10 but would not meet the 2016 academic standards.

These are alarming numbers and it is up to coaches, parents and athletes to educate themselves early regarding the new standards.  Don’t wait review information by visiting NCAA.com   (http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2012-04-26/new-eligibility-standards-start-2016)

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Posted September 16, 2012

Sport(s)                                        Initial Signing Date                  Final Signing Date

Basketball (Early Period)               November 14, 2012              November 21, 2012

Basketball (Regular Period)          April 17, 2013           I- May 15, 2013, II- August 1, 2013

Football (Midyear- JC Transfer)    December 19, 2012               January 15, 2013

Football ( Regular Period)              February 6, 2013                   April 1, 2013

Track & Field/Cross Country         February 6, 2013                   August 1,2013

All Other Sports ( Early Period)     November 14, 2012               November 21, 2012

All Other Sports ( Regular Period)    April 17, 2013                     August 1, 2013

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Posted September 16,2012

Well for some the recruiting process is moving full steam ahead.  And this time can become overwhelming especially with homework, practice, speaking with coaches, as well as planning for official visits.  Well I receive alot of information from various sources and I found this information very usefully and hope you do too.

Juggling High School, Sports and Recruiting – How do you do  it?

          August 29th, 2012          – by Natalie  Pedersen

Posted September 5, 2012

College Coaches Use Social Media for Recruiting

Social media, and mostly Twitter, has entrenched itself in the college recruiting world, and it’s only going to continue to dig in deeper. Social media allows information to travel at basically instantaneous speed, which makes it the perfect vehicle for coaches to learn more about recruits, and vice-versa.

Information provided by athleticscholarships.net

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Posted September 5, 2012

Athletic scholarships are not fully understood by the majority of athletes and families. We spend most of our time helping you understand what it takes to get a scholarship and flourish in the recruiting process. However, just because you know how to get a scholarship and you might be fortunate enough to be receiving one, doesn’t mean you just blindly sign on the dotted line.

Too many families think that signing for a scholarship means all of their worries are over. For some, that is probably true. For others the scholarship they thought covered every conceivable problem doesn’t, and it often comes with some very big strings attached.

There is a new law in Connecticut and California designed to help families and athletes understand more about what it means when you are signing for a scholarship. Below are some of the areas it covers and what you need to know about them.

Scholarships are one year contracts that need to be renewed – Each year a coaching staff evaluates their roster and scholarship athletes to determine how to use their money for the following year. The majority of the time, coaches renew scholarships. However, it is within their right to pull a scholarship from an athlete if they feel they want to use the scholarship money elsewhere. The new law does not prevent coaches from doing this, but requires that athletes be made aware that this can happen.

You must be released by a school to transfer, and they don’t have to let you – Transferring is one of the touchiest subjects in college sports. If you are a scholarship athlete and you want to change schools and get a scholarship somewhere else, you much get a written release from your current school before other programs can begin talking to you. Your current school does not have to grant you a transfer and often won’t if you are trying to go play for a rival or in conference competitor. The new law again, doesn’t change anything about the transfer process, it only mandates athletes be made more aware of what their rights are regarding transferring.

Not all medical expenses get covered if you are hurt – Each program has a slightly different take on what kind of medical coverage athletes are provided should they get injured. Some key areas to understand when you are signing with a school are what your options for second opinions are, how much are you responsible for on co-pays, and how long does coverage last? The new law mandates that athletes be made aware of these policies, but does not standardize health care coverage for athletes.

The new law is about making sure athletes and parents are more informed about their scholarships has all of the right intentions. As is the case with many laws about making sure people are informed of their rights, I fear the information will get lost in the fine print and largely go ignored. The responsibility of being an informed athlete and family rests on you.

Information provided by athleticscholarships.net

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Posted September 4, 2012

On September 1st the NCAA opens the doors on college recruiting for upper classman. For all Junior’s that is the date D1 and D2 coaches can officially begin to send emails, letters and accept your social media request. For senior football players coaches will be allowed to start calling once per week starting Saturday.

This is a hugely important date for college coaches and recruits. To put it bluntly, if you don’t receive any recruiting emails or letter within a couple of days of September 1st you are not being recruited. The longer you wait to be found the less likely it is going to become you get found. For football players, your phone has to ring. If a couple of days go by and you aren’t hearing from a school and you want to hear from, call them; they can officially call you back.

What recruiting have coaches been doing before September 1st?

The question we get a lot is, “if this is the first time a coach can email or call a recruit, how have athletes been getting recruited by these coaches for years?” It’s like we say, you can call, email or visit a coach anytime you want. In addition, coaches have been watching athlete’s online profiles for months and viewing the their updates. For some recruits, a coach may have already had the chance to watch multiple highlight tapes and games films. This makes the decision for a coach to call a particular recruit very easy. If you care enough about your recruiting to be putting in the hard work as a freshman and sophomore and they like the video they have on you, you are going to be the type of recruit they want to contact September 1st.

What to do to make sure you get contacted on September 1st

For the NCAA recruiting might start September 1st, but for serious recruits and the coaches looking at them it starts online. Of course, not all recruiting can be done online but for 90% of coaches, they say that is where it starts. Coaches use email, online profiles and online video to begin identifying and communicating with recruits.

Coaches can receive phone calls and emails from a recruit at any time, even before September 1st. Take the time to introduce yourself and provide some basic information so a coach can figure out if they want to pursue recruiting you.

Information provided courtesy of athleticscholarships.net

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Posted August 24, 2012

Sign up for ACT 2012-2013 Today!

Test Date                               Registration Deadline           Late Fee Required

September 8, 2012	August 17, 2012	August 18 – 24, 2012
October 27, 2012	September 21, 2012	September 22 – October 5, 2012
December 8, 2012	November 2, 2012	November 3 – 16, 2012
February 9, 2013*	January 11, 2013	January 12 – 18, 2013
April 13, 2013	March 8, 2013	March 9 – 22, 2013
June 8, 2013	May 3, 2013	May 4 – 17, 2013

http://act.org/

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Posted August 15,2012

I got to thinking about how one should track all the recruiting information and it reminded me that I had not included that in my earlier post.  What we did was just write in a simple spiral notebook. 

Here is the information we captured so we could ask some of the similar questions to all coaches and also ask some questions presented by coaches to other coaches:

• Name of University/College
• Head Coach
• Assistant Coach
• Recruiting Coach
• Telephone numbers of the coaches
• Location of the school
• Conference Name and Finish in the Conference
• NCAA Finish
• 2012-13 Signees and their event(s) and time(s)
• Current Roster ( Listing athletes in same event as my child)
• Times of the athletes on roster during high school and current
• Date of home visit
• Date of official visit
• Information stated in all conversations by my child, us and the coaches
• We also referenced this book during the home visit so we could recall what was said over the telephone ( Just keeping people honest, recruiting is a business and people will sometimes tell you what you want to hear)

Now this is what worked for us.  Please use whatever method works for you to recall and keep organized during this process.  Good luck and have fun!

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Posted August 14, 2012

Last step in the recruiting process is the SIGNING THE LETTER OF INTENT

• The signing dates for the Letter of Intent for Track and Field is generally the 1st Wednesday in February and ends the 1st day of August.
• You can receive the Letter of Intent by mail, email or in person while on an official visit. However the college coach can not be present when you sign.
• If you are under 21, your parent or guardian will need to sign as well.
• Once you sign your letter you are considered no longer available and other coaches are not suppose to contact you.

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Posted August 13, 2012

Really on roll now with recruiting information, I hope you find it helpful.

Things You Should Know

• You as an athlete can start receiving written recruiting material. i.e. letters, starting September 1st of junior year.
• You can call the coach at your own expense
• You can make an unlimited number of unofficial visits
• College coaches ca call you once a week starting July 1st after your junior year
• College coaches can make off campus contact July 1st after your junior year
• Make sure you know recruiting rules ( check out http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA.pdf)
• You can make official visits beginning your senior year. You are allowed one official visit per college and a maximum of five college visits to Division I or II colleges
• College coaches can make evaluations of your athletic skills up to seven times during your senior year
• You should contact a college you are interested in if they have not contacted you
• Many coaches create their list of potential recruits based on your performance during your junior year
• If you are contacted by a coach and you and you are not interested; politely thank them for their interest and time. Don’t waste their time or yours.
• Lose the shyness. Be prepared to have a conversation with a coach and not just respond with yes or no answers
• Remember to control the recruiting process because it can become overwhelming and time-consuming

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Posted August 13, 2012

( Information courtesy of Dyestat)

Things to do athletically

• Request a copy of the guide for college bound student athlete. Visit ncaa.org or http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA.pdf
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.  This is required for all students wishing to attend a NCAA Division I or II college and participate in sports.  Google NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Consider a junior college if: your grades and test scores are poor and/or they do not meet the NCAA eligibility.  A the junior college you can improve yourself academically and compete.  Contact NJCAA.
• Plan ahead for official college visits.  This visit may include contacting the college admissions office.

Things to do academically

• Get with the person responsible for your schools NCAA compliance. Make sure the classes you are taking meet the core requirements and count toward athletic eligibility.
• Take ACT or SAT as early as Junior Year
• Research colleges and majors
• Keep your grades up even through Senior Year
• Once you have settled on a college, make sure you know the application deadlines and be prepared to write 1-2 essays as part of admission.

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Posted August 12, 2012

As I said in my July post that book I was planning to write has not happened so I decided to continue writing suggestions that might help you through the recruiting process.

Here are some questions we asked during the process as a parent and coach:

1. What is your coaching philosophy?  You want to know what they believe in regards to coaching style.
2. Describe your academic support services
3. Describe your athletic support services ( Trainers, nutritionist, Sports Psychologists, etc)
4. Graduation Rate for Track
5. Team’s Overall GPA
6. How many Academic All-Americans
7. Describe Transition program for incoming freshman
8. Is the program a combined one ( men and women – made a difference for me as to the focus of the head coach)
9. Describe training program ( what does practice look like.  Need to know how much different it is from what you are used to and can assist you with transition from HS to College)
10. Describe facilities ( age, renovation plans, etc)
11. Are mentors part of the academic support?
12. What coach will work with my child? ( The recruiting person might not be their coach)
13. What is your philosophy around training? ( I wondered did sprinters do long runs and if so why)
14. How do you see my child contributing to the team?
15. What is your goal for my child in 1st year, 3rd year, 5th year?
16. What is it about my child that interested you in recruiting him/her?
17. What are your feelings about parent involvement, especially during the first year?
18. What are top degrees chosen at the university?
19. Are there similarities in degrees pursued on the team ?( Wanted to make sure people were pursuing what I considered worth while degrees)
20. Explain your team’s chemistry ( Sometimes coaches do not have a pulse on how their team interacts with each other or they promote a little friction)
21. What does the surround neighborhood look like?
22. How close is shopping?
23. What does campus transportation look like, including getting to locations off campus?
24. How are scholarship renewals handled?

Remember as a parent, coaches are recruiting you as well. They are evaluating social values and interactions to determine if your child will fit well into their program.

Much of what is written says parents should avoid being the one to always communicate with the coach.  While this is true be careful not to expose your child to every coach that is interested initially as it could become overwhelming.  Let your child speak with the coaches so that they know that the athlete is the one interested and can follow-up on things and be responsible.  ( Just control the situation as some coaches can be overly persistent)  Remember to be the parent that has their child’s best interest in mind, not the parent shopping their child around.  Being their agent comes later (SMILE)

Coaches will want to talk with you because they want to see your child through your eyes.  Be careful not to play one school against another one or one offer against another. ( We stayed away from discussing which schools are child was interested in and which schools were interested in our child)

Questions that you as an athlete should consider…………..

1. How many people are in my event?
2. Describe the study table requirements?
3. Describe team meetings?
4. Describe the housing available?
5. What’s the preferred degree by athletes?
6. Are you offering me a full scholarship?
7. What is the ratio of person(s) that improved their 1st year/2nd year?
8. What is the ratio of person(s) that turned pro?
9. How far is dorm from athletic facilities?
10. Describe team chemistry?

Look up the team and research person’s background in your event.  Determine their improvements, if any, from high school to now.

I strongly suggest that you also prepare questions to ask yourself when you make your official visits.  This will help when you sit down to make your final decision.

1. What did you like about the campus?
2. What did you like about what they shared with you about your major?
3. What did you think of the athletic department?
4. What did you like about the team?
5. What did you think of the coach(s)?
6. What did you think of the facilities?
7. What did you think of the workout(s)?
8. Did you feel the Coach was interested in you as a person not just an athlete?

Questions to consider for yourself as an athlete to help in deciding what school is best for you:

1. How important is athletics to you?
2. What level of competition are you looking for in college?
3. Where does athletics fit in your future goals?
4. What type of athlete am I ( elite, good, average)
5. What are my grades like?
6. What do I want out of my college experience?

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Posted July 18, 2012

There is always a way to pay for what you want but you have to put in the work.  Everyone will not earn a full ride to college so search for scholarships.

Sign up at www.zinch.com or www.fastweb.com  So many times money goes unused because people don’t want to spend time writing an essay, doing the research and working a little for it.  Get started today.

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Posted July 15, 2012

“To whom much is given, much is required.” 

I thought by now I would have written that best selling book about our experience with the recruiting process but I just haven’t gotten around to it.  So here is some information I want to share that might help you in the recruiting process.  It is focused towards track and field athletes but you could use some of the information for any sport. 

Our journey began well before the July 1st date of when college coaches could official contact an athlete about recruiting .  We decided what 10-15 schools she was interested in academically and athletically.  Remember, your child will be a student athlete, not just an athlete and that is why it important that the academic fits along with the athletic. We matched up the academic rankings along side the athletic ranks to see what the best fit for her.  The fit has to be for your child not necessarily for you.

Once that process was over , we entertained all the coaches who contacted us but let me warn you that one mistake I made that I would caution you from making, don’t give your child’s phone number to all coaches until you have narrowed your list to a manageable 5-6 schools otherwise the coaches will be calling and it may become overwhelming. 

Now I needed to keep up with who was calling, what they were saying so I got myself a notebook and wrote the following information:

School’s Name, Head Coach, Recruiting Coach, Conference, Ranking in Conference , Ranking in NCAA. 

In addition to that I made a list of who was on their roster, their year, their event and times.  I also looked at the signees they may have had commitments from. ( We did so that our child would go to a school where training would be healthy competition but not too heavy in sprinters where she would be always competing for a spot instead of focusing on improvement)

Now you might be getting a lot of calls and I warn you to be professional.  What does that mean, well I will tell you.  If you want to go to a school in warm weather and you aren’t open to even entertaining a school in cold climate, then thank the coach for his/her interest but don’t waste their time or yours.  Recruiting cost money.  Thank the coach for their interest in you and tell them if anything changes you will call them. 

Something else to consider in this recruiting process, was when you want to sign.  Official signing is the first Wednesday in February.  We decided we wanted the decision to be completed by December so that the focus could be on senior year both from an academic, athletic and social perspective.  That then requires home visits, official visits to be completed by November.

Now home visits were scheduled beginning in August and ending in November.  We requested that the visits fit our schedule so if weekend work best for you then inform the coach of this so they can try to accommodate.  When they make home visits generally they are coming to see just one person so they get in and get out and hopefully don’t have to stay overnight.   Now during the home visit we served a lite dinner.  Now this isn’t required but a good idea to break bread with the potential coach that you will loan your son or daughter to for the next 4-5 years.  It creates a more relaxed atmosphere and besides you maybe getting off of work and the coach may have been on a flight without lunch.

Now home visits don’t have to be a production.  It is a time for everyone to get to know each other, ask questions and learn about the program and the university/college.  Our home visits generally lasted for about two hours ( now we did include a trip to the training facility, so the coaches could understand how our child trained)

I would suggest that you prepare your questions in advance of the home visit, that your child have questions of their own as well.

More information on the recruiting process is coming………………………………………

Posted June 29, 2012

The One-Stop Resource for Life After High School All the college, scholarship, and career information you’ll need to plan your future!             

Visit College Tool Kit at http://www.collegetoolkit.com/

Sign up for SAT 2012-2013 today!

Test Date                               Registration Deadline           Late Fee Required

Oct 6                                            Sept 7                                   Sept 21

Nov 3                                            Sept 21                                 Oct 19

 http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

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Posted June 29, 2012

Sign up for ACT 2012-2013 Today!

Test Date                               Registration Deadline           Late Fee Required

September 8, 2012	August 17, 2012	August 18 – 24, 2012
October 27, 2012	September 21, 2012	September 22 – October 5, 2012
December 8, 2012	November 2, 2012	November 3 – 16, 2012
February 9, 2013*	January 11, 2013	January 12 – 18, 2013
April 13, 2013	March 8, 2013	March 9 – 22, 2013
June 8, 2013	May 3, 2013	May 4 – 17, 2013

http://act.org/

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Posted June 20,2012

4 Ways Parents Can Help Their Child Get Recruited

How to Format/What to Include in Your Email

What your email and sports resume need to include:

Use your full name, address and telephone number

• Clearly label your high school graduation year
• High School name, address and phone number
• Club and high school team information; Coaches full name, phone number and email address
• Current GPA and your ACT/SAT scores

Remember you only have one chance to make a first impression- Make sure you are prepared, organized and confident in your emails to college coaches.

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Posted June 7, 2012

There have been some concerns regarding eligibility and how it is calculated.  Here is a link that I found very useful in determining academic eligibility requirements.  Specifically reference page 6 of the document 2011-12 Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/CBSA.pdf

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Posted June 5, 2012

Here is some useful information regarding the NCAA Eligibility Center. http://www.athleticscholarships.net/ncaa-eligibility-center.htm#information?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Athnet%2BNewsletter

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Posted June 3, 2012

4 Things You Need to Know About NAIA Eligibility

What is the NAIA Eligibility Center?

Before a student-athlete will be able to participate in collegiate sports at the NAIA level they will first need to visit the NAIA clearinghouse website and submit their personal information, GPA, test scores, high school transcripts and sports teams’ information.

#1) How it works

The NAIA eligibility center is located at playnaia.org. Student-athletes will click on the “register here” button to get started. The NAIA will want to know your email, your estimated high school graduation date or your actual graduation date, the month and year for when you plan to begin enrollment at an NAIA college, and if you are a first time college student or a transfer student. The eligibility center will have you create a password for your student profile that you will use to login with and check your status.

Once you receive a conformation email for the NAIA eligibility center you will be able to begin the rest of the eligibility process and completing your student profile.

#2) How can I tell if I will be eligible for the NAIA?

The NAIA eligibility process is pretty clear you must be a high school graduate and meet 2 of the 3 following items:

1. Minimum score of 18 on ACT or 860 on SAT
2. Minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 on a scale of 4.0
3. Graduate at the top half of your graduating high school class

#3) What information will the NAIA clearinghouse need from me?

The NAIA clearinghouse will require potential student-athletes to complete four of the five eligibility sections.

The first section requires athletes to complete their basic information, including address and contact information. Next the athlete will be asked about academics. The academic section includes information about your high school and when your expected graduation date will be. Next will be the sports section, where athletes are required to submit information of teams or leagues they have played with during and after high school. The importance of the sports section is to ensure that potential student-athletes are amateurs and have never competed on a professional level.

Once all the information is inputted the athlete will be shown a summary section and asked to confirm all their information. The final or fifth section called “NAIA connections” is a way to assist athletes in getting their name and experience out to college coaches this section is optional, but recommend.

If you do not have all the information at one time, don’t worry you will be able to return to it after you have all your login information.

#4) The Details

The Eligibility center will also need your ACT or SAT test scores from the given testing site; they will not accept personal emails or letters from any source outside of the testing facilities. If you are registering with the NAIA before taking the SAT or ACT you can enter the NAIA code: 9876 directly on your test the day you take it, in order for scores to be sent directly to the eligibility center.

Also know that unlike the NCAA the NAIA only counts test scores for the same testing day, there is no choosing which scores you want to submit from different sections.

Students’ official high school or college transcripts must also be sent directly to the NAIA eligibility center.

Remember just like the NCAA eligibility center the NAIA cannot move forward in granting student-athletes eligibility until they have completed all the information and submitted payment- $65.00 for US students and $95.00 for International student.

( Information courtesy of athleticscholarship.net)

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Posted June 2, 2012

Check out this link.  I found it quite interesting how scholarships are awarded, the money behind them and how DIII schools make away for athletes to compete even though they don’t officially give scholarships.

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/2012/02/15/college-track-and-field-scholarships.htm

This link discusses what college coaches are looking for………………….

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POSTED May 29, 2012- 

• The Recruiting Process will speed up fast for Juniors.  The Official date a college coach can speak with you is July 1st. 
• Be prepared for the process by selecting the Top 10 schools you would like to attend.  Do your research on the school academically and then match that information athletically. Remember you are a student-athlete first and foremost.
• You can also begin submitting prospective athlete questionnaire to the schools you may be interested in.
• Have you taken the ACT/SAT?  Visit act.org or sat.org for dates and to register
• Have you registered for the NCAA Clearinghouse? Visit ncaaclearinghouse.com to register.

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(Posted MAY 17,2012)

There is so much information to share regarding the recruiting process and i don’t know quite where to start and then suddenly i received this informative email that i thought i would share with you. 

Check out the link below

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/2012/05/04/dangerous-college-recruiting-traps.htm?utm_source=Athnet%2BNewsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Athnet%2BNewsletter%2B5%2F7%2F12

(This link is intended for informational purposes only.  It is not an endorsement to subscribe to these companies that claim to assist with the recruiting process)

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Coming Soon Questions To Ask The Coach