The Student Athlete's Guide to Getting Recruited: How to Win Scholarships, Attract Colleges and Excel as an Athlete

INTRODUCTION

Many high school student-athletes and their parents are bombarded with myths and carefully crafted beliefs from various sources about how best to become a successful collegiate student-athlete. Many of these sources are unreliable and can cause frustrations throughout the recruitment process to student-athletes as they are trying to identify colleges that meet their academic, athletic and social needs and, ultimately, may lead to great disappointment.

This book was written to downplay the myths that are at the root of making the college recruitment process difficult for many. And every college prospect, parent of a prospect and high school coach should read this book. After all, the stories throughout this book are based on experiences I have seen as a youth coach, high school coach and as a recruiting college coach—these things actually happen.

Since the first writing of The Student Athlete's Guide to Getting Recruited in 2007 the landscape of college recruiting has changed, and changed again. The use of text messaging yo-yos in and out of the college recruitment communication landscape—and is about to change again. Social networking, complete reliance on electronic communications and the use of web applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the daily lives of high school students has changed college recruiting significantly. The increased use of Internet based software and profile creation has given coaches a simpler way to review prospects and delve deeper into how, if at all, they fit the needs of their program. And, finally, college recruitment is getting earlier: what used to happen as a junior or senior when this book was first written is now happening for freshmen and sophomores (However: please remember it is never too late to get recruited, start the process or change your direction).

The school gossip announces, Did you hear that Julie—you know, the runner in my chemistry class—got a full scholarship to compete at Athletic University?

Yes, I did! Jimmy who lives down the street also got a full scholarship to play baseball. And so did the annoying kid you used to play soccer with, replies Gossip's mom. "Everyone gets a full scholarship to college—well, if you are an athlete that is."

Myth Number One: Every athlete gets a full scholarship to participate in collegiate athletics. This is not usually the case. Some athletes do receive full rides (NCAA I football, basketball, women's tennis, and volleyball do offer full scholarships), but the majority of athletes fund their college from academic scholarships in addition to the lucky few who receive athletic scholarships.

Myth Number Two: Only the top athletes get actively recruited by college coaches. This, again, is not true. Top athletes get recruited to top programs; but every college program is looking for a balance of student-athletes, and many high school athletes that were not heavily recruited do succeed. There is a college for every student and a program for every athlete; and if you—as an athlete—want to pursue college athletics, you can recruit yourself to programs at different levels.

Myth Number Three: Your parents—well, the genetics they share with you—are responsible for your athletic performance. This is partially true, but it is also a cop-out! You can better develop as an athlete by following well documented and scientifically proven methodology and making correct choices in all aspects of your life.

Myth Number Four: Once a college coach says you can be part of their program, your work is done. Again, not true. There are many things that a prospective student-athlete needs to achieve once he or she has found and been offered the opportunity to compete in collegiate athletics. Minimally, the student-athlete still needs to be accepted academically to the institution, complete the NCAA eligibility requirements and re-focus his or her academic and athletic goals.

Myths Number Five and Six: You have a scholarship for all four years but the college coach can take it back from you if you do not perform well. Neither of these is true. An athletic scholarship is year-to-year; however, a college coach has to renew your scholarship and will likely do so unless you break team rules, become academically ineligible or decide to quit on your own.

The eye-opening journey that is The Student Athlete's Guide to Getting Recruited takes you through true and real-life examples as they are shared. Get ready to find out the good—and the bad—from stories demonstrating what options are available and what pitfalls to avoid during the recruiting process. You'll also gain insights into the preparation for college athletics, the visitations, and what to expect once you, the student-athlete, complete the transition from high school to college athletics.

The rewrite of many sections of this book reflects the evolution of the recruitment process and is intended to keep you up to date. However, the underlining concepts of college recruitment remain the same and probably always will be: be proactive, research your choices thoroughly, visit various institutions and coaches and always find a place that meets your academic needs first and athletic needs second. Here's what you'll learn in this book:

CHAPTER ONE: Navigating through the Rules

Follow three high school students during the recruiting process: Jacob (sophomore soccer player), Julie (junior tennis player) and Michael (senior lacrosse player). Each athlete takes you through what to expect during the corresponding recruitment phase and explains the NCAA rules that control and protect both the prospective student-athlete and the recruiting college coach. A recruiting timeline is included.

CHAPTER TWO: I'm Eligible, Why Take the SAT Again? Scholarships and Financial Aid

Follow Steve (baseball), Dave (swimming) and Kelly (volleyball) as they prepare to make choices concerning their college careers. Addressing NCAA eligibility, financial aid and admission standards, each story creates a foundation on which to build college decisions.

CHAPTER THREE: What College Coaches Really Want

Candid insight into what a college coach really looks for during the recruitment process is outlined by individual sport. Interviews with top college coaches from NCAA I, II, and III schools provide great insight into their sports and recruiting practices—including the academic, athletic and psychological aspects of college athletics.

CHAPTER FOUR: Bigger, Faster, Stronger…Smarter: Develop Yourself for College Athletics

Follow Julie (tennis) and Bryan (track) as they work toward fitness in a bid to compete at the highest levels. These athletes learn about their training and their own physical make-up. In addition, two strength and conditioning experts give advice that will be helpful in preparing a high school athlete for the rigors of college athletics.

CHAPTER FIVE: Your Body as an Athletic Temple

Gary (swimming) makes good life choices in a bid to achieve his own sporting goals. Experts from the fields of sport nutrition and athletic training give their valuable insight into how athletes can better prepare themselves away from the playing field. Information focuses on living a healthy lifestyle, including how drugs, alcohol, negative sleep patterns and dehydration can negatively affect athletic performance.

CHAPTER SIX: Tuck in Your Shirt and Pull up Your Socks: Attract College Coaches

Follow Coach McNeil (college soccer coach), Liz (field hockey) and Jonathan (cross-country) during the early recruitment phases. You will learn what coaches see during recruitment events and how it influences them. Additionally, Liz and Jonathan will take you through their communication issues and how to assure a smooth recruiting experience.

CHAPTER SEVEN: Not a 48-Hour Vacation: College Visits

Simon and Philip (golf) take unofficial visits, with one a success and the other not. In addition, Sonia (gymnastics), Jasmine (basketball) and Tony (football) experience different types of official visits that highlight good and bad behaviors that may influence their prospects.

CHAPTER EIGHT: What is Next? Transition Smoothly to College

The summer prior to college enrollment is a very important time for preparation if the student-athlete is to experience success at a high level. Jose (soccer), Marlo (volleyball) and Arthur (basketball) highlight pitfalls prior to enrolling that influence a longer duration of their collegiate career. Jenna (softball) travels a path, when already in school, that anyone would want to avoid at all costs.

EXPERT INSIGHT: Developmental Challenges for First-Year Student-athletes

Dr. Robert Hynes: Director of Counseling Services and Assistant Dean for Student Support Services, Fitchburg State College (Fitchburg, MA)

CHAPTER NINE: When Do I Get a Day Off? Develop a Schedule That Allows You to Succeed

Time management is a very important aspect of being a college student and student-athlete. Athletic Trainer Rita and student-athlete Gavin (baseball) highlight the help given to students from the NCAA regarding time limitations and schedule their very hectic lives as student-athletes. Additionally, daily college training schedules are presented.

CHAPTER TEN: The Rules Are There to Protect You

College life for Nick (football), Erica (lacrosse), Lynn (rowing) and Jeff (track) does not go as planned, or as promised, which causes great distress in their lives. However, there are options—if they know about them—that can correct their situations by proper management and using the NCAA rules to their advantage.

APPENDIX

Web Site Resources

College Coach and Expert Biography and contact information

NAVIGATING THROUGH THE RULES

High school student-athletes rarely commit to a college or university without visiting other institutions to compare athletic, academic, social and other considerations. This is wise. High school athletes who make snap choices about where they plan to spend the next four or five years often regret not having made a more thorough evaluation of their options while in high school. The recruitment process is now happening early in the high school athletes’ timeline with sophomores and juniors committing to programs. With this in mind, it is never too early to start the process. The following stories about Jake, Julie and Michael provide examples of situations that many high school athletes have experienced during the recruiting process as they passed through their secondary school years and began college. You will see their thought processes and actions while they navigated their way through the labyrinth of NCAA rules, interacted with college coaches and committed to what they hoped would be the institution of their dreams.

JAKE'S STORY

In the youth soccer world, it is very common for parents to be involved in marketing their sons and daughters to colleges from an early age. They typically walk around the field handing out brochures to the college coaches watching the games. During that time, the parents take notes on who has been at which game and who had asked questions about which player. This can be useful information for their children, but it can lead to frustration too.

HIGH SCHOOL VS. CLUB SPORTS

For some sports and athletes, there is the debate on whether an athlete should focus on high school athletics, focus on club athletics or attempt to find a balance between both. Each college coach will have his or her own philosophy of the good and bad of either scenario and as a prospective student-athlete, you should ask several coaches for opinions.

Benefits of High School Sports over Club Sports:

Athletes get the opportunity to play with and against older and younger athletes (similar to college).

Athletes are in an environment of hierarchy—they learn the roles expected of being a freshman, senior and the two years in-between.

Representing a high school (sometimes a community) can create a feeling of pride, passion and belonging that may not occur within club sports.

Competitive club players may not get to develop strong leadership roles in club sports, but they may get that opportunity at the high school level, especially in the latter years.

Athletes experience another coaching style and philosophy that will allow them to grow in their knowledge of the sport—every coach has something to teach.

Benefits of Club Sports over High School Sports:

Athletes experience playing with and against athletes of the same age and similar talent level.

Without a hierarchy of ages an athlete may feel more comfortable accepting and developing a leadership role within the team.

Club teams tend to travel farther and are exposed to different teams, styles of play, and philosophy—more than most high schools.

Club teams tend to have like-minded athletes around them which can create an environment of synergy as the athletes set and attain their goals.

There are fewer restrictions on practice and game schedules, which can create more learning opportunities for the athlete.

For sports that do not offer club teams, many experts see the benefit of having down-time from their training and competition time. This may keep the student-athlete fresher both physically and mentally. High school athletes that participate in both club and high school sports all year may be overcome by the burden of practicing and competing year round. The frustration may lead to burn-out (overtraining) and each athlete must be careful to schedule some down-time. It is important that a high-school-aged athlete have time to just be a kid.

It is not critical for recruitment that a high school athlete play club sports or participate in regional and/or developmental junior Olympic programs. However, college coaches want to see their prospects competing at the highest level available to them (either high school or club) and training in the most competitive environment possible to develop them further as athletes (some may have geographical issues related to playing club sports and coaches will understand this). Each college coach is looking to recruit athletes that have been challenged, pushed, developed and grown within an environment that will lead to the same development and success expected in college.

If a high school athlete's team is not very competitive it may be difficult to attract the attention of college coaches. In this circumstance it is vitally important student-athletes communicate regularly with college coaches and create a recruitment video that highlights their strengths. A prospect in this predicament may be asked to walk on their first year at an NCAA I program or ask to have a try-out while visiting with an NCAA II or NAIA institution.

CREATING A RECRUITMENT VIDEO

For information on how to develop and create a recruitment video, see Chapter 6.

Another option for gaining the attention of college coaches in this situation is to attend summer camp sessions whenever possible. Although this may be cost prohibitive for some families, it is a great way to showcase yourself in front of college coaches and not just college coaches from the institutions hosting the camp. Numerous camps hire coaches from other institutions to be members of their summer camp staff, and you will have the opportunity to catch their attention too.

Attending summer camps at institutions has great benefits. You may have the opportunity to sample campus life, meet and play with some of the current student-athletes, be coached by the coaching staff or other college coaches, and attain a greater relationship with the coaching staff. A college coach, in turn, has the opportunity to develop a better relationship with you and gain a greater understanding of you as a prospect for their program.

When selecting camps:

Research the coaching staff of the camps to ensure you will gain high quality instruction and have the opportunity to impress college coaches.

If camps have various options for weeks or levels, always choose the highest level possible. Do not hesitate to ask the coach which week would be best for you to attend.

Contact the college coaches who you know will be working during your camp session, and alert them of your attendance. Be sure to send them the link to your online profile and contact information.

Update your recruitment calendar and/or event schedule for coaches to see when and where you will attend camp. Coaches may know other coaches who will attend that camp and ask for feedback on you as a potential recruit.

It is always in the best interest of athletes to be in a successful environment whenever possible—whether in high school, club or both.

A recent trend for college coaches is to host and/or attend college ID camps. The purpose of these camps is for the coaches to have an intimate interaction with prospects while evaluating their ability to be part of their program both athletically and socially. For prospects it gives you the opportunity to see the campus, meet other prospective recruits, meet current student-athletes and to work closely with the college coaches. This is a great opportunity for all prospective student-athletes to impress college coaches.

ID Camps, by NCAA rules, are limited only by age, gender and number and must have an open enrollment policy. However, college coaches who are interested in you will send you an invitation for attendance.

Jake, a high school sophomore, knew that he had been the standout at a winter soccer tournament. In one key game, he had scored two goals and assisted on another. His extra effort in competitive situations, persistence in penetrating tough defenses and focus on winning contributed significantly to two upset victories. This enabled his team to advance out of the group stages. Through his parents’ sideline scouting, he knew that coaches from two of his top three college choices had watched his performance.

Jake could not wait to check his email and sort through all the letters and recruiting materials from the college coaches he had impressed during the tournament! After all, he had sent letters inviting many of them to watch him play and he had enclosed his team schedule. Later, he had sent emails to each of the coaches thanking them for coming to the tournament. In short, Jake had done all the advance work and follow-up his team coaches had suggested. Now it was time to reap the benefits.

Much to Jake's disappointment, college coaches did not respond to his emails, tweets or Facebook messages. He wondered why invitations to visit campuses and scholarship offers from NCAA I or NCAA II coaches were not filling up his mailbox and jamming his cell phone. Jake did not understand the rules.

NCAA recruiting rules restrict any written correspondence between NCAA I and NCAA II coaches and high school athletes before their junior year.

When an athlete begins ninth grade, he or she becomes a recruitable student-athlete, what the NCAA calls a Prospective Student-Athlete, Prospect, or PSA. He or she remains a PSA until preseason practice begins prior to the first semester in college or when classes start, whichever occurs first. At this time, the young man or woman become a student-athlete.

Therefore, no matter how much Jake impressed the college coaches, they could not initiate direct correspondence to let him know how impressed they were with his performance at the tournament. NCAA regulations restrict an NCAA I or NCAA II coach from sending Jake email, text messages, letters or any correspondence through social media websites such as Facebook or Twitter or any college recruitment sites. Although coaches from NCAA III programs are not restricted to what they can send prospects, NCAA I and NCAA II coaches can only send non-athletic information such as:

A college summer camp brochure that has open enrollment

A recruitment questionnaire (or link to online recruitment questionnaire) to return to the coaches and/or the school's athletic department

Educational information on the university but no information regarding the athletic program or an indication of interest of recruiting the prospect to their program

 However, a college coach may contact a prospect's coach.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COLLEGE RECRUITMENT

NCAA I and NCAA II coaches can utilize social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter for promoting their program and recruiting prospects but they have restrictions that they must work within.

Coaches can:

Set up a social networking page (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) to promote their school, their program and camps.

Send private messages via the site's email functions (when applicable and during permissible recruitment times). These messages are considered email.

Twitter: coaches can follow prospects and recruits, and they can be followed by prospects and recruits, as long as they do not utilize the "@reply" function to publicly communicate with a prospect or recruit.

Coaches cannot:

Feature photographs of prospects on their social media sites.

Contact individual prospects publicly (e.g. on the prospect's Facebook wall or using the "@reply" function on Twitter).

Name or discuss specific recruits on any wall and/or public forum.

Contact prospects when it is impermissible per NCAA recruitment rules (i.e. prior to September 1 of a prospect's junior year for most sports).

Additionally, a coach must be careful in how the prospect receives the information from these sites. If a coach is aware that a recruit receives direct messages as a text message on a cell phone, the coach must immediately stop utilizing these tools for recruitment.

NAIA coaches have no restriction on how they can use social media and networking sites for their recruiting.

MIND THE RULES: Men's basketball and men's ice hockey prospects can receive athletically related material on June 15 following their sophomore year.

MIND THE RULES: NCAA I college coaches have to wait until September 1 of a PSA's junior year to send any written correspondence regarding their athletic programs directly to the prospect or their parents. On September 1, coaches can communicate via email, letters, fax or social media sites as permitted by NCAA Rules.

NCAA II college coaches may begin sending you printed recruiting material as early as June 15 before your junior year.

The rules do not make restrictions on college coaches conversing with high school or club coaches. After Jake's winter tournament, the college coaches told Jake's club coach about their interest, and his club coach delivered the message. Once Jake understood why the college coaches were not able to respond to his letters, he sent them the following email:

TO: [email protected]

FROM: [email protected]

SUBJECT: Jake Lastname Class of 2017

Dear Coach Renaldo,

Thank you for taking time to watch me play during the winter tournament. I understand you were at the game when I scored two goals and assisted one of my teammates on the third. I hope you liked my overall attitude toward the game! I believe that I would be a great addition to Soccer University.

I know that there are many restrictions on our contact until September 1, but please feel free to contact my coach. If there is anything you would like me to do, he will be happy to relay that information. Coach Haynes can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 555-777-8888.

I look forward to hearing from you and receiving more information from your Admissions Department. I have kept up to date with everything going on at SU via your website and Twitter feeds and I am continually impressed.

Yours in soccer,

Jake

Sure enough, on September 1 of his junior year, the letters, emails and recruiting materials that Jake had been expecting since the tournament his sophomore year began pouring in from college coaches.

Depending on the talent level of the prospect, the eye for talent of the recruiting coaches (and what they want for their programs) and the need for specific types of athletes/players, most high school athletes do not receive random letters of interest from their dream colleges. For all but the best-of-the-best, the recruiting process begins with the prospects initiating an interest in specific programs and encouraging the coach to recruit them.

Every high school student-athlete interested in participating in college athletics needs to initiate contact with the coaching staff—no matter how talented the students are in the athletic arena. Very rarely do prospects receive an initial contact and then a scholarship offer from the college of their dreams. It is the prospect's responsibility to alert college coaches of their