NCAA College Recruiting

4 Leaf Philosophy Develop Team Players Build Skill and Ability Establish Relationships Between Coaches and Players Individual Growth and Development Prepare Players for the Next Level Be a Resource and Provide Support for Players Who Need Guidance During the Recruiting Process (75% ownership on athlete when it comes to recruiting, 25% ownership from 4 Leaf staff) Pass on Our Love for the Game!

So You Want to Play College Sports? Here’s some helpful information

So Who are You Competing With? High School Lacrosse Program Growth Boys Girls Northeast 490 452 East 763 701 South 439 304 Midwest 446 288 West 460 313 Totals: 2948 2364

Reverse Funnel Effect Less Opportunities at Collegiate Level Only the Absolute Best Players Move On Does Your Son Make an Impact on His High School or Club Team? Be Realistic Throughout the Process Find the Right Fit for Your Son and Family

Contents Terms to Know Recruiting Contact Timeline # of NCAA Programs National Letter of Intent Verbal Commitment Getting Started The Process Making the Decision Recruiting Check list

Terms to Know Contact - Occurs anytime a college coach says more than “hello” during a face-to-face contact with at college bound student-athlete (or their parents) off the college campus Contact Period - During a contact period a college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, watch student-athletes compete and visit their high schools, and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents.

Terms to Know Evaluation - An evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospective student-athlete, including any visit to a prospective student-athlete’s educational institution (during which no contact occurs) or the observation of a prospective student-athlete participating in any practice or competition at any site. Official vs Unofficial Visits Unofficial - An unofficial visit to a member institution by a prospective student-athlete is a visit made at the prospective student-athlete’s own expense Official - An official visit to a member institution by a prospective student-athlete is a visit financed in whole or in part by the member institution

Recruit Contact Timeline Method Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior year Recruiting Materials Student-athletes can receive general brochures for camps and questionnaire Student-athletes can receive recruiting materials starting Sept. 1. Student-athletes can receive recruiting materials Allowed evaluation/contact 7 times throughout year Telephone Calls Student-athletes can call coaches at their own expense Coach cannot call Student-athletes can call coach Starting July 1 at completion of Junior Year the coach can call 1x per week Student-athlete can call coach Coach may call athlete 1x per week starting Aug. 1. Unlimited calls after you sign NLI or you deposit or receive letter of acceptance Off-Campus Contact None Allowed after July 1 Permitted 3x throughout SR year Official visits Allowed after January 1. Allowed 1st day of Sr year. Only 1 Official visit per college and up to 5 colleges in DI Unofficial Visits Unlimited Division I

Recruit Contact Timeline Method Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior year Recruiting Materials You may receive general printed materials any time A coach may begin sending you printed recruiting materials June 15th before Junior Year Student-athletes can receive recruiting materials Allowed eval/contact 7 times throughout year Telephone Calls You may make calls to coaches at your own expense No limit on calls by college coaches beginning June 15th before Junior Year Student-athlete can call coach Coach may call athlete 1x per week starting Aug. 1. Off-Campus Contact A coach can have contact with you or parents off campus beginning June 15th before Junior Year Nom limit Permitted 3x throughout SR year Official visits Allowed after January 1. Allowed 1st day of Sr year. Only 1 Official visit per college and up to 5 colleges in DI Unofficial Visits You may have unlimited visits Unlimited Division II

Recruit Contact Timeline Method Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior year Recruiting Materials You may receive general printed materials any time Student-athletes can receive recruiting materials Allowed eval/contact 7 times throughout year Telephone Calls You may make calls to coaches at your own expense No limit on calls by college coaches (Usually starts Junior Year) Student-athlete can call coach Coach may call athlete 1x per week starting Aug. 1. Off-Campus Contact College coaches can’t make face-to-face contact until after sophomore year A coach can have contact with you or parents off campus after Junior Year No limit Permitted 3x throughout SR year Official visits Allowed after January 1. Only 1 Official visit per college. Unofficial Visits You may have unlimited visits Unlimited Division III

Number of Collegiate Lacrosse Programs Nationwide Options: Number of Collegiate Lacrosse Programs Nationwide Men Women Div I 60 91 Div II 37 57 Div III 166 201 Jr College 28 17 Totals 291 366

National Letter of Intent The NLI is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and student-athletes. No prospective student-athlete or parent is required to sign the NLI and no institution is required to join the program. 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 athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters). The penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement: A student-athlete has to serve one year in residence (full-time, two semesters or three quarters) at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports. *An important provision of the NLI program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs the NLI. This prohibition requires member institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once an NLI is signed with another institution.

Verbal Commitment A college-bound student-athlete can announce a verbal commitment at any time. While verbal commitments have become very popular for both college-bound student-athletes and coaches, this "commitment" is NOT binding on either the college-bound student-athlete or the college or university. Only the signing of the National Letter of Intent accompanied by a financial aid agreement is binding on both parties.

Getting Started Feedback from high school/club coach about what level they think you can play at Reach out to the college coaches to let them know of interest Get onto recruiting websites if it’s possible Have your current GPA and SAT/Test scores readily available Go through NCAA Clearinghouse for Division I & II http://ucirvinesports.com/inside_uci/compliance/future/ncaa_clearinghouse_faqs Identify that you want to go to college & the reasons why Identify what majors you would be interested in Make sure you have the grades to get into colleges you are interested in The higher your GPA the more academic money you receive Research which schools offer your intended major Create a wish list Size – Small or Big Urban, Suburban or Rural Close to home or Far away Culture Coach style

The Process Respond to any coach who expresses interest Reach out to coaches via email or letter Be sure to ask the right questions Do your research before responding or contacting coach Determine your level of interest If you like what you hear and the school meets most of your wish list then set up a visit If you decide you are not really interested then please be respectful and let the coach know Official visits January 1st of Junior Year One Per Institution Meals and Lodging/travel Unofficial visits As many as you want Visit any time

Making the Decision Weigh out the Pros and Cons of Each visit Could your picture yourself at school even if you didn’t play sport? Did you get along with the people on the team? Did you like any of the faculty/staff that you met? Does the school offer enough campus activities and clubs for you? Does the Program seem like it would provide you the opportunity to play and improve? Narrow Down your Top Five Bottom line cost for each school Athletic Scholarship availability – none in DIII Money is based on financial need, so look at total family contribution on your FAFSA Outside scholarships also available

Prospective Student-Athlete Check List – Every Year Academics Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (including senior year! First semester senior year grades are critical) Take honors or AP courses if possible Meet with your High School guidance counselor and inform them of your goal to play an NCAA sport. Review your course curriculum and make sure it matches with the NCAA approved core courses. Seek help from a teacher or tutor if you are struggling in subject area. Athletic Competition Ask an objective qualified third party (such as high school or club coach) for honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. Demonstrate good sportsmanship after every contest/game and, win or lose, shake hands with all opposing coaches, players and officials. Look them in the eye and say “good game”. Opposing coaches will remember you and you never know who they know. A college coach may also be present at a game! Recruiting Do a spot check on your social media and any social networking sites. Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on display. Steer clear of situations that could jeopardize your goals. Make responsible choices. Be proactive with your own recruiting.

So How Will 4 Leaf Help? Provide guidance throughout the process Communicate with college coaches Assist in highlight video creation Improve your skills as a player (clinics, practices, tournaments) Deliver tools like this presentation Exposure to college coaches (tournaments and prospect camps) Help Access Recruiting Platform sportsrecruits.com

Questions Contact: Bill Cosentino - bcosentino@4leaflax.org Ray Summers – ray@4leaflax.org