IVVP VOLLEYBALL RECRUITING INFORMATIONAL MEETING Background- club is taking a more active role in helping athletes get recruited. My background- played club for 9 years, plays IVVP 8 years and was recruited from IVVP my 17u year, then my college coach wanted me to play for another club. Recruited as a setter, played two and a half years as OH in college. Importance of playing many positions.

Interest Level & Goals Determine interest level of playing collegiate volleyball Determine goals (parents and athlete- combined effort) Multiple sports? Academic goals? Athletic goals? Professional goals? Emotional needs? Financial stability? Parents know best- guide & support

Why play college volleyball? Roommates- other athletes or teammates Automatically part of a team/family of athletes Academic support Study tables Nutritional Support Training tables Strength and Conditioning Perks- scholarship, traveling the nation, apparel, etc. Direction- socially

Unsure? If athlete is unsure- START THE RECRUITING PROCECSS You are never too young, it’s never too early Exposure is critical- recruiting at club, not high school College coaches start recruiting 2-3+ years prior to their upcoming season If they haven’t found you, go find them Commitment by both athlete and parents Parents’ role is key to success High school athletes may not take initiative- show them the way Long, stressful process, yet very exciting and rewarding

Scholarships Volleyball is a “core sport” at many schools Volleyball is fully funded at the NCAA DI level 12 full scholarships per team No partial scholarships “Partial scholarships” may consist of dividing years NCAA DII offers roughly 80% scholarships 8 Full scholarships per team NCAA DIII cannot offer athletic scholarships NAIA and NJCAA (limited funding) Red-shirt possibilities Earning a scholarship is not a given no matter how great the athlete is! Athletes must earn a spot on a team, and earn a scholarship It is not luck, full commitment to the program/team, it’s a privilege Earning a scholarship takes a lot of initiative on not only the student athlete, but on the parents. Please remember, there’s a lot of athletes out there, but it’s not impossible.

Where to start Research schools that the athlete can play/compete/earn a scholarship Ask your coach for a realistic guideline 294 DI volleyball programs, 3804 scholarships 276 DII volleyball programs, 2208 scholarships $2.7 Billion In Scholarships/Year 423 DIII volleyball programs 251 NAIA volleyball programs 269 NJCAA volleyball programs Find out what positions the coach is recruiting for your graduating year Research what age your position is currently on the team What is important to you? Not all fun and glory- determine what is important, playing time, level of play, or scholarships. Athletes come and go all the time for playing time or scholarships. Moving from JUCO to DI to get a scholarship, or moving down levels to get more playing time. My playing time story. Not focus on one position- be an all around athlete. Coaches are recruiting athletes.

What to look for in a college Radius from home Do not rely on coaching staff/teammates/high school friends The coach who recruited you will likely not be there the next 5+ years Feel comfortable and happy Major/Minor Size of institution Living arrangements Vehicle on campus

What to ask a college coach What positions will I potentially play on your team? What other players may be competing at the same position? Will I be redshirted? How would you describe your coaching style? How long does that coaching staff intend to stay? Is there a scholarship available? How many other athletes are you recruiting for my position? Is medical insurance and expense coverage fully provided?

What to ask admissions staff Are any academic programs not available to student athletes? How many credit hours should I take in-season and off-season? How can I schedule classes around practice? What is a typical day for a student athlete? May I be employed as a student athlete? What are my options? Under what circumstances could my scholarship be reduced or canceled? Will my scholarship be maintained if there is a change in coaches?

Recruiting Websites www.NCSAsports.org www.berecruited.com www.collegesportsscholarships.com

Combines & Camps Combines: Skills camps: Great Lakes Region at GLC (Aurora) Friday, February 17, 2016 (before Presidents’ Day Tournament) Register at www.greatlakescenter.com Provide resume Look/act professional Online player report that is accessible to athlete and coaches Communicates strengths and weaknesses Skills camps: GLC camps (Aurora and Benedictine University) College camps are fundraisers Only attend if college coach is seriously recruiting

First contact with coaches Resume Academics, athletics, extra curricular activities, honors, community service, leadership, awards Picture Professional, school picture, action shots, volleyball picture Club name Club jersey number Club schedule

Next Steps If coach is interested in you, coach will ask for: Full game start to finish Unedited on YouTube Start getting film from high school coach Parents set up video camera with full court view at tournaments Skills Tape Individual volleyball skills (very abbreviated) Trying to touch a basketball rim, vertical, two step, full approach, standing reach, height No highlight film No newspaper articles

NCAA Clearinghouse Intending to play NCAA DI or DII: Grade 9: Plan Must register with the NCAA clearinghouse Ensures athletes have met amateurism standards and are academically prepared for college coursework Grade 9: Plan Ask counselor for your high school’s NCAA core courses- Keep your grades up! Find your high school’s NCAA core courses at eligibilitycenter.org Grade 10: Register Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org Do not take shortcuts in coursework if falling behind Grade 11: Study Check with your counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate on time Take the ACT or SAT At the end of the year, ask your counselor to upload your official transcript Grade 12: Graduate Request your final amateurism certification after April 1 After you graduate, ask counselor to upload your final official transcript: proof of graduation

16 Core Courses Simple Equation: 4 English courses (one per year) + 4 math courses (one per year) + 4 science courses (one per year) + 4 social science courses (one per year) If behind, start summer school now Complete 10/16 NCAA core courses before 7th semester 7 of these in English, math, or natural/physical science 2.3 GPA in core courses

NCAA DI and DII Contacts What is a contact? More than “hello” face-to-face with an athlete/parent off the college’s campus What is contact period? Face-to-face contact with athlete or parent, watch athlete compete, visit high school, write, or phone What is evaluation period? Coach can watch, evaluate, write, or phone, but cannot have face-to-face contact off the college’s campus What is quiet period? Coaches can only write or phone athletes at this time. Coaches may not have contact or watch competition, unless it occurs on the college’s campus. What is a dead period? No face-to-face contact, may only write or phone

NCAA DI and DII Contacts Cont. What is an official visit? College can pay for transportation, lodging, and three meals per day, and entertainment (home sporting event) for both parents and athlete What is an unofficial visit? Parents or athlete pays for expenses of trip College may pay for tickets to a home sporting event What is the National Letter of Intent? Signed agreement to play at a particular college One year contract for scholarship Ends the recruiting process If athlete signs and does not attend, athlete will lose one full year of eligibility Must request release from the school

Important Dates 2016 December 1-4, Contact Period December 5-13, Quiet Period December 14-30, Dead Period November 9-16 National Letter of Intent (early signing) 2017 January 1-July 31, Contact Period January 1-13, Quiet Period April 10-13, Dead Period May 1-26, Quiet Period April 12-August 1 National Letter of Intent Signing

More Information eligibilitycenter.org NCAA.org/playcollegesports Heather Raffelson (815) 274-9206 ha.smith1992@gmail.com Erin Polte (815) 878-6682 erin_polte@ivcc.edu Bernadette Savitch (815) 343-2153 ivvpvolleyball@gmail.com Amy Bell (309) 319-4440 amykreiser@gmail.com eligibilitycenter.org NCAA.org/playcollegesports NCAA.org/studentfaq