Blazer Athlete’s Guide to College Athletics Understanding the College Recruiting Process

Determine Your Goals What are my goals? – What do I want out of the experience of being a college athlete? Which colleges meet my goals? How can I make it happen?

When to Begin Freshman year is too early, senior year is too late. Contact should begin at the middle/end of your sophomore year or beginning of your junior year. The higher the level, the earlier you should start.

Contacting the Coach Contact via regular mail or e-mail Send a Letter of Inquiry Include a resume Include a DVD/highlight tape Fill out the on-line athletic recruiting form

Letter of Inquiry Tips Address the coach by name, be professional, i.e. Dear Coach Smith Give a quick academic background, include GPA and rank in class Give a quick overview of your team and individual successes

Letter of Inquiry Tips Include a comment about the college team, take the time to look up the team’s record etc. Include your mailing address, e-mail and phone number Keep the Letter of Inquiry short and professional

Resume Tips Include your name, address, e-mail and phone number Include a picture on the top of the front page, it helps coaches put a face with the information Start with your academic information, GPA, diploma track

Resume Tips Next present your athletic information, this can be presented by year or sport, include all awards and relevant stats Finish with your work and/or volunteer history Include coaches names and contact information

DVD/Highlight Tape Know what type of tape the coach wants Skills Positive and negative, many coaches do not want to see just your best performances Make sure your name is on the tape and that the coach can identify you

Letter/Resume/DVD Tips NEVER lie or over embellish your accomplishments on your resume or Letter of Inquiry or when talking to a coach. Coaches will verify information. Use nice paper, put the DVD in a nice case – be professional

Meeting the Coach Before you set up a meeting be sure to send the coach a letter of introduction and request information on the program E-Mail the coach ahead of time to set up a day and time to meet Be on time Bring an updated resume with you

Meeting the Coach Dress nicely No jeans Girls – skirts, dresses or dress pants, nice shoes Skirts and dresses should not be too short, shirts not cut too low Boys – dress pants, dress shirts, dress shoes and TIE Clothes should be clean and pressed

Meeting the Coach Do your research on the school Do your research on the sport Have a few questions to ask Smile and make eye contact Bring a parent with you, but make sure you are doing the majority of the talking NEVER say you are going to college just to play a sport

Tips for Athletes Maintain contact with the coach at least once a month Keep the coach updated on your academic and athletic accomplishments Go watch a game Ask around and find out as much as you can about the program

Tips for Athletes Always be polite, watch your language Turn off your cell phone, better yet leave it in the car, NEVER text someone while talking with a coach. Be upfront and honest, if you decide you don’t like the school let the coach know Ask the coach to be upfront with you as well and let you know if they don’t think it’s a good fit

Tips for Parents Help your child but don’t do it for them Compare your child’s academic profile with that of the school Help your child to compile a list of schools and be realistic Start a notebook and write down thoughts on schools that you visit

Tips for Parents Help your child make a DVD Help your child get cleared through the NCAA and fill out the FASFA form as soon as possible Talk about finances before they apply to schools Keep comments brief when meeting with the coach

Recruiting Rules Learn the recruiting regulations for the level of schools you are looking at, not knowing the recruiting regulations could potentially effect your NCAA eligibility. For example, for Division III, a coach cannot talk with a potential student athlete in person on the day of competition, during a competition, or even after a competition UNTIL  the student-athlete is released by his/her coach.  Also, DIII coaches need to ask the high school coach’s permission to speak with the student-athlete after he/she is done competing for the day.

Scholarships Wait for the coach to bring up the subject to you If money is a concern ask about financial aid

Academics Doing well in school opens many more doors Maintain a B average or higher in all classes Give yourself the opportunity to tell a coach you are not interested in their school, not the other way around

Academics “Coaches LOVE/NEED STUDENT-athletes!  A great student is just as important as a great athlete…getting both is HUGE.  In DIII, better student  = better money.  In DI, coaches love great students because they can get you more academic money & spend less on you from the team scholarship budget…and get you better teammates” (quote from Coach Burlingame, Head Wrestling Coach, Manchester College)

Academics Many schools, especially Division III schools, award scholarship and grant money based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores: GPA = $$$$$

Four Year Plan Freshman Start planning now Take the PSAT in October Meet with your counselor to discuss your four year plan as a road map to college Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible Meet again with your counselor prior to registration for Sophomore year to discuss college entrance requirements and to ensure compliance with NCAA eligibility rules

Four Year Plan Sophomore Take the PSAT in October and the SAT or ACT in the spring. Use the Eligibility Center code (9999) as a score recipient Meet with your counselor before registration for junior year to ensure compliance with the NCAA eligibility rules Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible

Four Year Plan Sophomore Do a career and college search Fill out on-line athletic recruiting form of schools you are interested in Begin to contact and visit colleges you are interested in. College coaches can not contact you until your Senior year, however, you can speak to a coach on a visit to the campus Create an Athletic Resume

Four Year Plan Junior Take the PSAT in October and the SAT or ACT in the spring At the beginning of your junior year register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.com and complete the amateurism questionnaire Meet with your counselor before registration for Senior year to be sure you meet college admission requirements and to ensure compliance with the NCAA eligibility rules

Four Year Plan Junior Ask your Guidance Counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year Double check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible

Four Year Plan Junior Meet with your head coach to discuss your potential to play college athletics and at what level Continue to visit colleges that interest you Update your Athletic Resume Go to a game or meet Provide college coaches with film or video

Four Year Plan Senior Retake the SAT and/or the ACT if necessary -The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score. Doing just a little better may boost you to the next scholarship level Meet with the Director of Athletics early in the fall to review your transcript and ensure compliance with the NCAA eligibility rules Continue to take college prep courses

Four Year Plan Senior Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible, if grades are sketchy working hard your last 2 semesters can go a long way, prove to admissions that you can do it Look at all of your options: Divisions I, II, and III; NAIA; and junior college Update your Athletic Resume Continue to visit colleges that interest you

Four Year Plan Senior Meet with college coaches to review their programs and what they have to offer athletically and academically Go on an overnight visit to the schools you are most interested in Go to a game/meet Stay in contact with the coaches Make a commitment

Student Eligibility The eligibility of Elkhart Central student-athletes for competition in collegiate athletics is a joint effort of parents, student-athletes and the Elkhart Central High School Guidance Department.

College Choices School Distinction Athletic Scholarships Academic Scholarships Grade Requirements Recruiting Regulations NCAA Division I Yes NCAA and School NCAA Division II NCAA Division III No School NJCAA (Junior College) Maybe NAIA Independent

What is the NCAA The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, serves as the governing body for more than 1,280 colleges, universities, conferences and organizations. The rules and guidelines for athletics eligibility and athletics competition for each of the three NCAA divisions are developed by the member colleges and universities.

NCAA Student Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Customer Service 877-262-1492 Open 8 am to 6 pm EST, Monday through Friday Fax: 317-968-5100 Web sites NCAA Guide to Eligibility NCAA Clearinghouse

Division I Division I schools must meet minimum financial aid awards for their athletics program, and there are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division I school cannot exceed, i.e. Division I schools offer scholarships for athletics. Division I athletes must meet all of the eligibility requirements athletically and academically, which include graduating from high school, completing 16 core courses, earning a minimum GPA in the core courses and earning a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA and test score sliding scale.

Division II There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student-athletes. While Division II school offer athletic scholarships, many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings. Division II athletics programs are financed in the institution's budget like other academic departments on campus. Traditional rivalries with regional institutions dominate schedules of many Division II athletics programs. Division II athletes must graduate from high school, complete 14 core courses, earn a 2.0 GPA or better in the core courses and earn a combined SAT score of 820 or a combined ACT score of 68.

Division III Division III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student-athlete's experience is of paramount concern. Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition. Division III does not use the Eligibility Center. Contact your Division III college or university regarding its policies on admission, financial aid, practice and competition.

-Author unknown from Trine University web site Why Play Division III It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making Sports Center. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know. We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride—in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes. -Author unknown from Trine University web site

What is the NAIA Seasonal play and championship opportunities NAIA schools offer a unique experience for student-athletes with benefits like close-knit communities and small class sizes, NAIA athletes offer: Seasonal play and championship opportunities Flexibility to transfer without missing a season of eligibility Fewer recruiting restrictions Focus on your education and character development Opportunities for regional and national athletic recognition

NCAA Division I - IN Ball State University, Muncie Butler University, Indianapolis University of Evansville, Evansville Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington Indiana State University, Terra Haute IUPUI, Indianapolis University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Purdue University, West Lafayette Valparaiso University, Valparaiso

NCAA Division II - IN University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Oakland City University, Oakland City Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer University of Southern Indiana, Evansville

NCAA Division III - IN Anderson University, Anderson DePauw University, Greencastle Earlham College, Richmond Franklin College, Franklin Hanover College, Hanover Manchester College, North Manchester Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame Trine University, Angola Wabash College, Wabash

Ancilla College, Donaldson Vincennes University, Vincennes NJCAA- IN Ancilla College, Donaldson Vincennes University, Vincennes

NAIA- IN Bethel College, Mishawaka Calumet College of Saint Joseph, Whiting Goshen College, Goshen Grace College, Winona Lake Holy Cross College, Notre Dame Huntington University, Huntington Indiana University-East, Richmond Indiana University–Northwest, Gary Indiana University-South Bend, South Bend Indiana University-Southeast, New Albany, KY

NAIA- IN Cont. Indiana Institute of Technology, Fort Wayne Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion Marian College, Indianapolis Purdue University-Calumet, Hammond Purdue University-North Central, Westville University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Taylor University, Upland

USCAA- IN Saint Mary of the Woods College, St Mary of the Woods Taylor University, Fort Wayne