Athletic Recruiting and the College Process Principles and Steps for Guiding Scholar-Athletes

Principle #1: The Desire to Play Varsity Athletics ASK YOURSELF:  Do you really want to play in college?  Are you prepared to do everything you need to do to find the right “fit”?  Do you understand how being a recruited athlete will affect your college process?  Are you merely using your athletic ability as a “lever” or will you fully commit to the college team once you arrive on campus?

NCAA Requirements  Graduate from High School  Complete required number of NCAA-approved courses  All Athletes must have a 2.0 GPA to be Eligible to participate in College Athletics or receive any Athletic Scholarship  Div. II Athletes must have an 820 SAT or 68 ACT Score  Div. I Athletes must use NCAA sliding scale * GPA minimum will increase to 2.3 for students starting 2016!

More…  Students must register with NCAA Eligibility Center  Go to: www. eligibilitycenter.org  Must send SAT/ACT scores to Eligibility Center  Enter code “9999” when registering for the Test  Fee Waivers are available for registration if student qualifies  For detailed listing of NCAA requirements visit on_for_Student-Athletes.pdf

Scholarship Facts  Appx. 2% of High School Athletes receive an Athletic Scholarship  Less than 1% of High School Athletes receive a Full Athletic Scholarship  No Athletic Scholarships for Div. III

Principle #2: Admission Offices Admit Students, Coaches do Not:  Unless you are a Division I scholarship athlete applying to schools where the NCAA Eligibility Index sets the standard for admissibility, YOUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, in terms of grades and standardized test scores, will significantly impact your choices.  Highly selective colleges have admissions requirements far above the NCAA Guidelines. Some of these schools are regulated by league rules:  The Ivy League Academic Index (AI)  The NESCAC banding system  Institutional Standards (Div. III)  It is important to educate yourself about each college’s admission expectations and academic parameters for recruited athletes.

Principle #3: Find the Right Match: Academic, Social, Athletic, Cost 3 Major Steps in finding your Collegiate Athletic Fit: 1.“Recruitability” 2.Athletic and Academic dynamics 3.Initiation of Contact with Athletic Programs

Step 1: Determining “Recruitability”  Talk to people that know you as a player and whom you trust (coaches, outside coaches, your guidance counselor)  What is your ‘market value’  Varsity? Starter? All-League? All-American? National ranking?  At or yet to reach potential?  For multi-sport athletes; in which sport will you be recruited? Do you want to/can you play more than one in college?  Difference between aspirations/perception and reality

Step 2: Finding the Right Fit:  Athletic Fit:  Current head coach’s tenure? Assistant’s tenure?  Team’s style of play?  How many current players are in your position?  How many in your position are in the recruiting pipeline?  Coaching style - will it enhance your playing experience and potential?  Graduation rate over the last five years?  Academic Fit:  What does the college offer that interests you? (majors, minors, special programs and certificates; internships, study abroad, etc.)  How does the team’s practice and travel schedule impact your academics?  What do players major in? Are any majors discouraged?  How does the college support student-athletes and students in general? (tutoring, academic centers, accommodations for students with learning disabilities, counseling and health services, etc.)

Step 3: Initiating Contact with Coaches  Develop a list of schools with your college counselor and current coaches  Get organized - Develop a boilerplate letter (Cover Letter) - Create a spreadsheet of coach contact information - Draw up a resume (Athletic Resume)  Call, write, send information to coaches  Take the initiative!

Athletic Resume  Your Name and Contact Information  Academics: Junior and Senior Courses (if known), GPA (if applicable)  Standardized Testing: PSAT/ SAT (and/ or Subject tests)/ ACT where needed / AP’s  Athletic Achievements  Contact Information for Coaches and Guidance Counselor

Athletic Cover Letter: Dear Coach Titus: I am writing to let you know of my interest in the basketball program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. I am currently a junior at (insert school name) in Boston, Massachusetts. I have a B/B+ average with a 1960 (600 CR/ 710 M/ 650 Wr) on the SATs. I have started at point guard for the past three years, and last year I received First Team All League honors. This past summer, I attended the Nike All Star Camp in Las Vegas and played in the National AAU tournament for the Boston Bombers in Memphis, Tennessee. I will also be playing for the Bombers again this season During the first weekend of Spring Break (April 7-10), I will be playing in the New England All Star tournament in Providence, Rhode Island. I will be on the North Region All Star squad wearing jersey #23. I would very much appreciate it if you could send me some more information on your basketball program. Enclosed is a copy of my schedule for the remainder of the 2011 season and my basketball resume. Thank you very much. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, (Your name) ( address) (Street address: City, state, zip code)

Become Your Own Best Advocate:  Return all questionnaires promptly  Visit the campus with or without coach  /call often - don’t wait to be called!  Gather/edit game tape as needed  Attend appropriate camps, tournaments, races, etc.  Send college coaches a game schedule (High School and club or outside team)  Know what YOU want

Avoid Potential Pitfalls:  Assuming no call = no interest  Budget  Timing: July 1 st, Senior Year  Overly aggressive parents  Overly aggressive coaches  Coach call/support = guaranteed admission  Don’t let coaches dictate your priorities  Don’t short change the admission process  Don’t be a wallflower; self-promote!

Deciding Where and When to Apply  Coach Pressure: How to handle it?  Determining Admissibility  Admission Cycles and Deadlines  Early Decision  Early Action  Early Decision II  Rolling  Regular Decision  ALWAYS CHECK a college’s admission website for the correct information

Take-Aways  Few Scholar-Athletes receive athletic scholarships, your ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE plays a huge role in your athletic recruitment process  Before contacting coaches:  Know what you are looking for Athletically AND Academically  With help, determine your “Recruitability” and create realistic expectations  Familiarize yourself with all Academic Requirements with the NCAA and the institutions you are interested in  Prepare Athletic Cover Letter and Athletic Resume so they are ready to go at any moment  Return all questionnaires and s promptly  Visit the schools and take admissions tours  Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and have Test scores sent  Be proactive and don’t be discouraged if you do not receive immediate interest  Take advantage of school resources for support with this process (Guidance Counselors, Coaches, Zone Facilitators)