1. Recruiting the Student Athlete: A Workshop on College Admissions

2. Recruiting the Student: A Workshop on College Admissions

3. Recruiting the Athlete: A Workshop on College Admissions

4. A few important opening words : Our priority in the college counseling program at Minnetonka High School – helping the student (athlete) find the right fit! College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won! Every student (athlete) is encouraged to follow this rule: “You apply for admission to a college because you want to go (play) there!”

5. Initial Eligibility Any athlete who wishes to compete at the Division I or Division II level must be cleared by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse (established in 1993). www.ncaaclearinghouse.net The NCAA Clearinghouse serves: Prospective student athletes High school administrators, coaches, and counselors NCAA member institutions

6. Initial Eligibility, continued Sixteen core courses 4 English 3 Math 2 Science 1 more from English, Math, or Science 2 Social Science 4 more from above, foreign language, religion or philosophy

7. Initial Eligibility, continued GPA/Test Score “sliding scale” 3.55 core gpa with 37 ACT (adding up the 4 sections) 3.00 core gpa with 52 ACT 2.50 core gpa with 68 ACT 2.0 core gpa with 86 ACT NOTE: test score sections can come from more than one test date!

8. Initial Eligibility, continued GPA/Test Score “sliding scale” 3.55 core gpa with 400 SAT (adding reading & math) 3.00 core gpa with 620 SAT 2.50 core gpa with 820 SAT 2.00 core gpa with 1010 SAT NOTE: A grade of B+ is the same as a B-. Both are calculated as a 3.0.

9. NCAA colleges and universities -- $560 million in revenue in 2006! Division I326 institutions Division II290 institutions Division III443 institutions For example, in men’s ice hockey Division I60 institutions Division II7 institutions Division III71 institutions

10. Division III programs 80% private; 20% public institutions Average enrollment: 2,000 (range is from 400 to over 40,000) No financial aid related to athletics Athletic focus is on in-season competition Student athletes experience the full range of college life and programs Student athletes play because they have a passion for the sport

11. Division III programs, continued D-III sports are not “glorified intramurals” – think about this weekend’s game (St. Olaf vs. St. John’s) Coaches can “slot” student athletes for their teams, so they have a “voice” in admissions Pressure exists for students to apply early decision Financial aid inconsistencies – i.e., “leadership scholarship” Recruiting rules are not clearly defined

12. Division I programs Head count sports Student athletes have large scholarships Limited number of “counters” on each team Football90 Men’s Basketball13 Women’s Basketball15 Women’s Volleyball12

13. Division I programs Equivalency sports No limit on number receiving countable aid Athletic scholarships are smaller Men’s soccer9.9 Women’s soccer14 Baseball11.7 Softball12

14. Division I programs Recruiting process – in an ideal world! Coaches identify talented players Coaches “court” the player Player likes the coach and wants to play for him/her Player makes a commitment to attend and signs a letter of intent Student athlete is awarded a scholarship Student athlete enrolls at the university!

15. Division I programs Recruiting process – in the real world! Mass mailings, beginning even in grade 9 Communications to all-conference and all-state Once personal visits can begin, a coach can make the player feel like he is “the golden boy.” All the recruiting attention can stop in an instant – once another (better) player signs. Or, an injury occurs.

16. Division I programs College visits Official visits Registered with NCAA Clearinghouse Financed in part (or whole) by college Limited to 5 (one visit per school – maximum of 48 hours) Unofficial visits No limit on number College cannot pay any travel expenses

17. Division I programs National Letter of Intent (NLI) Binding one-year agreement/contract Prospect must attend institution for one year University must provide prospect with athletic financial aid (which is renewed on a year-to-year basis) Signing dates vary: www.national-letter.orgwww.national-letter.org

18. Walking through the process -- action items in the 11 th grade Talk with your coach, your parents, and your guidance counselor about your plans Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse in June Research summer camps, regional showcases, ODP programs – to work with certain coaches Create a master list of college coaches, with contact info and roster information

19. Action items for Grade 11, continued Create a resume or web site, which lists your academic and athletic achievements Send a letter/email to all coaches in the winter/spring, with your resume attached For some sports, develop a “highlights” video Visit college campuses. Talk with coaches, when possible, and as many students as possible – including non-athletes

20. Action items for Grade 12 Remain strongly committed to school work Continue communication with coaches Promptly return phone calls and emails Cut off contact at institutions you are no longer interested in Accept the situation when coaches are no longer interested in you

21. Action items for grade 12, continued Apply to colleges that you are interested in attending – and where you are a strong candidate as a student and athlete Update your resume and athletic profile/web site Consider the early decision/early action option Make a final decision – based on a holistic review of your options.

22. Role of the counselor Honor the dream – respect the reality! Be an objective listener to both the student athlete and the parent Help students “sell themselves” to the college Communicate with all students, starting in grade 9, about the core courses Develop relationships with the coaching staff

23. The final word! The general rule about applying to college as a student athlete: you should apply if the school is the right choice for you. For more information: attend our program on November 13, with Mr. J.T. Bruett, the compliance office at the U of Minnesota. Phillip Trout College Counselor Minnetonka High School 952-401-5746 collegeguy@minntonka.k12.mn.uscollegeguy@minntonka.k12.mn.us10-03-07