NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

There are five players at the College World Series listed at five feet eight inches or shorter and none had a better series than freshman, Keith Werman for the University of Virginia. Werman listed at 5’7″ and 140 pounds is the smallest player in Omaha in terms of height and weight (Tyler Hanover of LSU is listed at 5’6″ 163 pounds). At the bat, Keith went 6 for 10 with three RBI and three runs scored in the three games he played. In the field, he had 6 assists, 6 putouts, and 0 errors leading the University of Virginia to their first ever win at the College World Series.

Towering over Werman is Anthony Ranaudo, the number two pitcher for Louisiana State University at 6’7″ 231 pounds. Ranaudo has had a great series as well. Starting in two games he has pitched 9.1 innings, giving up 9 hits, but only 2 earned runs while striking out 8 and earning the win in his second start. Despite the difference of thirteen inches both players have had a significant impact on their teams success with LSU playing for the championship starting on Monday, June 22nd.

There were 155 players from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), 72 from the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), and 7 from the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC). That is a total of 234 junior college players drafted or 15% of the 1,521 overall. Miami-Dade College led the way out of all the junior college programs with seven picks and Orange Coast College had six.

8 teams, 263 players, 48 transfers. Transfer players are showing up in bunches at the Men’s College World Series in 2009. Almost one fifth of the student-athletes playing in Omaha this year were at a different school previously. In baseball this is pretty common, but not as common at certain schools. The University of Southern Mississippi roster includes 15 transfer students, some from junior colleges and some from four year schools. In contrast, three schools have only one transfer – Louisiana State University, University of Virginia, and the University of North Carolina. This is an area that high school and junior college student-athletes need to research when looking for the right college fit.

Many times a high school student-athlete can decide on a four year school, work hard for the first couple years, not receive much playing time, think they are ready to start that third year, and then a stud transfer comes along to take that opportunity away. This is going to be much more common if you see the coach is bringing in transfer students on a regular basis. On the other hand, junior college is a great direction to go for many student-athletes because of the big jump from high school to college. Overall, roster research is an area every student-athlete needs to take in to account.

Out of the eight teams included in the 2009 Men’s College World Series the first team eliminated was the one loaded with the most draft picks in Major League Baseball’s 2009 First-Year Player Draft. Cal State Fullerton had seven draft picks throughout the three day draft from June 9th through 11th. Matching them was the University of North Carolina. UNC’s draft picks included two in the first round – the number two pick, Dustin Ackley, and the number fifteen pick, Alex White. The rest of the College World Series Picks per school goes as follows: the University of Arkansas, Arizona State University, and Louisiana State University – 6 picks; University of Virginia – 5 picks; University of Southern Mississippi – 4 picks; and University of Texas – 2 picks. This is just another reason why you play the game to determine who the top team is.

NCSA caught up with rising basketball athlete Alexandra Whitney to talk about her basketball recruiting. 

NCSA: What are you doing to stand out in the recruiting process?
Whitney: I make sure to respond to every coach that views my profile promptly.

NCSA: Have you taken any unofficial visits yet? Tell us about them.
Whitney: None yet. However, will be attending two specific elite camps in June that the coaches have been in touch with me through email.

NCSA: Have you received a call from a coach yet and how did it go?
Whitney: Yes, I’ve received two which went well. However, it seems that they like to communicate through email more than calling.

NCSA: How do you handle nerves before a big game or tournament?
Whitney: Prior to a game I try to find some “me time” so I can focus and get my head in the right place.

NCSA: How do you deal with disappointment in the recruiting process?
Whitney: Just this week I received a card from one of the coaches letting me know that they have already received verbal commitments from two guards for 2010 and wishing me luck in the future. Yes, this is disappointing to receive, but I still make it a point of returning a thank you card to that coach for their time. I believe this still leaves the door open for the future.

NCSA: Why should college coaches recruit you?
Whitney: College coaches should recruit me because they will get a committed player who works hard on and off of the court. I listen, learn and quickly execute.

NCSA: What are your summer goals?
Whitney: This summer I’m actively practising with my travel team and my goal is to improve my speed on the court.

NCSA: Who do you look up to the most to stay on track?
Whitney: I look up to my coaches the most. They take a lot of their own personal time to work with me and help me improve my skills. Playing hard and improving my skills is something I know makes them feel their time is well invested.

NCSA: What is your biggest take away so far in the recruiting process?
Whitney: The biggest take away is….stay with it. You must always be on top of managing your profile and communicating with every college coach that takes the time to communicate with you.

NCSA: Overall, how has the recruiting process been for you so far? Has NCSA made a big impact for you?
Whitney: NCSA has made an impact in being able to reach many coaches all at once. NCSA makes the recruiting process easier and more organized.

Andrew plays in the Chicago Catholic League-the conference known for its blue-collar work ethic type kids. He has brought that same kind of work ethic to his recruiting process.

To date Andrew has taken advantage of 4 coaching sessions, and is diligent about turning in his correspondence logs. This communication with his recruiting coach, Rick McDole, allows Andrew to stay ahead of the competition when navigating this recruiting process.

On the field Andrew is a beastly Offensive Lineman. With a 335lb. bench, and 550 lb. squat, he is obviously putting in the time off the field. He has parlayed the talent with Rick’s guidance into 3 offers-Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Colorado State all offering full-rides.

Andrew is doing a heck of a job, and we only expect to see more offers roll in.

I had a chance to sit down with NCSA’s newest addition to our recruiting expert team,  Mike Tomczak, to discuss his college recruitment.  Mike starred at Ohio State and spent 16 years in the NFL.

My recruiting story was quite extensive.  I watched the process for many, many years through my dad’s eyes since he was the head coach at the high school. So I saw a lot of athletes prior to myself got through the process. I saw the coaches coming in to watch film, talk to my dad and to size up the athlete.

When it came an opportunity for me to get recruited, my junior year, I started getting letters.  My dad kept coaches abreast with what was going on with my high school career. At first things started locally with Illinois, Iowa Indiana, Iowa and then it broadened out with Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan.

I narrowed it down to my choices based on opportunity to play, education, and closeness to home.  I focused on Michigan and Ohio State. Both schools were great environments. I finally decided on Ohio State after going to camp there prior to Senior year. I was able to see the campus and meet the staff. I had been to Michigan before unofficially.  The visit and my familiarity with the program really helped make my final decision.

Along the wa it seemed the more questionnaires you got, the more confused you got. It got difficult to say no. until  I realized that I was just one person and so many others were getting recruited. But its not easy as a 17 year old. It wan’t easy for me, but the guidance I received from my dad really helped.

My dad taught me a lot of little secrets along the way. When coaches visited he made sure that I had 2-3 insoles to make me seem a little taller. I wore a few t-shirts under my flannel to look a little bigger. He had me listed at 6’3″ 205 lbs., but I was barely scratching 6’1″ 185lbs. The trick was to look taller and heavier. Those little things helped me get the extra look and once they threw in the film, the playing ability wasn’t something they were worried about.

My dad taught me things about character, yes sir, no sirs. My dad told me a long time ago, “From the moment they see you, they are thinking of reasons why not to offer you a scholarship. They are going after so many kids and they want the quality student athlete. Your play on the field will get you an opportunity, but your character and the way you handle yourself and accountability is going to go a long way, you are very fortunate to have the opportunity to go on and do something you love.”

When I got to know other players in the locker room and through the NFLPA I heard a lot of stories that weren’t as easy as mine. A lot of them had brothers that didn’t make it because of grades and they learned from it. May had to work their tail off to get noticed in highschool . Being in a system with a good high school was extremely important.

A lot of people are uneducated or naïve to the fact to the fact that a high school coach can’t get you a scholarship. Its your athletic ability and educational qualification and then the recognition. You almost have to be a self promoter. You have to let these college s know of your talent. There is more video and scouting systems than ever before and athletes need to work very hard to stand out.

Watching the whole thing evolve, it has become a big business, and I really feel as though that a proactive between the parent and student athlete and hopefully the coach helps you continue to play a sport you truly love.

Why is choosing the right school so important?  Because it’s not just about getting an athletic scholarship.  It’s about getting an education, graduating and ultimately finding a career that is fulfilling.

Most college basketball fans remember Ed O’Bannon who led UCLA to the 1995 National Championship, but most don’t know where he ended up.  Despite being the National player of the year his NBA career was a brief two years.  He then headed to Europe before retiring from basketball at the age of 31.

Despite having saved his basketball earnings O’Bannon had the rest of his life ahead of him and wound up working at a Toyota Dealership owned by Cliff Findlay a former basketball player at UNLV who hires other former athletes.  The Washington Post profiled how difficult the transition has been.

Early on, O’Bannon was befriended by a soft-spoken Findlay salesman named Eric Ludwick, who could understand his pain like few others. Ludwick, who had been at Findlay for two years when O’Bannon showed up, was a former UNLV pitcher who spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues. Like O’Bannon, he entered pro ball as a phenom — he was a second-round draft pick in 1993 and was once traded for Mark McGwire — and like O’Bannon, he had been forced to go overseas, in his case to Japan, to make a living after flaming out in the United States.

At one point, observing O’Bannon’s struggles, Ludwick pulled him aside.

“He says, ‘Look, this is what you are. You’re a salesman. Who cares?’ ” O’Bannon recalls. ” ‘Whoever is reading those [newspaper] stories isn’t paying your bills. And you have to come to grips with [the fact] that’s just what you are. Whether you’re a plumber or a trashman or a salesman, you have to be that. And you have to be proud of it.’ He said he had the same kind of problem when he started.”

Ludwick, 37, said it took him about two years — two dark, depressing years — to make the adjustment, and it came at a steep cost.

“My marriage was pretty much wrecked because of it,” he said. “I wasn’t fun to be around. You grow up from age 4 or 5, playing T-ball, and you’re always the best player in your league, and in Little League you’re always the best, and in high school and college. Then you go to the minor leagues, and you’re this bonus baby. When it all gets taken away — it really didn’t hurt my ego. I just felt like people give up on you. It was almost anger, like, ‘How could you do that to me?’

I’ve gotten to the point where it’s so far in my past I can go about my day-to-day life without thinking about it. But there was a point when it consumed me. It’s something I probably should have talked to someone about, because I spent nights just laying there and thinking about it. By losing it all, I figured out how to conduct myself on a daily basis with other human beings. And I’m happy about that.”

O’Bannon still considers the lecture from Ludwick one of the critical moments in his transition from basketball star to salesman.

Ed was lucky enough to find a career that he that he enjoys, but many athletes fall on hard times after their playing career is over.  Many don’t even see their scholarship to a completed degree.  Understanding the importance of your college decision is the first step to making sure the rest of your life is more successful than your athletic career.

NCSA Caught up with Claire Tolbert, a rising star from Oregon City, Oregon. Claire plays for OJVA 16 Gold and is a two-time varsity letterwinner at Oregon City High School.

NCSA: Why and when did you get involved with volleyball?
Tolbert: I first started playing volleyball when I was 12 years old. I decided that I wanted to play volleyball because I love being part of a team and I love being able to work with others to achieve team goals.

NCSA: How did your team do this season?
Tolbert: This season my team did very well, we finished 3rd in Regionals and stayed in the top ten throughout the season.

NCSA: Do you have any big competitions coming up?
Tolbert: Our last tournament is the California Finals which we are competing in next week June 20-23.

NCSA: What is your forecast for your fall high school season?
Tolbert: My forecast for my next high school season is to make first team all league. I would also like to hold the best stats for outside hitter and for passing on the team. I want to lead my team to a successful season of winning and making it to the playoffs.

NCSA: Tell is about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Tolbert: So far I have only been in contact with coaches through e-mails. I am hoping that soon I can meet some college coaches and have a more personal interaction.

NCSA: What camps do you plan to attend over the summer?
Tolbert: I am not sure quite yet which camps I am going to attend. I have a few different camps to choose from so I need to decide where I would like to go.

NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Tolbert: I am looking forward to being able to make friendships with my teammates and being very competitive and having successful seasons.

NCSA: What are your goals- athletically, academically and in your community for next year? Tolbert: My goals for next year are to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA, to make first team all league and to go far in playoffs and I would also like to help out with my school for different events like dances, assemblies, ect.

NCSA: What is the best part of being involved with NCSA so far?
Tolbert: I think that the best part of being involved with NCSA is being able to actually see your progress and being able to have help and assistance whenever you need it.