We here at NCSA pride ourselves on being able to help match up our student-athletes to programs where they can succeed, in athletics and in the classroom. To find that program, we teach and assist our members in getting in contact with the true expert on the school, the coaches. In the recruiting process there can be a disconnect between families and college coaches, and that is where NCSA fills the gap. I thought it was important, however to take a minute to explain why that gap exists.

The gap can exist not because a college coach doesn’t care about you. It simply can happen because the coach has far too many things he or she is charged with caring for.

When I was coaching I would typically field a question or two a year from my college athletes that went something like “what do you do all day between our morning and evening practice? Just hang out?” I would answer with a long stare in their general direction or a firm “no” and chalked it up to kids being kids and not knowing any better. It wasn’t until recruits and families began acting as if a coach’s day only consisted of practice time that it became apparent; people really think all a coach does is “coach”.

And if all a coach does is “coach”, why isn’t he or she emailing me back very quickly? And he or she will be able to meet with me if stop by the school unannounced, right?

Certainly, at the top programs at very large schools, a head coach may solely concentrate on coaching their team. For those lucky few the pressure will be the highest, but they will also have a large staff, a large budget, and are able to delegate the responsibilities of planning and running different aspects of practice, research and preparation for competition, creating and running additional strength training sessions, setting up the game-day facilities, making travel arrangements, managing team budget and clearing purchases with the athletic department, purchasing and managing team equipment, managing the upcoming year’s game schedule, monitoring the team’s academic success, troubleshooting any concerns or problems that occur for or with team members, acting on department task forces and initiatives, and of course…recruiting. Meaning finding, evaluating, calling, emailing, tracking down the recruit’s transcripts and videos of them playing, planning official visits, and meeting with as many prospective student athletes as possible.

The reality for the majority of college coaches is that the aforementioned duties fall solely in their lap. These coaches are lucky if they are only coaching one sport, or not teaching college classes in addition to their athletic responsibilities.

It is because of this avalanche of responsibility that two things exist: 1. delays in coaches responding to a recruits emails, calls, or letters, 2. The NCSA

NCSA wouldn’t be able to operate if we weren’t offing a something to college coaches as well as our student-athletes. When they search our database or when we refer them to a profile of a student-athlete who matches up with their school and their team we are saving coaches time and effort, and trust me; this is something that is very high demand in the life of a college coach.

So next time a coach is a little late getting back to you, don’t get worried. They are just putting their time and effort into the players that are on their team right now; the way they would be focused on you if you joined their team.

Here is a blog all aspiring basketball athletes should follow. One of Cornell’s Seniors is blogging about his day to day life as a student-athlete. This will give you great insight.

“Jon Jaques is a senior on the Cornell basketball team. As he did last season, Jon will be blogging for The Quad throughout this season.

I, along with seven of my teammates, am entering the final season of my Cornell basketball career (yeah, that’s not a typo; we have eight seniors). That means that these past couple of weeks have been filled with a bunch of lasts.

Tuesday, Oct. 6: Last individual basketball workout.

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Last preseason weight lifting session.

Thursday, Oct. 8: Bright and early at 8 in the morning, our last preseason conditioning (I won’t miss those).”

For more on the blog, “Back for One Last Run With Cornell,” please click here.

Nobody enjoys writing about saddening events, especially when these events occur in the world of sports. Sport, at its very core, is merely a game played by people of all ages. Regardless of the ability or the age, anyone involved in a sport is there for their passion and love of the game. To mix sports with tragedy is seldom necessary, but when it occurs, it should be discussed to learn valuable lessons. I feel compelled to write about a recent piece of news that has shocked the sporting world across the country and it occurred on the campus of the University of Connecticut. UConn junior cornerback Jasper Howard was killed over the weekend, on campus, after a school event had let out. Apparently, Howard and a few of his teammates were involved in an altercation and he was stabbed to death. Howard was only 20 years old.

Again, this is a sad and tragic story that has left an entire football team, an entire campus and an entire nation in mourning. Perhaps Howard wasn’t the most known player in the NCAA and maybe he wouldn’t have gone on to play professionally, but he was a student-athlete just the same as any other kid playing at the collegiate level. However, there are lessons to be learned from this horrible event and these lessons can be applied not just to sports, but to everyday life.

Everyday, we here at the National Collegiate Scouting Association help high school student-athletes fulfill their dreams of playing their sports at the collegiate level. Remembering back to my youth, I was ecstatic to be playing the sport I love at the next level. I can only hope that today’s student-athletes share the same passion and fervor that I had when it came to playing sports. With that being said, student-athletes need to realize the importance of maximizing every opportunity they are given, whether it’s on the playing field or in the classroom. If a coach gives you the opportunity to perform, play like there is no tomorrow and make the most of it. If a teacher gives you an extra credit opportunity, take full advantage of it and boost your grade in the class. If your parents are willing to give you opportunities like playing a sport or attending a certain school, embrace that opportunity with open arms.

I feel I can say this having played my last collegiate baseball game, but there will come a time in every athlete’s life when they are no longer playing the game they grew up with. I had been playing baseball since the age of 5 so when I played my last collegiate baseball game at age 22, I felt a huge emptiness afterwards. After I graduated I took a summer off of baseball for the first time in 17 years and concentrated on my professional endeavors. This turned out to be more difficult and painful than I had ever imagined as I yearned for the game more than ever. What the time away from the game showed me was that I was so glad that I had no regrets when it came to maximizing every opportunity I was given from family, teachers, coaches and friends. From my parents introducing me to the game to getting an early opportunity to fill in for a struggling upperclassmen my freshman year at college, I took full advantage of every opportunity to play the game I love.

It is truly unfortunate that it usually takes something drastic and eye opening to bring us back to reality and realize how grateful we should be for everything that we have. In this case, it happened to be the death of an NCAA athlete that makes us realize how lucky we all should be. For all student-athletes out there, take advantage of the opportunities you have been given and don’t ever take anything for granted. Always carry yourself with respect and humbleness because there will be a time in your life when you no longer have the sport you play to fall back on. Someday your priorities will shift drastically and you will want the confidence and knowledge that you have no regrets about the way you went about it.

I would like to personally send my condolences to the family of Jasper Howard, the UConn football team and the rest of the UConn student body. They may never read this article or receive these condolences, but the message of Jasper’s untimely death is clear; make the most of your opportunities and abilities, be humble and respectful and be appreciative of the time you are able to spend playing the sport you love because there will be a time when you no longer have that sport to play. Make the most of it!

A record breaking senior All-State football player.  Sounds like a shoo-in for a big-time athletic scholarship.  15 years go; Absolutely.  Today; No longer a guarantee.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on Parkview’s Jay Davis who despite being on pace to top school legend Jeff Franceur’s single season mark for receptions, lacks a scholarship offer from major BCS schools.

Within the last five years, methods of recruiting have changed drastically, with colleges both offering scholarships to and accepting commitments from primarily high school juniors.

Who is hurt most in this shift to early recruiting? Seniors such as Davis, who are late bloomers. Some players need a little longer to shine, be it because of player development, injuries as juniors, or simply being stuck behind older teammates on the depth chart in past seasons.

“It’s not impossible for a young man to come out of the blue as a senior and earn a big-time scholarship offer, but the odds are a lot longer than they used to be,” North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire said. “Just about every college coach that stops by our school these days is asking about juniors and sophomores. They are finished with seniors, unless something happens.”

Fortunately for North Gwinnett’s overlooked seniors, something did happen when teammate JaWuan James backed off his early commitment to Alabama and is now researching the 50 college offers he stacked up last spring as a junior. North Gwinnett wide receiver Cordero Dixon, who missed most of his junior season with a leg injury, is getting a few extra looks by colleges now pursuing James.

At Parkview, Davis is flourishing with 46 catches in eight games, one shy of Francoeur’s school record (47 in 2000 season). The Panthers didn’t plan on passing as much this season, but changed their minds after the rapid improvement of Davis and another late-blooming senior, quarterback Kalik Barnes.

The 6-foot-1 Davis has an offer from Miami of Ohio, but no other takers yet from the dozens of schools that are still evaluating senior film.

“This kid is so talented and worthy of a big-time offer … he has made some of the hardest catches of any player I’ve ever coached,” Parkview coach Cecil Flowe said. “He can play ACC or SEC football, no doubt about it. Yet I’m afraid because he didn’t start full-time last year at wide receiver and have junior stats, that he is being overlooked.”

It’s easy to see why colleges are offering players earlier than ever: if they wait too long, they run the risk of being left out of the running for a particular prospect.

Davis’ story is just another example of why athletes need to start the recruiting process earlier than ever.  When is the right time to start?  Whenever a recruit is sure he wants to play in college.  Once they’ve come to that important decision there are many steps that need to happen.  If Davis had been in touch with coaches earlier than this year, chances are likely he would have more offers.  Once that first offered is secured, things usually snowball into several offers.  By not starting early Davis never gave the recruiting process a chance to snowball.  Don’t let the same thing happen to you!

Binghamton announced Saturday that it was suspending its basketball coaches from all off-campus recruiting.

To read the full article, “Binghamton Suspends Basketball Coaches From Recruiting Trips,” please click here.

What will be some of the consequences if the NCAA opens up rules to allow amateurs to play on professional teams?    Is the current NCAA ruling fair?  Will there be unintended consequences?  What do you think?

Below is an example of an Athletic Letter of Intent / Scholarship Offer.  For many recruits, this is the ultimate goal.  Unfortunately, very few student-athletes and families fully understand that an athletic scholarship is a contract with a number of conditions.  Keep in mind that this is simply an example and scholarship offers will vary.

We encourage you to read through the example thoroughly, but here are a few details to pay close attention to:

- The offer does not guarantee admission to the university.  You must still meet their academic requirements.
- You can lose your scholarship for bad grades, behavior, and violation of team rules.
- A scholarship does not guarantee a roster spot.
- An athletic scholarship is a ONE YEAR CONTRACT!

Athletic Letter of Intent/Scholarship Offer

The following terms and conditions define an offer of an athletic scholarship for participation in the sport of baseball by NCSA University and the acceptance of that scholarship by Randy Taylor for the 2008-09 academic year.
 

I. AMOUNT OF OFFER:
This offer is a scholarship in the amount of  $ 8,736.00 which is equivalent to 70% of the tuition cost for the 2008-09 academic year only;  $ 4,368.00 will be applied to the Fall 2008 semester and $ 4,368.00 will be applied to the Spring 2009 semester.

II. QUALIFICATION FOR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP
1. The student-athlete must be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics upon enrollment at Smith University according to the Constitution and By-Laws of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Signing of this letter indicates intent only and does not guarantee admission to the College and/or eligibility to participate. If either condition is not met, both parties agree to void the agreement.
2. The student-athlete agrees to follow all rules and regulations established by the college for students as detailed in the Student Handbook and shall sign a supplementary agreement as required by the Dean of Enrollment Services.
3. The student-athlete further agrees to follow all rules for participation in the scholarship sport as determined by the head coach. These rules include, but are not limited to:
A. The student-athlete will not use drugs, alcohol or tobacco, at any time, while under contract.
B. The student-athlete will not use expletive, offensive or derogatory language at any time.
C. Physical or verbal acts of intimidation or violence by the student-athlete will not be tolerated.

D. All team members are required to attend team meetings, functions, practices, games and road trips—arriving on time for each. Student-athletes are excused from class only to participate in regularly scheduled games. Every effort will be made to schedule practices and team functions so that they do not interfere with class meetings.
E. All team members will be expected to participate in team community service projects and to work on team fund-raising events.
4. The student shall obey all federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
5. Participation in a sport other than the scholarship sport is at the discretion of the head coach of the scholarship sport.
 
III. CONTINUANCE AND/OR DISCONTINUANCE OF SCHOLARSHIP
1. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued prior to the end of the academic year for poor athletic performance.
2. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued prior to the end of the academic year if the student is prevented from participating in the scholarship sport because of illness, injury or other genuine emergency.
3. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she becomes academically ineligible to participate in athletics or the scholarship sport according to the NAIA. The student should familiarize him/herself with these regulations.
4. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she voluntarily withdraws from the team or is dismissed from the team for just cause. To emphasize: Being removed from the team for lack of playing ability does not constitute just cause.
5. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she breaks any of the terms of this agreement; is convicted of violating federal, state or local law other than a minor traffic offense; is found to have violated the rules established for the conduct of students at large at Smith University as detailed in the Student Handbook or breaks any of the rules established by the head coach of the scholarship sport.
6. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she is discovered to have fraudulently misrepresented prior academic records or any other information requested during the admissions and/or financial aid process.
7. Discontinuance of the scholarship would mean the student-athlete would immediately be responsible for paying prorated balances which may result.
8. This scholarship is granted for the 2008-09 academic year only. The student-athlete must agree to attend both the Fall and Spring semester regardless of what semester the sport is played. Continuance beyond the Spring 2009 semester is at the discretion of the college and/or head coach.
9. This offer does not guarantee a roster spot on the Patten University baseball team. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued in the event the student-athlete does not make the final active roster.

This document represents an offer regarding only an athletic scholarship between Smith University and the student-athlete. The scholarship must be confirmed by an official award letter from the Financial Aid Office after completion of all documents required by the college. All Smith University Scholarships require a semester and cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0. Student-athletes who fail to maintain these grading standards will have their scholarships terminated at the end of the term in which they fell below the standards.

 IV. APPEAL OF DISCONTINUANCE
1. Discontinuance of scholarship for cause prior to the end of the 2008-09 academic year may be appealed by the student. A committee consisting of the Faculty Athletic Representative, the Director of Athletics, Director of Financial Aid and the Dean of Enrollment Services shall consider the appeal. If any member of this committee is unavailable or disqualifies him/herself from hearing an appeal, the Dean of Enrollment Services shall appoint a replacement to the committee. If the Dean of Enrollment Services is not able to head the appeal, the President of the College shall appoint his/her replacement.

VI. DECLARATION OF INTENT:
By signing below, I agree to attend Smith University during the 2008-09 academic year and to participate on the college’s intercollegiate team in the scholarship sport specified on page 1 of this agreement. I have read each of the forgoing conditions and understand each. I agree to abide by the conditions and to represent the college in a positive manner. I understand that if this letter is not signed and returned to the Head Baseball Coach by June 5, 2008 Smith University may elect to withdraw its offer:
 _________       __________       ________       _______,
2008
Name               Signature            SSN#              Date
As representatives of Smith University, the undersigned agree to offer the Athletic Scholarship described to the above named student for the 2008-09 academic year under the agreed-upon conditions.

_______________________            ___________
Head Coach                                       Date

_______________________            ___________
Director of Athletics                         Date

_______________________            ___________
Dean of Enrollment Services            Date

If you would like to take one step closer to an athletic scholarship, be sure your name is included in NCSA’s database for college coaches and start building your recruiting profile!

Did any aspect of the offer surprise you?  Let us know what you think!

Coach Taylor – Over the last month I have received about six free applications in the mail from admissions offices to both schools I have talked to about playing baseball and those I have never heard of.  I have also gotten two offers from coaches to let me apply for free. Yesterday I was talking to a coach from a DIII school in California who told me that the NCAA prohibits coaches from giving out fee waivers and that both the school and the student athlete can get into trouble for this. In Chris Krause’s article explaining how to tell if a coach is actually interested, one of the ways is if a coach gives you an “athletic application with fee”.  I don’t want to get into trouble this late in the process by getting fee waivers.  Am I safe or do I need to be worried?

Good question! Colleges are allowed to offer fee waivers as long as they are not only providing them to athletes. If you have received a free application from a coach or school you can take advantage of it and do not need to worry about getting in trouble. It sounds like you are paying close attention – great job and good luck with the rest of the process!

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator HERE.

ESPN’s E60 is reporting a very interesting possible shift in NCAA rules.

Michael Rogers, chair of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet, told ESPN that coaches associations have lined up behind his group’s recommendation to open college sports to recruits who come up through clubs that include professional athletes, but didn’t receive salaries.

It is a move shaped, in part, by the influx of foreigners into college athletic programs.

Currently, athletes can jeopardize their amateur eligibility by merely playing alongside a teammate who received “more than actual and necessary expenses” from that club.

“One athlete professionalizes all of his teammates,” said Rogers, a Baylor law school professor. “There’s a growing consensus that there is an unfair standard. It needs to be changed, and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish this year.”

The proposal, introduced in June, is under review by the NCAA constituency. Coaches associations are key stakeholders, and those with tennis, volleyball and football have either signaled support or formally registered no concern. So far, only hockey has balked at the proposal, which will be amended to exempt that sport, Rogers said.

If approved, the new rule would go into effect in August 2010.

The treatment of foreign athletes has been an issue primarily in sports that are popular internationally. Unlike the U.S., most countries have no system of elite college or high school sports. Promising athletes are groomed in clubs that sponsor teams all the way from the youth level to the senior level, where expenses and — sometimes — salaries are paid. Amateurs often suit up with pros, for a few games or an entire season.

Of the 490 incoming athletes penalized for amateurism violations last year, 434 were foreign students, according to the NCAA. Punishments range from being forced to sit out games to, more rarely, permanent ineligibility. In 2007, basketball players Lucca Staiger of Iowa State and Fabian Boeke of Washington State were sidelined for a year for playing on a German club with two teammates who received benefits in excess of NCAA limits.

The E60 report airs tonight on ESPN.  Check out the NCSA Blog tomorrow for a full recap.

Do Ivy League Schools Offer Athletic Scholarships?

Ivy League schools only award financial aid according to financial need, not athletic or academic ability. Ivy League schools have very high standards for acceptance and they do not give out financial awards after acceptance for anything other than family need. Ivy League coaches can, however, help student-athletes gain acceptance with academic qualifications that are much lower than the average applicant. It is important to note that this preferential treatment through the admissions process is not given to all athletes but only to those who a coach is seriously recruiting. Ivy League schools do have very aggressive financial aid programs so I recommend that families never turn down an opportunity to pursue an Ivy League education until they have reviewed their final financial aid package. Do not be afraid of the sticker price. If you are accepted to an Ivy League school, especially if you have a coach as an ally, they will work with your family to try to make it affordable for you to attend. There are several techniques you can use to help you leverage the negotiation process.

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator HERE.