NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Justin Axel
Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I would describe myself as a coach who is determined to get the most out of his student athletes on the lacrosse field and in the classroom.  Developing our student-athletes into the best possible student, athlete and person my primary goal as a head coach.  I lead by example, and coach my athletes in a positive way at all times.

2. What?s unique about the experience at your school?
We are a public liberal arts university.  We have the privilege of offering 34 different fields and 62 minors.  Most students are unsure of what they would like to major in, and we have many different fields for them to choose from.  Eastern is a mid-size school that offers amenities of a large school but at the same time,  still maintains a small classroom environment.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?
I am a firm believer that hard work, determination and desire can get you anywhere in life. I expect our student-athletes to leave “no stones unturned” in life, academics, family and lacrosse. We constantly remind our student-athletes to work hard, but to enjoy the journey and to have a passion for everything they dedicate themselves to.

4. What do you look for in recruits?
When we recruit, we look for young men that want to ALWAYS improve, continue a great tradition, are willing to do whatever it takes to make themselves and their teammates better, and to be the best citizen/person possible.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?
Be as proactive as possible. Do not be afraid to contact coaches and programs you are interested in. As a coach, the last thing you ever want to do is miss a recruit because the lack of communication. Don’t ever be afraid to call or e-mail coaches.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?
I like recruits to ask questions that show that they are truly interested in the program and that they’ve done their homework. When a recruit asks a personal question or a question about previous seasons/players, it shows me that they are truly interested in the program.

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete?
Personally, I’m not a fan of prospective student-athletes that do not have the “Team-First” mentality. If they care more about statistics, playing time, and hanging out more than they care about the success of the team, we are not interested in them as prospective student-athletes. We also look for “high character” prospects. If we receive a bad recommendation from a coach or teacher, we are more hesitant to pursue them. We strive to build a great team culture surrounded by great people.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?
I think our program does a great job of allowing our athletes to discover their potential in every aspect of their life. We thrive upon teaching our student-athletes all the tools to be successful both on and off the field so that they can enjoy a great life both before and after graduation.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?
Eastern is a great program for student-athletes who want to better themselves as individuals, have a chance to be a nationally recognized team, win a lot of games, play along teammates who embrace the same philosophies as them, and have a wonderful college experience.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?
Any recruit that is interested in Eastern should e-mail or call us at any point in time. We are happy to speak to anyone about their future as a Warrior.

Jeff Linn returns for his eighth season as an assistant coach with the Tomcat wrestling team. He will assist head coach Craig Thurber with recruiting and daily activities of the Tomcats.  Linn is a 2002 graduate of Thiel College with a B.A. in history along with an elementary education certification. He is a two-time NCAA national qualifier (’99, ’02) and earned All-American honors at the 2002 national meet with a seventh place finish in the 141 pound weight class. Linn was also the Midwest Regional Wrestling champion in 2002, earning him an invitation to the national championship meet.
 

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?  I would describe myself a highly driven and competitive coach who expects a great deal of myself and my athletes.  I want for each of my athletes to have a wonderful academic experience while putting the “FUN” into the sport of wrestling.  When you think about it, these athletes have 4 years left of their long lives.  These 4 years of athletics will only open doors and never close them.  I also want to be involved in my student athletes lives even after their careers have concluded.  We really like to see some pieces of paper in our athletes hands as they depart:

– A Thiel College Diploma

–An outstanding resume that helps them get the job they want

–An NCAA All-American certificate

– Team Conference Champion Certificate

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school?  The experience at Thiel is unlike any other institution for a number of reasons:

1.  We are one of a few colleges/universities that provide an internship as early as your freshman year
2.  We have a new College President (Dr. Troy VanAken) who has added 5 new sports programs, one academic major, a dome over our football stadium, and added the “Thiel Commitment” which entitles all incoming students to a 9^th Semester Tuition Waiver. 
3. Thiel College offers one college credit per year for the sport each athlete participates. 
4. Thiel College also offers an outstanding Coaching Minor that students can add to any respective academic major

3. What do recruits need to know about you?  Recruits need to know that they have a full lifetime commitment from our coaching staff.  We are fortunate to have 2 full time coaches and both Coach Thurber and I live either on or very close to campus.  They should also know that we would never ask them to do anything we cannot do…we’ll be training alongside them. 
4. What do you look for in recruits?  We look for good character, untapped potential, and individuals who want to have fun while wrestling at a highly competitive college level.
5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?  Seek out the schools you are interested in, visit, be a detective and ask the right questions during your visit.  Find out of the program is the right academic, athletic, social, and financial fit for you and your family. 
6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?  How will you help me as a coach succeed both on and off the mats? What is your coaching philosophy?  What makes your institution so special?  How do you feel about cutting Weight?
7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete?  Not much, I feel that with every encounter or interaction I try my best to assist and help the recruit and his/her family.  Whether or not they choose Thiel College, it’s our duty as coaches to steer them in the right direction. 

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?  We finished 16^th Nationally in Team GPA.  We have produced an NCAA All-American and Academic All-American each of the last 7 years. 
9. Why should a recruit consider your program?  We are a family within a family and our program does an outstanding job of graduating our athletes (97% grad rate).
10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? Easiest way is to email at jelinn@thiel.edu or call at 724-589-2757.

Former Stockton lacrosse player and assistant coach Kevin Zulauf takes over as the head coach of the Ospreys for the 2010 season, his first opportunity to be a head coach at the college level. Under the tutelage of his predecessor Dick Rizk, Zulauf was involved with all aspects of the Stockton lacrosse program over the last two years including scouting, recruiting and coaching offense and defense for the Ospreys. During that time, Stockton won 16 games and qualified for the Skyline Conference tournament both times.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?  I would describe myself as a player’s coach. As long as my guys work hard and show me respect, they know I will always have their back. I want to always make sure my guys are giving it everything they got as well as having fun. I demand a lot from my players, but at the same time I understand the challenges that college students endure, which is why I will give them a day off that is unexpected or have a “fun” practice to make sure the guys aren’t getting burnt out. My philosophy will always remain the same; family, school, lacrosse; in that order.

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school?  The unique experience at Richard Stockton is the combination of an excellent education as well as an enjoyable college experience. Having a campus located just 15 minutes from the beach, as well as 15 minutes from Atlantic City, 45 minutes from Philly, and just a train ride away from NYC gives our students endless possibilities.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?  Recruits should understand that I am an extreme competitor and expect the same from every one of my players. Nothing will be given to them, my athletes must earn everything.

4. What do you look for in recruits?  I look for student-athletes who are leaders and who are willing to work hard both on and off the field. My job is to prepare these young men for all the challenges not only in the sport of lacrosse but in life during college as well as after.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?  Every recruit should keep an open mind and never hold back on any questions they may have. The biggest thing every recruit needs to do is understand that the decision on a college choice should be what is best for that individual. A recruit should pick the college that he is most confident in succeeding at.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?  I like any questions that a student-athlete may have because it shows their level of interest in our institution.

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete?  My major turn off is a low gpa. A low gpa may suggest that a student-athlete may not be working hard in the classroom, thus does not have his priorities straight.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?  Our program is most successful at graduating our student-athletes.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?  Recruits should consider Stockton for many reasons. We have excellent academics as well as a nice campus with plenty of options in the surrounding area. Our lacrosse program is just a few recruits away from getting to the top of the conference as well as competing at the national level. We also have very affordable tuition as well as flat-rate tuition.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?  If a recruit is interested in Stockton, he should email me at the following address: ZulaufK@Stockton.edu. with any information about himself that would help in the recruiting process. Some of these things include a telephone number, gpa and SAT’s.

Bruce Shumaker

Head Wrestling Coach

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I was told by my high school coach that “you coach young men first, you just
happen to coach them wrestling.”  I believe in planning and preparing and working
hard and success with take care of itself.

2. What?s unique about the experience at your school?
We actually pay our wrestlers to work 32 hours a week, go to school 8 and
then we give them an opportunity to wrestle a good college schedule.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?
We don’t waste any time, we work hard and play hard.
Our program is very unique.  Like some schools, we like transfers.  But, in our case
most of our transfers are coming because they could not afford college anymore.  They
love wrestling and with us, have found a way to actually get paid to get an education
and to continue their wrestling career.

4. What do you look for in recruits?
We are a unique situation.  We look to hire a guy that needs and wants a job,
he must have at least a 2.5 GPA and he must love to wrestle and compete.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?
Our process starts with receiving transcripts (high school and college, if you are
a transfer).  Our requirements include a 2.5 GPA and at least 4 of our 10 listed classes.
Alg, Geom, Alg II, Phys, Chem, Princ of Tech, Any Vo Tech, Mech Draw, Any Adv Math or
Computer Science.  We do not use SAT or ACT scores.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?
At our recruit interviews most of our questions are work and school related.
Our first priority is to hire workers and we hope they are talented wrestlers.  But, if
they don’t go to work they aren’t around to wrestle.  Our 2nd priority is classroom, if
they don’t make the grade they aren’t around to wrestle.  We pay our Freshman $30,000
their first year to work and get an education.  In 4 years our Seniors are making $48,000

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete?
We try to find out early in the process if our recruits are ready for a 5 day a week job.
We understand it is a timing thing, they may not be ready this year, but they may come
back on our radar screen a year or two down the road.  Most just graduated high
schoolers are not ready for the real world that the Apprentice School is part of.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?
Building leaders and workers.  Most of our guys become supervisors within 2 years of
graduating.  All of our guys have a career opportunity at Northrop Grumman when their
apprenticeship is finished.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?
We pay our apprentices to get an education and give them a career opportunity when
they graduate.  Our wrestling program is well financed.  We travel well, we eat well, we
have top of the line equipment and a very competitive schedule.  We are a premier
team in the NCWA and are a factor in every NCWA national tournament.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?
Our wrestling website is:     www.GoBuilders.com (click Wrestling)
There is a recruit questionnaire on this site.
Our facebook site:              Builder Wrestling
Our school website is:         www.apprenticeschool.com
You can apply to The AS on line for $30.00
My e-mail addresses are:
Wrestling office:    Bruce.Shumaker@ngc.com
Personal:              hicrotch2000@hotmail.com
Work:                  shumakerb@wjcc.k12.va.us
My cell phone:                  757-660-8962
My home phone:                757-564-3059

How would you describe yourself as a coach? Honest, hard working, fair and I want what is best for the program, team and student-athletes.

What’s unique about the experience at your school? The tradition rich program because of former players like Bill Russell, KC, Jones, Bill Cartwright.

What do recruits need to know about you? That I am very honest and up front on everything.

What do you look for in recruits? Guys that want to be great players and always work hard in the classroom and guys that can pass it, handle it and shoot it.

What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Look at all options and items a program brings to the table.

What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? How can you improve me in the classroom and on the court?

What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete? A poor attitude.

What do you think your program is the most successful at? Recruiting great kids with great personalities.

Why should a recruit consider your program? Because we are a tradition rich program with a very hard working staff and considers all of a players needs.

If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?Email our assistant coach Justin Bauman, jmbauman@usfca.edu

How would you describe yourself as a coach? I would describe myself as a teacher of the game, and one of my main goals as a basketball coach is to develop players who understand the value of hard work, attention to detail, and being a great teammate.

What’s unique about the experience at your school? Lafayette offers a very unique combination: A division-1 basketball experience with the opportunity to compete against the best collegiate programs and players in the country, as well as a small-college academic environment that consistently ranks as one of the most prestigious in the country.

What do recruits need to know about you? As their coach, I challenge our guys to improve themselves every day, whether it’s in the classroom, on the court, in the weight room, etc. The young men who accept that challenge are the ones who have the most success here at Lafayette.

What do you look for in recruits? Passion for the game of basketball, basketball IQ, competitive drive, skill-level and versatility

What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Every recruit should decide, early on if possible, what factors will be most important (highest level, academics, proximity to home, etc.) to their college decision.

What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? “What parts of my game do I need to improve on?” “What kind of role do I fit in your program at Lafayette?”

What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete? Anytime a kid doesn’t play hard or compete, whether it’s in a game, an open gym/workout, or a simple drill.

What do you think your program is the most successful at? We have had success developing well-rounded players with diverse skill-sets, some of whom have gone on to play professionally overseas. Along the way, our guys also pick up tools that will help them to be successful in their lives after basketball.

Why should a recruit consider your program?  Top-notch academics + a small-college atmosphere with a beautiful campus and professors who will take a personal interest in you + D1 college basketball with the opportunity to compete against the best competition in the country + a coaching staff that will be committed to your improvement everyday

If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

http://www.goleopards.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/m-baskbl-student-ath-questionnaire.html

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Passionate, driven, competitive and fair.

2. What is unique about the experience at your school?

Everyone just seems to care about everyone else, it’s very interesting and also comforting that all of my players genuinely care about each other.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I care about all of my players very much. My goal is to teach them discipline and push them to their full potential, but I would also run through a brick wall for them.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Passion for the game, respect for their coaches and a passion to improve

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Stick with it, keep visiting schools and asking questions, try not to wait until the last minute to get started.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

I like to hear questions about the level of intensity of our program and also how hard to we work in the off season; questions that show that the athlete really is committed to working hard and getting better, as much as she can.

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

To be honest, how they talk to their parents, even when they think one of our coaches aren’t listening. If they are respectful to their parents, then I have confidence that they can come in and be respectful to me and from just having their respect, so much can happen. Also, players who are bad to their teammates are major turnoffs for me, which is something that can be spotted by watching an athlete play and by talking with her coach.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Pushing. We are always working to get better and never satisfied with where we are.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Historically the volleyball program here has never been a powerhouse. Recruits coming in have the opportunity to change that and make history here at LaGrange College.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Send me an email, jmoses@lagrange.edu, call me at 706-880-8225 and send in your schedule and any film you might have.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

My work as a coach is directly related to my prior years as a teacher. I believe in teaching the student, not just the subject matter (in this case, soccer). I believe in relationships, treating players like young women with an unquestionable dignity, and holding each player to the attributes of the person they want to become.

2. What is unique about the experience at your school?

The key word is BALANCE. Want to play competitive soccer aimed at the national tourney but not give up the focus on your academic life and growth as a person (and graduate in 4 years to boot)? SXU is for you. Our tuition is based on a yearly fee, not credit hours, and that means whether you take 12 hours or 24 in a term you pay the same amount. We foster this growth by searching for that balance between competing at a high level on the field and in the classroom. Our strongest majors are nursing pre-med), education, and business. That being said, this university (in the greatest city in America, residing in one of the most fun and historic areas: the Southside) is growing and adding programs yearly.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I wish I could get the Chicago Tribune in every one of their hands because in December they wrote a front-page sports story that was two pages long. It read, “X Marks the Spot: Saint Xavier University is tough to Find and Even Tougher to Beat”. We are a Southside gem and every person who finds us or wanders onto campus is amazed at our facilities ($11 million dollar complex, field turf, lights, etc.), the high level coaches and the professional atmosphere created by an administration loaded with D1 experience. Oh, and also the fact that every one of our programs is incredibly successful in the NAIA.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I think we look for that same BALANCE that we promote: we want kids with priorities that include faith, family, school and soccer. I think this is the reason we get a lot of DI bounce back players (our last two GK’s as a matter of fact). SXU offers the chance to go to school in a great city where the program puts the person first. Therefore we’re interested in players who view the college experience as a development of their entire person.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Communicate. If you’re interested or not don’t play games or try to leverage other scenarios. Don’t expect to be begged; there are thousands of players and dozens on our list. My goal in the process is to communicate honestly, openly and without impairing the dignity of any party. That should be returned because our goal is the same: the right fit.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

Questions about my philosophy, about the school’s history and tradition (the past says a lot about the future), and then I love scenarios: “Coach, say this and this happens. How do you handle that?”

I also like girls who want to meet players and spend time with them. They get a lot of questions answered that way.

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

This is easy: I hate when recruits take texts or calls during the meeting, hate weak handshakes coupled with no eye contact, and cannot stand bad-mouthing of another coach (especially the one you’re currently playing for). Anything negative brought into the meeting is a turnoff, and that includes trying to get me to take a dig at a rival program who is interested in the recruit. Lastly, and this is about as prevalent as the cell phone abuses, is the player who comes in and let’s her parents do all the talking as if they’re an agent. That’s not a parent I want to deal with for four years, and not a kid I can communicate with.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Building successful young women who have life-long friendships from their SXU experience. My assistant is an alum, and she loves to tell the story about her wedding party being almost completely Cougar teammates. That says it all: a fulfilling life with friends made through the sport you love.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

I’m a broken record, but the key is balance again. You may end up on ESPN one day as a player, but it’s more likely that situation won’t arise and instead you’ll be focused on life as a professional, a wife and maybe a mother. Everyone’s path is different and unique, but at SXU we embrace that path and see soccer as a way to pursue it rather than the climax of your life. Athletics should provide a great foundation and amazing part of your life, but after becoming a husband and now a new father I can say that the best days are in front of you.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Email is great as is a phone call. The recruiting services are awesome for that initial contact, but after that you have to take the ball and run. Recruiting isn’t like Facebook; it requires real conversations and decisions. It’s cool to use the recruiting service to touch base, but in the end it’s where you take it from that initial contact that will determine your future as a student-athlete.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am a very driven coach. I believe that hard work pays off. I am also very loyal to my players

2. What do recruits need to know about you?

There are 4 things I look for in recruits:

I. Their technical skills
II. Tactical knowledge of the game
III. Athleticism
IV. Their attitude towards training and playing the game.

3. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

The best questions I like to hear are about the total package of the school. How are the academics, the quality of life on campus, and soccer?

4. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

Biggest turn off is when players are not just honest with you about your college.

5. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are a very competitive D3 soccer program that can compete with the best in the country.

You many have to turn up your volume a bit!