NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am very much a player’s coach. I try to make sure they have a great experience while focusing on academic achievement.

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

We are a small campus in the Catskill Mountains. Our programs are very diverse and the faculty and staff take a genuine interest in the students at Delhi.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I coach women’s soccer and men’s lacrosse. I dedicate myself to the sport in season. The relationships our teams will build are for a lifetime. I care about the people more than the stats.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Passion about their sport, good people, academic interests.

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

Be proactive. We take people seriously who inquire about our teams.

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

What kind of academic support do you offer at Delhi? That means they are serious about earning a degree.

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

Anyone who thinks the world owes them a living because they are an athlete. Also, people who are disrespectful to their parents.

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

We produce a substantial number of Academic All Americans year in and year out.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

They will leave Delhi as a better player, a better person and more ready to contribute to society…..with a lifetimes worth of priceless memories and friendships, not only from their teammates, but from faculty and staff as well.

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

E-mail me at learyrt@delhi.edu, call me at 607-746-4610.

It is an awesome feeling to learn about a young person that connects with the “right fit” when it comes to being a college student-athlete! This past October, South Bend Clay Athletic Director Joe Toth brought NCSA in to deliver recruiting education. Over 100 people attended “College Recruiting Simplified.” I could feel the energy in the Auditorium as I got ready to speak. Girls basketball coach Steve Scott was there in the front row to learn more about how he could help his girls in recruiting. 1994 Indiana Basketball State Championship Coach Tom DeBaets was there and stood up and said, “If you can really play in a city like South Bend, and a conference like the NIC, there is a place for you somewhere in college.” Also in attendance was the Tony Johnson family.

“We did not know how to get our son’s name out there in recruiting,” said Tony Johnson, the Dad. “I was worried real bad. My son was very good in Track, but wasn’t being recruited. He was holding 1st in a lot of events in Northern Indiana Conference Track. In the 100 Meter he had gone from 12.10 seconds as a 9th grader to 11.50 to 11.01 to 10.7 seconds as a senior, but who would know that he had been improving so much?! His 200 had gone from 24.3 seconds as a 9th grader to 22.6 now.”

“We came to your NCSA Talk at Clay High and followed the lead. We joined up and were very happy. It put Tony in contact with college coaches right away. We were shocked. We heard from 9 right away, including Michigan State, Manchester, Anderson, Texas Western and others.”

“Tony fell in love with Anderson University and its academic programs. He wants to by an astronomer. He gets A’s in physics. Anderson has a grad program that goes to Purdue. Tony is a Christian and Anderson is a Christian University. It is the perfect fit for him as a student-athlete. Michigan State wouldn’t waive out of state tuition. He has a shot at winning down State. Shuld he win, I guarantee you they would change their tune on that, but Tony’s visit to Anderson led him to realize that was the right fit regardless. We were scared earlier because nothing was happening in recruiting. A lot of High School coaches are good, but a lot don’t deal with anyone past High School.”

“What we found the college coaches like about NCSA is everything is right there for them. Your stats, GPA, it’s all legitimate. There’s nothing they can’t find out there.”

“He has been Honor Roll since grade school. We always made sure academics came first. He has been Drum Line Captain since sophomore year. All those things come into play. At Anderson, it is about $33,000 a year. He has earned an Anderson school scholarship at $10,000, various other scholarships and a $5000 work study. It keeps building up to where he has $26,000 in scholarships and such. It makes it very reasonable for us.”

“Tony is so excited about the future at Anderson University. You wouldn’t believe their indoor track facility (132,000 square foot Kardatzke Center). It makes the Loftus Center at Notre Dame look small. Tony already has a Training Schedule for his freshman year. His college coach cares so much about him that he is monitoring his progress this Spring. The day after each Meet, he calls as tells Tony ‘Great job!’ NCSA has been great, GREAT!”

It was exciting to talk to Mr. Johnson on the phone. Here was a man who was literally scared because the sand in the recruiting hour glass was running out. Their son, a good kid, was not being recruited like he should have been. By utilizing NCSA to get his name out there, things changed and now he has a chance to be a track athlete in college and study to become an astronomer at a fine school. To top it off, the family will only be paying about $7000 a year at an institution that is around $33,000.

You just can’t expect college coaches to beat your door down just because your child is a good athlete with good grades. Sure, the remarkable athletes at big showcase events will have the coaches on them, but a huge majority of H.S. athletes and their families buy into the myth that their kid will get discovered and that the process will just play out. In reality, it is a tripod. The three legs are 1) Athletic ability. 2) Grades and character. 3) Being proactive in recruiting! Too many people work hard on the athletics and academic and think their kid will be discovered. Not necessarily. Their tripod falls over.

What is great about Tony’s story is he picked the school for the school first (faith, physics, astronomy) and Track second. While sports are important, a career ending injury could happen, so you want a place you would be happy at no matter what happens. He also started the process early by focusing on grades and extracurriculars like being a Drum Major. Colleges want well rounded young people. Though it is never too late to be a good student, the earlier you start, the more options.

At NCSA, we match college coaches with qualified student athletes. They come to us to find the Tony Johnson’s out there. If you would like us to arrange an evaluation for where you are in the recruiting process, or to come to your school, club or event to provide education, contact NCSA here!

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

As a player’s coach. I try to provide insight and perspective from a player’s vantage point, not just what I see from the sidelines. Soccer is a sport that you have to make many instantaneous decisions throughout the course of a match and often discuss what solutions are available, but that ultimately you make them on the fly, and I have the confidence in you to make the right ones.

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

Our NCAA Division III college is located in a small town in Michigan and you get the small college experience, benefiting from smaller classes and tremendous alumni connections, on a very clean and friendly campus. But, at the same time bigger campus cities are very close including 45 minutes to the State Capital and MSU. From a soccer standpoint, I consider myself an attacking minded coach. Our girls believe that we are always in every match regardless of the score because we score a lot of goals and can 2 or 3 back in a hurry if we ever find ourselves in a tight spot. We have established a very fun system to play in if you like creative, attacking soccer.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That I am very straight forward with my players, and you will also know where you stand in my eyes. I put in a ton of office hours and I am very approachable. If you were to ask any of my players, they would tell you that I do a good job of coaching, or handling each player differently. I know how to challenge my players, but also recognize that each of them respond differently.

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

Recruiting budgets and resources are very limited, but we also recognize how crucial it is to have contact and get to know recruits and their families, as they may someday be part of our family here. The biggest turn off for me is when recruits don’t respond to emails or phone calls. If you have expressed interest at any point in a college, it is only fair to keep that school in the loop throughout the recruiting process. I trust that our recruits do a lot of research on their schools of interest, and will make a final decision that best suits them academically, socially, and soccer related. And, if Alma is not where you want to be ultimately, than I can respect your decision, it just needs to be communicated to us so we can focus our resources elsewhere.

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

It always leaves a good impression when recruits have done their research on your school, soccer program, and college soccer as a whole. It demonstrates that you are the type of player that pays attention to detail, a key component to being successful in anything you do. If you can give some thought to specific things about Alma College, or the soccer program then I think both the coaching staff and the recruit leave with a better understanding of what to expect at our school.

Jim Catanzaro

Head Coach

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?
Fiery, competitive, and passionate

2. What’s unique about Lake Forest College?

Location being just 30 miles north of Chicago, with easy train access.

Our Facilities are second to none, whether it is the Farwell Field/Halas Hall complex, or the new 70,000 sq ft Sports and Recreation Center that we just opened in April.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

We want students who are passionate about football 12 months a year, not just on Saturdays. They have to be willing to look at the big picture, and place a value on their off-season training.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Players who are spirited, tough, and most importantly understanding that they aren’t always going to be the biggest, fastest, and best guy, but that they are working to try and become the standard. Also, we look for players who are articulate and that can communicate what they are feeling/desiring. I also like students who can narrow their choices of schools quickly because they have a list of “must=have’s” that schools have to fit. Not every school is the right school.

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

Have a list of non-negotiables that a school must have: major, location, distance from a city, campus size.

Then, be open and tell coaches that their school either fits or doesn’t fit.

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

How can you help me achieve …..?  this puts the responsibility on the player, but also shows that they have some goals already.

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

When their list of schools that they are interested in changes from week to week.

The second thing is when a student says, “I’ll do that.” And then doesn’t in relation to getting application materials turned in.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?
Developing the whole person. We will focus on developing you athletically, academically, socially, and ethically.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We have a very highly respected academic institution. Our football program is turning a corner in its path that will be very positive. Also, because we limit our roster size, they will have an opportunity to play all four years, not just when they are juniors and seniors. Also, the uniqueness of Lake Forest and all that it has to have to offer is unparalleled.

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

By phone and by email. We value the phone call because it requires effort and can’t be done in a mass-communications form.

Brad Davis

Offensive Line Coach

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I like to consider myself passionate about the opportunity I have to

coach and develop young men. I am always gratified to watch my players

grow not only as athletes but as young men. I always remind my players

to enjoy the experience and to live a lifestyle that is conducive to

success on the football field and beyond.

2. What is unique about the experience at Portland State?

The opportunity to work with a brilliant staff of energetic coaches

who truly care about their players. It is also unique to live in a

major city that has so many activities to participate in from both and

urban and rural environment. The downtown urban setting is beset by

some of the most beautiful outdoor scenery in the Pacific Northwest.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am a passionate coach who believes in God, Family, Friends, and

Football. I like to laugh and have a good time with anyone I

encounter. I have also had a wealth of experiences and have been

around many championship programs and coaches that have helped me

shape my coaching philosophy to most benefit my players.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I obviously look for natural ability that will benefit our team in

some capacity. Beyond that, I personally look for guys who are

passionate about the game. I enjoy watching guys have fun and play the

game it is meant to be played. College football is a tough but

rewarding life. It takes kids who are passionate and excited about the

opportunity to flourish at this level.

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

process?

Focus on their grades. It is the biggest travesty to encounter a young

man with great athletic talents but has given minimal effort in the

classroom. It often comes across as wasted talent.

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

How will your university prepare me for life after football? I seldom

hear it but when I do, I know a kid truly gets what it is about.

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

I haven’t had many negative experiences while recruiting. I will

however pass on a kid who has not taken care of his business in the

classroom.  It will not be fair to recruit a kid to a situation where he may not succeed.

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

Preparing men for life after football. We emphasize guys getting

internships and apprenticeships in the numerous businesses that exist

downtown. We also teach our kids life skills such as networking,

resume writing, interview skills, etc. that will prepare them for life

in corporate America.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Our program should be considered heavily because of the culture of

Portland, the great coaching staff, the academic support and the

opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach

out to you?

bsdavis@pdx.edu

Jayson Martin

Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

High energy and passionate

2. What’s unique about the experience at Rose-Hulman?

All the players are majoring in engineering.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m die hard Cowboys fan and love to joke around.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

That they want to be an engineer and are passionate about playing football

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

Apply to the school.

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

Where do they fit in on the team.

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

Lack of communication

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

Graduating students (over 90%)

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Because we are ranked the #1 engineering school in the nation. The starting salary for a Rose Grad is between 60,000 and 65,000 a year.

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

Go to our web-site and fill out a questionnaire.

Ben Cullen
Assistant Head Coach – D. Coordinator / D. Line

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Laid back

2. What?s unique about the experience at Fort Lewis?

It’s a great outdoor sports town (Ski resort, fly fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, etc…).  Being nestled in the mountains with an elevation of 6700 feet.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

We will push you to be your best.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Good grades and a non-stop motor on the field.

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

Investigate all opportunities.

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

Questions about the direction of the team.

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

When the parents do all the talking.

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

It’s hard to say right now, I just got hired in January and we have an entirely new staff.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Best player plays.

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

Email is usually the best.

Jim Ricardo is in his eighth season as head men’s lacrosse coach at Misericordia University.  Under Ricardo, the Cougars set a school record for wins in a season in 2004 and have tied the mark three times since.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I would describe myself as an energetic, enthusiastic, high intensity coach. I will bring intensity and dedication to every game and/or training session. If I coach with emotions, I want my players to play with emotion at play at their highest level.

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school?  What’s unique about Misericordia is that freshman will get an immediate opportunity to play. We are not one of those programs that you have to “pay your dues” before you can touch the field. Since we are still a relatively newer program my freshman start and contribute instantly.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?  My recruits need to know that I am an up front and honest guy. All I want is the same honesty back from them. Our recruits also need to know that I expect them to play right away and bring commitment to our team.

4. What do you look for in recruits?  We look for players that never give up on plays. Guys that are always hustling to every part of the field. Offensively, we look for guys that can create their own shots. Defensively, we look for guys that are aggressive yet play good fundamental position.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?  One thing every recruit needs to do during the recruiting process is simply be honest to every coach involved. If you are not interested in school X,Y and Z just take the time and tell the coaches thanks for the call but I am focusing on other opportunities.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?  One of the first things we want to hear from recruits is how do I become successful in the classroom. Then we of course love the guys that come in and ask what do I have to do to play and start for your team.

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete?  Some of things that turn a coach off is on your visit your parents ask all the questions. We would like our student/athletes to take the initiative and be involved in the conversations.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?  Our program has been the most successful at retaining our student/athletes and excelling in the classroom as well. Last fall we had an over all cum of a 3.01.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?  A recruit should consider Misericordia because he has the opportunity to excel both academically and athletically. He will have the chance to impact our program instantly.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?  If a recruit is interested in Misericordia I would suggest they go to our website and fill out the online questionnaire. Also, follow up with an email to me stating your interest and any possible camps/tournaments you may be attending.

Few collegiate coaches, in any sport, have accomplished what Nebraska-Kearney head wrestling coach Marc Bauer has in ten years at the helm.  Since taking over the Loper program prior to the 1999-00 season, this Kearney native has led UNK to one National Championship, eight RMAC/West Region titles, nine top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships — including national runner up finishes in 2003, 2006 and 2007 — coached 52 All-Americans and seen 83 of his wrestlers earn Academic All-American honors. UNK has also been a force during the regular season, posting a 121-54 dual record (69.1 win pct.) during the Bauer tenure. That includes a school record 18 wins during the 2008-09 season, a 49-10 mark vs. RMAC schools and victories over Division I schools Northwestern and Wyoming.

Individually, Bauer has coached eight national champions, four national runners up and has had the Lopers have one of the highest team grade point averages on an annual basis.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

    I like to develop close relationships with all my wrestlers.  It is important to learn as much about each of them that I can.  I treat all athletes with a fair and open mind.  I am very competitive, and I am committed and focused to help all our wrestlers work hard to achieve all their goals in college. 

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

    As a school of approximately 6500 students, I would say that the most unique experience about our school is that our team is very close and develop a strong and lasting bond.  They hang out and compete in various activities all the time.  I attended a large university, and I never experience the closeness of a team like ours. 

    I feel we are unique because as a NCAA Division II school we compete at the largest and toughest tournaments in nation.  For example, in the past 5 years, we have competed at the Las Vegas Invitational, Reno Tournament of Champions, and Midlands.  Not to mention, we have had the great fortune to dual a minimum of one Division I team a year (three in 2010).

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

    That I work hard for our team to be successful, but I like to keep it fun. 

4. What do you look for in recruits?

    Aside from attributes of good character like, honest, hardworking, committed, I like for our athletes to have experienced national level competition in some form or another.  Isolating their career to their respective state does not show me that a kid is ready to compete nationally.

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

    Visit more than one school before making their decision, and base your decision on logic; not emotion. 

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

    What kind of opportunities will I have at UNK that will make my experience here second to none?

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

    Talking about yourself like you’re the wrestler in the world.  Humility is a good quality.  Don’t tell me, show me!

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

    We have had several National Champions and All-Americans that were never in the state finals in high school.  We have the ability to get kids to the next level despite their high school finish.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

    As apart of the University of Nebraska system, we offer a university level education for a very affordable price.  Since our university is smaller, our class sizes are smaller.  Our kids get more attention in smaller classroom settings.

    It’s not just about wrestling.  There’s no doubt about it, we want to be the best on the mat.  The bar is set high here, and we do have high expectations for our wrestlers.  However, we like to have fun every once and awhile.   

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

    They can fill out a recruiting questionnaire on our website at www.lopers.com. 

McGinley has posted a 414-441-1 mark at King’s, but many of those losses were when King’s wrestled at the Division II level before the program dropped down to Division III in 1980. Since then, McGinley has coached 41 College Division/Division III national tournament qualifiers; 16 NCAA Division III All-Americans; 19 Middle Atlantic Conference individual champions; five National Catholic Invitational Tournament winners; and 30 NCAA Division III Scholar All-Americans, while 12 of his wrestlers concluded undefeated dual-meet seasons.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I’ve been coaching for 42 years and I would say that means I have seen an awful lot and dealt with more than a few personalities with success. Obviously experienced and knowledgeable but constantly evolving in areas such as training, technique, building confidence, and individual approach.

2. What is unique about the experience at your school? King’s College is very friendly with a graduation rate 20% above the national average, tons of academic help, and our better than 90% wrestling graduation rate, with more than 400 dual victories, means that we stress academic success and athletic success. We have had great individual success with five National Finalists and two championships. The team has placed as high as 6^th in the NCAA and 4^th in the National Duals in Division III.

3. What do recruits need to know about you? That I’m a quick responder and a good communicator who is always approachable..

4. What do you look for in recruits? Student Athletes who can organize education and wrestling success into their schedule.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? That wrestling in college is an opportunity to make yourself into to a very confident and well educated individual who can make a powerful contribution in so many ways to a better life for all of us.
6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? How will I organize my time with athletics and academics? What will I have to do to become an All-American Wrestler?

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete? A lack of  respect for his family and himself.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? Graduating student athletes and having them reach their maximum potential in wrestling as well as life.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? We are an opportunity to wrestle to your full potential in a quality wrestling program, learn to organize your time, gain confidence in, and become a productive member of our society.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? I’m always available by email at wrestling@kings.edu or telephone at (570) 208-5900 EXT 5344. Our web site is www.kings.edu and our athletic site at www.kingscollegeathletics.com has an Athletic Contact Form specifically designated for wrestling.