NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Matt Troy is entering his first season as the Head Coach of Johns Hopkins University. Recently NCSA sat down with Coach Troy to discuss his coaching style and how he’ll lead the Blue Jays.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would have to say ambitious, I’m always striving to find new ways of improving our program and my own coaching abilities.  I have a very democratic approach to my coaching style as I enjoy empowering the players and gathering their ideas on how to improve various aspects of our program.  People will work harder if they feel they have something invested in the success of the program.

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

Most people would say that you get an Ivy league feel with the campus within a great city environment.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That my goal is to help develop them to be successful on and off the court.  We focus a lot on leadership and team building within our program as those are aspects in life you need everyday.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

We usually start with their overall ability and their versatility.  From there I like to look for the intangibles such as heart, hustle, and determination.  The most important quality I try and look for is how a player reacts to adversity and the way they treat their teammates.

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

We like to encourage them to visit the campus during their Senior year of High School so that they can get a feel of for the campus, the players on the team and the coaches.  One thing I always advise recruits to do when deciding on a school is to choose one that they can see themselves enjoying outside of volleyball.

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

We are probably the most successful at developing future leaders and top level professionals.  The history of the program will show you we’ve had great seasons and athletes statistically but we’ve had great successes off the court.  You really don’t know what success the program has until you hear back from your athletes 20 years later and see what they’ve accomplished in life.

7. Why should a recruit consider your program?

They will not only get a great competitive volleyball experience but an education along with connections that will last them a lifetime.

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

They can reach me via email or phone.  We also encourage them to fill out the volleyball questionnaire found on our team page within the Johns Hopkins University website.

Last week NCSA member John Lopez was offered his first scholarship from UCLA.  NCSA had the chance to catch up with john to detail his dizzying experience in the world of college football recruiting.

Describe your recruiting experience thus far?

As a freshman, the experience has been somewhat of a swirling/confusing haze . It really did not seem to get going till the spring and early this summer when I started attending combines and college camps. My Dad sign me up for these camps based on the information we gathered from NCSA about how to contact college coaches. The advice to attend camps in schools you are interested in and that ” Recruiting Starts Today” has really helped me.

Did you have teammates that are trying to play in college? Compare your process to theirs.

Some of my teammates from the freshman team are hoping to get recruited. I just think my Dad has mapped out more camps and combines for me based on the NSCA College search tools to get a better idea of all the college opportunities available to me. Going thru all DI and even DII schools was a real eye opener for me. I never knew that many colleges gave scholarships. Understanding what these schools look for in O-Linemen help me try and match up before going to camps.

that has been the most surprising part of the process? The most difficult?

Getting a scholarship offer from UCLA was a real surprise. I never expected to get one this early. I am honored and thrilled at same time. Having to get up early on Saturdays to go to camps far away has been the most difficult part!

What advice would you give to future recruits or recruits going through the process?

Do you homework and look up all the options open to you. You may have to sacrifice( get up early on Saturdays) but the payoff is sooooooooooooo sweat!

What impact has NCSA had on your process thus far?

The tools and support from educational huddles to goals planning sessions and activity plans make going to the process easy. It helped my parents understand things we needed to do. Getting reminders via e mail to update your profiles and complete the items necessary for your stage of the recruiting process really helps!

What would your recruiting process have been like if NCSA had not been involved?

My older brother wanted to play but his process was based on limited info provide by his high school coach, As a result my Dad feels he suffered in getting the exposure at the right time and right places to the right schools. Planning out my process my Dad was able to get me the exposure with the schools that interested me and that I felt I could meet at least some of their expectations

Another thing I really appreciate about NCSA is the personal interest Super Stars like Derek Mayes showed in me as even a 15 year old freshman!

-John Lopez

After months and months of rumors the NCAA ax finally came down on the USC athletic program.  The program will be forfeiting multiple scholarships and vacating victories.  While multiple rule infractions occurred the major penalty is for a lack of institutional control.

Basically, the NCAA is saying USC should have know what was happening with their athletes.  Should they have?  Should it really be their responsibility?  Pete Carroll argues below that the administration isn’t to blame.  What do you think?

Coaches Corner got a chance to hear from U. of Central Florida Women’s Golf Coach Courtney Trimble:

1.How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Passionate and Competitive

2. What is unique about the experience at U. of Central Florida?

UCF is in Orlando but campus is on the East side of town situated away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando so you have a “college town” atmosphere with all the amenities of Orlando

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I will always push them to achieve their best however we will have fun and learn a lot along the way

4. What do you look for in recruits?

An athlete that wants to keep improving and is a team player that is willing to work hard to try and win championships

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

Find a school that fits their own goals

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

Questions about how UCF will make them better as people and golfers

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

Lack of passion and enthusiasm

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

Helping to build the overall person and athlete

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

One visit to campus and our facility and you will know!

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

Email or phone.

Here is what Northern Arizona Women’s  Swim Coach Andy Johns has to say about his recruiting and his program:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Process goal oriented. Meaning, we are setting goals that we have control over and feel that the outcomes will take care of themselves by taking care of the process.

2. What is unique about the experience at Northern Arizona University?

Flagstaff is a great town in the mountains of Arizona at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That I care about my swimmers as people and that we work hard and have fun.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Good students and swimmers who have a great work ethic in all aspects of their lives.

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

Respond to communications and follow through with completing all the paperwork that is requested of them.

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

What was the highlight of last year’s season?;  What was the funniest thing that happened this/last year?; What do you do as a team outside of the pool?

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

If all of their questions are athletically related and none are about academics or the culture of Flagstaff and our campus.

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

Balancing athletics and academics and preparing to compete at our best at the right time of year.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

It’s a great combination of CLASS – cost, location, academics, size of school, and swimming.

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

E-mail

Coach Fred Curtis just finished up his fourth season at MacMurray College.  He sat down with NCSA and talked about his program.

1.How would you describe yourself as a coach?  Disciplined, Competitive, Fundamentalist, Hardworking,

Believer in the importance of executing and doing the “little things” well.
2. What is unique about the experience at your school? Classes ONLY 4 days aweek!

3. What do recruits need to know about you? That they will be treated fairly and given equal opportunity to play! All playing time is based on perforrmance.

4. What do you look for in recruits? Quality student-athletes! Sound baseball skills. Good character, team players, ability to get along with others, coachable, positive attitude, mental toughness, goal-oriented, passion to play and compete.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Make application to the school and get FASA info. to the school!

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? My expectation of players? Opportunity of playing time? Squad depth? Any questions the recruit would like to ask that they feel is important for them to know weather it be about me or any thing related to our program.

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete? Failure to inform me about their REAL interest in our school within a reasonable amount of time. Failure to answer phone calls or to return messages.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? Showing special interest and concern for the overall success of our players both in the classroom and on the baseball field.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? Great opportunity to get a quality education and a great opportunity to play and compete in college baseball. Be exposed to a college campus with many friendly and caring people who will do what the can to help you be successful.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? Please call me at 217-479-7153 or e-mail me at fred.curtis@mac.edu

NCSA caught up with Coach Hieb at Northwestern College in Minnesota.  Coach Hieb has been at Northwestern for 21 years and is  two-time Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Coach of the Year.  Here is what he says about his program:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I am a player’s coach. I want to see our player excel on and off the field in every facet of their lives. I am a teacher. I want to teach each player how to play the game and become a smarter player.

2. What is unique about the experience at your school? Players will grow Spiritually, Physically, Mentally and Socially. There is no other college in the United States that will have a complete experience as this.

3. What do recruits need to know about you? I have a passion for the game and strive to teach the game where they will grow not only as a player, but as a person.

4. What do you look for in recruits? A player must be coachable. I can work with any athlete who works hard on his weaknesses and continues to strive to do his best. I am also looking for excellent students. I am looking for guys who have at least a 3.25 high school GPA. These are students who can do the work on the field and in the classroom as well. I am also looking for guys who also want to teach the game to their teammates and help their teammates improve.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Interview the coach – go out and meet coaches. Not all coaches are going to find you, so do your research and find the programs you are looking for.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? What is the focus of your program? What are your players doing professionally once they graduate from your school? What is your philosophy(hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning, catching, infield, outfield), Do freshmen get an opportunity to play

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete? Athletes who don’t pay attention when I am talking, texting during meetings, Athletes who don’t call back when receiving recruiting e-mails and phone calls)

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? We are excellent at developing people. We work with players to become great people and our players graduate as a smarter player. We spend a great deal of time teaching the game and also helping our players become better students. In the last ten years, our team GPA has not been below 3.15. Our players care for each other and each recruit will see our team as a family.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? 1.Christian Baseball Program; 2. Opportunity to play as a Freshman; 3. We keep the player’s priorities straight; 4. We work individually with each player and measure the growth in each player

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? The best way to get a hold of me is via e-mail at dhieb@nwc.edu or players can call me in my office at 651-631-5345

There are more roster spots than ever to play college sports.  Does it mean that you have a greater chance of having your education paid for by leveraging athletics?  That will depend on your approach.  The Sun Enquirer took a look at the growing options for athletes.

According to a recent NCAA study, the association’s member schools are adding nearly 8,000 athletes every year. According to another NCAA study, from 1982 to 2007 the number of Division III athletes increased from 85,521 to 158,621 – a growth rate of 85 percent.

Most of the increase has come at the smallest schools because they have little to lose and much to gain. Division III schools can’t offer athletic scholarships. They field a variety of teams while spending relatively little. Those teams bring exposure – as well as millions of dollars in tuition – to the schools’ typically small, private and expensive liberal arts campuses.

Similarly priced and sized NAIA colleges are in a comparable situation but do offer athletic scholarships.

What small schools find in the recruiting process, according to experts, are students and parents who are willing to go to any lengths for a college athletics experience.

“The parents – even if they’re smart – they’re lambs to slaughter,” said Tom Elias of College Prospects of America. “Kids are emotional. They pick a school because of the color of the uniform or because the coach is nice or the other guys in the cafeteria say it’s a cool school. Meanwhile, the parents are looking at an expense of $20,000 to $40,000 per year for four years. Maybe that school gives your kid $1,000 and you can put in the newspaper that Johnny got a scholarship. But all of a sudden the parents are getting a loan for $19,000 a year.”

However, the other end of the spectrum can be startling.

“One of the things that athletics bring to the table from an enrollment standpoint is you’re bringing in students who might not have otherwise looked at your school,” said Pooler. “That’s important. We look at that when we look at what programs we want to offer. We also just started a nursing program. We try to attract students in all kinds of ways.”

Lindsey Wilson uses JV teams to develop varsity players and add enrollment.

“For some students, it’s just participatory,” said Pooler. “For others, it’s a way to get into the varsity lineup. … But we’re not taking people who have no business playing. They’re at least JV-level athletes coming in.”

And when it comes to NAIA programs like Lindsey Wilson, many of the JV players receive athletic scholarships. According to NAIA rules, JV scholarships don’t count against the program’s scholarship limits. So even JV recruits often receive thousands of dollars worth of incentives to continue their careers.

Cooper High School senior Shumekia Overstreet is one of those players. The undersized center, who averaged 2.0 points and 2.9 rebounds for a fledgling program that went 11-16 this past season, recently signed with Midway College. The NAIA school’s annual tuition is $24,000. After grants and academic money and $11,000 in athletic money, she’ll pay about a quarter of regular tuition.

“I was stunned (by the scholarship offer),” said Overstreet’s mother Darla. “… When she first mentioned she wanted to play basketball in college, I said, ‘Ummm, Shumekia, I don’t know.

“But she loves the game. Even if she doesn’t get a lot of playing time, she has a core group of people that she can bond with and turn to. That’s important in college.”

So while the opportunity to play is great, the opportunity to have your play pay for school can be deceiving.  To maximize your opportunities you will need to execute a recruiting game plan. Do you have a game plan or are you going to be stuck with a pile of bills?

Does this sound familiar:

“My son has been invited to a number of college camps this summer, however he will only be able to attend a couple of them due to the investment required.  Will my son still be on a recruiter’s list if he was unable to attend their summer camp?  What would you suggest my son do to make sure he remains on their list and puts himself in a position to take an official visit this fall?”

Camps are a major part of the summer for serious recruits in many sports.

However, they can also be an expensive and often misunderstood part of the recruiting process.  Some recruits will spend thousands of dollars to visit every camp they are invited to in the hopes that this will result in exposure and an eventual scholarship.  Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding college camps:

- Camps can be a productive recruiting expense if the coach is seriously interested in recruiting you prior to the visit. 
- Camps can provide an evaluation forum for a college coach if they are expecting you …but not every camper will receive a legitimate evaluation at each camp.
- Coaches are not seriously interested in every prospect that they invite to their camps.
- Camps can be a significant source of revenue for a coaching staff – which is why they will invite so many prospects.
- Keep in mind that camps can be valuable experiences to learn more about a college campus and compare your abilities to other athletes around the country…it’s not always about recruiting!

If you are not able to make it to a camp, the key is to communicate your situation to the coaching staff.  Let the coach know that you are still interested in the school and be prepared to send them anything they might need to evaluate you including transcripts, videos or game footage. 

Coaches understand recruits cannot make it to each camp – especially if you are traveling from out of state -  and if you are high on their recruiting list, your inability to attend should not prevent them from recruiting you in the future.

As a family, prioritize your summer based on budget, scheduling and a thorough discussion about the schools that you are sincerely interested in…and the schools that are sincerely interested in you!

Do you have any advice about college camps you can share that will help others?  Comment below or hit the “Like” button.

Its unfortunate that sometimes it takes times of need to really show how strong a community can be.  Right now is one of those times for the Yale Hockey Community and College Athletics in general.  Mandi Schwartz is a hockey player racing against time to find a donor to save her life.  AOL Fanhouse ran a fantastic story that you should take the time to read.

The hunt is also on for a bone-marrow donor. Brennan Turner, a family friend and minor-league hockey player, has organized eight registration drives across Canada in the next five weeks.

There have also been fundraisers, thousands of e-mails and a Facebook campaign. All for a girl who’s hooked to a breathing machine and wondering one thing.

No, it’s not “why me?”

“She wonders why people are doing all this for me?” said her father, Rick Schwartz.

There are a lot of reasons. Mandi’s Ivy-League smart. She’s hockey tough. She’s apparently never said a bad thing about anybody. And despite those reasons she remains the kind of person who wonders why people think she’s anything special.

When Mandi returned to Yale after her first trip through cancer hell, she immediately tried to skate, lift weights and train just like her teammates.

“This girl had gone through so much, but she wasn’t going to ease her way back into it,” Clarke said. “She didn’t want to waste a day. That was really inspirational to all of us.”

The second cancer go-round has been worse. Keeping food down has been a constant fight. Lately, she’s been battling pneumonia. She’s hooked up to tubes and often unable or just too weak to talk.

Despite that, she’s managed to write thank-you notes and congratulation cards to friends who are graduating.

“She doesn’t put herself first, that’s for sure,” Turner said.

We wanted to share her story with our community in the hopes of spreading her hope.  Head over to the Fanhouse to read the rest of her story.