NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Coach Taylor, I’ve heard about the importance of phone calls during the recruiting process, but how can I tell how interested a coach is based on their calls?

There are a number of factors that you need to look at to gauge a coach’s interest but the first is huge;  Did the Coach call on the first day they are allowed?  If it was the head coach on the first day possible you are near the top of the recruiting board.  If its an assistant you are a priority but not at the top.    The next indicator is the persistence of calls.  If they are coming weekly, you are in good shape.  If they stop, a giant red flag needs to go up!

Remember phone calls are about relationships.  They are a key part in the evaluation stage.  Coaches will ask about your interest in a school, off field interests, academics, your family, and love of the sport you play.  Its important to be prepared with answers to likely questions and have a set of your own to ask coaches.

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

You can also get your questions answered directly by contacting an NCSA Recruiting Coordinator at 866-579-6272.

Check out the top ten plays of July:

Do you have what it takes to make the top ten in July? Call 866-579-6272 to find out!

As we discussed last week, the proposed NCAA rules that would delay when a college coach could offer a recruit a scholarship will only further cloud the decision making process for some recruits.  ESPN talked to several prominent basketball coaches, including Florida Coach Billy Donovan who is experiencing recruiting in a new way.

After years of wooing and schmoozing, Florida coach Billy Donovan moved to the other side of the coffee table.

He was the one who was wooed and schmoozed as college coaches came to his home to court his eldest son, William, a 6-foot-1 guard with his pop’s shooting prowess.

“I wanted to know, ‘Are you offering us a scholarship? What’s your level of interest in my son?’” Donovan said. “I wanted to know where we stood so we could move forward with a school or cross it off the list. I’m not unusual. Parents want to know. They want the information.”

If a new proposal takes root, parents and prospects will be in the dark a little longer.

The Recruiting and Athletics Personnel Issues Cabinet has put together a proposal prohibiting coaches in all sports from offering scholarships before July 1 between a recruit’s junior and senior years of high school.

Stunningly, coaches aren’t thrilled. “It’s like everything else,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. “It’s a knee-jerk deal. We make rules that affect the multitudes because of what the very few do.”

“I don’t know what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Donovan, whose son ultimately chose Catholic University. “I get that they don’t want us going to eighth-grade camps and offering kids scholarships, but what I see is they keep cutting away from communication more and more with people. That’s why so many bad decisions are being made. People want information. I know I did.”

That is exactly why NCSA strives to give our families the most complete recruiting information possible.  Recruits know which coaches have viewed their profiles and how many times their videos have been viewed.  They have access to cutting edge recruiting information and digital tools.  Perhaps most importantly, they are taught by our team of recruiting coaches the right questions to ask coaches to uncover the truth about their scholarship scenarios.

While new rules may darken the picture for some recruits, the most prepared recruits certainly stand to benefit.

Here’s what coach McInerney has to say about his program:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

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

The Central Connecticut State University football program does provide a tremendous opportunity for student athletes.  CCSU provides a quality education on a beautiful and active campus.  Our relatively small class sizes and top notch academic resources provide student athletes with ample opportunity and support to be successful in any of our many academic degree programs.  As a coaching staff, supporting our players academic goals and achievements is among our highest priorities.

Our football program also prides itself on recruiting top notch student athletes.  Not only do we have a close knit football family atmosphere at CCSU, we also have the opportunity to win championships on the field.  We play in the very competitive NEC conference and we have one the league three of the past five seasons.  Being able to compete for championships each year while receiving a great education at a place where coaches and support staff truly care about the student athlete is truly a unique experience for a student athlete.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

As a coach, I care very much about my players.  Every decision I make about this program is based on what is best for my players and the overall program.  We will provide you with all of the resources possible to help you be successful on and off the field at CCSU.  The other thing players should know about me is that I love Central Connecticut State University and I am very proud of what we have accomplished and I look forward to continuing to elevate the program in the future.  In order to do that, we need to continue to recruit top notch people into our program.
4. What do you look for in recruits?

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

For us, evaluation is critical for our success.  We want to evaluate each prospect personally, academically as well as athletically.  So, each recruit that has legitimate interest in our program needs to send us a high school transcript, a copy of their ACT or SAT test results and two game tapes.  The next step after that is to come to our campus on a visit so both the prospect and us as coaches make sure CCSU is the right fit for the player.  The other thing all recruits should do, is keep an open mind throughout the process to ensure that they end up in a good situation for their college career.

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

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

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

Our program is very good at developing student athletes both on and off the field.  We have a proven track record.   We have graduated a high percentage of our players as well as been competitive within our league by winning three conference championships in the last five seasons.  It is important that our graduates go on to successful careers once they graduate and we feel as though we have done a excellent job of helping our players achieve their goals both on and off the field.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

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

If a recruit has an interest in CCSU, they can complete an online questionnaire on our website.  This will let us know of the interest in our program.  They can also send two game DVD’s along with a transcript to us so we can evaluate them both academically and athletically.  They can also email any of my coaching staff to ask questions about the recruiting process or CCSU.  All of our information is available on the CCSU Athletic website.

NCSA recently asked Coach Stupek from Shasta College – a few recruiting questions, and here’s what he wrote:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I am tough and fair and mostly fun…….we have a great time here and love doing what we do.

2. What is unique about the experience at Shasta College? Northern California, beautiful Lakes/Rivers and warm weather and a veteran coaching staff (2 coaches over 20 yrs here and 2 more that played baseball here in the 1960’s!!)

3. What do recruits need to know about you? Cal-JC’s are non-scholarship by nature but we do offer Financial aid and work study and it is very affordable to come here.

4. What do you look for in recruits? Positive attitudes-good work ethic that is reflected by their grades and coaches recommendations.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? It’s a process, filled with paperwork and  potholes. One “No” answer is just an opportunity to find a better fit. Be diligent, ask questions, be positive!

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? Grades-classes-moving on questions. I look positively at a player who looks at the big picture……wants to move on and do better, BIG THINKERS!

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete? Negative talk about former players/coaches/schools….let the buyer beware that you are probably next in line.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? We have been very successful (1,000 games-700 wins) but we have more many on to quality institutions after their time here is done. We are continually in the top 10 in State Team GPA (83 schools) and have won the top award 3 times!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? Winning on the field-veteran leadership-beautiful location-big picture mentality-plus we have a lot of fun doing it

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? Sonny Stupek sstupek@shastacollege.edu 530-209-6358 cell1

NCSA coaches corner got to hear from Lyndon State college assistant softball coach  Bill Johnson about recruiting – read his excerpts below:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I’m a passionate, outgoing coach whose only desire is to see our players succeed on the field, in the class room and in life. I enjoy watching our players grow into mature, responsible, hard working individuals who are willing to do what is necessary to compete and be successful.

2. What is unique about the experience at Lyndon State College? Lyndon is the quintessential small-college experience. Classes are no bigger than 20 people and as an athlete, nearly everyone on campus knows who you are. I believe our motto says it best: “Lyndon: Serious Study, Serious Fun.”

3. What do recruits need to know about you? That I am here to serve them – academically & athletically. Their success is our success.
4. What do you look for in recruits? First and foremost, I try to gauge their attitude and aptitude towards academics. As a Division III institution where student-athletes are investing in their education, it is paramount that they take their studies seriously. From a talent standpoint, I like players who are athletic, knowledgeable and know the value of being competitive. Emotionally, wee need for players who live for the “big moment”, are a joy to have as a teammate and exhibit leadership qualities.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Weigh their options. Not every school is a perfect fit because they have a competitive softball program. When considering a college, a recruit should base their decision on a variety of things. Do they have my major? Am I consistent with the type of student who goes there? What doors will my degree open for me upon graduation and, of course, can I step in and play immediately?

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? How do your players balance academics & athletics? Do you have an academic monitoring program? If I come here, what will my role be?

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete? Those who procrastinate in responding to calls, e-mails and letters. More simply put, those who are unwilling to tell you they are not interested.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? Losing with grace. In the 2010 season, we lost 21 games, many by the mercy rule. Despite the dismal season – which has resulted in an outstanding recruit year thus far – our players played with dignity and won our conference’s Sportsmanship Award.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? We recruit to fit our immediate needs. Therefore, if we are recruit you, we are looking to give someone a chance to step in player be they a high school senior or junior college transfer. Also, if you are looking to get a hands-on education in a small college atmosphere, Lyndon is the place for them.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? They can contact me anytime at (802) 626-6341 or via e-mail at william.johnson@lyndonstate.edu.

Read about State College of Florida/Manatee CC from Softball Assistant Coach Dave Machen who shared some thought with our Coaches Corner:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Our coaching staff is all about teaching how to succeed at the college level. We have 3 highly experienced coaches who share a common methodology. Our goals are to provide the highest level of play available at our level, while insuring the best educational opportunities for advancements to higher levels.

2. What is unique about the experience at State College of Florida/Manatee CC?

The full involvement of faculty and athletics. It is not unusual to see the President, multiple vice presidents and teachers at all home games and some of the travel games. Also, there is a close bond between the baseball and softball teams.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Our coaches are very intense and demand a level of effort equivelant to what we put into the program. We have fun, and enjoy the whole experience, but expect 100% effort.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Good Grades, good athletic abilities, basic mechanics mastered and a winning attitude.

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

Understand what they are looking for and what they need in their college experience.

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

How do you balance my school with my athletics? Where can I go if I complete all of my requirements for you? What opportunities does your program present to me?

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

Anything about what someone else may be offering or who else has been talking to them.

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

Providing a fun and competitive environment to help pave our athletes way on to bigger and better opportunities.

Read about softball program at Indian River State College from Coach Dale Atkinson:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Easy to play for and tough when I need to be.

2. What is unique about the experience at Indian River State College?

Tradition

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m very competitive, hate to lose and expect them to give their best effort in everything they do.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Athletes that can play multiple positions, good students and great attitudes.

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

Don’t let the coaches do all the contacting. I like to feel the athlete needs to make sure the coach knows they too want be in our school.

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

Parents doing all the talking and athletes not being proactive during the recruiting process.

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

Developing winning people.

8. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Great school, location, high academics and historically has been one of the top two year programs in the country.

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

Email

Here is an opportunity to read more about Talladega College through the eyes of Mallory York – softball coach:

* What is unique about the experience at Talladega College?

We are the oldest HBCU college/university in Alabama.

*  What do recruits need to know about you?

I am a new up and coming collegiate coach. I was a pitcher in college and played first base. I could be said as doing things old and new school when it comes to coaching. I like to have fun, but get the job done.

* What do you look for in recruits?

I look for athletes that play more than one position. I also look for athletes with strong GPA’s and someone who is a leader.

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

Have transcripts for coaches to see. It is much easier when you know if the student athlete you are recruiting is academically eligible.

* Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are a new and upcoming program that is building a name for ourselves. 2009-2010 was our first year for a softball program in the history of Talladega College. Our student/teacher ratio is 12/1, and our school was founded in 1867. We are also a 4-Year Private College.

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

By email myork@talladega.edu or my office phone 256-761-6219. Our website is www.talladega.edu .