NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Golf is sport that is very different from any other sport. It is one of the only sports where it is just you. It’s you against the course, you against the weather, you against that “big” gap in the trees, and you against that “little” pond in front of you. In tournament golf, it’s you against the field, you against the scoreboard, and you against the pressure. It is always you against that little white ball. It is always you against yourself.

You stand on the first tee getting ready to start the tournament. You get your scorecard from the starter and grab a pin sheet and pencil.  You mark and identify your ball to your competitors.  You pull your glove over your hand and stick a few tees in your pocket. Then you grab your driver, take a few swings to loosen up and wait for the starter to call your name. “On the tee from Chicago, IL please welcome Johnny Golfer“. You tee up your ball, take a practice swing, take a deep breath, step up to address the ball, look up at your target one last time and swing away. Off you go to navigate your way around 18 holes of golf. You’ll face hazards, rulings, club selections, uncertain reads in the green, bad breaks and course management decisions.  You will weigh out the options, make a decision, and then stand over the ball trying to remind yourself it was the right decision so you can make a confident swing. Sometimes you get lucky and even a wrong decision ends up working out for you. Other times you get in your own way and let your lack of confidence turn a right decision into a bad one.

How much easier would all of this be if you had a caddy to guide you through those 18 holes of decision and shot making? A caddy who knows the course and knows the game of golf to help you more confidently make a decision and stand over the ball knowing you have done all that you could to prepare for that one shot. Well that’s what the NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network is here for; we’re here to be your College Golf Recruiting Caddy.

The caddies on Tour go out and walk the course, marking off yardages, hazards, breaks in the green, aiming targets and carry distances. They go out with their player during practice rounds to lay out a game plan for the tournament. When the tournament begins together they are prepared with knowledge of the course and can more confidently navigate their way around those 18 holes. As the Head Golf Recruiting Coach here at NCSA I use my knowledge and experiences of not only the recruiting process but also the process of getting to next level. Whether you’re hoping to become a better junior tournament player, focusing on your future in college golf or hoping to go on from there to be a professional golfer, you will have a caddy through that process. Navigating through your way through the NCAA rules and regulations, coach communications, visits and ultimately finding the right college fit can be a very difficult and time consuming task to do all on your own. Out on Tour the phrase to ask if you have a caddy is, “Do you have someone on your bag?” Well here at NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network you have a whole team on your bag.

Brandi Jackson, Educational Speaker and Head Golf Recruiting Coach

LPGA Tour Member 2004, 2008, 2009

To receive more education and guidance on the College Recruiting process follow this link: http://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/fasttrack/landing/general/metal.jsp?lnkSrc=Referral-BrandiJackson

Many athletes are not sure when the best time is to send out a recruiting highlight video to college coaches.  Athletes are always eager to get recruited, but you don’t want to turn off an entire coaching staff by showing film that doesn’t showcase their talent in the best light.

The first rule of thumb is to hold off on sending highlights to any schools until you have varsity footage.  Recruits NEED TO START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, but until you are on varsity your focus needs to be on building relationships and getting educated.   That said, don’t wait too long before sending footage.  Waiting until after your season is over can be way too late.  As soon as you can wow a coach with the first few minutes of highlights it is time to get them footage.

Once a coach has your first highlight tape it’s important to have a full-game ready.  Coaches use highlights to determine if a recruit makes their priority lists, but they use full games to really make a true evaluation.  As you progress as an athlete its important to keep updating coaches with fresh footage to ensure you stay on their recruiting board.

The final piece to the puzzle is making sure your video gets in the hands of the right college coaches.  Coaching staffs usually divide recruits by position and region.  If your video ends up in the wrong inbox from a random mailing address it is likely to end up in the garbage.

The key to getting your video evaluated by the right coaches is to have it delivered to hundreds of schools by a reliable source that coaches trust.   Without a filter (like the NCSA Network) coaches don’t have the time to filter through the hundreds (if not thousands) of videos that show up.

So get your video ready as soon as possible and get it into the hands of the right coaches!

(You can plug in to the NCSA network for free  HERE and learn how we can deliver your video to the right schools)

(Editor’s Note - There is a strong discussion at the bottom of this Charlie Adams article about what the role of the High School/Club coach should be in recruiting. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts and experiences there)

Indianapolis Cathedral High School has won 7 State Football championships and 23 IHSAA State Championships in all.  Cathedral Head Football Coach Rick Streiff brought me in to deliver NCSA’s College Recruiting Simplified in a a football-specific presentation to his families. Over 100 people poured into the school to learn about recruiting.

Cathedral (Indianapolis) HS Football Coach Rick Streiff introduces NCSA's Charlie Adams

One of his concerns is the continuing belief by some parents that it is truly “the job” of the High School coach to get their kid an athletic scholarship in college.

“Parents need to know that I can’t get their child a scholarship,” said Coach Streiff. “Do I help? Yes. But, I am not “The Process.” Streiff emphasized that he will talk to college coaches about the character and the academics of his players. If families ask for help in a realistic evaluation of where their child can play at the next level, he will give his honest evaluation. Whether they accept it or not is up to them. He did say that his years of experience have shown him that the better the grades, the more options a player has in recruiting.  Period.
Cathedral has produced their share of D1 athletes, but one of his frustrations is families don’t understand how competitive college sports are at all levels.

“Go watch a Wabash vs DePauw football game at D3,” he told me before I delivered College Recruiting Simplified. “There will be 10 to 15 to 20 All State football players in the game. They are really good. They may not be as big or fast as D1 but they can play.” I told the audience how Indianapolis Colts receiver Pierre Garcon had played at D3 power Mt. Union in Ohio.

Regarding D1 he said families need to know how much more accelerated the recruiting process is at that fiercely competitive level. He has had good players miss out because they started the recruiting process too late. “By senior year they find many of the D1′s have filled up their scholarships and the parents get really frustrated. It’s tough.”

If you aspire to play D1 and have the realistic potential, you had better start early, and I continue to tell families regardless of the level your child will play in college, start the recruiting PROCESS by at least by 9th grade. Athletes are on the clock academically Day One of 9th grade. Whether they are varsity or not, they should be making their baskets in the classroom, scoring their goals in the classroom, and so on. They need to be getting educated on the recruiting process and in some cases starting to take unofficial visits.

The families came away from the presentation loaded with information on how to tackle the process. To bring one of NCSA’s Educational Speakers to your School, Club or Event contact us here
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FORMER NATIONAL CHAMP AT INDIANA REFLECTS ON HIS RECRUITING

There is so much that goes into being a successful college student-athlete. While driving to speak on recruiting recently, I came across a radio program on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. Former Indiana University basketball star Kent Benson was on, reflecting on his college recruiting process back in the mid 1970′s. Benson went on to play for the last undefeated team in men’s division one college basketball – the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers of Bobby Knight. As far as the recruiting process, he had a lot of wisdom to share that would benefit athletes today.

Some young people don’t understand the commitment it takes to be a college athlete. In the interview, Benson shared how he would often play basketball ten to twelve to fourteen hours a day at the local Baker Park. I understand burnout is an issue for some kids today, but Benson never grew weary of trying to get better.

He talked about the four D’s he followed: desire, determination, dedication and discipline. He firmly believes when you realize analyze those four words, they are applicable to recruiting and success in College sports.

Benson had the God given gift of the size to play D1. He was about 6’10″. His work ethic then made him one of the most recruited athletes in High School. As far as recruiting, he had a plan and he had reasons for considering certain schools. He said he considered Purdue because he grew up in an agriculture community. He considered Notre Dame because of his family’s strong Catholic faith and their respect for coach Digger Phelps. He considered Indiana because it was the state University and he looked at Kentucky because of its rich tradition in basketball. He took Visits. In the end, he felt the right fit was Indiana and went there. Like Benson, it is important for young people to research Universities. Have a plan, like Benson did. He just didn’t wait to see who would come after him. He put a lot of thought into it and had solid reasons for considering certain Universities.

He talked about commitment. Indiana went 32-0 his junior year and won the National Championship. Most everyone else was seniors and left. He could have too but in the recruiting process he asked coaches if they would be there all four years. Bobby Knight had said yes, so Benson felt he need to honor his end of the commitment too. He stayed his senior year on a rebuilding team.

It has been about 35 years since Benson was a college athlete. At the end of the interview, he told the radio host that not a day goes by that he doesn’t reflect on his experiences.

If you have questions on the recruiting process or would like an Evaluation of where you stand you can Click Here or contact me at cadams@ncsasports.org

Charlie Adams

NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network Recruiting Network

 What exactly is a preferred walk on? I have been offered by a FCS school to be a preferred walk on? What is the difference between a regular walk on and a preferred?

A preferred walk-on, also known as a recruited walk-on, is an athlete who is recruited by a college program but not offered an athletic scholarship for freshman year.  Often times these athletes will be assured roster spots prior to committing to the school.  At many schools, preferred walk-ons receive many privileges that scholarship athletes also enjoy.  Some of these privileges include free equipment from sponsors, clothing, and access to training facilities.

Most schools are different with the manner in which they handle walk-ons.  It is important to find out what kind of opportunities and privileges are given to walk-on athletes at that particular school.  Deciding to walk-on is a personal choice, but be sure that you evaluate all of the positives and negatives, especially if you have other offers to consider.

Good Luck!

Coach Taylor, I saw your advice posted on the NCSA recruiting website. I am looking to go to college in the US this fall on a tennis scholarship. I am starting to email coaches. What do you think would be a suitable email to send?

Here are some very important tips when sending out an initial contact letter to college coaches.  Always remember, reaching out is one of the most important parts of the recruiting process, probably the most important.  Of course, the end game of this process is to play college sports and receive a college sports scholarship, but the initial contact is what starts the process off.  Sending a strong, well written letter or email to a coach is a great way of introducing yourself and making a solid impression.

Here are some general guidelines:

Always open with “Dear Coach ___ (last name)” and refer to the school by name. Thank the coach for the information they sent you (if applicable).

Begin by telling the coach your name, grad year, where you are from and what team(s) you play for.

Tell them you are interested in their school and team. Tell the coach WHY you are interested. Use specific details you learned when researching the school. (Example: I have always dreamt of playing for a DI school in the Midwest and I am also impressed with the pre-med program ABC College offers). Tell the coach a little more about yourself including any upcoming competitions (if applicable) you will be participating in.

Include all of your contact information

Here is an example of a good contact letter for a tennis recruit:

Johnny Smith
555 West Row Street
Chicago, IL 60642
E-mail: johnnysmith@aol.com
Cell Phone: 555-555-5555
Home Phone: 555-555-5556

Dear Coach Taylor,

Thank you for sending me information on the tennis program at ABC University.  My name is Johnny Smith and I graduate in 2011.  I play on the varsity tennis team at East Chicago High School in Chicago, IL.  I am very interested in ABC University and the tennis program.  I have always dreamt of playing at a Big Eleven Conference College in the Midwest and am also extremely impressed with the Pre-Med Program that ABC offers. 

Here is a link to my recruiting profile, where you can view my highlight video, statistics, and academic information.  As a sophomore, I had a singles record of 34-7.  I also have a 3.8 GPA through my first two years of high school.

 Our first meet of the season is a week from this Saturday.  Thank you again for your time, I would greatly appreciate any feedback on my highlight video or other things I should be working on. 

-Johnny

Coach Taylor, I am a student from the Middle East (10th Grade). I am gonna try to keep this short.  I am not sure what the steps are to getting recruited in my situation (Being an international student), so can you explain to me what I should do? I have heard about the NCAA Eligibility Center, but is that for the students who are definitely intending on making it the NCAA, or is it for anyone who THINKS he has a shot?

The steps to the international college recruiting process are similar in ways to the college sports recruiting process in the states as far as getting recruited, what is different is taking care of all the technicalities.

As any other recruit, there are a few vital steps to ensure that you are maximizing your recruiting potential and exposure.  You will need a well-edited highlight video, and preferably a comprehensive online profile that can be viewed by college coaches to provide your video, personal information, statistics, and academic information.  The key is getting the process started early, putting together these materials, and sending them out to hundreds of college coaches.  As an international athlete you must make sure to really send your information to as many coaches as possible to gain exposure.  Being an international recruit, especially overseas, it would definitely make things easier if everything was done on the internet as opposed to through the mail.  This means an interactive online recruiting profile.  Your recruiting process will depend mostly on diligence and effort to reach out to coaches.

The NCAA Eligibility Center is the governing body that will determine amateur status, as well as a student-athlete’s academic eligibility to compete.  International athletes are required to send the Eligibility Center a document representative of secondary education.  If the document is not originally in English, the document must have a certified line-by-line translation in the same format.  The translator MAY NOT be related to the student-athlete and must be a verifiable translator.  The athlete will submit his or her “leaving certificate” (issued at the conclusion of high school) along with academic transcripts.  Once certified as a final qualifier by the Eligibility Center, and accepted into the college or university, the athlete should be issued an I-20, or a VISA application form.  If a student athlete is only issued a partial scholarship or walk-on status, the student will have to prove that he or she will be able to cover all remaining costs of tuition before being issued a Visa. 

The college sports recruiting process is not very complicated for international student-athletes, aside from the documents required for immigration, but it most definitely places a greater burden on the diligence of the athlete.  The student-athlete must be sure to be in constant contact with as many coaches as possible.  All international student athletes have a great opportunity to compete in the U.S in college athletics and get a college sports scholarship.  However, they must make sure they utilize all the recruiting tools at their disposal.

Is it ever too early to start being recruited? 

David Sills, 14 year old Eigth Grader from Delaware, is one of the hottest young quarterback prospects in the country.  USC Coach Lane Kiffin promised Stills a scholarship when the QB was in 7^th grade, only 13 years old, and the youngster verbally committed to the Trojans. 

Sills trains with renowned quarterback coach Steve Clarkson, who has worked with Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart, Tyrod Taylor, and Jimmy Clausen. Having been named starting quarterback of Red Lion Christian Academy as an Eigth Grader, putting on impressive performances at camps, and sporting a very impressive highlight video, Stills truly seems to be the real deal.  All of this leads to the big question:

How young are they willing to recruit student-athletes?

Coach Randy Taylor, national recruiting expert and former college athlete and coach, knows better than most that college sports recruiting is a first come-first serve business.  “College coaches always want to be first, if they can get the jump on a top prospect no matter what age, they will,” says Coach Taylor.  Sills is one of a laundry list of young athletes who have committed to colleges early:

.2008- Michael Avery, a 6’4 Shooting Guard from California, committed to Kentucky before actually knowing what high school he wanted to attend

.2006- Dwayne Polee Jr. committed to USC before ever playing a high school game

.In 2007 Arizona basketball coach Lute Olsen offered two players that were not yet in eigth grade

The list goes on and on.  It’s a fact, college recruiters are going after athletes at younger ages every year.  What does this mean?

Athletes should be going after coaches too.

If a student athlete has interest in playing college sports, he or she needs to get started immediately.  Put together a recruiting video, and compile a comprehensive recruiting profile.  Then send all this information out with an introductory letter to hundreds of possible schools.  Being proactive in the recruiting process is not an action reserved for juniors in high school.  Being proactive and reaching out is a MUST for any athlete with college aspirations, no matter the age.  The college sports recruiting process started yesterday, and any student athlete hoping to play college sports must get on top of it.

Log in and start adding schools to your Recruiting Board HERE!

NCSA’s recruiting experts have selected some of their top student-athletes in different sports based on their academic, athletic and recruiting success.  We need your help to vote for the  Student-Athlete of the Month for February!

Voting is easy…

1. Read through a quick description of the student-athlete

2. Click on the link below the description to view more information

3. Click the “Like” button featured at the bottom of their Recruiting Profile if you feel like they are the best candidate for NCSA Student-Athlete of the Month

Here are the three candidates for NCSA Student-Athlete of the Month for February:

Thorir Fienberg: 2011 Graduate, Men’s Soccer Student-Athlete from California

Vote for Thorir Fienberg HERE

Philip Schanilec: 2011 Graduate, Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete from North Dakota

Vote for Philp Schanilec HERE

Alexander Gebert: 2011 Graduate, Baseball Student-Athlete from Texas

Vote for Alexander Gebert HERE

Feel free to send this to as many people as possible to make sure your favorite wins this month!

Coach Taylor, my son has been recruited by a few DI Ivy League schools for track but was told up front that Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships. Is there something more a top athlete should ask/request or is the recruitment perk that he would be attending an Ivy League school? He has the grades and ACT score to apply without participating in athletics. We see some top athletes attending the Ivy schools, so in your opinion what is the draw, especially since many of these athletes may have been recruited by schools offering athletic scholarships?

To make this decision, your son has to ask himself what he is looking to get out of college. First thing for any student athlete would be the reason to go to college, is to graduate with a degree. He can do this anywhere. Ivy League schools may not have the athletic reputation as some of the other schools looking at your son, but, in turn they have an amazing academic resume and future career resources for their students. Also, some things to definitely think about are potential injuries. If your son or daughter get hurt and are sidelined, do they LOVE the school that they are at? Or did they go there just because it was the one to offer the best athletic scholarship. It is not a 4 year decision, as much as a 40 year decision. This will affect the next steps in your student athlete’s lives and you should take everything into account when deciding on what school to choose, not just the financial aid.

Also, something to think about is that Ivy League schools may not be able to provide “athletic” financial aid, but depended on their level of interest of the recruit, they can pull from other sources and find ways to help out with some sort of financial aid. Good luck!

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.