NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

One of the most important parts of the recruiting process is getting a realistic evaluation of where the High School student-athlete best fits for College Sports. I heard valuable insights on this while attending the Indiana Athletic Director’s Conference in Indianapolis. Chris Geesman, retired former Penn High Football Coach, spoke before standing room only crowds of A.D.’s  at the conference alongside former Ben Davis Football Coach Dick Dullaghan. They formed the Legends Advisory Group to help High School athletic departments around the country in staff development and other areas.

NCSA Recruiting Expert Charlie Adams

In over three decades as a head football coach, Geesman helped place dozens and dozens of athletes in college, from the University of Michigan to Franklin College. Along the way, many of them started out not having a realistic evaluation of where they best fit.

“Most kids, “said Geesman” are a level above as far as projecting where they realistically can play college and most parents are two levels above.”

Geesman explained how he helped kids in the recruiting process.

“I told them I would try to place you where you want to play,” said Geesman. “I would call the college coach and make sure they got tape at whatever program they wanted, which often was Notre Dame since we were located near them. The athlete’s part of the deal was to listen to every offer, whether it was Grand Valley State, Hillsdale, University of Indianapolis, Findlay or what have you. You listen to their coaches while we’re trying to place you at Notre Dame. About two thirds of the way through the recruiting process, everything kind of sorted itself out. The kid who started out thinking ND would come to me and say, “Hey coach, can you get me a visit to Indianapolis?” I never told him he couldn’t play at Notre Dame. They usually came to the realization that a smaller school might be better.”

During Geesman’s era, there was a definite lack of recruiting education for families. “I think we are starting to see more awareness about the recruiting process now,” said Geesman. “(NCSA’s) Charlie Adams is speaking about it a lot and people are learning more. I think a lot of families still don’t understand how good the high level of D3 is in college.”

In his popular book with co author Wes Doi “The Geesman Game” corbypublishing.com Geesman wrote a chapter on the 60 Things he Learned during all his years as a head coach. It is a valuable resource for coaches of all sports when it comes to building and running a championship program. In regards to kids getting scholarships, he did write that as much as he tried to help, some young men simply weren’t grateful. “Some players are so self-centered that they don’t really appreciate all the time you have put in on their behalf,” wrote Geesman in the book. “I had a kid one year who I worked extremely hard to place in a college. I sent films. I called everywhere. I got him D2 visits where they can basically work you out. I spent more time trying to get this kid placed, and he ended up not getting a scholarship. Then I heard him say, “Hey, Coach Geesman screwed me.” He should have come in and got on his knees to thank me for all the effort I put in, but he was so self-centered. I don’t think he appreciated the time that was invested. Don’t get me wrong. Most kids are great, and I’ve had a lot of great feedback from players, but don’t expect it, and you’ll never have your feelings hurt. When that appreciation does come, it is special. A thank you for a person in education means a lot.”

Geesman’s point explains why many High School coaches are not involved in the process like he used to be. In today’s world they are overloaded with job duties because of staff reductions at schools and after awhile many get weary of trying to place a kid at a realistic level only to hear the kid is not interested “because it’s not D1.”

One of the hot points Geesman and Dullaghan addressed was the growing trend to “specialize” in a sport. While in many cases kids specialize because they have a parent hell-bent on them getting an athletic scholarship, you often have the case of an aggressive high school coach who wants kids to focus on their sport.

“A kid should never have to choose a sport in High School,” said Geesman, who was a strong proponent on his football players getting involved in other sports. Geesman also strongly encouraged his players to go to school plays, musicals and other extracurricular events to appreciate all the talent at Penn High School. “The world doesn’t revolve around carrying a football,” Geesman said, who was constantly in attendance at such events himself.

Dullaghan, who was a legendary head football coach at Indianapolis power Ben Davis, agreed with Geesman about athletes not specializing in a sport in High School. He shared the story of a head coach in another sport that told his athletes they would be “11, 6, 4″ kids in that sport. “He meant for eleven months of the year, six days a week, and four hours a day they were to play that sport and not be involved in others,” said Dullaghan, who immediately confronted the coach to tell him his strong feelings on how athletes should be shared, and that coach changed his “sport specializion” tune.

If you would like to know more about what Dullaghan and Geesman as well as their panel of experts do to help athletic departments, you can learn more at Legends Advisory Group.

To bring a NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network speaker to your School, Club or special event to educate families on the recruiting process click here

Earlier, Geesman explained how he observed parents and athletes struggle with understanding the evaluation process. It is critical to understand where your athlete best fits so that the recruiting process will play out as smooth as possible. If you would like a NCSA College Scout to help you with a realistic evaluation of where your athlete is in the recruiting process now click here

Charlie Adams, NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network Recruiting Expert

cadams@ncsasports.org

To bring Charlie in to speak to your School, Club or Event about Recruiting, contact Amanda Rawson at arawson@ncsasports.org

Football:

April 1 – 14 Quiet Period

April 15 through May 31, 2011 Evaluation Period, [except for (g) below]:

*One hundred sixty-eight evaluation days (216 for U.S. service academies) (see Bylaw 13.02.6.2) (excluding Memorial Day and Sundays) selected at the discretion of the member institution and designated in writing in the office of the director of athletics [as provided in (1) below]:

(1) An authorized off-campus recruiter may use one evaluation to assess the prospective student-athlete’s athletics ability and one evaluation to assess the prospective student-athlete’s academic qualifications during this evaluation period). If an institution’s coaching staff member conducts both an athletics and an academic evaluation of the prospective student-athlete on the same day during this evaluation period, the institution shall be charged with the use of an academics evaluation only and shall be permitted to conduct a second athletics evaluation of the prospective student-athlete on a separate day during this evaluation period.

(g) Those days in April/May not designated above for evaluation opportunities: Quiet Period

Men’s Basketball:

April 1-7, 2011, (noon): Dead Period

April 7 (noon) – 20: Contact Period [except for below]:

April 11-14, 2011: Dead Period

April 21-30: Quiet Period

Women’s Basketball:

April 1-14: Dead Period [except for below]:

*One women’s basketball event certified by the NCAA (Bylaw 30.17) held in conjunction with, and conducted in the host city of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship: Evaluation Period.

April 8-10: Quiet Period

April 15 -19: Evaluation Period

*Note: April 15-17 (Evaluations permitted at nonscholastic women’s basketball events)

April 20-30: Quiet Period

Cross Country/Track and Field:

Contact Period.

Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Lacrosse:

Contact Period, except for below:

April 11-14 Dead Period:

Men’s Ice Hockey:

April 11-14: Dead Period.

April 6-10 (noon): Dead Period.

Women’s Ice Hockey:

April 11-14: Dead Period.

April 25 – May 31: Quiet period.

All Other Sports (Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Wrestling):

April 11-14: Dead Period

Phone Calls:

Seniors:

1. Men’s Basketball: DI 2x per week; DII 1x per week.

2. Other Sports: DI/DII 1x per week.

Juniors:

1. Men’s Basketball: DI 1x per month.

2. Men’s Ice Hockey: DI 1x per month.

3. Football: DI 1x between April 15 – May 31.

4. Women’s Basketball: DI 1x per month in April (after the Thursday after the Final Four) and May, 1x between June 1-20, 1x between June 21-30, and 3x in July.

RECRUITING TIPS

*All spring sports seasons are starting, therefore communication with these coaches and recruits will be limited.

*All winter sports season are or have ended, therefore communication with these coaches and recruits will pick back up again.

*All spring sport recruits should set game day visits.

*All non-senior spring sport recruits should be setting unofficial visits.

*Football recruits – juniors and underclassmen, need to be attending combines and junior days.

SWIMMING: Busy time for coach communications.

MEN’s GOLF: Opportunities are limited, looking for the best of the best.

VOLLEYBALL: National Qualifiers – Right now coaches are out making evaluations.

VOLLEYBALL: Top juniors will be given offers over next two months.

TRACK: We are in the busiest recruiting time of the year.

!!!ALERT: DI coaches are always recruiting and looking at athletes, however, at this point in the recruiting process there is not always a spot available or money tied to that spot. Seniors this late need to look at walk-on spots, junior colleges and understand that they may need to tryout.

*Recruits can set tryouts at DII, NAIA and 2-year programs.

!!!ALERT: Many DII coaches have finished their 2011 recruiting as well as top DIII and Top NAIA.

What did you do with your Saturday morning? 

More than 1,000 athletes and parents came out to the ESPN Rise Chicago Event to get their Nike Sparq Score and learn about how to maximize the athletic scholarship process from Recruiting Expert, Randy Taylor!

Coach, I got an admissions letter from a D-1 school in the mail, does this mean they are recruiting me?

Receiving a generic admissions letter is not a sign of athletic recruitment.  College coaches, on average, send out anywhere from 10,000-15,000 of these generic introductions per year.  It is an initial way for the coach to reach out to the broadest spectrum of potential recruits.

Sometimes, these letters may be followed up from a call by one of the coaches or a direct email.  These, unlike the generic admissions letter, are clear basic signs of recruitment.  The general rule of thumb is the more personal the contact (phone rather than email), the more serious level of interest a coach has in a recruit.

If you have ONLY received a generic admissions letter from a program, this does not mean you are being recruited. So many student athletes sit back and wait to be recruited instead of taking charge of the recruiting process when they can.  Start early, reach out to coaches, and be proactive.  Contact as many coaches as you can as early as you can, and this will put you in the best shape over the long term.

Good Luck!

If you have any further questions you can always call (1-866-579-6272) to speak with a national recruiting expert.

To get connected with the College Athletic Recruiting Network, go to http://www.ncsasports.org/

Feel free to also email me back and receive a free online copy of the book Athletes Wanted – the complete guidebook for maximizing athletic scholarship and life potential.

Every one of NCSA’s 250 team members come from different sports and unique back rounds, but we share a common goal:

To make a difference and change lives.

We all know through experience what sports can do for young student-athletes and we give back by empowering future leaders through college sports. Here is some of the feedback NCSA has gotten recently. This is what why we do our job!

At first I had no clue where I was in the recruiting process but now I know where I am and I am more confident in my college future.
–Kenny Johnson

Would not know how to go about the recruiting process without your help.
–Michael Muzio

Because I believe everything I do with NCSA is getting me closer to my dreams.
–Thomas Koufie

I have already recommended NCSA to other people because of the experience I have already had so far. When I joined real people were actually there to help me get started. I have learned so much from NCSA and the many people associated about the recruiting process.
–Jordan Johnson

Because it’s a great way to get out there especially when you’re a state that hardly gets noticed. (New Mexico)
–Caleb Crum

From the beginning we have received very good instruction for preparing for the recruitment process. So far NCSA has had good professional and helpful communication. We have received responsive and competent guidance about the recruitment process….We are pleased with our son’s profile. The website is thorough and expansive.
–Garrett Mayhart

We have been very pleased with our NCSA experience. NCSA has taught us so much about the recruiting process. Our daughter has received a tremendous offer (almost a full ride) from a D-III college in our hometown. Yes, she has good grades, but the college’s track coach was instrumental in her getting that offer. She has also had some D-I and D-II offers that would never have occurred without NCSA. She is still undecided at this point but will probably accept either the great D-III offer or an invitation from an in-state D-I program to walk on with some academic scholarship money. Thanks, NCSA!
–Taylor Irby

After my information was distributed, I immediately began receiving emails and letters from schools that wanted me.
–Kristen Gowdy

Spectacular service! If it wasn’t for you guys, I wouldn’t have received any looks from schools. Couldn’t have gone through recruiting without them!
–Nick Mask

You guys are always very helpful and easy to work with. Everyone that we have worked with has been very nice and interested in helping us.
–Dakota Blanc

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People often ask, “What is NCSA all about?” “What are you guys trying to accomplish?”

Nothing better explains the NCSA “Why” than these commercials.

Coach Taylor, my son signed to play with a school and when he got there he realized it had NOTHING he wanted academically.  He is not sure what to do.  Any advice?

Unfortunately, this is one of the most important parts of the recruiting process and, therefore, one of the worst on which to make a mistake.

So few athletes actually make it to the professional level from college sports that recruits MUST be considering what they may want to do in the future and, as a result, what academic program they are looking for.

Not only are academics a vital part of choosing a school, but they also play a key role in gaining contact with a coach.  If a very young recruit contacts a coach early in the process with interest in the school, academics is a great way to engage in conversation.  “Coach, I was very intrigued by the _____ academic program at ABC University, do you have anymore information on that?”  Also, most coaches will see interest in academics as a sign of good character and work ethic in a recruit.

It is unfortunate if you have already enrolled in a school only to realize that it is not what you want, this is where the decision to possibly transfer comes into play.  Be sure, if you want to transfer, to look at every single aspect of your new school before deciding it is a good fit.

Coach, my daughter is being recruited by a few schools that are “non-scholarship” schools.  Does this mean we have no chance of financial aid at these colleges?

No.  There are many schools, at multiple levels, that are not allowed to technically award “athletic scholarships”.  Schools like this include Division III schools and some Division I-AA schools, among others.

There are three other kinds of scholarships that student-athletes may qualify for: need-based scholarships, academic scholarships, and merit scholarships.

Need-based scholarships are determined based on the student-athlete’s family’s economic profile.  This is determined through the FAFSA application.  Academic scholarships are based on the student’s grades, test scores, and academic accomplishments.  Merit scholarships are special awards usually based on leadership, accomplishments, special talents, and other specific awards for athletes coming out of high school.

Non-Scholarship schools typically give more academic scholarships to qualified athletes than others because athletic scholarships are not available.  All of this emphasizes to the importance of hard work in the classroom.  The harder the student-athlete works in high school, the more money he or she can receive.

Another important factor in determining these academic and merit scholarships is the student-athlete’s extra –curricular resume.  This is where the clubs, activities, and student organizations will increase each student-athlete’s chance of receiving financial aid.  The better a students grades and resume, the more money he or she can receive.

Coach Taylor, I already took a school invited me to take an official visit with them, but I have already been there on an unofficial.  Is there a difference?  Should I go?

Yes, if you are interested in playing at this school, take the official visit.  There are many large differences between unofficial and official visits.  First of all, recruits are allowed as many unofficial visits as they want, but they are only allowed 5 official visits (at the Division I and III levels).

Official visits are only allowed after the student-athlete begins his or her senior year in high school.  The school can pay for transportation, lodging (dorms usually with the athletes on the team), meals, and entertainment.

An official visit is typically a far better representation of what the student-athlete will experience if he or she chooses to attend that college.  More time will be spent with members of the team and coaches.  It will be a better chance for the recruit to evaluate his or her feelings on the school.

Overall, taking an official visit is great for schools which recruits are thinking of attending.  They are a great way to see more of the school, while briefly experiencing what life on that campus may be like.