For almost thirty years I have been interviewing athletes about their recruiting as they were going through the process and the major factors that went into their search for the right place to be a college athlete. The first interview was in 1983 when I had a lengthy interview with a big lineman named Todd Irvin who was being recruited by SEC football powers. “What are your factors in finding the right fit?” I asked him, and thus began years of researching what leads to the most successful recruiting experiences. 
As a former broadcast journalist, I interviewed literally thousands over the years, including many who had graduated who shared with me their “if I had recruiting to do over again here is how I would do it” stories. As the parent of a current NCAA cross country runner that went through the recruiting process the last few years, I have seen first hand what goes into finding the “right fit.”
I have come to the conclusion that “right fit” are two of the most important words in recruiting, more than “best scholarship” or “bigtime program.” Here are three key factors in finding the place where your son or daughter will have four or five of the most valuable years of their life. Legendary former High School Football Coach Dick Dullaghan, who helped hundreds of his players at power Ben Davis High play College, feels these three factors are critical and I agree!
1) Go Where You are Wanted: I will write more in depth about my son’s recruiting experience later, but as we made numerous Visits, I could tell the difference between Coaches, Athletes and Programs that really wanted him and those that felt he would be an okay addition to those not interested. At the school he eventually selected, virtually the entire cross country team made it out to seem him during the first school day he visited. I could tell, as a parent in the background, that it made a lasting impression on him. Although many College XC Coaches showed interest, the coach at this University showed a deep, sincere interest in his wellbeing as a student and athlete. As you go through Visits, you will be able to tell the difference. It’s a big reason why you need to be taking multiple unofficial visits, and not waiting until junior or senior year to take them! We started 10th grade year. Tim Tebow, in his new book, says that he started 10th grade as well.
If you start the recruiting process early by making your student-athlete very appealing to colleges as far as academics, athletic ability, extracurriculars, and community service, you will find that schools will really want your child to be a part of their school. As you get into Admissions on Visits, you will tell the ones that REALLY want your child compared to those that would be glad to have him or her.
2) Go Where You Can Get Significant Funding: Notice I didn’t write Go Where You Get a Full Ride. Obviously, if the place that is the right fit can offer a full scholarship, great! You have nailed it, especially in these challenging economic times. However, the most important factor is finding the right fit for your child, where academics, athletics, social setting, geography, chance to compete, coaching match, chemistry with team, proper level of collegiate competition, and faith (for those that list that as an important factor) all fall in sync.
You want your child at the College that will best position them for the next 40 years of life, and if that means paying some, and taking out some loans that will not be overwhelming, then that is important to consider. Think about the quality and reputation of the degree at a school and how that will play out over the next forty years. It’s easy to say, “Well, we need to go here because it is a lot cheaper.” However, will the bang of the degree of that school have as much clout out in the world. An athlete that plays this whole thing right, finds a darn good school, develops as a student and athlete, and who networks, can be in position to do very well over their lifetime.
As we went through this, because of the remarkable exposure NCSA brought my son, we actually had some schools that had a better overall scholarship package, but as one who has studied recruiting success for thirty years, I knew that the school he selected was the best fit for him. His scholarship package was significant, and he is at a place where he can blossom as a young person because of the right fit. He could have gone to other schools with better scholarship packages, but they were not the right fit.
3) Go Where If You Have a Career Ending Injury You Will Still Love the School: As I deliver College Recruiting Simplified to audiences all over, I cannot tell you how many times I have explained this point, and looked out to see Mom’s and Dad’s nodding in agreement. Really, at all three points above, but especially this one. Most “get it” that this whole thing is about using athletics to put the young person at a top quality college setting where they will grow and develop.
Alex Banfich was one of the nation’s top runners just a few years ago at Culver Academies. The Plymouth, IN native was heavily recruited by all kinds of D1 Cross Country/Track programs. When she made her choice, this factor was significant. She even told the local media that she wanted to be at a place where if she suffered a leg injury that ended her running she would still love the school. She chose Princeton, and is thriving there now.
Before delivering Recruiting Education at a powerful Midwest Volleyball Club, I had a long talk with the mother of four children that had or were playing D1 sports. She talked about one daughter who signed with a D1 Volleyball University in a major city. Her daughter loved the school because it had a great Communications program and it was in a big city. Unfortunately, her College Coach turned a Jekyl/Hyde on her, she felt pressured to play injured at times, and the Vball experience was not what she hoped it would be. However, she loved the school and the energy of being in the big city, nailed her major, and put herself in position to have a coveted employee, and enduring through the challenging playing days gave her resiliency qualities that will carry all through life.
I can understand why elite athletes with remarkable God given abilities put major stock into the College Coach and program when signing, because they may have a serious chance to become a professional, but for most prospective College athletes, be careful about putting so many eggs into the basket of who the coach will be.
As a parent, you know your son or daughter. I don’t agree with parents that say the college choice is totally up to the kid. Yes, it is mainly their decision but have a lot of discussion. As a parent, you know that your child’s personality would be better suited at such-and-such school. Bring up points in a suggestive way to generate discussion and thought on their end. Develop lists of pro’s and con’s. Write them down at each visit. You probably won’t find a place that is perfect in everything, but it will help.
As I went through the process as a parent, the thing that kept me up at night was not getting a “full ride” but finding the “right fit.” My son is now early in his college days as a student-athlete and is having a remarkable experience. To see him find the absolute right fit is like a baseball player hitting a pitch with the sweet spot of the bat. It is gratifying.
The three factors above can help you in the process as well. Please share your thoughts below based on your experiences, as insights from others are appreciated. My College Recruiting Presentations are built through the observations of thousands of interviews, and your insights mean a lot.
If you would like questions answered about finding the right fit for your athlete, email me at cadams@ncsasports.org
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Charlie Adams
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