NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Dear Coach Taylor – should I include an introduction in my highlight video where I talk a bit about myself?

Highlight videos generally don’t include a greeting portion. Sometimes skills videos will have a brief introduction at the beginning. For example: “I’m Johnny Smith, and I play outside linebacker at Kennedy High School,” but not much more than that. Coaches watch highlights and skills videos to see highlights and skills.

But – you are absolutely correct in thinking about how important character and personality is to a coach. That’s something your son will need to show them in person and over the phone. Character is very important to coaches, and that’s why it’s so crucial to be in contact by email, phone, and visits, so they can see that side of you. It can be a big advantage over someone they’ve never met and know nothing about.

You can also create a profile online (we offer free ones!) This is another place where he can list his community service, write a short bio about himself, etc., and let coaches see some of his character.

It’s different for everyone, but no matter where you are in the recruiting process, there are 5 things that you MUST do if you want to get recruited. Let’s get right to it.

Everyone

KEEP a strong GPA and seek help with any subjects where you are struggling
EVALUATE your athletic/physical ability, set goals to improve, and achieve them
MAINTAIN strong personal integrity and stay out of trouble
LEARN the recruiting rules and calendar
POST your athletic and academic information online where coaches can see it

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“God blessed me with all the talent in the world. I knew I was going pro if I had just stayed in school. I had the world in my hands…”

Those are the words of Matt Wills, one of the most remarkable High School athletes of the past quarter century. In a powerful, must-watch 2-part TV series, sportscaster Dean Huppert has captured the story of a young man who could have been one of the best ever, had he had better guidance around him in recruiting, and had he made the right choice when it came to sign.

As a tenth grader, Wills rushed for 271 yards and scored 6 touchdowns in his third High School football game for Riley High. He could bench press 400 pounds, had sprinter speed, and was a heavyweight wrestling champion. D1 schools were on him like white on rice.

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Dear Coach Taylor – Is the time to get signed as a football player between February 1 and April 1?

You are partly correct: the  National Letter of Intent signing period for football players is February 1 through April 1 of 2012 for the fall of that year (remember that National Letters of Intent are used by Division I and Division II schools only).

But by the time February 1 rolls around, National Letters of Intent are just a formality. The actual evaluation and communication occurs much earlier for Division I and II football coaches.

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“This could totally affect the way College Coaches recruit.”

That’s the professional viewpoint of NCSA’s Amanda Rawson, who is an expert on NCAA Rules and Academic Reform Change.  I was with several of our NCSA Speakers at a roundtable discussion with Amanda at the NCSA offices in Chicago. Amanda played Junior College Basketball and at St. John’s in the Big East Conference. She has been with NCSA for many years.

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This weeks NCSA Sports Sound Off features Scouting Coordinators  Steve Green and Brett Burgess as they go head to head on whether or not sanctions from NCAA violation should follow coaches/players to their next job. What Do you think?

Steve: The idea that sanctions should follow coaches is one I find hard to agree with.  Primarily, I believe in personal responsibility.  It is the responsibility of the school to make sure that they hire, and correctly educate their employees on all of the rules of a position. Coaches, even with their high profile positions and large salaries, are still employees (more…)

Dear Coach Taylor – What are the rules on a student-athlete transferring from a Division II to a Division I school?