NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Charlie Adams brings 23 years of experience covering the recruiting of high school athletes who reached their dream of playing college sports. Adams was an award winning sportscaster at television stations and is one of NCSA’s Recruiting Experts.

I had a long conversation with a mother and father whose daughter, a soccer player, had just found the right fit for college.

She was found by the college coach when he was looking at another recruit’s video. The other recruit was not clearly identified on the video, and the college coach noticed their daughter making plays on it. This is why you cannot make college coaches play detective in trying to figure out where you are on video, or some other kid will get a scholarship off your tape. I have found the NCSA guidance in this area critical. An arrow pointing at the recruit at the start of a play is very important. One of the points of College Recruiting Simplified is to make a “winning Highlight/Skills video.” The key word there is ‘winning.’ Families often have no idea how much more successful they will be in recruiting if they had a better understanding of how to work the video process. I continue to be amazed at how many families don’t even have a plan for it, and don’t have video of their kid – even as 12th graders sometimes!

The mother, father and daughter made several unofficial visits during her High School days. The young lady evaluated out to be a NAIA or D3 player, so they met with several coaches. One young head coach got all wound up during their meeting and talked about how they would have a “D1 mentality” at the D3 school. He was a little too gung-ho. They appreciated his fever and enthusiasm, but wanted to find someone a little calmer. They continued the process, made more visits, and found a school with a veteran coach who still had the fire for coaching. It wasn’t the reason they picked the school. Their major reason was the school would allow her to grown in her faith, athletics and academics, but they felt this particular coach had the calm, steady approach and decades of experience to better fit her. Now, the next kid might eat up that other coach’s wound-up approach. It’s all part of getting out there and finding the right fit. I spoke at the Mizuno Mid East Regional Volleyball Qualifiers in Indianapolis earlier this year. I talked with one mother whose daughter had already been on three unofficial visits in the Fall of her junior year, and was close to firming up the right fit. It was because she was “out there.”

For an Evaluation of your College Recruiting potential

Charlie Adams

NCSA Senior Speaker

cadams@ncsasports.org

A former Indiana Wesleyan University baseball player, Brandon Beachy, made his first start on the mound this past week for the Atlanta Braves. This marks the first baseball player from IWU to play at the Big League level. To learn more about him and Indiana Wesleyan please click here.

Beachy threw four and a third innings and allowed only one earned run. Prior to starting for the Braves, he was named the Atlanta Braves Double – A Pitcher of the Year. Brandon graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 2008 and he marks just one of many who have gone on to play professionally after playing at the NAIA level.

NCSA recently received feedback for the College Coach’s Corner from Carleton College’s Baseball Coach, Aaron Rushing:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am relaxed, more a teacher than a yeller, and I have very high expectations of our players.  I push them hard and try to get them to see where they can push themselves even more.  We focus on the fundamentals, throwing strikes and playing good defense.  I expect our players to be exceptional baseball players and highly committed, but I expect our players to take advantage of all the opportunities available at Carleton.

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

I would argue that we provide the best combination of baseball, academics, and student life in the country.  We are competitive in one of the top conferences in Division III.  We are a top 10 liberal arts college.  Our players are able to experience “college” and all that Carleton has to offer.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Most importantly, I care about the players.  I want them to succeed on and off the field.  We have a team GPA over 3.3, and our guys do amazing stuff off the field.  I am going to support your non-baseball interests more than just about any other coach.  One of our guys did a health care service project in Africa last summer, another won a Fulbright, and most study abroad during the fall or summer at least once in their career.  Close to 10% of our players are pre-med.  We have several two-sport athletes as well.  I’m not going to try to run your life off the field.  I expect great commitment and effort when we’re together, but I want you to pursue your other interests as well.  We have just one rule: do the right thing.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I want the player who wants to win a championship without sacrificing academics.  I place a priority on competitiveness, athleticism and a great arm.  Our guys need to be able to throw, run and hit, and be committed to getting the absolute best education they can get.  Our ideal guy is a Division I player who is not willing to sacrifice academics to play at that level.

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

Have a transcript and video ready for coaches.  Also, be proactive in the search so that you get a good idea of what you are looking for.

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

Questions about what the college athlete experience will be like.  I want guys who want to spend more time with the players than with me.  The players are the ones who can tell you about being a student-athlete.  As a coach, I have a feel for where they will fit on the baseball field, but they’ve got to be a fit with their teammates and the school.

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

Guys who have not done any research on their own and have no idea what they are looking for.  I need guys who are self-starters.  Carleton is one of the most challenging colleges in the country and our guys have to be able to balance academics and athletics.  If the academic part of the college search is not a priority, they will not be a good fit.

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

Giving our players a great college experience. Our guys compete and have fun.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Unique opportunity to play for a competitive program while getting the best college education in the world.

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

Email me and fill out our online questionnaire:

http://www.frontrush.com/Templates/FRGeneral/Carleton/MBaseball/SubmissionForm/carletonmbaseball.html

I will also want a skills video and a copy of their transcript.

NCSA recently received feedback for the College Coach’s Corner from Loras’ Baseball Coach, Daniel Wellik:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Personable, demanding, and understanding.  As a younger coach it is easy for me to relate to players, as not too long ago I was in their shoes.  I expect alot out of my athletes and in turn hope they expect alot out of me.  We are all together for common goals so we hold each other accountable.  I feel that I expect alot but am fair in doing so.  I also understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned and being able to adapt is one of my strengths.

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

First and foremost, Loras College is a wonderful place with great people.  The people are what makes Loras, you will not find a friendlier atmosphere where young people turn themselves into responsible adults.  It is a great place to learn and grow at.  A few things other things to note would be that we are a smaller school (enrollment 1800) and that we are a laptop computer campus in which every student receives a computer and where technology is used in the classroom on a daily basis.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

We are here to help you become who you want to be.  As cheesy as the NCAA television commercials are about student-athletes going pro in other things than sports, it is true.  There are so many things outside of baseball that we try to help our athletes with.  From internships, to studying abroad, to learning important things about life in general.  We try to teach our kids how to be most importantly good people who will be good husbands, fathers, and members of their community.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Ability is the first thing that most coaches look for and so do we, we want kids that can help us win.  Second, we look at the person academically usually over a 3.0 gpa and 20 act.  There are also other things like character, internal drive, and we want kids that want to be at Loras not kids that want to be somewhere else.

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

Be honest with themselves and with coaches.  Always keep the lines of communication open and let coaches know if you are or are not interested.  Coaches would rather hear no than not hear anything at all.  Also, look at what the school is offering you and ask yourself if that is what you want.  We have had kids who have picked other schools when they don’t have their majors.

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

I like to hear questions about goals we have for our program and the future.  I also like questions about what we see in them as players.  It gives them a good idea about how much we are interested.

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

When they don’t respond.  If I contact a young man and they don’t respond in a reasonable amount of time, it frustrates me becasue I don’t know if they are not interested or are.

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

I feel like we are successful in instructing and teaching the game of baseball the right way.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

The opportunity to play with outstanding teammates, be coached by outstanding coaches, and receive a degree that will set them up for success for the rest of their life.

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

Email me at daniel.wellik@loras.edu or they can go to our baseball webpage at www.duhawks.com and fill out a prospective athlete questionnaire.

College Coach’s Corner: Marietta College’s Baseball Coach, Brian Brewer

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

“Old School” with a twist.  Big on discipline, playing the game the right way, but ultra competitive.  My door is always open and we feel we are one big happy family but we do believe in tough love.

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

Big college baseball environment in a small school atmosphere.  “Big fish small pond.” Our alumni and community support is outstanding.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am not the easiest guy in the world to play for, nor is this the easiest program to play in. We will demand your best every time out (i.e. weight room, practice session, classroom, social settings, games, etc…..)  We, as a staff, our demanding.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Good kids from good families who can play the game. You must have the ability to get it    done academically and athletically at this level.  We like young men who are super competitive and play hard on the field but perfect gentleman off.

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

Application for admission and financial aid forms

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

Do you think I can play for you?

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

I hear you over recruit and how many other guys are you bringing in at my position?

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

Helping young men grow into mature and productive citizens.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

If getting a great education and playing for National Championships is important to you check it out, if not we wish you the best.

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

Call me at the office (740)376-4517 or email brewerb@marietta.edu

NCSA recently received feedback for the College Coach’s Corner from Shenandoah University’s Baseball Coach, Kevin Anderson:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Cooperative

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

You will have an opportunity to get a quality education and play first class baseball on the D3 level.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I respect and teach the game.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

CIAA C-Character, I-Intelligence, A-Athleticism, A-Attitude

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

Find the school that fits their needs academically first and baseball second.  Research the school from every facet.

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

I like guys who want an opportunity and not a guarantee.  Don’t tell me, show me.
7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

An SA that is disrespectful to their parents and current coach.

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

Recruiting good people.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We have taken a program from 12 players,  a 2.18 GPA, back to back 11 win seasons to 54 players and a JV program, 3.0 GPA where we graduate our players rather than run out of eligibility, back to back 38-10 seasons, back to back NCAA South Region champs and the only school to compete in the D3 CWS in 09 and 10’.

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

Contact me via email @ kanders2@su.edu

NCSA recently received feedback for the College Coach’s Corner from North Park University’s Baseball Coach, Luke Johnson:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I think my player’s description would be the most accurate.  I think if you asked them, they’d say that my expectations for them are high in every avenue, and that I work very hard to help them reach them on a daily basis.  That goes for my coaches to.  I’m a players coach if those players are hardnosed and love to work!

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

There are very few college baseball programs in legitimate world class cities.  We offer a scholarship level experience on a great campus, in a great city, Chicago.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

We are one of a handful of programs nationally, on any level, that have seen five straight years of positive growth, in terms of wins and losses, NCAA regional ranking,  MLB draft representation, and player development.  Every way you can quantify positive momentum for half of a decade…we’re in a very small group, and have room to grow!

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Ability, work ethic, and accountability, all equally important.  We play in a conference that has multiple teams ranked in the top 25 every year.  In order to continue to grow, we need players that have options above and beyond division III, but feel like we are a good fit.

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

Do due diligence.  Sift through the like information and look for the distinctives, and align yourself with people and programs that have a demonstrated track record of valuing what you value yourself.

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

Any question that shows long range thinking.  This shows investment in the choice and maturity that is hard to teach, as well as family values like commitment that reflect some of our own program values.

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

Lack of attentiveness on a visit….that’s about it.

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

Developing players over time, as well as evaluating what type of guy will fit in with what we do.  We try to fit the right peg into the right hole and do a very good job with that.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We offer you everything a Division I program will offer from an instruction standpoint, with that caliber of total facility, with an academic environment that is more intimate and conducive to student success.

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

Call or email, either is fine.

College Coach’s Corner: Lesley University’s Baseball Coach, Mike Rocco

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

An energetic, player’s coach. I want to be able to have open lines of communications with my players so we are all on the same page with everything that goes on in our program.

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

You have the ability to go to a great school located just outside of Boston that still has the campus feel. You have more opportunities because of our location to make great connections when you enter the work force. From baseball standpoint, you have the chance to come in and be a part of the foundation of our program as we move forward.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am a young head coach that has played at a high level in both college and during the summer.  I am committed to helping them succeed by putting them in the right positions and helping them achieve all their goals both in the class room and on the baseball field.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Someone who is willing to take on challenges, someone who is smart and enthusiastic about what they do. Energy is a key theme with what we do in our program.

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

Enjoy it, it is a great time in your life so make sure to see and learn about as many schools as possible to help make your decision because every school you look at will have things that you like and that will fit what you want to do.

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

Asking about the school and how coming to Lesley as opposed to other schools will better prepare them for what lies ahead in life.

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

Lack of interest in academics, one day your baseball career will be over so as a student athlete you have to make sure that you are doing as well as you can in the class room to help prepare you for that day.

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

I think we will be successful at doing the fundamentals very well. By doing the little things correctly and paying attention to detail, that will without question put our program in the best position to succeed.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Along with everything that the school has to offer from an academic standpoint, the opportunity to come in and play meaningful time as a freshman and as well as the chance to help build a program from the foundation up.

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

By email at baseball@lesley.edu. Please send me your information and a summer/high school schedule so I or someone from my staff can come and see you play.

College Coach’s Corner: Worcester State College’s Baseball Coach, Dirk Baker

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I was born to coach. I’ve been coaching in college every year since 1993, and was lucky enough to earn an Ed.M. and Ed.D. in PE. Nothing is better than practice. I love to see young freshmen come in, and leave mature adults and better baseball players 4 years later. I also do Legion and the Mass. Bay State Games to stay busy over the summer. To coach in college is a major rush esp. with fall ball, winter recruiting, winter pre-season, Fla., 40+ games, NCAAs, then summer ball.

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

We’ve been to the NCAAs 4 times since 2002. We’ve broken basically every school record ever set here, and baseball has been played here since WWII. We’re excited to open our new campus field in 2011. With our Dome bubble practice facility, low tuition, and MLB draft picks (2006, 2008) a lot of talented kids are looking here which has been ranked among the Princeton Review’s Top Northeast colleges.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I eat, sleep, drink, and breathe baseball. Practice is my time, and games are for the players. Catchers call their own games, and base stealers have the green light. We tweak guys to make everyone better. Baseball is also FUN, and you’re here to get a great education, play on a great team, and win a championship along the way.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Can the kid handle himself 1st class on-and-off the field. That means going to every class, sitting in the 1-2 rows, seeking a tutor if needed, and striving for excellence. We recruit dirt dogs who are willing to play another position (pitchers also hit here), and always put the team before themselves.

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

Showcase themselves as much as possible (don’t expect coaches to be banging on your door) and enjoy playing the game vs. just doing it to get a scholarship.

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

How did you hear about me? Where do you project me in 1-2-3 years? How can I play in a collegiate wooden bat league? Can I do a fall overnight? What type of academic scholarships are available? Am I the recruit to get Worcester State to the College World Series?

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

Not allowing the parents to be a part of the recruiting process; disrespecting their parents, high school coach, or teammates; going to college just for baseball and not appreciating the value of an education; putting social life over academics/baseball.

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

We make players into better people and ballplayers. College isn’t for everyone, and playing college baseball takes a lot of sacrifice, hard work, and execution. We play more games than any sport. Our kids will be successful in their field of study. They will love their playing experience, and be a part of our program forever.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Winning, academics, team.

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

Email or phone: 508-929-8852 / dbaker1@worcester.edu

College Coach’s Corner: Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Women’s Tennis Coach, Phil Birnbaum

How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Experienced and a good communicator

What is unique about the experience at your school?

That academics come first even though we practice and play hard

What do recruits need to know about you?

That I was a small college All-American and have over thirty years as a USPTA-Pro

What do you look for in recruits?

The desire to play until old age takes over

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

When you spend a lot of time recruiting one and there is no contact if not interested.

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

Improving players

Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are successful but without unnecessary pressure. We also take a family approach for our players to be happy and academically strong.

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

Email: Phil.birnbaum@stockton.edu