NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Competitive, Intense and Hard-Working

2. What’s unique about the experience at Boise State University?

The most unique thing about Boise State is our blue football field (that everyone always wants to see!) but in golf I think it is the close bond the team members have and how well they always get along.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am very passionate about golf and want to win. Therefore, my expectations are high but I will do anything I can to help a player succeed.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Athletic individuals who have not yet reached their potential, who are competitive and who set high goals and are willing to work toward them.

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

I don’t think there is just one thing I can narrow it down to! First, you MUST put your graduation year on EVERYTHING! This includes emails, phone calls, letters, etc. or a coach will not respond. This means the actual year you will graduate, not the year you are in school (sophomore, junior, etc.). Also, some junior golf results are hard to find so include your scores in emails. If you don’t and the coach cannot find them, you probably won’t receive a reply. Finally, and possibly the most important thing would include taking as many campus visits – official or unofficial – as possible to make an informed decision. There is no need to rush such an important decision.

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

I like to hear questions about practice/qualifying and workout as well as what to expect. I really don’t want the players to get here and say “I didn’t realize it was going to be like this…” because it is important to be prepared in order to be successful.

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

Players who are only concerned with scholarship money. It is important to have a good experience during college and find a place that feels like home. So many players are concerned with the money aspect and don’t pay attention to the other details. Being happy comes from being successful, not from any amount of scholarship money.

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

Boise State Women’s Golf is successful at getting players experience from the very beginning as freshmen and helping to lower scores by working on course management and short game that are sometimes overlooked in junior golf. Being able to gain experience traveling as a freshman is so important to reaching the goals players set by the time they graduate.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

A player should consider our program because of the academic and athletic experience she will have at Boise State, the commitment by the coaching staff and entire athletic department to excellence, and the variety of championship golf courses we use for practice and playing everyday to improve.

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

The best way to contact me is via email at nicoleharris1@boisestate.edu. The most important thing is not to forget the grad year!! It is also good to include scores from recent tournaments.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I think I could be described as a “players” coach, although I have a few old-school philosophies I adhere to strictly. I think I’m able to have a good rapport with my players, but at the same time have the discipline I think is necessary for college athletes, no matter the sport.

2. What’s unique about the experience at Missouri State?

I think we offer a good blend of the Division I experience – a great education at a place where you’re more than a number and a real person, combined with an athletic experience where you’re going to get a chance to compete at a high level with golf facilities that are outstanding.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That I have two teenaged daughters and I’ve been coaching for 16 years, so there’s not much that I haven’t seen or dealt with. Because of my experience, I think my players are able to trust me when it comes to golf matters and life situations, and they know I’ll always have their best interests at heart. That you’re going to be pushed and challenged to be a better person, student and golfer, and that you’re going to hear me preach about three main things when it comes to the game itself: short game, course management, and competing like your life depended on it.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Great people first, then players who really compete and aren’t afraid to get “down and dirty” while competing at their best. I’m looking for players who, on a bad day, have the makeup to grind their tail off and turn in a 77 instead of an 82.

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

Be realistic about the level of your ability while not selling yourself short. It’s a fine line to walk, but be sure to find a place where you’re going to have a chance to play.

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

The ones who want to know about practices, philosophies and the nuts and bolts of how we operate.

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

A prima donna attitude, like they’re doing me a favor by letting me recruit them. Like they’re not interested in being here when they’re on a visit. I had a young lady in for a visit last fall and she was texting constantly while she was here. Really turned me and my team off.

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

Developing players who may not have been blue-chip prospects coming out of high school and turning them into good Division I players.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Because you’re going to develop as a player and person over your four years at MSU…I think our track record shows that. You’re going to be taken care of in an atmosphere that promotes excellence, both in the classroom and on the course.

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

They can e-mail me at KevinKane@missouristate.edu or call me at 417-836-4138.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

My first obligation as a coach is to see that our players stay on schedule for a degree in their respective academic programs. With regard to our golf team I work hard at seeing that players support each other. We work with the game that players bring to the Mount Mercy program. Golf requires great patience, and I believe that to be one of my strengths as a coach. We want our players to build sound fundamentals, learn to manage golf course situations, and most important, to master themselves.

2. What’s unique about the experience at Mount Mercy College?

The Mount Mercy College experience is unique in that people know who you are. They are friendly, and individuals are treated as people, not numbers. The uniqueness of our golf program is that it continues to grow with the talent that we are able to recruit. We embrace the challenge of competing against teams that might be a little better than we are. Doing so makes us better competitors.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I would like recruits to know that they can communicate with me at any time, that we will stay on top of their academic progress, and that we will always work hard to make them better people and players.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

First and foremost we look for recruits who are good people with solid academic skills. Perhaps the most important golf attribute that we look for is a desire to compete. We want players who have a sense of humor, who seek to work hard, play hard and who are not afraid to learn how to let their confidence levels soar!

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

We expect that while interacting with us recruits will demonstrate a sense of courtesy and responsibility. We pay attention to what student athletes say they will do and what they actually do. We look for congruence.

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

Some of the questions we like to hear include, what are your academic programs like, how are practices structured, how do you determine what kind of schedule you will play, and how will you make me a better player?

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

Probably the biggest turn-off from our perspective is when a prospect is rude, particularly toward her own parents.

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

I think our golf program has improved each year. We continue to assemble better and better players, to help those players identify what they want from golf, to help them get better, and to keep them positively supporting each other as representatives of our college. We are also very good at keeping our players on target academically.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

A player should consider Mount Mercy College because, 1) it is an outstanding academic institution, 2) our golf program is always seeking to compete and get better, and 3) I believe athletes will leave here as better players and more mature people.

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

Potential recruits can visit the Mount Mercy College website at www.mtmercy.edu and complete a “recruit me” form or they can contact me directly at cwilliams@mtmercy.edu. In either case, we will follow up with them.

#1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I consider myself to be more of a life coach and a proxy parent. Actual coaching of golf seems to be only about 5% of my job.

#2. What’s unique about the experience at Fairfield University?

Being at Fairfield University our concentration is on the entire person. At Fairfield, being a Jesuit University, we focus on Academics, Athletics, Community, and Service. Being able to focus on all aspects of our student athletes, make Fairfield a special place.

#3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Recruits should know that I have been coaching for 13 years, I am a member of the PGA, 2 time MAAC conference coach of the year, and have coached two Scholastic All Americans.

#4. What do you look for in recruits?

What I am most interested in, in a recruit , is a well rounded student athlete, with high academic standards, and a desire and ability to play competitive golf at a high level.

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

What a recruit should do in the recruiting process is play in a lot of high quality tournaments, research the schools that are both a good academic and athletic fit, so that they can succeed in their future.

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

What I really like to hear from recruits are questions concerning academics, how they can improve as an individual, and as a team mate, where they will fit into the program and what opportunity will they have to play.

#7. What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete?

A real turn off for me is someone who comes across as a individual as opposed to a team player.

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

I make a promise to all my parents that my number one priority is that their child graduates first and plays some great golf. I do my best to prepare my graduating student athletes for life after college and I believe I have been successful in that.

#9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Fairfield’s reputation as one of the top academic institutions, the quality of the tournaments we participate in and the opportunity to become a well rounded person are all reasons to consider the golf program here at Fairfield.

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

The best way for a recruit to reach me is through e-mail or phone. The information that is most prevalent to me is their academic standing, their tournament schedule, their scoring average and their personality.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am very motivated to help each girl reach her potential, but I also realize that education comes first. I approach the game from a psychological perspective, rather than a technical perspective.

2. What’s unique about the experience at Ashford University?

The family atmosphere. Everyone on campus has a strong connection to the athletes here and really follow their success. Our team is very close on and off the course.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I only ask that you try your best and genuinely care about your teammates. After that, everything will fall into place.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Passionate and dedicated players with a low level of “drama”.

I really like to recruit athletes that compete in multiple sports. I think a player you is used to competition in different areas will handle adversity well on the course.

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

Return phone calls, and emails!!

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

“How can I best fit in with my team?”

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

A student-athlete that thinks they are “too good” for you. Individuals that have an open mind are better served in the recruiting process

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

Getting a solid education, building team chemistry and making great memories.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are a young and “upcoming” school and program. We have great scholarship offers and we have been very competitive with in the conference and region.

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

Coach Josh Davis

Ashford University

jdavis@camanche.k12.ia.us

563-357-4069

www.ashfordathletics.com

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Competitive, Straight forward,

2. What’s unique about the experience at Kansas State University?

K-State is a great college town. The community supports the university and student-athletes with a caring and supportive passion.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I care about my players and will help them anyway I can. But I also will make sure they know that at the end of the day it is up to them what they accomplish in golf.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I look for competitive, honest young ladies who love to play golf. I want a player that has the ability to handle adversity and wants to become a better player and be a positive impact on K-State Women’s Golf. Willing to make sacrifices in order to improve.

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

Recruits should be patient. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the campus and spend time with the team, coach and in that environment.

Make a list of what is important to them and stick to it. Be honest.

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

Questions about practice, conditioning, academic expectations, summer competition expectations. Also, like when they ask what I expect from them once they are here. A recruit should ask any question that relates to what they are looking for. This will help both the prospect and coach know whether or not this would be a good fit. It has to be a good fit for both.

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

Being asked about scholarship money or sponsorship deals immediately.

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

Our program provides a balanced environment between academics and athletics. K-State also provides an opportunity to make an impact as a freshman.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Great golf course, practice facility and education. K-State provides a fun, supportive atmosphere. This is a wonderful community and a college experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Purple Power!

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

Recruits should e-mail ksugolf@kstatesports.com. It is vital they include their graduation year due to the NCAA rules on correspondence. Prospects are also welcome to call me on my office phone 785-776-6475 ext 8. It is also important that they mention their graduation year if they leave me a message.

Coach Holton Named Conference Coach of the Year

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

 Enthusiastic and hard-working

2. What’s unique about the experience at Avila University?

A small, intimate college campus located in a safe, quiet suburb of a large city.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I always look for and expect the best out of them.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Dedication to improving their golf game, a positive, can-do attitude,

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

Spend time researching the school and the team, it’s previous record as a team and the commitment from the coaching staff

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

Do you work with us on our golf skills/swings. How dedicated are the other players? Do you have any suggestions on how I can get better over the summer to get ready for college competition?

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

Impatience or frustration from the recruit with his/her golf game/shots. An attitude that they know everything about the golf swing or their game already.

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

 Developing the tournament performance of the players from when they come in as Freshman to the next year/years when they can really see improvement in their scores.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

 If they love the game of golf and really want to improve, and if they want to play for a successful, winning organization. I hate to see recruits go to programs where I know they won’t find much structure to the organization.

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

Call my cell phone or email me directly

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Fairly laid back. I have been doing it for 25 years and have seen lots of changes. I try to work with the player’s on course thinking.

2. What’s unique about the experience at Turman State?

The thing about Truman State University is that we try to fit the golf into the academic life of the student/athlete. This is a very demanding academic atmosphere and golf comes after classes in the priority of our golfers.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I will try to be as honest as possible with them at all times. I am not the type that stays on their case, if they want to improve, then we are here to help, but we are not going to force them.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

We look for golfers that are very strong students and are self-motivated individuals.

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

Respond back to coaches, if you are not interested in a school, tell the coach that fact. It saves time for the coach and for the recruit. Most coaches have been turned down before and will be turned down again in the future.

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

I really prefer that they ask questions of my players so that they can see what really goes on in the program.

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

When the communication is by the parents and NOT by the athlete.

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

Having our golfers graduate on schedule and having them become successful in their professions.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

That is a hard one, they are going to finish with an excellent education at a reasonable cost.

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

Email is great and they can sell themselves. Phone calls are okay, but unless they catch me in the office, I can not return calls until the NCAA dates for that.

Recently, I’ve had a number of conversations with 2008 HS grads who didn’t receive any help in the recruiting process.  These are student-athletes playing various sports at D1, D2, D3, and the Juco level.   These conversations were also with student-athletes who never got the chance to play beyond high school.   One thing was common to all I spoke with:  They didn’t receive any help in the recruiting process.  All expressed a wish to do the process over.  Of course, they’ll never have that chance.

I’ve also spoken with over 6,000 families about recruiting and I understand what their hopes, dreams, and desires are.   To put them in a few categories would be unfair.  Every situation is unique to that family.  So each definition of success is unique.  However, there are some common themes that emerge – in no particular order.  First, a large number of families define recruiting success as getting scholarship money to play a sport in college.  For those who have read these pages and all of our education materials, you realize that scholarships are more likely to be “partial” not “full” scholarships.  Second, recruiting success is attending a college where the student-athlete gets to play.  Over 80% of the student athletes I speak with would like to play during their freshman year in college.  Most student-athletes have never sat the bench in their lives.  Third, parents want to ensure that their children graduate.  Most realize that a child’s success in the classroom will correlate with their success on the playing field.  Those parents want the college coach to care as much for their child as they do.  Fourth, student-athletes want to play at a college where they can study what they want.  Most parents don’t realize that this isn’t available at all colleges.  Some are shocked to find out that some college coaches dictate the degrees their student-athletes can pursue.  Finally, adults realize better than their children that the college decision will impact their child for the rest of their lives.  That’s at least 60 years in this day and age.  Getting that decision right is crucial!

So knowing all of this, why do parents insist on entering the recruiting process without competent help?  Why do they think that the “fan in the stands” who had their 2^nd cousin, once removed get recruited knows anything about college recruiting?  Why do parents think that someone who was recruited 20 years ago, know about recruiting today?  Why would a student-athlete rely on the high school coach in this process?  Most HS coaches don’t have the time or resources to help a child find “Recruiting Success”.  They don’t spend enough time getting to know the family to find out what that definition of success is.  Why do parents spend thousands of dollars on activities that will not help their child get recruited?  I’ve heard of families sending their kids to Australia, Hawaii, Europe, and other exotic destinations thinking this will help their child’s recruiting resume.  This is a foolish waste of resources if you have limited funds to devote to recruiting success. 

What is recruiting success?  It’s what you define it to be.  But a family needs to clearly write down those expectations so they can achieve success.  If you need expert help to achieve recruiting success, click here.

Coach Taylor, How Can I be sure that coaches really use NCSA?

Great question.  To tell you the truth I was very skeptical the first time I walked into NCSA.  I had spent over 30 years recruiting student-athletes and assumed that I knew the best and only way to recruit.  When I first walked in the door I was amazed at just how behind the times I had fallen.  Take a quick look at why coaches REALLY use NCSA.

Now take a quick look at the reaction we get from college coaches after they use our Recruit-Match System  (Note: All of these comments have come this week).

Thanks for all your help for the 2010 class we are on some good players. We have already begun work on 2011 and continue to use your website exclusively.

The ability to see video and transcripts is key. We can make a quick decision on whether we will take the recruiting of that athlete to the next level instantly.

Thanks again for your service it is a tremendous help to us in identifying potential prospects for State.

We like the format you use in sending information to us on recruits. You make a good impression and the info on each person is well presented.

We like the way that you accurately rate the player’s level. Very good and very helpful.

I think you do a fantastic job of getting the information we need to make a judgment of whether or not we want to recruit a young man to State College. Keep up the good work!!

After watching and reading why coaches really use NCSA I hope you don’t make the same mistake I made for years;  Maximize your Recruiting Potential with NCSA.

Send your recruiting questions to askcoachtaylor@ncsasports.org

If you would like to speak with a NCSA Recruiting Coordinator about your personal recruiting situation, call 866-579-6272.