NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

NCSA recently caught up with the College of Wooster’s Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach, Liz Ford. Here are some words of advice she has for future prospects:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Tough, but caring.

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

Wooster has a lot to offer student athletes. We have an option to create a major and our Senior Research Project is one of the best in the nation.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I want you to be better and I push for that. Some say it is intense, others say it is the love of the game.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

An athlete. One who has the drive to get better and the desire to push others to get better with them.

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

Make sure to think about all of your options. Look at all they have to offer and where you will have an impact. Don’t make cost the reason you don’t choose the right place.

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

I like to hear them ask about what we are looking for in a recruit and how they could fit into the programs goals.

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

A lack of conversation. I want to hear about school, lacrosse (or other sports) and anything else that is important to them.

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

We love to play and love to win. We are good at learning what we did well and not so well and then taking that and working to be better the next time.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are in a great conference and have the opportunity to go to the NCAA Tournament.

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

Touch base with me via email and fill out our athlete form-which you can find on our lacrosse page at www.wooster.edu

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

We value academics, community service and sportsmanship as much as winning…

2. What do recruits need to know about you?

Honesty, integrity, and a good work ethic, are just as important, if not more important to me, as athletic ability.

3. What do you look for in recruits?

I am looking for great student athletes who value striving to be the best people that they can be academically, athletically and personally.

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

Visit every school she is truly interested in and meet the players, coaches, and professors….attend a class if possible to see how the school “feels” to her. She should also “sell herself” …ask questions about what her potential role would be on the team!!!

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

When she appears disinterested during the visit…like she wishes she could be anywhere else. Also, parents who dominate all discussion…I want to know what the student athlete thinks/feels.

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

Email is best!!

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

As a coach, I would describe myself as passionate, positive and energetic. I also strive to treat each player as an individual and help her achieve her best while also working to help our team achieve its best.

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

Virginia Wesleyan College offers all the benefits of a small liberal arts college (small class sizes, great teacher to student ratio, etc) while also being located in an area with a great deal to do and see. Norfolk/Virginia Beach offers students beaches, city life, parks, you name it!

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Although I played at the Division I level at Syracuse University and previously coached at the Division I level at St. Bonaventure University, I LOVE Division 3 lacrosse because it is a great balance of academics and athletics, as well as the capability of pursuing many different opportunities (like playing two sports, studying abroad, gaining experience at internships, etc.)

4. What do you look for in recruits?

The ideal recruit is the “total package” from head to toe. Head: We are looking for smart players; people that do well and work hard in the classroom and also players who are smart on the field. Those that strive to learn and grown and improve. Heart: We are looking for passion, players who love the sport and love being a part of the team. Stomach: We are looking for guts! A don’t quit, don’t ever give up attitude. Legs: We are looking for athletes. Players that take the time in the off season to stay fit and stay healthy. That’s what we’re looking for–from head to toe!

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

Please be honest with the coaches who contact you and only contact teams you are actually considering. Many times we get “mass mailings” from prospects who aren’t really interested in our particular school–it gets frustrating.

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

All kinds! I love to talk about our school and program, but I love even more to learn about prospective student-athletes and what is important to them. When I hear questions, I hear what’s important to you.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

A fresh young approach to a historical game; committed to excellence and adheres to the spirit of the game. Coaching through hands on, one on one demonstration, as well as the utilization of each learning style: auditory, visual through breaking down game film, hands on experience in each practice, and exploratory through discovering various physical strength and conditioning techniques such as plyometrics, yoga and team building.

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

We are a brand new program as of 2010, so we welcome freshman to build our program and gain valuable playing experience all 4 years. We provide the ability to gain a prestigious academic education first and foremost, but to also offer the experience of collegiate level of lacrosse play.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I expect a lot from an athlete and I expect them to expect a lot from themselves. Athletes who play in college require a higher level of motivation that I strive to push and build emphatically, but firmly believe should be embedded in a college athlete’s heart.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

A desire to excel no matter what level they are currently playing at. To utilize practice and games to improve every single day and to look for ways to improve daily.

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

To find a coach who they will respect and find one who’s coaching style you understand and know you can grow with.

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

What can they do to be a part of the team: physically, academically or other skills to bring diversity to the team

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

Arrogance and an expectancy that they have done enough to be on the team from what they’ve done in high school.

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

Improving physical capabilities; being physically fit to the best of their abilities.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We are a brand new program, open to all types of players, all levels of abilities and because no matter what level of ability you come in at, you will leave a better player if you put the time and effort.

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

jrutkowski@albion.edu

Office number: (517)629-0518

Or through our recruitment questionnaire:

http://www2.albion.edu/sports/womens-sports/lacrosse/recruit-form

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Passionate.

2. What do you look for in recruits?

I look for strong student-athletes who genuinely love the sport and will never stop learning and working hard. An athlete who looks forward to a challenge.

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

Take the time to weigh your options. Where do you see yourself? Where are you going to be happy and have the best academic and athletic career?

Too many students look at the financial part of school, you will be in dept no matter where you end up, don’t let money weigh to heavily on your decision.

College will be the best time of your life, don’t sell yourself short.

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

Questions that involve the partying and the social scene are not appropriate and not something I want to hear. You are there for academics first and athletics second. Save the questions regarding extracurricular activities for when the coach is not around.

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

I like to hear the student-athletes ask about goals. What are some of the programs short term as well as long term goals? What are “your” (being the coaches) requirements? Then following these questions, talk about personal goals you have as well as goals you have accomplished.

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

This year’s program, I say that because teams change from year to year, they were fighters. Through all the adversity these girls stayed positive and never gave up. They shook their heads, said “o-kay” and rolled with it. What else is there to do? That is why we are successful; we don’t dwell on what could hold us back. We just go out there and play.

7. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Consider NC Wesleyan College because we are a program where you can make a difference. To be able to walk onto a team your freshman year and excel right away is an amazing feet. Not only that but you will learn new things about the game, build lasting relationships and have fun while you’re doing it. Let’s be honest, if you are not having fun then what’s the point?

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

You can reach me by phone or email anytime that is convenient for you! By going online to the schools website (ncwc.edu) and looking up the lacrosse program; all the information you need is right in front of you. I will also know you are interested if you fill out a lacrosse questionnaire which is sent directly to me.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would say intense in helping students become the best laxer they could be. I am honest, present and energized for lax!

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

Pacific University demands that student think dynamically. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests in an in-depth way. Because it’s a close community you will also have the chance to make a difference for your teammates and classmates!

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

They need to know that I love coaching lacrosse! I love to work hard and laugh hard! I have learned that to get 100% you need to expect 100%

4. What do you look for in recruits?
I look for individuals that love the game of lacrosse…believe me…when someone does…you can see it in the way they play!
5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

They need to target where they want to go to school and go for it. When there is a will there is a way.. Do the research, many schools like Pacific have merit programs that reward high academics. Get good grades and you will be rewarded for it!
6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

Any question that shows their sincere interest. If you visualize yourself at a school, then the questions will flow!
7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

I like recruits to be honest with me and let me know where they are at.. I can advocate and help them better that way!
8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

We are good at keeping the love for lacrosse alive! Many of our graduates are now coaching and passing along the passion for lacrosse!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

The experience that lacrosse athletes have here is life changing!

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

Email or call. It’s that simple…introduce yourself!

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would say intense in helping students become the best laxer they could be. I am honest, present and energized for lax!

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

Pacific University demands that student think dynamically. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests in an in-depth way. Because it’s a close community you will also have the chance to make a difference for your teammates and classmates!

They need to know that I love coaching lacrosse! I love to work hard and laugh hard! I have learned that to get 100% you need to expect 100%

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I look for individuals that love the game of lacrosse…believe me…when someone does…you can see it in the way they play!

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

They need to target where they want to go to school and go for it. When there is a will there is a way.. Do the research, many schools like Pacific have merit programs that reward high academics. Get good grades and you will be rewarded for it!

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

Any question that shows their sincere interest. If you visualize yourself at a school, then the questions will flow!

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

I like recruits to be honest with me and let me know where they are at.. I can advocate and help them better that way!

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

We are good at keeping the love for lacrosse alive! Many of our graduates are now coaching and passing along the passion for lacrosse!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

The experience that lacrosse athletes have here is life changing!

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

Email or call. It’s that simple…introduce yourself!

Coach Ernst is entering his first season at the helm of the Southwestern University’s first ever men’s lacrosse team. The basic philosophy of Coach Ernst and the Pirate program is not only building strong athletes, but also strong students and strong young men. The coaching staff works hard to ensure that not only do their student-athlete’s work hard athletically but also academically and in building maturity. Southwestern University is a place for student-athletes to be challenged on the field and in the classroom. The high academic standards are combined with an expectation of excellence in the classroom and on the playing field and prepares its’ student-athletes to be impactful in society upon graduation.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I am a firm but fair coach who believes in being brilliant at the basics. We teach our guys how to play the game and let them run and gun!

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school? The first thing that comes to mind is weather. It is shorts and flip flops pretty much all year here. Second is the family type atmosphere that Southwestern fosters. You just feel like you are a part of things here!

3. What do recruits need to know about you? I am a no nonsense kind of guy. Shoot me straight and you will be respected for it.

4. What do you look for in recruits? CHARACTER! We look for talented athetes and quality students, but first and foremost you have to be a good person.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Make sure to stay proactive. Call me, email me, let me know just how much you want to play for me.
 
6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? I like them to ask about the academics and character of the team. Lacrosse is important but not the most important thing. If I know they are concerned about the right things, I know they will be successful on the field.

7. What turns you off when you?re recruiting a student athlete? Lack of response. If I contact a student-athlete it is appreciated if they respond. Even if that repsonse is to say no thanks coach.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? Building strong, well rounded young men. We believe that if we do this then the wins will come.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? Numerours reasons. Great academics, great weather, a great area (Austin, TX) and we are a building program…you have a shot to get tons of PT here. We are members of the SCAC, have a conference tourney, all conference team and in 2011 will have an AQ in the tournament.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? The best way is email, but cell is the second best. Also, they need to make sure to fill out a Recruit Info Form online at: http://southwesternpirates.com/sports/m-lacros/recruit that way we can get them in our system and get them info on the school, team, etc.

Nate Bates returns to the Messiah men’s lacrosse coaching staff as the program’s recruiting coordinator for the 2010 season, two years removed from serving as an assistant coach for the Falcons.  Bates was an offensive and recruiting coach during the 2008 season, helping Messiah to an 11-6 record overall and a perfect 7-0 mark in MAC Conference play.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?  I would say that I am a players coach. I want each player to achieve his maximum potential. I have high expectations for my players and expect them to put in the time necessary for us to be successful. I will push them and continue to work with them until they have achieved it, whether that is in 1 season or 3 seasons. I want my players to walk away from my program after 4 years and say, “That was a great experience. I learned a lot, but achieved more than I thought I could.”

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school?  Our school is unique because we offer a much different college and lacrosse experience than you will find anywhere in the country. Due to the schools Christian values, our players are challenged in all aspects of their lives, not just lacrosse or not just academics. I feel we coach the whole person at Messiah and not just the lacrosse side. Don’t get me wrong, we take our lacrosse very seriously and have had a lot of success on the field, we just have a different approach than every other college team.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?  Prospective players need to know that we are here to help them be as successful as they can. We genuinely care for our players and strive daily to help them reach their goals in all aspects of life. Our office door is always open and our players know that they can come see us at anytime to discuss lacrosse, school, life, or whatever.

4. What do you look for in recruits?  We look for hard-nosed, hard-working, multi-sport athletes. We want players who have proven themselves not only on the lacrosse field, but in academics, community service and in other athletic endeavors. Lacrosse is a sport that can be enhanced by an athletes experience in other sports. Lastly we want players with character. When we talk with their high school or club coach we want to hear things like: coachable, team player, hard worker, and respectful.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?  Every recruit needs to be proactive. Players need to understand that there are more and more high school lacrosse players looking to play in college every year. College coaches do not have the time to get to know every high school program and go “hunting” for players. The recruits need to pursue the colleges they are interested in, contact the coaches and get their information to the coaches as quickly as possible. Too many players wait for college coaches to call them and miss their opportunity to continue their career.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?  We like to hear questions about the school and the academic side of college. This lets us know that the athlete is just as interested in his education as his lacrosse experience. College is not just about continuing to play, but about getting a degree that will support the student for the remainder of his life. Also, it is always reassuring and shows maturity when the athlete knows some information about the college. If he can talk about schools in our conference, different areas of study, the location of campus, this shows me that he has already done a little homework on the school and is being proactive with his college search.

7. What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete?  There is nothing worse than when a coach makes a call to a prospective player and the player hardly talks at all. The recruiting process is very much about building a relationship and letting the coach and player get to know each other. The recruit needs to be able to talk about himself, share his career goals and ask quality questions when talking with the coach.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?  At Messiah we have a very high graduation rate as well as offering a very challenging lacrosse schedcompletely different college lacrosse experience than every other school in the country. We play very competitive lacrosse, offer students a great academic program and integrate faith into all we do. At Messiah, players will find a family.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?   We offer an opportunity to truly find a lacrosse family that will support them throughout all aspects of their lives. This is formed by players with similar life values, by working hard on the field, by playing a very tough lacrosse schedule, and through quality interaction with players, coaches, and other mentors who want to help you grow.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?  The best way to get our attention is to fill out our online questionnaire at Gomessiah.com. This gets sent directly to me and gives me all the information I need to “get the ball rolling” with the recruiting process. To further get our attention is to send me a complete schedule of your summer lacrosse schedule, with dates and locations of all events.

Nathan Young
Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

- I am a very structured coach whether it is our daily practice schedule or our individual practice session we always have a goal to achieve and I push our guys to achieve it. My guys always know where they stand with me on the depth chart and as a piece to our lacrosse programs puzzle. I am very open with my guys to the point that we have a lacrosse office rule, ‘if you are a lacrosse player you are never interrupting’. I don’t know if I would be called a players coach or an X’s and O’s coach, I think of myself as a do whatever it takes to win coach. I hate to lose, no matter what it is, losing does not go well with me and I will do whatever it takes not to lose. I hate to lose more than I like to win.

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

- We are doing something that most players at the collegiate level don’t get opportunity to do and that is start a new program. A lot of programs have a long line of traditions that when you get recruited into those programs you just follow those traditions. Here at Shorter College we are starting the traditions, we are setting the bar, we are the foundation of a tradition of excellence.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

- I do what I say and I say what I mean. There is not a whole lot of gray area with me. I am firm but fair,  and at the end of the day you know that I am doing is what is best for you and this program.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

- We look for the all around player. The player that is good in the classroom, on the field, and has good character. When my coaching staff or myself go to a recruiting showcase or combine or even a game we look at how a player plays between the white lines but also what he does once he steps outside of them. We want guys to come to Shorter College that want to work hard, want to be pushed, and want to succeed.

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

- Be proactive! Coaches like to student-athletes that take the initiative to fill out a recruiting questionnaire, send an email of interest or even apply before being told to. When I talk to recruits and they say that they are interested in my program but have not filled out a questionnaire it shows to me that they are either lazy or they are not really interested. Now on the flip side, when I talk to recruits and I tell them to apply and they say that they already have then that shows me that he is serious about being a part of my program. Being proactive shows a lot about your character.

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

- Where do I sign, when do we start, and what does our offseason workout looking like? haha Those are the important ones that I like to hear but I really like to hear all questions from recruits. The more questions that they have the better they see if they will be a good fit for our school and our program. So I like all questions from recruits.

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

- A sense of entitlement. We have all been blessed to be a part of the sport that we love from being a fan to being a play to even being a coach. None of us are entitled to anything. When I hear kids say that they are from such an such high school with a chip on their shoulder it makes me start looking for the next player. Maybe it is just how I was raised or how I came up through the lacrosse community, but nothing was given to me and I had to work for everything that I got. I am a blue collar guy, a blue collar coach that looks for blue collar players.

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

-I think our coaching staff does a great job of bringing in talented well rounded student-athletes that fit the mold of a small private college atmosphere. We demand a lot from our student-athletes not just on the field but in the classroom. So I think we are successful at getting guys to understand that they are here to get an education first and enjoy the four extra years of lacrosse they have the opportunity to play. Our program structure prepares our student-athletes to not just be lacrosse players but to be able to go into the real world after they graduate.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

- If you come to Shorter College you will receive a great education and play lacrosse for a great coaching staff that cares about you more then just being a lacrosse player. Our facilities are top notch with a lit turf practice field and a 5000 capacity turf stadium. And you have the opportunity to be on the ground floor of build a collegiate lacrosse program and make traditions rather then following them.

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

- Contact me or one of coaches on staff. The best way to do that is fill out a recruiting questionnaire on our website and make sure you fill out everything correctly so that we can send out our school and lacrosse packets to you. Also if you see us at a camp, game or wherever just come up to us and introduce yourself. We will be more then glad to talk to you about what Shorter College has to offer you both academically as well as athletically.