NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

NCSA’s College Coach’s Corner recently received feedback from Coach Holt about his women’s tennis program at Gwynedd-Mercy College. Here is what he had to say:

How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Extremely energetic, passionate, youthful, motivating, and FUN!  You will immediately notice my “fire” and intensity!

What is unique about the experience at your school?

They will get a great education (top 10% for graduation rates), but I believe what separates us from most other colleges at our level, is our dynamic coaching staff.
What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m also a teacher at a local high school, in addition to coaching at Gwynedd-Mercy College, and I also work as a tennis instructor at one of the biggest tennis/fitness clubs in the tri-state area.

What do you look for in recruits?

I look beyond what the player can do for our school on the courts.  I aim to get players who are truly “coachable” and willing to learn and be team players!

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

When a student has too broad of a range of schools they are looking at…..more than 5 schools is a lot.  Once a student-athlete narrows it down to 3 schools or so, then that indicates to me that they have a legitimate interest and are serious.

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

Recruiting quality student-athletes….not just athletes, but student-athletes who want a good future.

Why should a recruit consider your program?

Every year, they will get a great education and also improve their tennis game significantly, all while having a blast in the process!  Perhaps here is the biggest selling point ……EVERY season, the tennis program will be one of the favorites to win the conference championship, and in turn, get invited to play in the biggest tournament in the country……the NCAA tournament! (we went to California just recently for this!)

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

I check my e-mail throughout each day!  This is probably the best way to reach me!! (holt.j@gmc.edu)

NCSA’s College Coach’s Corner recently received feedback from Coach Gaddis about his women’s tennis program at Sage College. Here is what he had to say:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I’m a coach that likes to keep things in their proper place. At Sage we work hard and we play hard. My current players are well aware of the rich tradition of high academic performers we’ve had here at Sage and they know that in the classroom they’re to put their best effort in to get that A! If they run into trouble they know they can come see me for help (I also head up the tutoring program at Sage). Nothing changes when we hit the court; Sage tennis players know that in practice and at matches its 100% effort 100% of the time. Our motto is the same as legendary NFL running back Herschel Walker “If you train hard, you’ll not only be hard, you’ll be hard to beat.”

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

The best part of Sage is that students have 2 campuses to choose from. The campuses are only about 15 minutes apart but have vastly different course and degree offerings. If you can’t find a major at one campus I’m sure you can find it at the other!

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m accessible. Unlike many DIII tennis coaches I work full-time at the college. If my players run in to some issue they don’t have to text me or wait until practice to speak with me; they just drop by my office and we work it out together.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I want coachable student-athletes who are fighters out there on the court! Win, lose or draw I will never be upset with any tennis player who gives their all while playing for me.

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

Learn! Go on as many campus visits as you can, meet coaches, talk with players, sit in on classes, envision yourself on campus in the fall- make sure school you select is a good fit.
6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

I like when recruits are really interested in their future. I like when young people talk about their dreams and aspirations both long term career goals and short term student-athlete goals and then ask how Sage can help get them there.

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

Poor communication skills. Make sure you return that phone call or email!

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

Improving your game. You will not be the same tennis player when you leave Sage. You and I will work together to build on the strong points of your game and fill any holes you may have. You’re going to learn to be more consistent AND more aggressive. You will try things you’ve never done as a tennis player before. And with the workouts we do I promise you’ll be in amazing shape too!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Because you’ll like it! From Day 1, we’re going to push you to be the best tennis player you can be. But we’re also going to have cookouts, team outings and service activities in which you’ll get to know your teammates on a personal level.  I’ve never had a student-athlete transfer because they didn’t like Sage. Sage Athletics as a whole has high retention rates and that is because at Sage, student-athletes have done a great job forming bonds that last long after they graduate from Sage.

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

The best way to reach me is by email- gaddic@sage.edu. Also feel free to fill out our recruit form online at www.sagegators.com.

NCSA’s College Coach’s Corner recently received feedback from Coach Freedman about his women’s tennis program at Johnson & Wales University. Here is what he had to say:

How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am very approachable with a focus on profiling a team that is in a high performance mode with a desire to win with everyone on the same page.

What is unique about the experience at your school?

The University is very supportive as our student athletes develop the skills, savvy, and preparation for viable careers off the court-realizing that on the court performance is a reflection on the athletes overall potential.

What do recruits need to know about you?

I am looking for attitude that strengthens skills and performance –key word ”coachable”

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

Recruits must express with clarity what they hope to accomplish and how they can contribute to the team.

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

“Climbing ladders” – We nurture achievement and succeed in stretching recruits to reach their performance level.

Why should a recruit consider your program?

I wish we could say we always win; we do offer a great experience that our players truly enjoy as a team-always

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

www.jwu.edu for info – always reach me at afreedman@jwu.edu

NCSA’s College Coach’s Corner recently received feedback from Coach Baum about her women’s tennis program at Goucher College. Here is what she had to say:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Holistic approach – Interested in all phases of a player’s development from academics to tennis.

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

a. We require that students go abroad and

b. It’s a beautiful campus next to cities

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I have a ton of experience and that counts in a lot of situations both on and off court.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Beyond playing ability, people who understand the concept of “team” and whose egos are not involved in their tennis successes.

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

Stay in touch with coaches and let them know exactly where they stand as a college choice.

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

Anything about the overall experience – where tennis fits into campus life and what tennis can do in terms of development for life.

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

Ego and attitude that they think very highly of themselves (not in a good way)

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

Helping students to be accountable, reliable, team oriented leaders

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

It fits the concept and mission of the college; a seamless fit to any academic goals any student has.

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

Email or phone of course, and there’s also a recruit questionnaire at www.goucher.edu/athletics

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.

Coach Taylor – What does it take to play my sport at each division level?

We get this question a lot at NCSA.  There is a lot that goes into an evaluation by a college coach.  NCSA has spent the last 10 years evaluating players for college coaches and has a tremendous amount of data stored up.  We used this data to develop our Exclusive Recruiting Guidelines to help give recruits an idea of what schools they should realistically be targeting.  They are guidelines, not hard fast rules, but they can give recruits an idea of where they fit.

Baseball Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Basketball Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Basketball Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Cross Country Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Cross Country Recruiting Guidelines

Field Hockey Recruiting Guidelines

Football Recruiting Guidelines

Water Polo Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Golf Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Golf Recruiting Guidelines

Ice Hockey Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Lacrosse Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Lacrosse Recruiting Guidelines

Soccer Recruiting Guidelines

Softball Recruiting Guidelines

Swimming Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Tennis Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Tennis Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Track and Field Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Track and Field Recruiting Guidelines

Men’s Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines

Women’s Volleyball Recruiting Guidelines

Wrestling Recruiting Guidelines

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.

If you’ve read these pages enough, you know that a college decision is a life-altering, life time decision.  To make that decision without fully understanding the vast landscape of opportunities available is irresponsible at best and negligent at worst.  Another motivation for doing all you can to make a great college choice is found in Bob Greene’s article talking about great, enduring friendship.

I talk to families every day who have no plan on how to pay for college.  When I ask the question, “How important is a scholarship when choosing your child’s college?”  The typical answer is, ”a scholarship is real important, but s/he is going to college no matter what.”  What they mean is that they are willing to borrow all kinds of money, go into all kinds of debt, to make sure the all important degree is obtained.  It is clear from these answers that these families are not aware of the quickly changing landscape in lending practices now. 

In this article in yesterday’s Washington Post, the rising costs of college and the reduced availability of student loans is documented.  The key sentence is, “The upheaval in financial markets did not just eliminate generous lending for home buyers; it also ended an era of easy credit for students and their families facing the soaring cost of a college degree.”  Read the entire article.  If you need a plan for paying for college and a student who is also a good athlete and enjoys playing their sport, that may be a way to reduce those student loans.  To learn more about opening up opportunities to play sports in college so your child’s education can be funded by means other than student loans, go here.  If your child is an 8th grader or older and you haven’t begun to plan for college expenses, you’re already late.

The National Bureau of Economic Research declared that the current economic downturn (recession) began in December 2007.  In the intervening 2 years, I’ve spoken with about 3,000 families about their child going to college.  Naturally, part of that discussion involves how families will pay for college.  As seen here, the average cost of a college education is above $30,000 per year.  The rate of increase is around 7% per year.  If you have a freshman in high school, your college expense will exceed $35,000 per year, on average.  These facts have led to some serious discussions between parents and their children on how they’ll pay for college.  In some cases, parents of good students are considering the local junior college route to get the core courses out of the way and save a lot of money during the first 2 years.  In other cases, the parents have encouraged their children to search for scholarships on the internet.  These kids are spending a lot of time doing this.  In some cases, parents are giving their children a budget to work with and any expense exceeding that budget will be the responsibility of the child.  In short, 99% of the families that I speak with do not have enough money stashed away to pay all college expenses.  So they’re at great risk of having their children graduate with a large financial burden called student loans. 

Financial Aid has two main categories:  grants/scholarships, i.e. money that doesn’t have to be repaid and loans.  To see the impact of student loans, read this NY Times article.  Because every college and university has different funding sources, financial aid policies, and pools of money available to offset the cost of college, it’s impossible to navigate this process efficiently by yourself.  You can’t gather all of the information from all potential schools with less than thousands of hours of grinding research on the internet.  Most families don’t have that kind of time.  Most don’t know enough about how financial aid is granted to increase any grant or scholarship awards.  NCSA has data from thousands of colleges and experts that will help families navigate the financial aid process.  One important aspect of this is completing forms correctly and on time.  Many families lose need-based aid because of inconsistencies on their FAFSA.  Others lose because they’re uncertain on timelines.  NCSA’s financial aid experts aid families in navigating financial aid.  The most important thing a family can do to increase financial aid if their student is also a talented athlete, is to make sure that there are a number of college coaches recruiting their child. 

In my case, my child received recruiting letters from 145 college coaches.  About 20 had real genuine interest.  My child narrowed those schools down to 3 great academic choices.  She’ll graduate from her selected college in May, 2010.  She would have never had this opportunity if it wasn’t for the hard work she did and the help we received from NCSA.  My return on that investment is she’ll graduate with no student loans.  My out-of-pocket expense for all 4 years was less than one semester at her private high school she attended.  My return on NCSA’s investment was 6,677%.  But the real return is priceless: Four years of playing a sport that she loves, a college degree from one of the top academic universities in the country, developing friendships that last a lifetime, and job interest in a career field that she chose.  What parent doesn’t want that for their child?  If you need help to get that for your child, go here.