NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

The athletic recruiting process is never easy.  Many athletes lean heavily on their parents and coaches to help them evaluate which school provides the best fit, but what happens when a coach or parent is reluctant to offer advice?  Athletes are forced to make an extremely and important decision themselves.  Kayla Lommori recently made that difficult decision by signing a letter of intent to play volleyball for Santa Clara.  Here jopurney was recently chronicled by the Reno Gazette Journal.

Still, the recruiting process wasn’t always fun for Lommori, who got frustrated at times when her parents didn’t offer much input, saying it was up to her.

“That’s why it got frustrating,” she said. “They (parents Scott and Leslie) wouldn’t tell me which one they wanted the most. They didn’t say anything”. They wanted me to make the decision.”

For athletes like Leslie NCSA provides the guidance they are desperately seeking.  Our expert Recruiting Coaches work with student athletes all over the country to provide the objective 3rd party objective that so many athletes crave.  If you are looking for that type of guidance I urge you to get an evaluation today!

NCSA caught up with rising volleyball star Alex Martin to talk about her high school and club seasons, and the opportunity to compete at the next level. 

NCSA: How did your high school team do this year?

Martin: This year was a pretty good year. We stood our ground with teams that should have beaten us and we beat teams that we out-hustled. Although this year was a rebuilding year I would say that we played pretty good. We learned a lot about ourselves and hopefully all the good energy will transfer over to next year.

NCSA: Were you recognized by your team or anyone else for your performance this year?

Martin: Surprisingly, yes.  I was in the paper every game I played. Which really was shocking because I only got to play 3 matches due to TSSAA rules (I switched High Schools). It felt great knowing that I was chosen out of all these talented girls I played with and against.

NCSA: How do you handle club tryouts? Are you nervous? If so, how do you get over your nerves?

Martin: Club tryouts for me are so fun! I have always felt pretty confident, because I know that if I get out there and leave110% on the floor and out hustle everyone and just play the game I know how to play that I will be fine. But I mean everyone has the jitters the first few drills and I just remember something my coach for club used to always tell us, “Heart is the difference between believing and achieving.” Then I just take a deep breathe, remember my fundamentals, and leave everything out on the court.

NCSA: What are you looking forward to most during this club season?

Martin: Where to start… This year is a very different year for me because I’m playing up an age group with Choo Choo 17-1’s.  I love a challenge and having to push myself to the limit, simply because I want to improve. It’s going to definitely be a challenge this year, but it’s a challenge I’m ready to overcome.

NCSA: What type of recruiting contacts do you have so far?

Martin:  Several contacts from SEC schools and also SoCon. I have reached out to many more schools and received questionnaires back from maybe half of them.

NCSA: What are your recruiting plans over the next 6 months?

Martin: I plan to continue contacting the schools I would like to attend, and continue to update my scouting report with stats, grades, strength and performance training achievements, all that.

NCSA: What is best advice you have heard about recruiting so far?

Martin:  Start early and stay organized. Stay on top of the things that colleges send you and keep sending them things to make you stand out to them, so that when they can contact you they will have knowledge about your prior achievements.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week about the new player conduct rules implemented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. 

This sweeping new personal-conduct policy, which was announced before the 2007 season, allows the NFL to quickly and summarily fine and suspend players; not just for committing crimes, but for any act that’s deemed harmful to the NFL’s “integrity and reputation.” To guard against these unpredictable suspensions (there have been 10 so far), NFL teams are hiring former police officers and FBI agents as security chiefs, ordering up extensive background checks, installing video-surveillance systems in locker rooms, chasing down rumors and sometimes forbidding players from talking to the press.

Many NFL players feel the policy is an over reach, but the it appears here to stay.  This strict policy also outlines how recruits need to carry themselves at all times.  Just like the NFL is refusing to let character risks damage the league’s image, universities will continue to investigate a players background to ensure solid character.  If you plan on fulfilling your athletic scholarship potential, I recommend making sound decisions.

Many recruits have to make a difficult decision between choosing a university where they may have a chance to play early or program with a winning tradition where early playing time is unlikely.  But can’t you have both?  Look at the example of the Saint Louis University women’s volleyball team. In 2005 new coach Anne Korde’s sold top recruit Whitney Roth on her vision for the program.  When Roth signed on, others took notice and soon the Billikens had a top recruiting class.  This season they have defeated their first top 10 opponent, and have entered the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 rankings for the first time.

I generally advise players to make their own decisions in the recruiting process, however this example show how a few top recruits can turn a program around.  Current recruits considering scholarships from multiple schools shouldn’t automatically dismiss a program because of a losing record.  It always makes sense to consider as many universities as possible!

As the season comes to an end you may be thinking about putting away your kneepads to collect dust for another year…STOP!!   That is the last thing you should to do.  Now is the time for you to start improving your skills and work on your recruiting process.  Here are some suggestions about what you should be doing in the off season:

1)  Follow-up with Your College Contacts:  Let them know how your high school season ended and what your plans are in the off season.  See if they want you to set up an unofficial/official visit in the winter or spring.

2)  Attend Pre-Club Tryout Clinics:  These give you an opportunity to brush up and tweak your skills.  If you are looking to find a club team this gives you a chance to find out more information about the club, and if you may want to tryout for the team.  

3)  Find a Competitive Club Team:  I can’t stress enough how important it is to play club volleyball.  This is where the majority of college coaches recruit.  You need to find a team that attends national tournaments such as JO Nationals, Reno Volleyball Festival, National Qualifiers, JVDA sponsored tournaments, and the AAU Championships.  Playing club will not only give you exposure, but it gives you the opportunity to keep improving your game.

4)  Research New Schools:  Not only do you need to follow-up with schools you have been talking to, but you need to create new contacts.  The more schools you are communication with when it comes to making your decision the more options you hopefully have to choose from. 

I know this may seem like a lot to do, but if your dream is to play volleyball in college these are some appropriate measures you need to take. There is just no rest for the weary.

It is that time of year when every student-athlete, that is a senior, is deciding where to apply and more importantly when. There are so many options: Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Admissions. First and foremost before you apply to any school, you will always want to make sure you have done some research first. You should look up schools on-line and have made some unofficial visits-at the very least. The more you put into learning about your options, the better decision you will make and ultimately you will pick the right school.

Once you have done your research and made some visits, you should compile your top schools and rank them, whether it is two, five, or ten different colleges and universities. Remember everyone’s preferences are different. Next you will want to introduce yourself to the coaches and build a relationship with each. This will also help you rank each school on your list.

You then will want to know where you stand on the coaches list of recruits before you apply to a school. When you know there is mutual interest between you, the coach and the school this is when you should apply. Remember, you should always ask the coach if you should apply before you send in an application! You will want to ask the coach how to turn in your application and what the process is. The coaches may tell you to fill out an application and send it into admissions or they may ask you to give it to them to take to admissions themselves. Some coaches flag the application to let admission know that they are recruiting you and some coaches may work in admission as well. If you apply without talking to a coach, and you don’t get in–the coach can’t do anything thereafter.

Another thing to think about – if you are interested in a school and the coach is asking you to submit your application; you may want to consider asking the coach is they will waive the application fee. He/She may not be able to do this, however it’s worth asking, because college applications are expensive and the costs add up fast!

Now there is a very distinct difference between Early Action and Early Decision. Early Action is non-binding (key word here!) and allows you to submit your application earlier than waiting to apply Regular Decision in the spring. This way the college/university will let you know earlier (January or so, instead of March or April) if you have been accepted. This will give you more time to weigh your options or to make your decision early and have the chance to enjoy the rest of your senior year. On the other hand Early Decision IS binding, and is meant for students who know that the school is their top choice and if accepted, you will go there no matter what.

Make sure to follow these key steps: research the school, visit the school, reach out to the coach, ask questions, apply, get in and then make a decision! Make sure to do this with multiple schools. If you have followed these steps with numerous schools early, you should have the opportunity to apply in the fall. If you need to do these steps with more schools first, you can always apply in the spring. Good luck.

 I was at a luncheon earlier this week that honored several outstanding high school senior athletes. It was really interesting to hear all the different perspectives on college athletics recruiting.

As I stood in line for the buffet lunch, I was behind a volleyball player and her parents. The player had decided on D2 Ferris State in Michigan. She was beaming. Her Dad told me he told her all along to not get caught up in the Division Levels. He encouraged her to go where everything fit best. I could tell she was at peace inside and excited on the outside. She was getting a full ride. She might as well have been walking on air she was so pumped.

I talked with a 12^th grade football player who told me how much NCSA had helped him in the recruiting process and all the doors it opened for him. It took him on visits he never would have gone on had he not utilized the service. He ended up deciding on Illinois State. Full ride. He was revved up about how competitive the Missouri Valley Conference is in football. Great kid. Very respectful.

For these two seniors, things were in place. As I got to meet the other athletes, I learned they were at different stages. I talked with a senior cross country runner who had improved dramatically between his 11^th and 12^th grade years. He had been home schooled up until 11^th grade. Although I am all for young people playing D1 if that is where they truly fit athletically and academically, I could tell he was shooting a bit too high in talking about running at a Big Ten school. Having personally seen many of his races, I knew he was darn good and always near the top, but that there were other rocket ship cross country runners ahead of them. Honestly, some of them were D1. This young man was not there at this point. His long term goals are to run internationally. That could happen. As we talked,  I encouraged him to follow up on the contact he had received from Wabash College, one of the top schools in the Midwest. He did, sending a short note to the coach. A visit was set up for 3 weeks from now. The young man is going to talk with N.C.S.A. to see about opening many other doors. He wants to run in college and perhaps study sports medicine. There’s a great fit out there for him. His parents openly told me they didn’t know much of anything about the recruiting process. I told them when I was in high school my parents and I didn’t have a clue.

I talked with a 12^th grade girl’s soccer player after the luncheon. She said it had recently hit her that, yes, she did want to play college sports! A fine player in the intensely competitive northern Indiana soccer landscape, she was on fire to make it happen. She had answered a very important question to herself: “Did she really want to play college sports?” After reflection, she realized without a doubt she wanted to. I told her what I tell groups when I speak, “Think about how much you love picture playing sports in high school and club and such. Now, picture yourself in college just being a normal student. It’s hollow. Yes, there’s intramurals and all that, but picture yourself not continuing to play the sport you love.” She agreed. She did not want to be just a normal student in college.

The common denominator these 12^th grade athletes had was they were all taking action to make their dream of college sports come true. What action have you taken lately?

 1.  Dedication to the Classroom.

College coaches understand that not all student-athletes perform the same on tests.  They do, however, know the difference between trying hard and being lackadaisical.  The harder a student-athlete works in school along with his attendance record is strongly considered by colleges prior to a scholarship being offered.  Coaches do believe there is a correlation between effort in the classroom and effort on the athletic field of play.  Dedication and reliability go hand-in-hand.

2.  Communicate with the High School Coach.

It is important that the student-athlete let their high school coach know their intentions in relation to going on to the next level.  A student-athlete can not be afraid to let the coach know what type of academic interests they have and what colleges they are interested in possibly attending. The student-athlete should ask the coach to be honest about his talents and potential.

3.  Work to improve your physical skills.

Playing a sport at the college level demands great physical skills and discipline.  Each level of competition is more demanding and the student-athlete needs to continually improve.  In order to complete and to stay injury free, the student-athlete most stay in top physical condition.  It is absolutely vital for the player to work on improving their strength, speed, flexibility, agility and individual position skills.

4.  Make a positive impression on college coaches.

The way a student-athlete talks, dresses and carries themselves is important when talking with a college coach.  The student-athlete that comes across as arrogant, selfish, foul mouthed or rude is someone who will quickly be eliminated by college staff.  Colleges want team players who are a positive reflection of their program on and off the field.

5.  Be honest with recruiters.

College coaches like student-athletes to be honest during the recruiting process.  A student-athlete should not lead a school on if there is no genuine interest.  The student-athlete and the high school they come from are viewed more positively by the colleges if they are up front and honest during the recruiting process. College coaching staffs do not have time to waste on an athlete that doesn’t have a genuine interest in their institution and program.

Bill Conley worked at Ohio State for 17 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

 I recently attended a local high school volleyball game and it was quite obvious that one player was the standout. The crowd certainly knew her and the parents around me did as well. When she put the ball down, you would hear a thundering “BOOM” from the teenage boys in the crowd. It was quite impressive and entertaining.  

While I sat there watching this game, I began to think about all of the student-athletes I work with on a daily basis as a Recruiting Coach with NCSA. I wondered which ones were that standout girl on their high school team. I felt really excited for them and their collegiate athletic dreams. I cheered in my head for them, “Yeah!” My heart raced and I felt like I was back on the high school volleyball court again. I remember all of the collegiate dreams I had as a high school player.  

Then reality hit and I thought about all of the numbers at my desk; percentages that are collected, compiled, computed and posted. These are numbers that I am well aware of as a Recruiting Coach.  

There are 390,034 high school volleyball players nationwide. Out of those girls 14,253 go on to play in college at all levels combined. That alone is only 3.7% of players nationwide who continue on to compete as a collegiate athlete. Out of those that play, only 1% are on a Division I roster. Out of that 1% of high school girls, only .8% of them end up with full-ride scholarships.
Now I look back at the standout player, who is just dominating at this point. I have to consider whether she is one of the elite .8%. After some thought on the matter, I decided she was not.  It will take much more than a group of teenage boys calling her name to convince me or a college coach that she deserves a spot on their team.

The moral of this story is that local fame does not equal high level recruiting. There are an endless amount of players vying for a spot on each coach’s team. I know from experience that any coach at the Top 25 level is inundated with letters, emails, and videos everyday. Your local high school celebrity is something to be relished and reminisced upon, but do not feel a sense of entitlement because of it. Be sure to take into consideration that in recruiting you are now competing against the entire nation of high school volleyball players. Go for the gold, but be realistic about where your ability will truly take you.  

  Can’t pay for college? Maybe Uncle Sam can help you. Getting accepted into a military academy or ROTC (Reserved  Officer Training Corps) program may be the most rewarding experience a young man or woman can receive. In this blog entry I want to distinguish between the two elements of government academic training and possibly assist you in the benefits of applying and competing for a military academy or ROTC program.

The Academies

Acceptance: Military academies such as West Point and Annapolis have a prestigious history of fielding some of the best athletic teams our country has ever seen along with first-class education. One thing prospective student-athletes need to understand is that it is tuition free. That’s right it’s free! However, getting accepted into West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs is not an easy task. The academies are very selective in the acceptance process and certain documentation needs to be in order before applying. These documents include letter of recommendations from your state congressman, outstanding GPA, test scores and proof that you are a leader in your community. If you are getting recruited by a coach from one of the academies, I highly recommend you communicate over what is needed to be accepted.

Commitment: Understand that this decision is a commitment. The next four years of your life will be dedicated to earning a degree of your choice and learning the principles of leading our country. After graduation you will be considered a commissioned officer and have a six year enlistment to your branch. The Naval Academy is the only academy where Midshipmen have the option of either serving in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. To learn more about the academies click on these links below:

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

United States Air Force Academy

Reserved Officer Training Corp

Acceptance: The ROTC program is also another great program offered by our military which gives prospective students the opportunity to select the college of their choice while the government picks up the tuition bill. The ROTC program is not as selective with prospective students as the academies, but it is highly recommended that an applicant have outstanding academics and athletic performance. During your four year college commitment students in the program will be enrolled in a series of military science courses and be required to attend military sanctioned events over the first two summers while attending OCS (Officer Candidate School) their third summer and TBS (The Basic School) in their fourth summer.

Commitment: Your commitment after you earn your degree is similar to that of a midshipmen or cadet. You will embark on a 6 year enlistment. If at any point you decide that the military is not for you, you will owe the government the money that was paid for your degree. To learn more about the Reserved Officer Training Corps Click below.

ROTC 

Your role as an athlete

Athletics play a huge role in the image of the military academies. Every year the Army versus Navy game is one of the biggest rivalries in our country. As an athlete, not only do you have your responsibilities preparing week to week against opponents, you also have a series of inspections, assignments, and studies.  Organization, time management, and being squared away will separate you from the pack.

Merchant Marine Academy, New Mexico Military Institute, The Citadel, & the Coast Guard

The Merchant Marine Academy, New Mexico Military Institue, United States Coast Guard Academy, and The Citadel are also fine insitutions that offer first class education. After speaking with representatives from each institution this is the information we found.

   Merchant Marine Academy: The Merchant Academy encourages their student’s to serve as civilians after graduation in the Maritime Industry. These positions include deck officers, engineers, security, and logistics. Students are required to serve an 8 year reservist enlistment which is broken down to 2 weeks per year. 75% of the Merchant Marine Students will be placed in this job industry while making lucrative salaries. 75% enlist in the Naval and Marine Reserve compononent, while 25% enlist into one of the four military branches. The Merchant Marine Academy has 23 varsity sports. Rugby is nationally ranked, and 85% of the student body participates in sports. To learn more about the Merchant Marine Academy click here

New Mexico Military Institute: All students who attend New Mexico Military Institute do not have a military commitment after graduation. They do encourage students to attend military academies after graduation and compete at the junior college level. NMMI offers an ROTC program where students voluntarily sign up and are required to serve a 4 year enlistment in the branch of their choice. To learn more about the New Mexico Military Institute click here

The Citadel: The Citadel is located in Charleston, SC and competes at the Division 1-AA level. There is no mandatory enlistment after graduation. They also offer an ROTC program that does not have a binding contract to serve after your schooling is complete. They do encourage students to serve in one of the four military branches. To learn more about The Citadel click here

The United States Coast Guard Academy

The United States Coast Guard Academy is tuition free. However, there is a $3,000 initial fee which includes a laptop and uniforms. There is a 5 year enlistment that is involved after graduation. Students will receive their military occupation specialty after their second year in the academy. Teams who compete for the academy compete at the Division 3 level. 65% of their students graduate from the academy. If at any point a student has a change of heart the situation is handled case by case and certain money will be owed back to the institution. To learn more about the United States Coast Guard Academy click here

 Serving our country was one of the best career decisions I have ever made. During my enlistment as a young Marine I learned discipline, leadership, and achieved goals I never would have done on my own. These tools helped me become the person I am today and set me up for a wonderful job. To learn more about military life or questions please comment on this blog below and an NCSA Recruiting Coach will be in touch with you.