NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

Signing day is about a week away and many athletes out there are wondering what Coaches look for when they offer student athletes scholarships. Coach Bob Chmiel discusses the three things he uses to evaluate players. Coach Chmiel spent seven years as Notre Dame’s Director of Football Operations and Recruiting Coordinator/Assistant Coach. Prior, Chmiel was the University of Michigan’s Football Recruiting Coordinator, where he also served as an assistant coach. He was named one of the “Top 11 Recruiting Coordinators of All-Time” in Tom Lemming’s book Football’s Second Season: Scouting High School Game Breakers.

By: Callie Hemming (Former D1 Soccer Player, DePaul University)

Those four words every athlete dreads hearing. They are the four words you have nightmares about, and at times, they are the reason you are just not in the mood to practice.

“Get on the line!” (more…)

From the moment you are born, you are not allowed to be ‘paid to play’ whether it is for practice or performance. The only time you are able to accept money, is if it is prize money and it is below the cost of actual and necessary expenses. Therefore if you paid an entry fee of $50 and it cost you $100 in travel fees, you can receive a prize in the amount up to $150.

So, no matter how old you are, you cannot be enticed to play harder with gift cards or cash. You cannot be told you receive cash or a gift card if we win the championship or if you score 20 points. It affects your amateurism if you do.

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

I was driving near Indianapolis this week and heard former Indiana University Basketball Coach Dan Dakich hosting his daily talk show on 1070 the Fan. A caller called in a little ‘bent out of shape’ that IU Basketball Coach Tom Crean had recently received two commitments from players that had yet to play a second of High School basketball. Two highly rated 9th graders had made their decision to attend IU. The caller just could not understand how they could be doing that at such a young age. Dakich, who was an assistant coach at IU for years and knows recruiting inside and out, wasn’t surprised. He said back when he was evaluating talent he could often tell if a 7th grader could play at a major D1 level like Indiana and the Big Ten. In recruiting, basketball is especially accelerated and seasoned evaluators like Tom Crean can project early if a kid can play. Back in the 1980′s, Bob Knight went down to Bedford, IN to watch a legendary 8th grader named Damon Bailey play a game. In the book, “A Season on the Brink” Knight made a comment to the author John Feinstein that “Bailey is better than any guard we have right now. I don’t mean potentially better, I mean better today.” Bailey ended up going to Indiana and was a very good player at that level.

It’s not that way for every basketball player that eventually plays D1, but it is for the special ones. Trey Lyles is one of the two players to commit to IU. He stands 6’9″ as a 9th grader. The other one is James Blackmon, Jr. His Dad was a very good player back in the day at Kentucky. Tom Crean and his staff have no doubt those two project to be winning Big Ten players. As Dakich said on his radio show, the IU coaches know what they are doing because they are seasoned evaluators. They have been watching those kids in the July evaluation events.

Less than 1% of the High School athletes will get this kind of “fawning over.” The rest have to be proactive in recruiting, and understand the process starts early whether you are a 6’9″ ninth grader or not. A 5’9″ 9th grade basketball player that is not even on the varsity team needs to understand how important it is to make his baskets in the classroom so that he can have more options in recruiting when he is a junior or senior. That kid may never get a D1 offer, but if he and his family get educated in recruiting and he works his tail off, by the time he is a junior and senior he will have more options in recruiting.

Charlie Adams

cadams@ncsasports.org

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

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

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

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

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

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

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

4. What do you look for in recruits?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

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

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

Email me and fill out our online questionnaire:

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

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

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

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

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

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

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

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

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

4. What do you look for in recruits?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

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

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

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

College Coach’s Corner: MacMurray College’s Baseball Coach, Fred Curtis

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Believer in the importance of executing and doing the “little things” well.

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

Classes ONLY 4 days aweek!

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That they will be treated fairly and given equal opportunity to play! All playing time is based on performance.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Quality student-athletes! Sound baseball skills. Good character, team players, ability to get along with others, coachable, positive attitude, mental toughness, goal-oriented, passion to play and compete.

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

Make application to the school and get FASA info. to the school!

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

Any questions the recruit would like to ask that they feel is important for them to know weather it be about me or anything related to our program.

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

Failure to inform me about their REAL interest in our school within a reasonable amount of time. Failure to answer phone calls or to return messages.

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

Showing special interest and concern for the overall success of our players both in the classroom and on the baseball field.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Great opportunity to get a quality education and a great opportunity to play and compete in college baseball. Be exposed to a college campus with many friendly and caring people who will do what the can to help you be successful.

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

Please call me at 217-479-7153 or e-mail me at fred.curtis@mac.edu

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

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

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

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

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

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

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

4. What do you look for in recruits?

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

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

Application for admission and financial aid forms

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

Do you think I can play for you?

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

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

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

Helping young men grow into mature and productive citizens.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

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

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

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

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

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Cooperative

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

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

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I respect and teach the game.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recruiting good people.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

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

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

Contact me via email @ kanders2@su.edu