NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

NCSA Coaches Corner caught up with Swim Coach Greg Winslow to share his insight on recruiting with you:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

* It is my goal as a coach to allow swimmers to challenge themselves in a creative, supportive, and encouraging environment. It is my job to help guide young student athletes to be the best they can be both in the classroom and the pool.

2. What is unique about the experience at the U. of Utah?

* The mountains, the college town, and a major city allow the Utah experience be an awesome adventure no matter what you enjoy doing in your free time. You can literally, swim, ski, golf, shop, and catch a concert in the same day. What an amazing way to spend your time outside of classes and a great way to escape just minutes from your dorm.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

* I am a young experienced coach with a passion for the University of Utah and the sport of Swimming. Swimmers under my direction have reached the most elite levels in our sport and continue to here at Utah. I love looking for new and exciting ways to engage swimmers in the pool. I have developed lasting friendships with my athletes and look forward to the ones I will develop in the future.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

* We look for student athletes that LOVE to swim. An athlete at the University of Utah needs to have passion for their sport and a commitment to continue to improve them selves both in and out of the pool. Swimmers need to be open to and embrace new and creative methods of training. Most importantly, here at Utah, we are looking for competitive people that enjoy the challenge of the sport and working in a team environment.

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

* Enjoy the recruiting process and take your time. The University that is right for you will jump out at you as soon as you walk on campus. Make sure you enjoy the team, coach, and athletic department. The family you choose will be a part of your life not only your four years in school but your entire lifetime.

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

* How do I join your team? Any questions that display their excitement for continuing their education and their development as a swimmer show to us that they are ready for a collegiate swimming career. I enjoy talking or answering any question about the U of U because I believe in what we are doing here both in the classroom and in the pool.

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

* When it is all about the money and not about the education and experience. We look for recruits that are willing to look at our team with an open mind and a willingness to truly get to know what it means to be a Utah Ute.

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

* Making swimmers faster in a TEAM environment. Our team is extremely proud of who we are as a unit. Here at Utah, we build a strong team environment and embrace every opportunity to show off that we are a team first. The very first thing a new student athlete must do is sing our school fight song for the team… It also happens to be the last thing our seniors do as the say goodbye to their years at Utah.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

* Utah has something to offer for everybody. We have a staff that has coached Olympians, National Age Group Recorder Holders, NCAA Finalist, and has had fun developing the swimmers each stroke of the process to achieve greatness. Our academic resources are endless and the athletics staff and I will do anything to ensure that every athlete has every chance to succeed in the classroom. Our commitment to making sure that a student athlete has the best possible experience during their tenure at the University of Utah should entice all college bound swimmers.

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

Any interested athlete should look to our official athletics site, utahutes.cstv.com. Our coaching staff is also available to answer any and all questions and can be contacted through the information below.

-Greg Winslow, head swimming and diving coach:

Email: gwinslow@huntsman.utah.edu

Phone: (801) 581-5480

-Charlie King, asst. coach:

Email: cking@huntsman.utah.edu

Phone: (801) 581-4834

-Marie Marsman, asst. coach:

Email: mmarsman@huntsman.utah.edu

Phone: (801) 585-7161

See what Emory University Swim coach Howell has to say about recruiting:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I support our student-athletes to reach their potential both in the pool and the classroom. Swimming at Emory is a balance between swimming and academics, but it is a high-level and committed balance. I enjoy being a part of that entire experience. I am more than just a swimming coach and that is one of the primary reasons that I am at Emory.

2. What is unique about the experience at Emory?

There are several unique aspects about the Emory experience. First, we are mid-sized school with a small learning environment. Even though Emory has around 6000 undergraduate students, the student-faculty ratio remains 7 to 1 and the average class size is about 17 students. Second, our location is wonderful. A great college campus with access to Atlanta. We are not a city campus, but you are only about 15 minutes from Atlanta and everything it has to offer. Third, Emory is a liberal arts school with so much more. Incredible graduate schools like business, law and medicine. Finally, Emory offers incredible opportunities — great internships, research positions, jobs, etc. What our student-athletes are able to accomplish during their four years on campus — both in and out of the pool– is really amazing.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am searching for student-athletes who are great fits for both Emory and our program. We get a lot of interest, so we do have to be selective. To be a fit for Emory, you have to fit both academic standards and our competitive standards in the pool. The other important part of fitting with our profile is a connection with the team environment here. We have a very close group and the team is very much a swimming and diving family. That has to connect with you as a recruit for this to be the right fit.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

As I mentioned above, we are looking for the right fit. There are a number of factors that need to line up for Emory to be the right place for recruits. When they do line up, though, it is incredible. There is nothing quite like Emory out there.

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

Communicate. Honest communication is key. I try to be honest with recruits as we move through the process and we appreciate the same in return.

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

I like to hear questions that suggest they have thought about the process and carefully thought about the factors that will be important to them when choosing a school. It is hard to take a recruit seriously when they have not given any thought to the college process and what they are looking for in a school and a swimming program.

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

When I only hear from parents. I don’t want to recruit parents, I want to recruits student-athletes and find potential impact members for our team. If you are too busy to communicate with me and my staff during the recruiting process, you are also going to struggle with balancing the demands that will be placed on you as a student-athlete at Emory.

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

Supporting our student-athletes. We do a great job at developing swimmers and divers — our success as a program reflects how much our athletes improve at Emory. But more important, we support our students to get what they want out of Emory both in and out of the pool.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

An opportunity to pursue both swimming and academics at the highest level, an invitation to be part of a team that will always be a part of your life and the chance to compete for a national championship. Swimming at Emory is a lot of fun and you will certainly get a return on the investment of time and energy you put into it.

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

Email is the easiest way to reach me initially. jphowel@emory.edu

NCSA was able to catch up with Swim Coach Douglas Carrington for some information on his program at Florida A&M as well as some overall recruiting tips.  Check out what Coach offers for the NCSA Coaches Corner blog below:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would describe myself as a teacher of human development that uses competitive swimming as the vehicle to grow each student-athlete. I am a challenging, optimistic, goal oriented, quality based quantity type coach. I am always researching and studying new ways to grow student-athletes to their desired potential. I spend some time trying new drills myself in the pool before I use it with my student-athletes.

2. What is unique about the experience at Florida A&M University?

Florida A&M University is a State University System Institution and has been providing higher education in the state of Florida since 1887. Florida A&M University offers 62 bachelor’s degrees and 39 master’s degrees. The university also offers a juris doctor at its College of Law in Orlando. FAMU has 11 doctoral programs which include 10 Ph.D. programs: chemical engineering; civil engineering; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; industrial engineering; biomedical engineering; physics; pharmaceutical sciences; educational leadership; and environmental sciences. While at FAMU, a potential student-athlete will develop life skills, long last friendships and partnerships through the teammates they swim with for life. Our program has a close knit type of atomosphere.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Recruits should understand that they need to have clear goals about what they want to do when they come to Florida A&M University. That means we want the recruit to think not only about swimming times, but study habit goals, nutrition goals, training goals, stroke development goals and holistic goals. With that set in mind, recruits also need to know that they must supply the effort needed day in and day out to meet those goals.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

For our swimming program, we are looking for potential student-athletes who are interested in our degree programs and also personal growth and development. The first thing we look at is the academic record of a potential student-athlete. We love to see swimmers with IB, AP and Honors class work on their transcript. We also look for potential student-athlete with competitive times in all four strokes and distances (100, 200 Butterfly, 100, 200 Backstroke, 100, 200 Breaststroke, and 200, 500, 1000 Freestyle) as well as the Individual Medley (200, 400 I.M). Though it is not as important, having club swimming experience is a plus.

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

Well there are four things. First, check out The College Bound Guide for the Student-Athlete. This is a very helpful tool. Second, register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center! To swim at the division one level your eligibility will be determined by the NCAA not the institution. Three, do your research! Learn about the university and ALL it has to offer. And finally, ask specific questions! They will help us find out what information you need to aid your college decision process.

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

It is great to hear questions like:

1. What services are offered through our academic advisement center?

2. What is a typical practice session like?

3. What is the strength and conditioning program like?

4. Do you have training groups? What group would I be in?

5. Do you know the graduation rate of the student athlete at FAMU and within the swimming program?

6. What does it take to make the travel team?

7. What are the top 16 times at conference championships?

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

There are three. 1.) Potential student-athletes that have NOT done their research about the academic programs they are interested in at Florida A&M University. It is very important that potential student-athletes understand that they will become STUDENT-athletes. Your academics are first; your swimming is second. As a staff, we strive to aid in your college decision making process. However the student needs to do the homework of finding out what the university has to offer in terms of their academic major.

2.) Be punctual in getting your information to our athletics department. This will aid in the timely evaluation and decision making for our department. Early bird usual gets the worm!

3.) Lastly, potential student-athletes that ask for scholarship money that failed on the first two items listed above. This process is relationship building. If you invest in yourself, then Florida A&M is willing to invest in you.

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

Florida A&M University Swimming is most successful at helping student-athlete reach their goals. We spend many hours developing all the steps needed for them to be successful. In the last two seasons, 93% of the individual and team goals have been met. This has developed our student-athletes into better time mangers and given them more confidence to step up to the next set of challenges.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Florida A&M Swimming is an up and coming mid major program with a close knit environment for any potential student-athlete to develop. Most importantly you can earn your chosen degree and be a key ingredient to the conference championship team every season. We compete against the best Division 1, 2, 3 and junior college programs in the nation every year. As a member of the coastal Collegiate Swimming Association, each season we get to compete at the premier aquatic centers in the south east for our conference championship.

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

By Mail:

Swimming and Diving

Florida A&M University

Gaither Office Complex

Room 221

1835 Wahnish Way

Tallahassee, FL 32310

By Phone: (850) 599-3028

By Fax: (850) 599 3810

By Email: famuswimteam@yahoo.com

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

High ENERGY, and PASSIONATE

2. What is unique about the experience at U. of Incarnate Word?

We are a unique experience because we have High Quality Swimming & Diving, and a High Quality Education. We are one of the few that have both at such a high level. Our Dryland program is second to none in my opinion with a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach just for Swimming & Diving

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m a Christian, I care about my athletes, I’m not perfect, and Nobody wants them to reach their goals more than me.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I want people that WANT to be better, I don’t want people that will just get it done. I’m interested in those that have decided that GOOD ENOUGH, ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH!

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

Have an open mind, and keep your grades up. Make yourself as attractive as possible by being a stackable scholarship athlete. Meaning the athlete has a 3.5 CUM GPA, or Top 20 % of Graduating class, or scored a 25ACT/ 1140 SAT math and reading.

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

What can I do to help the team?

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

When their only concern is money and scholarship. I know that they are not truly interested in my program or my school. Money should be the last thing that is discussed, not the first. If someone really wants to be at UIW, it will work out.

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

My swimmers enjoy swimming & diving here. Our MORALE as a team is usually high! I also think this is the hardest working team I have ever been involved with, so that seems to be the tradition that we have built here.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

My coaching style is unique, my philosophy is: “A great coach gets their athletes to do what they don’t want to do, in order to swim the way that they want to!”

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

Email is typically the best, but we have a prospective athlete questionnaire on our website at www.uiw.edu.

NCSA shares some tips from Swim Coach Rankin of U. of Texas of the Permian Baisn – see his comments below:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Energetic, caring, non-traditional

2. What is unique about the experience at your U of Texas of the Permian Basin?

We are a relatively young program and school records fall every year. We compete against Division I, II, III and NAIA teams throughout the season.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am not a high yardage coach, but I expect a good attitude and a good effort in whatever we do.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I want three things from recruits: 1) UTPB is your number one choice for college, 2) You have made a decision that you have a passion for swimming collegiately, 3) You have a passion to do well in school and graduate in five years or less.

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

Turn in an application for admission and get accepted to UTPB.

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

Do I have a chance to be on an “A” relay?

Do I have a chance to go to the National Meet?

Will I get a chance to swim what I think is my best event?

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

Not accepting of a team concept, over zealous egos, wanting the team to fit him/her instead of having them fit our team.

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

Making everyone feel their role on the team is important.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

UTPB is very focused on student success. We are a small public university that has low class size, excellent apartment style housing and a very affordable cost-of-attendance.

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

Rob Rankin, M.Ed.

Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach

Director of Aquatics

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

432-552-2335 (Office)

432-352-4376 (Cell)

NCSA College Coaches Corner recently received feedback from Coach Rick Morris about his swim program at Rollins College.  Here is what he had to say:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

Life long swimmer with a passion for stroke mechanics. Intense positive approach.

2. What is unique about the experience at Rollins College?

Rollins combines the best academics (Ranked #1 in south by US N & W Report) with a great location, magnificent campus and the finest faculty.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I look for great students first, then great athletes. I work best with those who want to succeed.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Strong academics, the discipline to be a scholar-athlete, the desire to excel in life.

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

Be sure to consider your future. A great education combined with athletics shows the world you are formidable. Very few people can do what we do. Don’t just consider the athletic side of a college, look for the whole package.

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

How hard is it to balance studies with swimming? How many classes would we miss in an average season? What does Rollins do that would set it apart from other schools in terms of training?

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

Being compared with schools of lesser academic rigor. Be sure to understand what the school stands for and compare the whole experience. Also, be sure to consider all avenues of financial aid before giving up just because I can’t offer much athletic aid. Rollins is a leader in academic grant money, as well as need-based aid.

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

Producing life long success stories. We have a long list of successful alum who have count their athletic experience as a positive factor in their growth.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

We can tailor fit your training. We offer a variety of training modalities, and look to focus on what will make you better. I am a student of swimming, never turning down new ideas or better ways to do things.

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

Go to rollinssports.com and look under “inside sports”. find the swimming questionnaire (“prospective tars”) and fill it out.

Read Coaches Corner tips by U. of Denver swim coach Schrader to learn about the program and recruiting.  Read on:

1.How would you describe yourself as a coach?

As a coach—I like to make things challenging, but in a good way. I communicate very directly about expectations, and I expect our student athletes to take academics and Division I athletics very seriously. Technique, strength, and progressive aerobic improvement are all tenets of our program….

2.What is unique about the experience at U. of Denver?

Our institution has a lot of unique qualities—we are in the city of Denver at the base of the Rocky Mountains; we have only 5,000 undergraduates; we are on the quarter system; we train at 6,000 feet (which I believe is a huge advantage); we are a fully funded Division I team with a healthy travel budget (we travel to both coasts every year); we have a 50 meter pool; we have a brand new strength and conditioning center

3.What do recruits need to know about you?

I have had a lot of success with swimmers at the NCAA level but also with putting athletes on their National and Olympic Teams in Germany, France, Britain, and the US Virgin Islands. Personally, I love the activities Colorado has to offer and love to fly fish, mountain bike, snowshoe, and ski and snowboard.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I like to ask coaches these questions—who are your hardest workers? Who are your best students? Who loves swimming and is going to be passionate about swimming and improving? Who is a team player?

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

Every recruit needs to be persistent….

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

Do you have a year round training group? Do you train your swimmers in the summer?

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

I think a big turn off is if recruits don’t make an effort to get to know the team that they are visiting…and if they don’t have their own questions to ask…

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

Improvement through four years and accomplishing personal (the athlete’s) and team goals.

9.Why should a recruit consider your program?

Great education at a unique place, with a great Division I swimming and diving team experience.

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

Any of our coaches: Alicia Hicken (ahicken@du.edu), Joel White (joel.white@du.edu), and myself Brian Schrader (brian.j.schrader@du.edu)

Please post the following links:

U of Denver Athletics

Video on U. of Denver Athletics

Check out Denver, CO

Check out our current NCSA College Coaches Corner with Swim Coach Brooks talking about BYU:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I believe my strongest strength as a coach is I care about the swimmers more than any other coach out there.

2. What is unique about the experience at BYU?

BYU is unique because you can get one of the best educations in America in the safest cleanest campus in America at the least expensive school in America

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I want dedicated swimmers and students who are willing to push themselves to the limit everyday for 4 years

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Talent, respect to coaches, parents and a willing heart

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

keep in good contact with the schools you are interested in

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

how do I fit in on your team, what do you expect from me, can I achieve my goals with your team.

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

someone who doesn’t do their homework; if you are a 1:00 in the 100free and the slowest girl on our team is a 51.8 you need to get faster before you start asking for a spot on the team

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

Swimmers get faster here! We take care of you both in the classroom and in the water!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

BYU is nationally ranked in every sport and we want to be the best in every sport. If you come to BYU you will be safe and get a top ranked education!

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

Go to our website www.byucougars.com and fill out our questionnaire.

Check out tips from our Coaches Corner guest U. of Auburn Swim Coach Hawke who consistently has his teams contending for championships:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I coach every athlete as an individual within a team environment. My strength is my connection to my athlete’s, as I was a former swimmer myself, I understand the ups and downs of athletics. I am strong but sensitive, a perfect combination for a good coach I believe. And I always fight for my athlete’s! I am their number one supporter.

2. What is unique about the experience at U. of Auburn?

Auburn is not only a great University, but is also surrounded by an amazing community. The environment is one that is balanced with awesome academics and athletics. We are one of few schools in the nation where swimming is as celebrated with the likes of football, basketball and baseball. It is great to have both an amazing indoor facility (that has hosted NCAA’s and SEC’s) as well as a 10 lane 50m outdoor facility as well.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am committed to Auburn University. This program is my home. I swam at Auburn and will continue to be the Head Coach here for many years to come. I love College swimming, but want to take athlete’s all the way to the Olympic Games. I have been married for 12 years and have 4 children.

I am a family man and run a ‘FAMILY’ team.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

When recruiting, my assistant coaches and I look for strong academics, a good technical swimming foundation, general athleticism, and great natural leadership skills. I also look for someone who wants to be part of a team.

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

I believe that every student-athlete has to go into the recruiting process with an open mind. I believe that they should take advantage of the process and take their 5 recruiting trips. That way, it gives them the ability to make the best informed decision about academics, athletics and can compare swimming programs.

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

I encourage all prospective student-athletes to ask as many questions as possible during their recruiting process. It is an exciting time for them and their families, so I try to get as good of an interaction as possible, so I am not the only one talking. Questions about academics, athletics, the City of Auburn, any and all questions are welcomed!

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

That is hard to say because every single student-athlete is different, and the exchanges and interaction that we have with the hundreds of prospects are very unique. I guess arrogance is never a good thing.

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

I believe our program is extremely successful at creating a family type of environment. The TEAM is more of a family environment, one that may not be only unique to us, but something that we excel at.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

The Auburn University Swimming & Diving program has a long tradition of success, at the SEC, NCAA and International levels. Our goals every year are to compete for an SEC and NCAA championship, as well as put athletes on USA and International teams, and every 4 years, be able to compete for Olympic Medals.

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

If a student-athlete is interested in joining this program, they can either send me or one of my assistant coaches an email expressing their interest. We do our best to respond to every single email that comes our way. The information can be found on our website at auburntigers.cstv.com

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

-Committed to the pursuit of excellence, and having fun!

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

- Limestone is a special college and all that come will have a special experience!

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

- I am committed to a student /athlete’s success and will support what ever direction they choose to take

4. What do you look for in recruits?

-Those with a willing attitude and a quest for adventure

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

- Ask questions

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

-Nothing specific just ask a lot!

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

-One that do not believe in themselves

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

-Graduating students!!!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

-Limestone College is genuinely committed to the student / athlete’s experience and success.

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

-Complete a prospective athletic questionnaire: http://golimestonesaints.com/sb_output.aspx?form=3&tab=recruitingquestionnaire

-Email: rgecan@limestone.edu

-Phone:            864-488-8224 (office)

864-838-9902 (Mobile)