NCSA caught up with rising soccer star and 2010 graduate Camille Namba about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
NCSA: How do you show a college coach that you are really interested in their program?
Namba: For the college programs that I am really interested in...I keep in touch with the coach by e-mails and phone calls. I keep them up to date on my progress at school and sports and I make sure that they know about my tournaments. I invite them to come watch. And I make sure they have my NCSA link to my profile. When I talk to the coach, I try to be up on facts about the school and his program.
NCSA: What are you doing to “take charge” of your recruiting process?
Namba: My parents and I are taking charge of my recruiting by using the resources on the NCSA website and organizing and narrowing down the schools and programs that is a fit for me. I'm trying to find out as much as I can about these programs and asking questions from people who have gone there. I think that choosing the help of NCSA shows a players commitment and how serious they are about their recruiting.
NCSA: Have you had coaches evaluate you in person yet? Tell us about how that feels.
Namba: Yes. I have had coaches evaluate me. I have been to many soccer camps like IMG Academy and Duke. The coaches would give us personal written evaluations at the end of camp. I also get evaluations from my ODP coaches and my soccer trainer. They don't always tell me what I like to hear but I like the coach to be honest so I know what to improve on. I think this is the only way you are going to keep improving is by listening to constructive criticism and then doing something about it by training.
NCSA: How do you handle nerves when communicating with college coaches?
Namba: I think this is one of my biggest problems but the more I communicate with college coaches, it seems to get a little bit easier. Talking with them in person at tournaments is a lot easier but I still have trouble calling a coach on the telephone for the first time. It is nerve wracking and I think this is one of the hardest parts for any athlete during recruiting. You are afraid of saying the wrong things or not saying enough or too much. It’s very difficult but NCSA has helped a lot in this area.
NCSA: How do you deal with disappointment in the recruiting process? Can you give an example?
Namba: I have had disappointments in the recruiting process like not getting any response from coaches of programs I am interested in or not being evaluated at college showcases. One time, I was told by a college coach that he was coming to my tournament to evaluate me. He never showed up at the tournament and later his assistant told me that he resigned from his job. I've been told that you cannot let these things bother you because there are so many recruits and so many teams out there for coaches to cover but it can really affect your confidence and ego to be rejected. Overall, I think you just need to be realistic about yourself and the athletic programs and concentrate on what is the right fit for yourself in academics and the sports program.
NCSA: What makes you a unique athlete that stands out from a crowd?
Namba: Wow..thats a tough question. I've been playing soccer since I was five years old in recreation then in competition and then state cup. I've been an ODP player for four straight years now play varsity high school soccer also. But none of this is really that unique. I think what might make me unique is that I've continued to play soccer for 11 years now through injuries, setbacks, all kinds of ups and downs. Just keep plugging along and play the sport you love. I think that is what makes the difference.
NCSA: What are your goals for this club/high school season? How is the season going?
Namba: We just finished our State Cup season and we made it to the final round of 16 but couldn’t break through. Our high school team did very well this season. We made it to the Florida State Championship and were finalists. I feel my club team is good enough to make it to the final four next season and I think my high school team has a great shot at going to the finals again next season. Right now, I am concentrating on the summer ODP season.
NCSA: What camps do you plan to attend over the summer?
Namba: This summer I would like to attend several camps. Hopefully I will be able to go back to the ODP Region III Camp and the IMG Academy Soccer Camp this year. I'm also looking at several collegiate elite camps but still haven’t made up my mind which one. So many good camps, I wish there was more time.
NCSA: Who is your favorite college athlete?
Namba: My favorite college athlete is FSU soccer player Mami Yamaguchi. She won the 2007 MAC Hermann Trophy for the top female player in NCAA Division I. She was also NSCAA All American and ACC Offensive Player of the Year. She's small but uses everything she's got to get the job done. I really like that.
NCSA: Overall, how has the recruiting process been for you so far? Has NCSA made a big impact for you?
Namba: So far the recruiting process is going very well but I am impatient and can't wait until September of my junior year when colleges can contact me and when communications with soccer programs is stepped up and I believe that NCSA is preparing me extremely well for that. I don't think I would be as far along in the recruiting process now without the help of NCSA and definitely would not have the same amount of exposure to the many college programs without NCSA. It definitely gives me more confidence to know that NCSA is involved with my recruiting.
