From Steve Weinert (Father of Twins)
I am the proud father of twin girls who performed at a high level in both the classroom and on the softball field as high school student athletes. I was convinced that because of their talent, college coaches would be knocking down our front door to recruit my daughters. Why wouldn’t they? Boy, was I naïve…
Not one college coach wrote the twins. Not one coach called the house. Not one college coach showed the slightest bit of interest in my talented daughters! We did everything that we thought was going to improve their chances of playing softball in college. We spent time and money so they could compete with a select traveling team three seasons a year along with playing varsity softball at the high school. Everyone said that the college coaches were going to come eventually and we were doing everything right. Even the high school coach could not explain the lack of interest in the twins. Boy were they naïve…
I found the NCSA web site one day at work and called into their headquarters in Chicago out of curiosity more than interest. I learned more in my initial conversations than I had throughout the entire process up until that point. Before speaking with NCSA, I was not even aware of the NCAA Clearinghouse! After going through the qualifying process to become a member with NCSA and deciding this was the best route for our family, I discovered that there was an entire series of steps to be taken in the process and we were entering the process very late. However, there were still opportunities out there. Boy, were they helpful…
Immediately after enrolling into the NCSA curriculum, we found ourselves on the fast track to learning the appropriate steps to be taken in order to achieve success in the recruiting process. NCSA introduced the twins to the collegiate coaching community and they had a dozen responses in the first 24 hours. NCSA taught us how to maximize the opportunities they had created through consulting sessions with their expert recruiting coaches. We quickly learned that the reason the twins were not being recruited up until that point was not due to their ability on the field or their academic prowess, but rather the fact that college coaches simply do not have the resources to “discover” student athletes. Boy, were we relieved…
The turning point came one night when a coach called inquiring about the twins “availability.” After learning that the twins were still uncommitted, the coach proceeded to offer the girls an “official visit.” NCSA coached our family about the structure of the visit and the right kind of questions to ask. We felt completely prepared for our big visit. Boy, were we excited…
The big day came and we were met on campus by not only the coach, but half the softball team! They walked our family all over campus showing the girls whatever they wanted to see. The twins were extremely impressed. Before attending a private practice with the team, the twins evaluated 10 itemized factors that we identified as a family as being important to their college decision and rated them on a 1-10 scale. The factors were as follows:
1. The cost of the school? Ease of paying for it.
2. Does it have the curriculum and accreditation that the student wants?
3. How are the dorms and eating facilities?
4. How do you rate the coach?
5. How do you rate your future team-mates?
6. Rate your future instructors/professors that you met?
7. Does the campus meet your needs?
8. Is the college the right distance away from home?
9. Does the local community meet your needs?
10. Will you achieve your goals at this college?
The girls ranked each factor on a napkin during lunch and if the score was over 85, then we had found the right place. Both girls scored this school over a 90! After participating in a few pitcher / catcher drills, the coach had seen all she needed and invited the family outside. The coach went on to tell the girls that she wanted them both to be a part of the team, and she was willing to give scholarships to both girls. She even had their jerseys ready on the spot and promised to frame the napkin with the ten ranked factors in her office! Boy, was this the right fit…
A week later, on National Signing Day, the coach drove 800 miles to be a part of the ceremony for the girls. The twins were THRILLED with the final outcome! This never would have happened without NCSA and we are grateful for all the work Amanda and Joyce, our recruiting coaches, put into helping our daughters pursue their dream.
