The recruiting process for a student-athlete has more highs and lows than the tallest and fiercest of roller coasters. I spent a majority of the past three summers participating in Amateur Athletic Union, (AAU), basketball recruiting tournaments for a number of girls’ basketball teams. I also participated in about twenty individual college showcases and camps over the same three-year period. I always hoped to be one of the student-athletes who gets recruited by a Division I college, so I could continue my education and play basketball at the next level. I have been very lucky to have been pursued by several well-respected Division I programs. As a result, I visited many college campuses, attended many college basketball games, met many collegiate student-athletes, spoke with many endearing college coaches, and competed with and against many other similar prospective student-athletes. Some of these other collegiate prospects, even the ones I competed against, have become my very close friends. I have enjoyed every bit of this great experience, though at times this roller coaster ride has left me breathless.
In July, before a student-athlete’s senior year, college coaches start to call and begin to offer scholarship opportunities. I waited for those calls, but, unfortunately, I received some that asked me to wait for a possible opening and others that left me very disappointed. I had my heart set on some of those colleges, but the coaches chose other student-athletes over me. This is when that roller coaster ride started to glide down the tracks and it terrified me; I had to think about where I would land.
The recruiting process has been a very frustrating experience but at the same time a great learning opportunity as well. I had to reassess my aspirations to continue my basketball career and refocus on new potential college campuses and programs. Where should I begin? Where will I find the college program that fits me and presents the basketball opportunity for which I have been looking? I have continued to work diligently on my schoolwork and my basketball skills so that new opportunities will be open up for me. I contacted the coaches at NCSA and asked if they can resend my profile out to a number of division 2 and division 3 schools. There are many choices. What schools should I consider? How soon will I hear from new coaches and admissions advisors? How exhilarating will this ride through new choices be?
The roller coaster ride started its climb back up again. Because of the contacts that were made by the NSCA, I started to receive many more emails and phone calls from division 2 & 3 schools. I went on visits to many of them and found that I can still compete at a high level while receiving a great education playing at this level. I received 5 scholarship offers and a number of walk on opportunities to attend and play for division 2 schools, some of which that are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. I was also being recruited by many many division 3 programs, one of which was ranked #1 in the nation.
The roller coaster ride has come to its end and I know that I found my perfect fit. By continuing to work hard both in the classroom as well as on the court I have received scholarship to attend and play basketball for division 2 Dominican College. I fell in love with the small campus, met all of the great players on the team and think the coaches are fantastic.
Now that this processes has ended, with the help of the coaches at NCSA, I know I will look back on this experience as a great lesson of ups and downs, of excitement and disappointment. This has been a ride I will never forget.
