Press & Media

In the News

Pandemic Leaves a Void for Young Athletes Seeking to Make College Teams

Even before the pandemic, much of the recruiting process had moved online. Digital platforms, like Next College Student Athlete, help coaches see game video, résumés and academic transcripts from student-athletes.

Recruiting in a pandemic: Coronavirus leaves California athletes, coaches playing guessing game

College recruiting is in chaos. The novel coronavirus pandemic that led to the closing of schools in California and other states has sent recruiting into an unknown wilderness, with sweeping changes in the way colleges evaluate, high schools promote and athletes ultimately make decisions.

Recruiting tips for prep athletes who've had their seasons cut short

Nelson Gord, director of baseball at Next College Student Athlete, joins Good Day Chicago to talk about how prospective college athletes can get noticed despite quarantine orders.

Business Ledger honors 73 companies as Best Place to Work in Illinois

Next College Student Athlete was honored as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Illinois, by the Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, MRA -- The Management Association, and Small Business Advocacy Council.

How high school juniors are navigating through college recruiting amid the coronavirus

While Michael Dufek, recruiting coach manager at Next College Student Athlete (NCSA), has seen recruiting online around for more than a decade, the ease of access to information and communication tools has allowed them to stay in touch with prospective colleges like never before.

Take One for the Team: Take a Mental Health Day

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves and our team is to take a break and give ourselves the space and time to decompress or to heal. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Potential boom in college esports programs

College sports are still up in the air because of the coronavirus. We find out if that means esports may see a boost.

How Does Athletic Recruiting Work?

“There are tons of opportunities out there,” Putnam said. “If you are a football player, your DNA needs to match up with what that coach wants. Anything outside of D1 (top colleges) is equivalent.”

Britt Pascale, Next College Student Athlete

Join us for Episode 36 of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as Britt Pascale, Director of Training and Development for NCSA joins our host Roy Kessel to talk about how NCSA helps high school athletes get opportunities for college scholarships and how their “All-In Award” gives access to NCSA services...

Millions of dollars in scholarships available for esports players

This past May, Harrisburg University won ESPN’s inaugural College Esports Championship. In 2018, the college became the first to award full-ride scholarships to its entire 16-player roster.

Sport Stars Magazine: Recruiting Help: Assisting Athletes In Taking Their Shot

In July, NCSA released an extensive State of Recruiting report. More than 45 percent of underclass athletes are not listed on their college roster the following year. NCSA analyzed roster data from 2012-17 of more than 1,400 NCAA and NAIA schools.

Glassdoor: How to Foster Healthy Competition in the Workplace

Our team at NCSA is made up of nearly 800 former athletes, most who played at the college – and in some cases professional – levels. Our competitive spirits shine through daily and we compete for everything and anything – blood and tears have been shed at the annual flag football Turkey Bowl, our...

Glassdoor: 15 Companies Embracing Transparency & Being Truly “Open”

Glassdoor’s OpenCompany program recognizes employers that proactively promote and embrace workplace transparency. Here are 15 companies that amplify their open cultures on Glassdoor.

Comparably: 9 Great Companies for Millennials in the Chicago Area

Millennial employees of nine Chicago–area businesses rated their companies highly on Comparably, saying these workplaces offer the things they find most important from a job: flexibility, benefits that match their values, a social impact, and to feel like a valued contributor rather than a number...

Peterson’s You Have a Cool Job Podcast: You Have a Cool Job: College Athlete Recruiter

On this week’s episode of You Have a Cool Job, we talk to Jason Smith, an independent college athletics recruiter. Jason is the Director of Recruiting Services for NCSA, Next College Student Athlete.

Salisbury Daily Times: 'There's a college for every player': Conquering the college recruitment process

One company that prides itself in matching athletes with the perfect program is Next College Student Athlete, the largest recruiting network in the country. Founded in 2000, the organization uses a team of recruitment coaches to speak directly with athletes and their families about finding an ideal...

High School Holla Sports Show Podcast: The H2S2 Show: CPS-NCSA Soccer Showcase

This week the H2S2 Show covers the Chicago Public League Soccer Showcase which partnered with Next College Student Athlete (NCSA). NCSA Recruiting Director Nelson Gord joins us to tells us how area student-athletes can get help to play at the next level through NCSA’s “All In Award.”

Glassdoor: Top Sports Companies to Work For

Whether you trained in computer science or you’re a certified personal trainer, there are positions available in athletics, whether it’s at a sports association, an athletic apparel company, or a gym. In no particular order, here are 10 of the top sports companies that are looking for new employees...

Philanthropy Playmakers Interview: Lisa Strasman

Lisa Strasman is president and COO of Next College Student Athlete (NCSA). Lisa was one of the first competitive female ice hockey players in Illinois and went on to captain the women’s hockey team at Yale University.

15 Companies that give back

If you’re passionate about giving back to your community or doing good for the world, chances are, you’ll want to work for a company that shares your morals.

Recruiting Company Helps Find Best Fit for Student-Athletes of All Levels

For these high school seniors, the pool has become their life. So much so, the twin brothers, Cade and Zachary Griffith, both just committed to play water polo in college.

Lisa Strasman Named to 2019 Cynopsis Top Women in Sports List

The Cynopsis Top Women in Sports Awards shine a light on female trailblazers who are pushing the industry forward, while empowering and inspiring others with their drive for innovation and inclusion.

NGWSD Reflections: How ice hockey led NCSA President Lisa Strasman forward

Lisa Strasman played ice hockey at Yale University and professionally in Switzerland. She is currently the President of Next College Student Athlete, and shares her story with the Women’s Sports Foundation in recognition of NGWSD

Former Yale women’s ice hockey captain is de-stressing recruitment for student-athletes

Lisa Strasman ’01 B.A. isn’t sure what compelled her to try ice hockey at the age of 5. She just knew she loved being on the ice, did not particularly care for figure skating, and had both an older cousin and a friend in kindergarten who played. One day, she simply declared that she wanted to play...

In Growing ‘Wild West’ of Campus Esports, Programs Rush to Lure the Best Players

To hunt for the best [esports] players, some colleges opt to work with external recruiting networks like Next College Student Athlete or beRecruited, services popular among traditional athletes and coaches.

College athletic recruiting network ranks Cal in the top-10 of its 2018 power rankings

College athletics recruiting network Next College Student Athlete calculated “power” rankings for more than 1,000 college athletic programs across the U.S., and the California Golden Bears ranked eighth overall—topping heavyweights like the Michigan Wolverines (No. 16), Florida Gators (No. 24) and...

NCSA Certified as a 2018 Great Place to Work

Based on a survey of NCSA's employees, NCSA Next College Student Athlete was named a 2018 Great Place to Work. This certification was based on employees' responses to questions around workplace culture, challenges, rewards, management and more.

NCSA Named to Crain's 2018 Best Places to Work List

Partnering with the Best Companies Group, Crain's surveyed 8,800 employees at Chicago-area companies to find the top 100 companies to work for. NCSA made the list based on its employee perks and workplace culture.

NCSA Teams Up with IMG Academy to Deliver Its Team Edition Platform to Coaches

NCSA has teamed up with IMG Academy, an educational institution known as one of the most advanced schools for athletic, academic and personal development, to deploy NCSA Team Edition, a powerful new recruiting platform for club and high school teams.

ESPNW Features Lisa Strasman's Journey to Becoming President of NCSA

From being named the captain of Yale's women's ice hockey team to becoming a professional hockey player, technology salesperson and now president of NCSA, Lisa Strasman talks about how her background in sports helped her gain success in the workplace.

NCSA Named One of 15 Coolest Offices in Chicago

Crain's Chicago Business ranked the coolest 15 offices that were rehabbed or opened after July 1, 2016, and NCSA made the cut.

NCSA Ranks #31 on Top 100 Tech Companies in Chicago List

Built in Chicago lists Chicago’s 100 biggest digital tech companies, ranking NCSA at 31.

NFL alum Izell Reese brings high school football combine to Chicago

Former NFL player and Next College Student Athlete Executive Vice President Izell Reese attends one of Rivals.com’s events for high school football players.

7 ways to talk about your athletic experience on a job interview

NCSA President and former Yale Hockey Captain Lisa Strasman gives advice to college athletes entering the job market and how to kill it on every interview.

Press Releases

2020

NEXT COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETE ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS IN NEW ZEALAND, WALES