Some tips in finding the right school & team for you

Playing college sports is tough; it is a privilege and an honor. In addition to being a good player, it is important to be an even better person with the right attitude. College coaches want to work with players who are coachable, respectful, and hard working. As the numbers unfold about 3% of high school athletes will go on to play in college, the reason for this is because of the high school to college ratio. There are millions of high school athletes all over the U.S. and only 361,900 total athletes went on to play in all levels of NCAA in 2002. (Mazzoni) Of course 5 years later those numbers have changed but the percentage is still relatively close. Just remember, you don't have to be the best to play at a higher level, with time, practice and coaching you will be the best that you can be. It's hard work but definitely worth trying for.

"75% of high school athletes that enter college as freshmen athletes will not be playing by their senior year." (Mazzoni) The reasons could be as follows: they got cut, hurt, decided it was no fun, decided that it took too much time, rather concentrate on studies, job search, work, friends, relationships, etc. So, the point is when searching for a school that is right for you, you must take into account multiple factors outside of the athletics department. Such as but not limited to:

• Location: another state, close or far away from home
• Setting: Urban, Suburban, Rural
• Number of Students/size
• Cost
• Academic Reputation & Admissions Standards
• Social Life- What is it like? Does it fit your personality?
• Campus Layout and Makeup- Do you like the campus?
• The Student Body: % of men to women, popular majors, # of student athletes
• Faculty
• Majors/Minors Offered or known for

Athletic Divisions and Schools: Where do you fit in?

Below is a breakdown of the different Intercollegiate Sports Divisions based on competition level, scholarships given out, financial aid available, and expected time commitment:

In determining what level is right for you consider the following:

• Ask your high school and club coaches what they think of your ability as it relates to college divisions.
• Ask college coaches who have seen you play.
• Talk with former players from your school who have gone on to play collegiate athletics.
• Enroll in summer camps/showcase camps where you can evaluate yourself against others.
• Go to athletic contests at various levels and see how you compare.
• Determine where you rank with others on your team and in your area.

The recruiting process can be confusing and a nightmare. Reasons for this are due to the number of high school athletes in relation to only thousands of college coaches. Geography can also be a factor since coaches don't often hear about athletes who are at distant schools. Most athletic programs have neither the budget nor the coaching staff that would allow them to travel and see all the players in the U.S. You have to remember that your high school season is their college season, so coaches have little time for recruiting during the Fall term, this is why its best to send them not only your high school schedule but your club team schedule as well. Usually less competitive teams do the least amount of recruiting. You become the recruiter. Be proactive and recruit the coaches and schools you are interested in. Use your current coaches as a resource in helping you find the school that's right for you. (Mazzoni)

Contacting Collegiate Coaches

Contacting college coaches can be scary. With the right method you will be able to market yourself extraordinarily with an impact. Here's a checklist of what you need to send if you want the coach to take you seriously: (rule of thumb: make copies of everything!)

• Introductory Letter - State why you are interested in attending that school and playing for that coach. This will set you apart from 90% of the other athletes.
• Athletic Resume - Sending this with your letter will keep you one-step ahead of the game. Include: Your contact information, List academic Information including; GPA and class rank, PSAT, SAT, ACT scores, intended major and goals, extra-curricular activities, any academic awards. Then list your athletic information; height, weight, primary position and foot (L/R), league, pertinent sports stats, awards/honors (all-league player, captain, MVP, etc.), other sports you play. Also be sure to list your physical characteristics; speed (how fast can you run a 40 yd, 60 yd, 120 yd sprint, 1 mile), strength (squat weight, bench press), factors relevant to your sport like goals scored, # of saves/shutout, championships went to, assists, etc.
• Transcripts - Can be obtained through your school counselor upon request.
• Board Scores - League standings and stats.
• Press Clips - Any periodical that contains your name in relation to the sport you are applying for
• Reference Letters - Include at least one letter of recommendation from a past coach, alumni, etc.
• Photo - If they come to watch you play they will know who you are, and it adds a personal touch to the whole package.
• Video - All the above items are designed for one thing, to get the coach to see you in action. Videos will set you apart from the crowd and are a good demo for what the coach will be looking for.
• Game Schedules - Include High School schedules as well as club team schedules.
  

NCAA Clearing House

After using the method described above you will have one of two situations. You will be or not be recruited by the coach. If you are recruited, you will get a personal letter or phone call from the coach. If you do not hear from the coach or receive a letter, there is little you can do. If you still want to attend that school and tryout you can, in this case you would be considered a walk-on. Walk-ons have many success stories. If you choose to try and walk-on be sure to let the coach know you are doing so. If the coach is not interested in recruiting you it would be helpful to find out why. This will help you in your future search and options. Eligibility information for Division I & II schools can be found at www.ncaa.org. NCAA Clearinghouse information can be found on this website as well. For Division I & II schools YOU MUST REGISTER WITH THE CLEARINGHOUSE IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE AS A COLLEGE FRESHMAN. Go to www.ncaa.org to file. Counselors can obtain registration materials, at no cost, by calling the clearinghouse at 319-337-1492. You will NOT be able to play if you don't take care of this issue. The best time to do this is after your junior-year grades appear on your transcript. (Mazzoni)

Get started today! It's never too late to get the ball rolling and the best time to start your recruiting process is Spring of your Junior year in High School.