Effective Strategies for Student-Athlete Recruiting Process

HIGHLANDER STUDENT ATHLETE UNIVERSITY (HSAU)- RECRUITING How do I get recruited session?

TONIGHTS SESSION 1. The process of how do I get recruited 2. Appropriate selection of level of play 3. Academic needs, location, size and social scene- how to sort it all out! 4. Other ways to attract a coach program s notice! 5. Secrets of the process!

GENERAL BACKGROUND AND TERMS Ann Clifton- Former Division I Head Women s Soccer Coach and recruiting was my lifeline to success. Had over 8 recruiting classes ranked in the top 10 in the USA. Review of Difference in Divisions: Post graduate schools- example Blair Academy Community college vs. Junior college offerings NAIA- Not associated with NCAA and completely different set of rules Division III- No scholarships permitted and no National Letter of Intent Division II- Many former NAIA schools and partial-full academic aid is offered Division I- Full room, board and tuition offered and complete compliance with clearinghouse and other NCAA rules and regulations

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED NCAA Rules and Regulations begin the 1stday of your freshman year of High School. Before this date a PSA is not applicable to the NCAA regulations. Sophomore Year Keep your grades up! Begin compiling a list of possible colleges or universities that meet your interests and research their academic and athletic programs. Take the PSAT test. Write a cover letter and athletic specific resume and send it out to possible schools. Review NCAA Clearinghouse eligibility requirements. The summer before your junior year, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Select junior year courses to fulfill these requirements. Play at the highest level possible. Keep a record of athletic achievements.

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Junior Year Keep your grades up! ALWAYS!! Junior Year (As of September 1, coaches can return correspondence and write letters, but cannot call until on or after July 1 before your senior year). Send coaches updated resume and player profile, send dates of tournaments and league games. Organize a filing system on colleges that respond to your inquiry and indicate interest. You will need names and phones numbers of coaches and also when they indicated interest. Make a list of all the colleges/universities you have been in contact with and rank them in order starting with your favorite school (based on what you know at this point) down to your least favorite school.

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Junior Year- continued Start by calling the coach at your least favorite school. You will probably be nervous when you talk to this coach however, by talking to a coach at your least favorite college/university, you will gain confidence for when you contact the coaches who are higher on your priority list. Most likely, if you are calling a coach, you will get his or her voicemail. Practice leaving a message beforehand. You can even call yourself and leave a practice voicemail on your cell phone. If you do get in touch with a coach, make sure you take notes on the conversation. Also, keep a list of your top five questions to ask and make sure that these questions cannot be answered by looking on the college/universities web site. Play in College Showcase tournaments, summer tournaments or participate in college level events. Attend any recruitment seminars at these tournaments. Also attend College Fairs and register your sport with each college.

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Junior Year- continued Consider attending the summer camp of a school of interest, or one which has a lot of college coaches on staff. Narrow your search to 10 or so schools and engage in regular correspondence with the coach. Make unofficial visits (at your expense) to selected schools. Meet with the coach and see the team play, if possible and/or watch practice. Envision your skill set playing on the team. KEEP NOTEBOOK and TAKE PICTURES. Walk through campus as classes are changing- best time to get a feel for the student body! Take the SAT or ACT tests. Make sure scores are sent to your schools of interest. Check your status with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Select senior year courses to complete Clearinghouse requirements. Stay in touch with your high school counselor. Obtain financial form (FAFSA).

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Senior Year You can now talk on the phone with a coach. If you are a top level player, expect some phone calls. If not, call the coach, yourself. A letter followed by a call shows interest in the program. Only one call per week is allowed. Don t let down in your class work. Finish strong. Check status with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Narrow your search to 5 schools. Reach out to coaching staff about scheduling an official visit (expenses paid). You are permissible to take 5 OVs and must be after your 1stday of your senior year.

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Senior Year- continued On your official visit take noticed of all details of the program. How do the coach and players interact Facilities/Weight Room/Training Room and Medical Support Food and equipment allowance Other details Keep notes when you depart from the campus- things will run together! Complete FAFSA form again with recent tax information. Respond immediately to any interest shown by colleges. Schedule and complete official visits (at schools expense).

1. THE PROCESS OF HOW DO I GET RECRUITED Senior Year- continued Meet with the coach and the team and stay overnight if possible, see the team play. Stay in touch with your high school counselor. Narrow down your choices and get your applications done early. Keep coaches updated on your achievements by sending them your resume through the fall and play in high level events in November and December. Provide your coach and counselor with your interest college list. Discuss college interest with your coach and counselor. Make a decision- parents do not rush it!

2. APPROPRIATE SELECTION OF LEVEL OF PLAY AND PROGRAM It is very important to recognize your skill set and the level you would like to play in college. Remember Division I Athletics is a business!! It will be the hardest part time job you will every have! Division II Athletics is a bit less commitment but a Top 20 ranked program is still going to have a high-level of hard work required! Division III Athletics will require a bit less of a student athlete commitment but still is a big challenge!

2. APPROPRIATE SELECTION OF LEVEL OF PLAY AND PROGRAM DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Familiarize yourself with the coaching staff and their style of play. Does it fit your style of play?? How does the coach recruit- locally, from specific AAU/Club Teams, nationally? Can you be evaluated effectively by the staff? What type of players does the coach like? Do you fit into this prototype ? What conference/league does the team play in and does this fit your preference?

2. APPROPRIATE SELECTION OF LEVEL OF PLAY AND PROGRAM Do not compromise! Location/Location/Location! Critical Does the academics at the university/college fit your needs and passions Size of school- this will not change during your four years- does it fit you? Other- GIRL-BOY ratio/Room and Board/Semesters vs. Trimesters/Student Body support for athletics

2. APPROPRIATE SELECTION OF LEVEL OF PLAY AND PROGRAM Review Roster: What are the positions that the program will graduate before you arrive? Does the coach believe in recruiting a large class size (# of S-As) or small class size (# of S-As) and why is this important? Is there a position/event specific coach on the staff? Does the coach have travel rosters? Is it a philosophy of the staff to change player s positions after arriving on campus. How does the coach allot scholarships?

3. ACADEMIC NEEDS, LOCATION, SIZE AND SOCIAL SCENE- HOW TO SORT IT ALL OUT! MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF SELECTING A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY IS ACADEMICS!!! Make sure you spend as much time and effort researching the academic offerings at the college/university! You are there to get a degree and should spend 50-75 percent more time during your college career on academic pursuits than athletics goals. Make sure the academic offering will be broad enough to cover all your interests and desires. What type of academic support does the athletic department offer- free tutoring, study halls, resource areas for student athletes, what is the graduation rate for the athletic department and sport?

3. ACADEMIC NEEDS, LOCATION, SIZE AND SOCIAL SCENE- HOW TO SORT IT ALL OUT! The social scene is also a big aspect of selecting a school and athletic program! On your visit to campus- look for fliers on social events and club offerings Are their sororities and fraternities on campus and how big is the Greek life? How do the students enjoy their social time on campus- or do they go off campus- ASK QUESTIONS!! How does the sports team balance their social endeavors and academic/athletic pursuits? Is the team popular on campus- do students attend competitions? Is it a party school/ suitcase college and other concerns

3. ACADEMIC NEEDS, LOCATION, SIZE AND SOCIAL SCENE- HOW TO SORT IT ALL OUT! As a prospective student athlete you have to be prepared not to settle and work to find the perfect fit for YOUR college decision! Perfect academic environment. Outstanding social scene that fits my personal integrity and needs. College campus that I feel I can positively contribute to as soon as I arrive! A college athletic program that fits my skill set and I can be a difference maker!

4. OTHER WAYS TO ATTRACT A COACH PROGRAM S NOTICE! Funny methods: Creative letters, videos and other stories: Popcorn story Bike send to admissions Top 10 reasons to recruit me letters Continuous notifications with coaching staff At events- wearing your colleges gear! Christmas Card story

4. OTHER WAYS TO ATTRACT A COACH PROGRAM S NOTICE! Reasons to intertwine athletics into your college selection process: 1. Athletic Scholarship- $$$ 2. Better your academic standing for acceptance. Slots/Early reads and etc. 3. Both!

5. SECRETS OF THE PROCESS! 1st- Patience and persistence! All PSAs must be willing to stick with the process for several years. Sending emails, text messages and mail for over 1400+ days (4 years) is a challenge- but can pay big dividends! Not all coaches are great planners and or communicators- so keep at it! Some coaches are very responsive with correspondence and other are not! Also some have very specific plans on their recruiting philosophy and some do not! But make sure you are on top of your game and keep at it! Timing- you should have made contact and have a relationship with a coach by the 1st day of your Sophomore year, if you are thinking scholarship $$, 1st day of your Junior year, if you are hoping to get into a better academic situation and 1st day of your Senior year, if you want to walk-on!

5. SECRETS OF THE PROCESS! High School recruitment vs. Club/AAU recruitment! Some sports are specifically recruited out of high school settings- ex. FOOTBALL and Track and Field Most sports are recruited out of AAU/Club Team settings- ex. Soccer, Field Hockey, Basketball and others. Please understand the rationale for this: More bang for your buck events Often the NCAA recruiting calendar dictates this decision College Athletic Season may be the same as your High School season

5. SECRETS OF THE PROCESS! Let your child lead the process!!! This must be a commitment from your child and a passion to compete at the next level. This is a conversation you should have with your child! It is not for everyone and that is OK- your child is still awesome!!!!! Your child must feel comfortable with the college athletic decision! If you force the choice- you will have on-going phone calls/travel bill and may have to start the process over again! Help lead but do not pull them!

REVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS IN RECRUITING Early nature of process Competitiveness and false promises Scouting services/Companies that will assist with the process NCAA Sports Specific Calendars- Dead period, No contact and others Using coaches to assist with process Role of High School Guidance Counselor with process The student athlete s role and parent s role. Level of play/competition What to look for in a program- sure signs of potential for success Honest/Questioning Team and Assistant Coaches/Discussing other programs, history of success/contract of coaching staff/facilities/schedule/gear and equipment allowance/methods of transportation/support staff/off season plans and overall feel of program. Academics, Academics, Academics- first!! Size and location Future!

STUDENT ATHLETE UNIVERSITY Recruiting Part 2 QUESTIONS?????? Please review the information posted on the GLHS Athletics College Recruiting site for additional information!