NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

A must read from The New York Times about Coach Tom Donnelly, the long-time track and cross country coach at Haverford College.  He feels so strongly about the importance of t he team over the individual that he tosses every coaching trophy in the garbage.  Even in an individual sport like running, recruits would be wise to look fora coach that values the college learning experience.

I don’t want any of those trophies. I appreciate the gesture, but a coaching award distracts from the essence of a coach’s job, which is to educate the students. You can only justify the existence of a team at a college campus if being on the team benefits the athletes’ educational experience.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week about the new player conduct rules implemented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. 

This sweeping new personal-conduct policy, which was announced before the 2007 season, allows the NFL to quickly and summarily fine and suspend players; not just for committing crimes, but for any act that’s deemed harmful to the NFL’s “integrity and reputation.” To guard against these unpredictable suspensions (there have been 10 so far), NFL teams are hiring former police officers and FBI agents as security chiefs, ordering up extensive background checks, installing video-surveillance systems in locker rooms, chasing down rumors and sometimes forbidding players from talking to the press.

Many NFL players feel the policy is an over reach, but the it appears here to stay.  This strict policy also outlines how recruits need to carry themselves at all times.  Just like the NFL is refusing to let character risks damage the league’s image, universities will continue to investigate a players background to ensure solid character.  If you plan on fulfilling your athletic scholarship potential, I recommend making sound decisions.

 I had the opportunity to be on Regional Radio Sports Network (http://www.rrsn.com/) Thursday night to talk Recruiting with high school football coaches. Show host Paul Condry and co host Donnie Smith produced a show called “Coaches Box” that was soaked with insights on Recruiting.

The show was at an Applebee’s, so we all got to eat a great meal before air time. I sat in a booth and visited with Fairfield HS (Goshen, IN area) head football coach Bob Miller, who guided his team to a 10-1 record this year. He told me about a former Fairfield player named Derek Yoder who excelled in the classroom, SAT’s and community and was a darn good high school player. He said Derek is now playing at D-3 Wabash College, one of the top schools in the Midwest and the nation. He said a Wabash education is about $150,000 over four years. Derek is only paying about $2000. That is an example of what can happen when you nail your academics, test scores, and community involvement and are capable of playing at the college level.

Coach Miller had a story about persistence that about knocked me off the table. He is also the Track and Field coach. He said back in 1997 he had a very fast track kid named Matt Rush. He was a two time state qualifier. Matt was determined to get an engineering degree from either Notre Dame, Western Michigan, Purdue or Tennessee. He was also going to run track. His challenge was that since he was from a small school out in the corn fields no one had really heard of him, especially at places like Tennessee.

Coach Miller told me Matt called these schools about three times a day. “He would do it before Weight Lifting and after school,” coach Miller said. “They kept telling him ‘the Coach wasn’t in.’ He didn’t quit, though.” Now, for some kids that would be like beating your head against the wall, but Matt had blistering times. He knew he was capable of playing at that level. Eventually, he would get through to them. Finally, Tennessee listened and brought him down. They had never heard of him. He fell in love with the place. They liked him. He got partial athletics scholarship. His 3.9 GPA in high school really helped his overall package.

Coach Miller said Matt was part of four NCAA D 1 Outdoor Track and Field national championship teams. He got his engineering degree.

“You have to be persistent,” Coach Miller said. “I tell my kids at Fairfield High that you have to have a way to market yourself or be marketed. Colleges are not going to find every kid.”

Being persistent and playing college sports can lead to incredibly exciting lives. Matt is now in Norfolk, VA. He is a civilian contractor with the Navy and redesigns battleships and aircraft carriers. “He emailed me a picture of him flying to a carrier on an F-14,” Coach Miller said. “He said look at my life now! Not back for a kid from Indiana cornfields!”

The radio show also included legendary former Penn High football coach Chris Geesman. I could listen to his stories all day and night. He had a story that said a lot about how challenging D3 sports can be. He said he had a former player at Penn High that was at first courted by Purdue. The player got excited. Purdue dropped off and then Ball State got interested. That had him excited. Hey, it was still D1. They decided to sign a kid from Michigan instead. Then, Franklin College got interested in him. He took a trip down and came back and said, “Coach, our high school is bigger.” He didn’t think the D3 thing was his cup of tea, so he backed off. Then, he called Coach Geesman later and ask him to call the Franklin coaches to say he did want to play college football.

A few days into his first days of practice at Franklin College that August, he called up Coach Geesman. He said he was thinking of leaving and coming home. Geesman thought that the young man didn’t care for D3 football. That wasn’t the case at all.

“Coach, I am thinking about leaving because I am the worst player on the team!”

All of the coaches on the radio show shook their heads at the misconceptions that D3 football isn’t as tough as nails. I was a sportscaster across America for 23 years who covered college sports at all levels, and I can tell you they are intense! I loved covering D1, D2, D3, NAIA and Junior College because I found that coaches and athletes at all levels compete fiercely!

Charlie Adams

NCSA Educational Speaker

Its no secret that college coaches crave speed.  It should come as no surprise that Florida Coach Urban Meyer was nearly drooling upon hearing the news last spring that incoming recruit Jeffrey Demps ran the fifth-fastest 100m (10.17) by an American high school sprinter.  While he is considered perhaps the fastest running-back in the history of college football, Demps still had his share of critics among the Gator coaching staff.  The New York Times on the evolution of Demps as a football player:

But upon his arrival at Florida after the Olympic trials, questions lingered about Demps’s football ability. Sprinting is essentially controlled falling. It requires linear speed, feet close together, always parallel. Football also requires cutting and lateral speed, with feet set wider apart to maintain balance, change direction, throw a block.

During summer workouts, when coaches were not permitted to oversee the players, Meyer had two questions about Demps: Could he change direction? Could he catch the ball? The answers were sometimes troubling.

“Coach, his feet are too fast for his body,” Harvin told Meyer. “He falls down a lot.”

During the first practice in pads, Meyer grew more encouraged. Demps maintained his blistering speed in his football gear. When he stood his ground in a hitting drill, Meyer pumped his fist and told Marotti, the strength coach, “We got us one!”

Extensive work with cutting drills has sharpened Demps’s maneuverability. Now he knows to plant his outside leg when changing direction. And he no longer falls down. (”In a short period, he’s improved more than any athlete I’ve seen,” Marotti said.) Against Miami on Sept. 6, Demps crouched in a sprinter’s stance and blocked a punt. He has since become the Gators’ most aggressive player on kickoff coverage.

“It’s not even close,” Meyer said. “He’s as valuable a guy as we’ve got.”

Recruits can learn from this example in a few ways.  One, recruits should strongly consider running track to gain an edge.  Two, they need to be training for football speed as much as track speed.  By displaying both, you may find yourself with an athletic scholarship,

It is that time of year when every student-athlete, that is a senior, is deciding where to apply and more importantly when. There are so many options: Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Admissions. First and foremost before you apply to any school, you will always want to make sure you have done some research first. You should look up schools on-line and have made some unofficial visits-at the very least. The more you put into learning about your options, the better decision you will make and ultimately you will pick the right school.

Once you have done your research and made some visits, you should compile your top schools and rank them, whether it is two, five, or ten different colleges and universities. Remember everyone’s preferences are different. Next you will want to introduce yourself to the coaches and build a relationship with each. This will also help you rank each school on your list.

You then will want to know where you stand on the coaches list of recruits before you apply to a school. When you know there is mutual interest between you, the coach and the school this is when you should apply. Remember, you should always ask the coach if you should apply before you send in an application! You will want to ask the coach how to turn in your application and what the process is. The coaches may tell you to fill out an application and send it into admissions or they may ask you to give it to them to take to admissions themselves. Some coaches flag the application to let admission know that they are recruiting you and some coaches may work in admission as well. If you apply without talking to a coach, and you don’t get in–the coach can’t do anything thereafter.

Another thing to think about - if you are interested in a school and the coach is asking you to submit your application; you may want to consider asking the coach is they will waive the application fee. He/She may not be able to do this, however it’s worth asking, because college applications are expensive and the costs add up fast!

Now there is a very distinct difference between Early Action and Early Decision. Early Action is non-binding (key word here!) and allows you to submit your application earlier than waiting to apply Regular Decision in the spring. This way the college/university will let you know earlier (January or so, instead of March or April) if you have been accepted. This will give you more time to weigh your options or to make your decision early and have the chance to enjoy the rest of your senior year. On the other hand Early Decision IS binding, and is meant for students who know that the school is their top choice and if accepted, you will go there no matter what.

Make sure to follow these key steps: research the school, visit the school, reach out to the coach, ask questions, apply, get in and then make a decision! Make sure to do this with multiple schools. If you have followed these steps with numerous schools early, you should have the opportunity to apply in the fall. If you need to do these steps with more schools first, you can always apply in the spring. Good luck.

 1.  Dedication to the Classroom.

College coaches understand that not all student-athletes perform the same on tests.  They do, however, know the difference between trying hard and being lackadaisical.  The harder a student-athlete works in school along with his attendance record is strongly considered by colleges prior to a scholarship being offered.  Coaches do believe there is a correlation between effort in the classroom and effort on the athletic field of play.  Dedication and reliability go hand-in-hand.

2.  Communicate with the High School Coach.

It is important that the student-athlete let their high school coach know their intentions in relation to going on to the next level.  A student-athlete can not be afraid to let the coach know what type of academic interests they have and what colleges they are interested in possibly attending. The student-athlete should ask the coach to be honest about his talents and potential.

3.  Work to improve your physical skills.

Playing a sport at the college level demands great physical skills and discipline.  Each level of competition is more demanding and the student-athlete needs to continually improve.  In order to complete and to stay injury free, the student-athlete most stay in top physical condition.  It is absolutely vital for the player to work on improving their strength, speed, flexibility, agility and individual position skills.

4.  Make a positive impression on college coaches.

The way a student-athlete talks, dresses and carries themselves is important when talking with a college coach.  The student-athlete that comes across as arrogant, selfish, foul mouthed or rude is someone who will quickly be eliminated by college staff.  Colleges want team players who are a positive reflection of their program on and off the field.

5.  Be honest with recruiters.

College coaches like student-athletes to be honest during the recruiting process.  A student-athlete should not lead a school on if there is no genuine interest.  The student-athlete and the high school they come from are viewed more positively by the colleges if they are up front and honest during the recruiting process. College coaching staffs do not have time to waste on an athlete that doesn’t have a genuine interest in their institution and program.

Bill Conley worked at Ohio State for 17 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

  Can’t pay for college? Maybe Uncle Sam can help you. Getting accepted into a military academy or ROTC (Reserved  Officer Training Corps) program may be the most rewarding experience a young man or woman can receive. In this blog entry I want to distinguish between the two elements of government academic training and possibly assist you in the benefits of applying and competing for a military academy or ROTC program.

The Academies

Acceptance: Military academies such as West Point and Annapolis have a prestigious history of fielding some of the best athletic teams our country has ever seen along with first-class education. One thing prospective student-athletes need to understand is that it is tuition free. That’s right it’s free! However, getting accepted into West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs is not an easy task. The academies are very selective in the acceptance process and certain documentation needs to be in order before applying. These documents include letter of recommendations from your state congressman, outstanding GPA, test scores and proof that you are a leader in your community. If you are getting recruited by a coach from one of the academies, I highly recommend you communicate over what is needed to be accepted.

Commitment: Understand that this decision is a commitment. The next four years of your life will be dedicated to earning a degree of your choice and learning the principles of leading our country. After graduation you will be considered a commissioned officer and have a six year enlistment to your branch. The Naval Academy is the only academy where Midshipmen have the option of either serving in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. To learn more about the academies click on these links below:

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

United States Air Force Academy

Reserved Officer Training Corp

Acceptance: The ROTC program is also another great program offered by our military which gives prospective students the opportunity to select the college of their choice while the government picks up the tuition bill. The ROTC program is not as selective with prospective students as the academies, but it is highly recommended that an applicant have outstanding academics and athletic performance. During your four year college commitment students in the program will be enrolled in a series of military science courses and be required to attend military sanctioned events over the first two summers while attending OCS (Officer Candidate School) their third summer and TBS (The Basic School) in their fourth summer.

Commitment: Your commitment after you earn your degree is similar to that of a midshipmen or cadet. You will embark on a 6 year enlistment. If at any point you decide that the military is not for you, you will owe the government the money that was paid for your degree. To learn more about the Reserved Officer Training Corps Click below.

ROTC 

Your role as an athlete

Athletics play a huge role in the image of the military academies. Every year the Army versus Navy game is one of the biggest rivalries in our country. As an athlete, not only do you have your responsibilities preparing week to week against opponents, you also have a series of inspections, assignments, and studies.  Organization, time management, and being squared away will separate you from the pack.

Merchant Marine Academy, New Mexico Military Institute, The Citadel, & the Coast Guard

The Merchant Marine Academy, New Mexico Military Institue, United States Coast Guard Academy, and The Citadel are also fine insitutions that offer first class education. After speaking with representatives from each institution this is the information we found.

   Merchant Marine Academy: The Merchant Academy encourages their student’s to serve as civilians after graduation in the Maritime Industry. These positions include deck officers, engineers, security, and logistics. Students are required to serve an 8 year reservist enlistment which is broken down to 2 weeks per year. 75% of the Merchant Marine Students will be placed in this job industry while making lucrative salaries. 75% enlist in the Naval and Marine Reserve compononent, while 25% enlist into one of the four military branches. The Merchant Marine Academy has 23 varsity sports. Rugby is nationally ranked, and 85% of the student body participates in sports. To learn more about the Merchant Marine Academy click here

New Mexico Military Institute: All students who attend New Mexico Military Institute do not have a military commitment after graduation. They do encourage students to attend military academies after graduation and compete at the junior college level. NMMI offers an ROTC program where students voluntarily sign up and are required to serve a 4 year enlistment in the branch of their choice. To learn more about the New Mexico Military Institute click here

The Citadel: The Citadel is located in Charleston, SC and competes at the Division 1-AA level. There is no mandatory enlistment after graduation. They also offer an ROTC program that does not have a binding contract to serve after your schooling is complete. They do encourage students to serve in one of the four military branches. To learn more about The Citadel click here

The United States Coast Guard Academy

The United States Coast Guard Academy is tuition free. However, there is a $3,000 initial fee which includes a laptop and uniforms. There is a 5 year enlistment that is involved after graduation. Students will receive their military occupation specialty after their second year in the academy. Teams who compete for the academy compete at the Division 3 level. 65% of their students graduate from the academy. If at any point a student has a change of heart the situation is handled case by case and certain money will be owed back to the institution. To learn more about the United States Coast Guard Academy click here

 Serving our country was one of the best career decisions I have ever made. During my enlistment as a young Marine I learned discipline, leadership, and achieved goals I never would have done on my own. These tools helped me become the person I am today and set me up for a wonderful job. To learn more about military life or questions please comment on this blog below and an NCSA Recruiting Coach will be in touch with you.

 You don’t want to wait until senior year to learn about the recruiting process. You can start taking serious recrtuiintg steps as a freshman. National Collegiate Scouting Association president Chris Krause’s simple timeline that everyone can follow:

 ”You can’t expect coaches to keep the process moving all the time, because the average coach [is] very limited in time by the NCAA and by recruiting budgets,” Krause says. “It’s up to you to keep the process moving.”

Freshman Year
Get the ball rolling early, because “college coaches are recruiting the world,” Krause says. “If [your] competition is being proactive and [you’re not], they’ll assume you’re not interested.” Understanding NCAA recruiting rules is crucial to the success of this first step. The rules and regs constantly change, and staying abreast will save you from breaking them-and the headaches and heartaches of being penalized.

Also know the measurables for your sport [e.g, Football: 40-yard dash, vertical jump; Volleyball: standing reach, touch jump; Softball: pop times, ray and jug guns]. “Those are the types of little things [to know], so you know where you stack up.” 

Krause also recommends going to a D-I, -II and -III game or competition to learn the differences between the levels of play. You’ll benefit from this experience as you graduate to sophomore status.

Sophomore Year
Resume the recruiting process by starting your athletic résumé, noting the essentials. “[Coaches] want to know how tall, strong and fast you are [and] what you’re doing academically,” Krause says.

A paper evaluation isn’t the only analysis you need at this point. A scouting evaluation-from your high school coach or an independent third party-is also necessary to help you realistically determine where you stack up against higher competition.

By this time, look into compiling a skills tape, which you can send to a coach after writing a personal letter. “Don’t send videos unsolicited,” Krause warns. “Let the coach know you’re interested [in his program] and why.

“Recruiting is about relationships. The more chance you can help a coach build a relationship with you, the easier you make the process on him, and the more likely you’re going to be recruited.”

This year is also when you should be calling D-III coaches, who, unlike D-I or -II coaches, aren’t prohibited from calling you back. “[This] can really be a great tune-up for you, so by the time you get to your junior year, you’re really prepared for those phone calls.”

Junior Year
This stage is intense because as Krause explains, “what you do during your junior year really makes up a lot of minds.” 

If you’re not receiving letters by now, better start putting ink to paper. “Writing a letter is critical,” Krause says. Be specific when addressing the coach [e.g., write “Dear Coach Smith,” not “Dear Coach”], and share what you like about his/her program and why you’re interested in playing for the team.

Open the [phone] lines of communication. For most sports, this is the year you can start receiving calls from D-I and -II coaches. Always return calls in a timely manner and be fully prepared for phone conversations by knowing about the school’s academic background, its athletic conference and the team’s style of play.

Krause recommends focusing on 10 to 20 schools you think could be a realistic fit, then proactively start talking to those coaches and scheduling unofficial visits.

Senior Year
“For bigger D-I programs, most scholarships are offered during the junior year,” Krause notes.

Didn’t get the offer you wanted? You can still take your game to college. “Keep the level of schools in your recruiting pool open at all times,” Krause advises. “For D-III, most of those coaches are waiting to see who signed D-I and who didn’t. And most of the time, tons of studentathletes weren’t recruited by D-I schools, and now they need to follow up with [coaches from other divisions].”

1.   Stress academics more than athletics.

Parents really need to keep the entire recruiting process in perspective.  A career can be over in one play; then what happens to their child?  Parents should encourage their child to be as good as they can be in both academics and athletics.  More doors will be open to the student-athlete who is solid both in the classroom and on the field. 

2. Work through the high school coach.

It’s very important that parents do not by-pass the high school coach in the recruiting process.  This is not only looked upon negatively by the high school coach, but also by the college.  The high school coach is the direct liaison with the colleges.  It’s crucial that parents and coaches work hand-in-hand helping the student-athlete during the entire recruiting process.

3. Encourage attendance at camps and combines.

Exposure of the student athletes to camps and combines is important in recruiting.  Working through the high school coach, parents and student athletes select a limited number of camps and/or combines that the student athlete should attend.  Normally the high school coach can best match up the talents of the student athlete to the best camps.

4. Do college research.

There are a variety of ways to obtain information about specific colleges and universities.  Parents can, and should extensively check out those institutions the student athlete is most interested in attending.  Graduation, rates, various majors, post academic programs, etc. can all be found through the internet, working through the high school counselor and by dealing directly with specific institutions.

5. Go on college visits.

Parents should not allow their child to make an official college visit by themselves.  Deciding which college or university to attend is one of the most important decisions in one’s lifetime.  Parents may ask questions and make observations the student athlete may not.  The maturity and experience of the parents is vital in the recruiting process.  Do not assume the child has everything under control; parents need to help.

6. Put egos aside.

When it gets down to the time to make the decision on which college to attend, parents and the student athlete must put egos aside. The final decision as to what school to attend should be based on the best overall match. School size should not be as important as the best academic, athletic and social match.

Bill Conley worked at Ohio State for 17 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

 Any relationship/friendship if it is to be beneficial to both parties must be based upon trust and loyalty. This quality definitely applies to your relationship with the coach that is recruiting you. Even as a young person you need to “get a feel” for the coach who is attempting to attract you to his or her school. Basically this is an initial instinct as to how comfortable you are with this individual.

Recruiters are as diverse and different as all people are different from each other. Initially parents or guardians need to interact with the recruiting coach.  When they are comfortable with the recruiter and the young person is ready, they can turn the brunt of the relationship over to the recruit and watch from basically role as a moderator.

Being comfortable with the relationship, it can mean that the conversations with the recruiter are not just based upon a hard sell for their school, but are actual conversations concerning academics, friends, life goals and other topics. The constant hard sell can become annoying, and indicative of a recruiter who is inexperienced, or who is “not doing their homework.” The best recruiters that I had the pleasure of working with knew their respective recruits almost as life long friends. Again, “the best” recruiters I worked with. It really sent up a red flag for me when on our recruiting call evening I would go down the hall and hear one of our coaches begins the conversation with, “So how is it going big guy, who do you guys have this weekend,? Great, I will call you next week!” I could only think about what the young person on the other end of that call thought of such an impersonal call.

Permit me to digress a bit. When I say recruiting coach, I am referring to the coach who is the primary contact with the recruit. Initially it is usually a coach who is assigned to a geographical region of the prospective student athlete. The recruit may also hear from the coach of a particular position on the team assigned to that recruit, the recruiting coordinator or even the head coach as the process continues.

The coach assigned geographically to the area is usually the initial contact and usually the main conduit to the athletic program for the recruit and the family. This is usually the relationship that becomes the strongest and most lasting. And this is usually the coach that will “have the recruits back” as the young person moves from prospect to recruit to signee, to team member to college graduate. And in all candor, this is the coach who if he or she leave the school for another position at another school will have the biggest affect on the athlete.

And, if this individual should move on during the recruiting process it is critical for the family to immediately call the head coach to determine the status of the recruit in the process with the main contact in the program no longer in the picture. It is an honor to be recruited, it is indicative of hard work and dedication, but remember this is a two way street. It is also an honor to be called ‘coach.” And as you are moving through the process remember that you have a lot to bring to the table, and that as you are being evaluated, you are also evaluating the coaches and schools that are recruiting you. It is critical that once again you “get a feel” for these individuals.

Can you live with these people during the next four years of your life that will determine the next forty years of your life? And when I say “live with” it is just what I mean. A commitment to a school is huge undertaking. Hours, days, weeks, months, years of practice, being coached, competing, and every athletic moment along the way you will be in the charge of the coaches who have recruited you. It sounds like a long road and it is, but it can be just so rewarding, and the ride of a lifetime. Make sure that the coaches who will accompany you on that ride are people,” that you can live with.” Go for it! And always remember that you will be going through this process only once. At NCSA you will be dealing with people who have gone through it so many, many, times. And remember that we are here to assist you. No question is too unimportant; it is about you and about your future. Use us to make that future as bright and as profitable as possible.

Coach C.