As a former 19 year head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, I was blessed with a successful career and many fond memories. Considering the selectivity in Admissions and the high price tag of one of the nation’s premier institutions, I had strong success in recruiting and I learned some valuable lessons about prospective student-athletes and the benefits they may receive in the admissions process.
Ivy League and other select, non athletic scholarship awarding institutions can, in many cases, offer significant assistance in Admissions that can potentially lend strong support for prospective student-athletes. It is important that prospects, families and high school advisors clearly understand the role the college coach plays in this process and make every effort to develop a sincere and strong working relationship with them throughout the college search.
Admissions Pre-Reads
Early academic evaluations are an effective means of determining the potential admissibility of a candidate. Typically, coaches work with an athletic department “Admissions liaison” that can assist them in requesting “early reads” for prospects. If families have cultivated a strong relationship with the coach, this request will likely be honored and could be a real time saver by providing recruits with an accurate idea of their chances in admissions. Below are some important points to consider regarding pre-reads:
· Provides the family with a strong idea of the likelihood of admission.
· Requires current and accurate standardized test scores, updated transcripts and high school profile.
· Gives the coach a strong indication of the prospects Admissions Index and the level of potential support in Admissions.
· Coach-family collaboration develops trust and confidence.
· Shows the coach “strong interest” from family and prospect.
· Will avoid “spinning of wheels” for the family, prospect and the college coach, especially if admissions seem unlikely.
· Turnaround time is generally 2-3 weeks
Likely Letters
The likely letter is a tremendous tool typically used by Ivy League coaches that offer “near guarantees” of admissions and these letters can be sent to prospective student-athletes well before the regular population of applicants is reviewed. This becomes a tremendous bargaining chip for college coaches who are competing with scholarship institutions for the same prospect, or “overlap” prospects who are applying to other Ivy League and select academic institutions. It is fair to point out that likely letters are not abundantly available and only a certain percentage of “impact” prospects will receive them.
Likely letters will provide recruits and their families with a sense of confidence, especially when they are presented with athletic scholarship deadlines from other college coaches, or feeling pressure from non-scholarship college coaches to “move in their direction.” Likely letters are issued directly from the admissions office and will offer families with relative assurance that, barring any unusual circumstances, their children will be admitted.
Priority Applications
Priority applications are becoming more popular in the recruiting process and are typically used by Division 3 programs as a means of providing families with an early “look” from admissions well before the majority of regular applicants are read.
When you break it down, the priority application is a win-win for both the college coaches and the families. Firstly, the priority application is a simplified version of the regular application that offers the prospect with a streamlined and time saving approach to admissions and turnaround time from the office of admissions can be as early as 30 days. Likewise, college coach’s benefit by offering their top candidates with a priority admissions read that can rival both the national letter of intent, as well as many of the early decision/action admissions programs.
It is fair to say that priority applications are not offered to the majority of prospects, but are distributed to athletes who show significant interest in his program and are part of the coach’s “A” recruiting file. Either way, the priority application can provide families with early and exact information in admissions and serve as a handy tool that will assist them strongly in the decision making process.
Tips for Advisors, Parents and Prospects
Below are a few pointers that will be helpful in navigating the college quest for prospective student-athletes who are interested in applying to Ivy League and select, non athletic scholarship schools:
· Cultivate an honest and truthful relationship with the college coach.
· Provide the college coach with accurate and timely information that will assist him in making a fair and timely evaluation of both academic strength and athletic talent.
· Be honest with the college coach about the schools you are seriously considering.
· Let the college coach know where you stand with his/her school, and give the coach a chance to recruit you further.
· Avoid using the coach as a springboard in Admissions with the intent of not participating on the team. This will potentially backfire down the road for high school teammates and your sports program. Remember, you are representing yourself, your coach, your school and your family. Maintain a high level of integrity.
· Include community service and leadership activities in your personal profile. This could add some weigh that creates further support for your application by the college coach.
Especially in today’s tough economic climate, the non scholarship option for prospective student-athletes and families may seem daunting, but considering the long term benefits one can receive from such a potentially rewarding experience, makes this option very worthy. Additionally, it is fair to point out that athletes, although identified in Admissions as having a special talent, are treated as any other candidate and will be admitted only if the applicant’s academic credentials are in an acceptable range and he/she is deemed capable of succeeding. That being said, student-athletes who bring solid academic credentials to the table and have the ability to strongly impact an athletics program could bring a very strong “chip” to the game of college recruiting that could give them a leg up on the competition.
Tom Kovic is a former 19 year head coach at Penn and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting and he has lectured on the topic of college recruiting at several national and regional conventions. For additional information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, November 24, 2008
College Athletics Recruiting: “Getting Out Of The Gates”
College Athletics Recruiting: “Getting Out Of The Gates”
Parents, prospects and coaches often ask me to identify the ideal time a prospect should launch his or her college quest. Although each prospect initiates their recruiting plans at different times, I would say a good date to “get out of the gates” is January 1 of the junior year. But before you hit the pavement running, let’s run through a simple checklist of pre-launch tasks that will assist you in organizing for an important life decision.
Organization
Creating a user friendly organizing system for the college recruiting process will serve as a helpful tool, especially when information begins to pile in from different college coaches. Not only will this system assist you in keeping track of the steady stream of paper and e-traffic, it will act as a great resource for future contacts and important coach-prospect communications. Trust me, coaches will be requesting information (transcripts, high school profile, standardize test results, tax information for financial pre-reads etc.) at about the same time, and the family who develops an efficient access system to this information will navigate the process with more success and with greater confidence.
Create a filing system that provides you with easy access to pertinent information. I suggest storing the following information in your individual college program folders:
· Updated contact information for coach, assistant coach, financial aid representative etc. Include name, address, e-mail, phone number etc.).
· Materials the coach has sent (brochures, articles, etc.).
· Team competition schedule. You should add important events to your calendar and stay updated on the team’s accomplishments, especially before any correspondence with the coach.
· College catalogs, applications and/or other marketing materials.
· Updated notes from your phone conversations and meetings with representatives from the school.
· A list of pertinent questions or follow-up items you need to address for the program. Set aside regular time to review outstanding tasks you have for each college program and list these items on your calendar.
· Copies of all the information you have provided to the school – your application, the data sheet you may have to fill out for the coach, the last resume you provided etc. By keeping these copies handy, you can easily reproduce them if they are misplaced.
The aim in this stage of college recruiting is to develop a well organized and efficient system that you understand and can work effectively. “Lift off” is the most demanding part of any worthy project and requires the most energy. Prepare well here by developing solid plans and executing them with vigor and you will be well positioned and confident moving forward. Beware of the flip side of the coin!
Executing the Plan
OK. Your plans are complete, well constructed and clearly spelled out in a language everyone understands. Your calendar is updated and you are proud that you have listed everything from the next round of SAT’s to the fall homecoming dance! Now it’s time to take the plunge.
You can have the best organized and most highly detailed approach to the college quest, but it won’t amount to a hill of beans if you lack confidence and the desire and the ability to “execute the plan.” If your strategy is to wait by the phone for the coach to call, in most cases, it’s going to be a long wait. Top prospects will get their fair share of attention, but the majority of athletes will increase their chances in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches by taking a proactive stance and initiating communication with college coaches.
College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact and evaluation rules that limit them in initiating contact with prospective student-athletes and their families. What few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, prospects may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with very few exceptions.
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive in the recruiting process. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or provide that extra “push” in the admission process. If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.
The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparing for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with an organized and proactive effort, will have the best chances in building mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Parents, prospects and coaches often ask me to identify the ideal time a prospect should launch his or her college quest. Although each prospect initiates their recruiting plans at different times, I would say a good date to “get out of the gates” is January 1 of the junior year. But before you hit the pavement running, let’s run through a simple checklist of pre-launch tasks that will assist you in organizing for an important life decision.
Organization
Creating a user friendly organizing system for the college recruiting process will serve as a helpful tool, especially when information begins to pile in from different college coaches. Not only will this system assist you in keeping track of the steady stream of paper and e-traffic, it will act as a great resource for future contacts and important coach-prospect communications. Trust me, coaches will be requesting information (transcripts, high school profile, standardize test results, tax information for financial pre-reads etc.) at about the same time, and the family who develops an efficient access system to this information will navigate the process with more success and with greater confidence.
Create a filing system that provides you with easy access to pertinent information. I suggest storing the following information in your individual college program folders:
· Updated contact information for coach, assistant coach, financial aid representative etc. Include name, address, e-mail, phone number etc.).
· Materials the coach has sent (brochures, articles, etc.).
· Team competition schedule. You should add important events to your calendar and stay updated on the team’s accomplishments, especially before any correspondence with the coach.
· College catalogs, applications and/or other marketing materials.
· Updated notes from your phone conversations and meetings with representatives from the school.
· A list of pertinent questions or follow-up items you need to address for the program. Set aside regular time to review outstanding tasks you have for each college program and list these items on your calendar.
· Copies of all the information you have provided to the school – your application, the data sheet you may have to fill out for the coach, the last resume you provided etc. By keeping these copies handy, you can easily reproduce them if they are misplaced.
The aim in this stage of college recruiting is to develop a well organized and efficient system that you understand and can work effectively. “Lift off” is the most demanding part of any worthy project and requires the most energy. Prepare well here by developing solid plans and executing them with vigor and you will be well positioned and confident moving forward. Beware of the flip side of the coin!
Executing the Plan
OK. Your plans are complete, well constructed and clearly spelled out in a language everyone understands. Your calendar is updated and you are proud that you have listed everything from the next round of SAT’s to the fall homecoming dance! Now it’s time to take the plunge.
You can have the best organized and most highly detailed approach to the college quest, but it won’t amount to a hill of beans if you lack confidence and the desire and the ability to “execute the plan.” If your strategy is to wait by the phone for the coach to call, in most cases, it’s going to be a long wait. Top prospects will get their fair share of attention, but the majority of athletes will increase their chances in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches by taking a proactive stance and initiating communication with college coaches.
College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact and evaluation rules that limit them in initiating contact with prospective student-athletes and their families. What few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, prospects may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with very few exceptions.
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive in the recruiting process. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or provide that extra “push” in the admission process. If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.
The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparing for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with an organized and proactive effort, will have the best chances in building mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
MIGS Program/CGA Activity and Call to Action
MIGS Program/CGA Activity and Call to Action
The Men's Intercollegiate Gymnastics Support Program (MIGS Program) in conjunction with the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) has been working hard to preserve, protect and expand collegiate gymnastics opportunities for our young gymnasts. It is our goal to have at least one men's varsity college gymnastics team in every State. With all of our junior gymnasts in mind, we work toward that end.
The overriding questions regarding this effort are: "What can you realistically do?" and "What have you done?"
In answer to the first question, here's what we can do and what needs to be done:
1. Call the question Nationally
2. Educate the Gymnastics Community about the situation
3. Build positive relationships with College/University AD’s and Administrators
4. Marketing
5. Fundraising
6. Investing the Endowment to ensure an annual growth rate of 5%
7. Negotiate with colleges/universities to bring programs on line
8. Revenue Distribution (athlete scholarships, training of coaches, and creating self-sufficient team programs)
9. Build coalitions with other organizations and entities
10. And more and more and more...
With regard to the second Question;
The MIGS Program has engaged in an effort to inform the gymnastics community of the need to expand opportunities for young male gymnasts through the retention and expansion of collegiate programs. Bob Wuornos & Mike Burns have set out on a mission to present information at Regional Congresses throughout the country. Bob has attended Region 1 (Santa Clara, CA), Region 2 (Portland, OR), Region 4 (Iowa City, IA), Region 6 (Boston, MA) and GAT (Gymnastics Association of Texas in Austin, TX). Mike attended Region 5 (Indianapolis, IN) as well as making a presentation at the ECAC Convention in late September in Albany, NY. The purpose of these efforts was to inform and generate support for this effort.
Bob's effort have included a significant amount of travel to large meets around the country to make presentations and encourage the gymnastics community to get involved in this effort. He has also engaged in a dialog with the College Sports Council (www.collegesportscouncil.org) and has been appointed to the Board of Directors of this organization. Furthermore, his efforts have created an Endowment Fund that had accumulated $50,000+ by the end of 2007.
Distributions to date include:
· $2500 to the University of Minnesota "Save Gopher Sports" fund with was instrumental in keeping the University of Minnesota as a viable varsity college gymnastics program
· $15,000 to the College Sports Council to help this organization continue the battle for equity in sports
· $500 donation to the College Gymnastics Foundation for the Nissen-Emery Award Endowment
Near term goals include channeling resources to some viable college club teams that are coached but not recognized as varsity programs. The intent is to help these coaches elevate their respective programs to varsity status.
The MIGS Program/CGA is also actively pursuing the re-establishment of programs at some major universities with real potential (sorry, names of institution cannot be revealed at this time).
These are all major efforts requiring money. It is the intent of the MIGS Program and the CGA to ensure that at least 80% of funds donated go into and stay in the endowment fund. For operations costs, however, the MIGS Program sells t-shirts and host a National Invitational and National Open Optional (L-10 rules) in March at the University of Minnesota. All meet information is posted on the opening page of the MIGS Program website (www.migsp.org).
FUND RAISER
The MIGS Program is currently engaged in a fund raising effort through t-shirt sales. For this purpose, "J O Dynamo" was created. J O Dynamo is a Junior gymnast aged 16-18. He has been training for ten years in hopes of competing in college. J O asks that you help him reach his goal. He asks that you and every gymnast, judge, coach, and parent buy a "College Gymnastics...tuned in" t-shirt for this purpose (www.migsp.org/shop/). His goal is to sell 12,000 t-shirts by Thanksgiving. he asks that every coach of every team have his/her gymnasts buy a t-shirt and each parent buy a t-shirt. So, please consider this request and act on it promptly.
Please order these t-shirt by November 25. Orders received by November 25 will be processed in time for the Holidays. Wear the t-shirts to practice, meets (for warm-ups) and especially, find a college meet to attend and wear it there in support of the men's collegiate gymnastics program.
Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. The fact of the matter is, we need your active support of this effort. Please "tune in". The future of men's college gymnastics depends on YOU. You can make a difference.
Bob Wuornos
MIGS Program
612-270-9507
www.migsp.org
Mike Burns
CGA
President
612-419-7922
The Men's Intercollegiate Gymnastics Support Program (MIGS Program) in conjunction with the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) has been working hard to preserve, protect and expand collegiate gymnastics opportunities for our young gymnasts. It is our goal to have at least one men's varsity college gymnastics team in every State. With all of our junior gymnasts in mind, we work toward that end.
The overriding questions regarding this effort are: "What can you realistically do?" and "What have you done?"
In answer to the first question, here's what we can do and what needs to be done:
1. Call the question Nationally
2. Educate the Gymnastics Community about the situation
3. Build positive relationships with College/University AD’s and Administrators
4. Marketing
5. Fundraising
6. Investing the Endowment to ensure an annual growth rate of 5%
7. Negotiate with colleges/universities to bring programs on line
8. Revenue Distribution (athlete scholarships, training of coaches, and creating self-sufficient team programs)
9. Build coalitions with other organizations and entities
10. And more and more and more...
With regard to the second Question;
The MIGS Program has engaged in an effort to inform the gymnastics community of the need to expand opportunities for young male gymnasts through the retention and expansion of collegiate programs. Bob Wuornos & Mike Burns have set out on a mission to present information at Regional Congresses throughout the country. Bob has attended Region 1 (Santa Clara, CA), Region 2 (Portland, OR), Region 4 (Iowa City, IA), Region 6 (Boston, MA) and GAT (Gymnastics Association of Texas in Austin, TX). Mike attended Region 5 (Indianapolis, IN) as well as making a presentation at the ECAC Convention in late September in Albany, NY. The purpose of these efforts was to inform and generate support for this effort.
Bob's effort have included a significant amount of travel to large meets around the country to make presentations and encourage the gymnastics community to get involved in this effort. He has also engaged in a dialog with the College Sports Council (www.collegesportscouncil.org) and has been appointed to the Board of Directors of this organization. Furthermore, his efforts have created an Endowment Fund that had accumulated $50,000+ by the end of 2007.
Distributions to date include:
· $2500 to the University of Minnesota "Save Gopher Sports" fund with was instrumental in keeping the University of Minnesota as a viable varsity college gymnastics program
· $15,000 to the College Sports Council to help this organization continue the battle for equity in sports
· $500 donation to the College Gymnastics Foundation for the Nissen-Emery Award Endowment
Near term goals include channeling resources to some viable college club teams that are coached but not recognized as varsity programs. The intent is to help these coaches elevate their respective programs to varsity status.
The MIGS Program/CGA is also actively pursuing the re-establishment of programs at some major universities with real potential (sorry, names of institution cannot be revealed at this time).
These are all major efforts requiring money. It is the intent of the MIGS Program and the CGA to ensure that at least 80% of funds donated go into and stay in the endowment fund. For operations costs, however, the MIGS Program sells t-shirts and host a National Invitational and National Open Optional (L-10 rules) in March at the University of Minnesota. All meet information is posted on the opening page of the MIGS Program website (www.migsp.org).
FUND RAISER
The MIGS Program is currently engaged in a fund raising effort through t-shirt sales. For this purpose, "J O Dynamo" was created. J O Dynamo is a Junior gymnast aged 16-18. He has been training for ten years in hopes of competing in college. J O asks that you help him reach his goal. He asks that you and every gymnast, judge, coach, and parent buy a "College Gymnastics...tuned in" t-shirt for this purpose (www.migsp.org/shop/). His goal is to sell 12,000 t-shirts by Thanksgiving. he asks that every coach of every team have his/her gymnasts buy a t-shirt and each parent buy a t-shirt. So, please consider this request and act on it promptly.
Please order these t-shirt by November 25. Orders received by November 25 will be processed in time for the Holidays. Wear the t-shirts to practice, meets (for warm-ups) and especially, find a college meet to attend and wear it there in support of the men's collegiate gymnastics program.
Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. The fact of the matter is, we need your active support of this effort. Please "tune in". The future of men's college gymnastics depends on YOU. You can make a difference.
Bob Wuornos
MIGS Program
612-270-9507
www.migsp.org
Mike Burns
CGA
President
612-419-7922
Friday, October 31, 2008
College Athletics Recruiting 101 By Tom Kovic
The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match students’ desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential. Today more than ever, high school athletes are strategically marketing themselves to college coaches not just for scholarships, but in hopes of gaining entry into their top college choices in a highly competitive arena. And it’s working. By realizing the potential leverage families of prospective student-athletes have in the college admissions process, especially as it pertains to non-scholarship schools and for student-athletes who may not qualify for athletics aid, should develop increased confidence and hope as families begin the college quest. Then, knowing how to close on this opportunity is, without question, essential.
Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a special talent that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.
The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As a coach of a Division I team for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my former student-athletes gained entry to the university because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows are insights on how to maximize the student athlete’s best chances in gaining admission to their top college choice.
Gather Information
Gathering information is critical to the successful organization of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.
Begin by gathering information on the student-athletes colleges of choice including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on these favorite college programs.
Build your Team
Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor should all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.
Team members will need to oversee the following:
· Financial aid/scholarships
· Admissions
· Development of target calendar
· Research (schools, majors, athletic programs, rankings)
· Video and profile development
· Planned communication and contact log
· Campus visits
· Scheduling standardized testing
· Organizing communication “role play”
· Researching college profiles and determining potential compatibility
By selecting the team approach, the responsibilities are equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out and communication between the team members should be frequent and consistent. This will help streamline the college quest and assist in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.
Develop and Execute your Plan
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.
Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending competitions) and continue through more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as time progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.
Communication
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the decision made by the coach. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.
If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.
Communication should be initiated early on by the family and by the prospect. Although college coaches have clear restrictions as to when and where they may contact prospects, a prospect may call or e-mail a coach early, with few exceptions.
An initial letter of introduction accompanied by a profile is a great way to begin, but it is very important to follow this up by e-mail and by phone. The prospect that practices persistence with respect, will grab the college coach’s attention.
Provide the college coach with everything he or she requests (profile, DVD, transcripts etc.) in a timely manner. This will make the evaluation of athletic talent and academic credentials an easy task for the coach, and they will develop a level of appreciation that could be the “tie breaker” when it comes down to support for the prospect. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity, is critical to building trusting relationships.
Player Profile
As one can imagine, college coaches receive hundreds of personal profiles annually from prospects, and they will begin to prioritize their recruiting file based on the initial cover letter and profile. These documents will usually be placed in one of three files of importance:
“A” file: blue chip, top-tier recruits
“B” file: second-tier recruits; still have excellent opportunity
“C” file: little chance of impact; admissions risks
It is important to streamline your portfolio into a comprehensive and efficient format that stands above the rest. Keep your profile simple, neat and professionally formatted. Make the job of initial evaluation easy for the college coach by highlighting pertinent information including:
Personal and school contact information
Academic standing, awards, and test results
Physical characteristics
Athletic clubs and level, showcase tournaments, and elite camps
Athletic Statistics, Records, and Awards
Mission Statement
Coach’s Comments
Maintain a copy of your generic player profile to send to the majority of schools and then personalize 5-10 profiles to be sent to your top schools with additional information that will help you gain admission and/or scholarship attention, such as family legacy or a connection to the coach indirectly through your club coach, for example. Commit to making a strong impression with a professional approach in all written correspondence. Remember, your goal is to move your profile to the “A” contact folder.
Videos
A video is another means of developing a first impression and trust me when I say that first impressions are remembered. Typically, a coach will roughly evaluate a recruit within the first 2 minutes of the video. They need to! Along with the hundreds of profiles, they are being bombarded with hundreds of videos.
Make your video succinct, professional, and yet attention grabbing. Follow these guidelines:
· Introduction: Tell coaches who you are, where you are from and what your specific goals are. Show confidence and project a mature image (20 seconds).
· Video footage: The coach will have a good indication of your talent within the first 2 minutes of your video. Highlight outstanding moments and technical mastery of your talent, which will grab the coach’s attention.
· Show 5-7 minutes of your finest game clips, along with training highlights.
· Finish your video with 15 seconds of direct contact information for you, your club and/or high school coach.
Keep in mind that as individual collegiate sports differ, it is important to communicate with the college coaches about their requirements for DVD footage.
The profile and video will initially define you in the eyes of the college coach. These tools should be crisp, clean and to the point. Give the coach every reason to filter your information into the active recruit file.
Be sure to continue with timely communications to the coaches. Inform them of new awards, accolades, records, or landmark achievements. Don’t call after every big competition; keep your communications succinct and focused. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity is critical to building trusting relationships.
The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing plans are crucial to the success, no different from preparation for a championship competition! Communication (both offering and receiving) is vital, and the working participants should build a mutually strong and respectful relationship in order to maximize results.
The bottom line is that through a systematic college recruiting process, you and your child can identify, work toward, and hopefully secure admission to the college of his or her choice – one that is an ideal academic and athletic “fit”. It will be well worth your efforts knowing that you were part of a team that guided your child as he or she embarks an important and meaningful process that will have great effect on their future careers and personal growth.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a special talent that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.
The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As a coach of a Division I team for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my former student-athletes gained entry to the university because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows are insights on how to maximize the student athlete’s best chances in gaining admission to their top college choice.
Gather Information
Gathering information is critical to the successful organization of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.
Begin by gathering information on the student-athletes colleges of choice including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on these favorite college programs.
Build your Team
Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor should all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.
Team members will need to oversee the following:
· Financial aid/scholarships
· Admissions
· Development of target calendar
· Research (schools, majors, athletic programs, rankings)
· Video and profile development
· Planned communication and contact log
· Campus visits
· Scheduling standardized testing
· Organizing communication “role play”
· Researching college profiles and determining potential compatibility
By selecting the team approach, the responsibilities are equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out and communication between the team members should be frequent and consistent. This will help streamline the college quest and assist in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.
Develop and Execute your Plan
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.
Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending competitions) and continue through more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as time progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.
Communication
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the decision made by the coach. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.
If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.
Communication should be initiated early on by the family and by the prospect. Although college coaches have clear restrictions as to when and where they may contact prospects, a prospect may call or e-mail a coach early, with few exceptions.
An initial letter of introduction accompanied by a profile is a great way to begin, but it is very important to follow this up by e-mail and by phone. The prospect that practices persistence with respect, will grab the college coach’s attention.
Provide the college coach with everything he or she requests (profile, DVD, transcripts etc.) in a timely manner. This will make the evaluation of athletic talent and academic credentials an easy task for the coach, and they will develop a level of appreciation that could be the “tie breaker” when it comes down to support for the prospect. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity, is critical to building trusting relationships.
Player Profile
As one can imagine, college coaches receive hundreds of personal profiles annually from prospects, and they will begin to prioritize their recruiting file based on the initial cover letter and profile. These documents will usually be placed in one of three files of importance:
“A” file: blue chip, top-tier recruits
“B” file: second-tier recruits; still have excellent opportunity
“C” file: little chance of impact; admissions risks
It is important to streamline your portfolio into a comprehensive and efficient format that stands above the rest. Keep your profile simple, neat and professionally formatted. Make the job of initial evaluation easy for the college coach by highlighting pertinent information including:
Personal and school contact information
Academic standing, awards, and test results
Physical characteristics
Athletic clubs and level, showcase tournaments, and elite camps
Athletic Statistics, Records, and Awards
Mission Statement
Coach’s Comments
Maintain a copy of your generic player profile to send to the majority of schools and then personalize 5-10 profiles to be sent to your top schools with additional information that will help you gain admission and/or scholarship attention, such as family legacy or a connection to the coach indirectly through your club coach, for example. Commit to making a strong impression with a professional approach in all written correspondence. Remember, your goal is to move your profile to the “A” contact folder.
Videos
A video is another means of developing a first impression and trust me when I say that first impressions are remembered. Typically, a coach will roughly evaluate a recruit within the first 2 minutes of the video. They need to! Along with the hundreds of profiles, they are being bombarded with hundreds of videos.
Make your video succinct, professional, and yet attention grabbing. Follow these guidelines:
· Introduction: Tell coaches who you are, where you are from and what your specific goals are. Show confidence and project a mature image (20 seconds).
· Video footage: The coach will have a good indication of your talent within the first 2 minutes of your video. Highlight outstanding moments and technical mastery of your talent, which will grab the coach’s attention.
· Show 5-7 minutes of your finest game clips, along with training highlights.
· Finish your video with 15 seconds of direct contact information for you, your club and/or high school coach.
Keep in mind that as individual collegiate sports differ, it is important to communicate with the college coaches about their requirements for DVD footage.
The profile and video will initially define you in the eyes of the college coach. These tools should be crisp, clean and to the point. Give the coach every reason to filter your information into the active recruit file.
Be sure to continue with timely communications to the coaches. Inform them of new awards, accolades, records, or landmark achievements. Don’t call after every big competition; keep your communications succinct and focused. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity is critical to building trusting relationships.
The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing plans are crucial to the success, no different from preparation for a championship competition! Communication (both offering and receiving) is vital, and the working participants should build a mutually strong and respectful relationship in order to maximize results.
The bottom line is that through a systematic college recruiting process, you and your child can identify, work toward, and hopefully secure admission to the college of his or her choice – one that is an ideal academic and athletic “fit”. It will be well worth your efforts knowing that you were part of a team that guided your child as he or she embarks an important and meaningful process that will have great effect on their future careers and personal growth.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
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