Getting Recruited: Your Guide to College Athletics and the NCAA Recruiting Process

The College Search for the Student-AthleteDave FrickSchool CounselorMiddletown HS North

1Am I a College Athlete?Are the schools I am interested in compatible academically?

How do I compare athletically with current team members of my prospective schools?

Do You Have G.A.M.E. ?G GradesDo you have the grades and test scores to get admitted to your college choice?A AbilityDo you have the athletic skills that a college coach values?M MotivationHow hard are you prepared to work to get a scholarship?E ExposureAre you ready to market yourself to college coaches?

Source: collegesportsscholarships.com

The reality isNot everyone will go D1 with a full ride.

From HS to College Mens BasketsWomens BasketsFootballBaseballIce HockeyMens SoccerHS to NCAA3.3%3.7%6.4%6.7%10.9%5.6%NCAA to Pro1.3%.9%1.6%9.7%1.2%.7%Source: NCAA

Going Pro?Better find a college match firstHow many high school athletes Go Pro

Mens Basketball - .03%Womens Basketball - .02%Football - .09%Baseball - .5%Mens Soccer - .08%Mens Ice Hockey - .4%

Source: NCAA

What Do I need to do?Make sure you stay eligible academicallyGo to the NCAA site and stay current with approved core-content coursesYour counselor can access a list of these courses specific to your school

Fill out the NCAA Eligibility Center (Formerly the Clearinghouse) form toward the end of the junior yearHave your test scores sent to the Eligibility Center (code 9999)www.eligibilitycenter.org

Division I RequirementsStudents must complete 16 core courses as stipulated by the NCAA and have appropriate SAT scores see sliding scale4 Years of English3 Years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)2 Yrs. Natural/Physical Science (1 lab)1 Additional Year of English/Math/Science2 Years of Social Sciences (Social Studies)4 Years of Additional Core Courses from any of the above (includes foreign language)

Division I Requirements10 Core Courses must be completed before senior yearMinimum core GPA of 2.3***This is a recalculated GPA completely unrelated to the Middletown GPA. GPA/SAT scores must match based on the sliding scale.

Division II RequirementsStudents must complete 16 core courses as stipulated by the NCAA.3 Years of English2 Years of Math (Algebra 1 or higher)2 Yrs. Natural/Physical Science (1 lab)3 Additional Year of English/Math/Science2 Years of Social Sciences (Social Studies)4 Years of Additional Core Courses from any of the above (includes foreign language)

***There is no sliding scale for SATs in Division II. Minimum GPA is a 2.0 (75) and the minimum SAT requirement is 820 ACT Sum Score 68.

Division III RequirementsThere is no NCAA Eligibility Center (Clearinghouse) that needs to be completed to compete in Division III Athletics.

Students must meet the standards of the academic institution regarding remaining eligible.

D1 Changes Coming Enrolling in August 2015Students (current freshmen) must achieve a minimum 2.3 GPA in core academic courses JUCO transfers need 2.5 GPA)Meet an increased sliding scale standard(e.g. an SAT score of 1,000 (M+CR) requires a 2.5 GPA)Complete 10 of the 16 required core courses before the start of senior year(7 of the 10 courses must come from math, science and English)

Division III Overview 20% public institutions/ 80% private

Average size 2200 students

Division III athletics largely regarded as leading academic institutions and do not offer athletic scholarships.

Division III OverviewDivision III athletics features student-athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic ability, leadership, participation or performance

The athletic departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the university. Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student-athlete's experience is of paramount concern.

Division III OverviewDivision III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition. There are over 136,000 athletes at over 430 D3 colleges

D3 schools place highest priority on the overall educational experience; athletics is a complement to academics and overall residential experience.

What To Look For In DIIIFind out what size squad the coach usually keeps and what is the tryout process.

Look at the current roster, how many are graduating? Is the coach full or part time. A full-time coach will generally be more available to you, and his status indicates that the school has a real investment in this program. Having said that, there are many excellent part-time coaches who put in full-time hours. In either case, find out how much of your coachs day is devoted to your sport.

Myths and Rumors DebunkedYou need to apply!Application needs to go to the admissions office.The coach cant admit you; it has to go through the admissions office.Your deadlines are the same as other students.D3 athletics are just as consuming as 1 & 2. Playing college sports is far different from HS sports.

Not Recruited?Many student-athletes are not recruited prior to junior or senior year. Those who are = blue chip.Those who arent need to market themselves!

Working Together - Counselor, Coach, Parents, Student

Cooperation = SuccessRole definition Know what you know and know what you dont knowCommunication & Cooperation includes college coaches & admissions reps

Visit the team site. Fill out the questionnaire located on the site.

Check: Schedule Roster

Time to Get NoticedPrepare a list of schools to contactCheck the academic standards in NavianceRun the list past your coach(es) to get opinion on fitPrepare athletic resumeAttend showcases and clinicsHave film ready!!!Return any correspondence promptly

What Coaches look for on a VisitShowing up early for the visit (15 min), calls if they are running late for traffic/lostThe student asks and answers questions, not the parentsPrepare questions for the coachThe students knows info about the school and the programAn email after the visit that night expressing their strong interest.

I strongly recommend that you watch a team practiceYou are with the coach more in practices then competitionObserve the coaching stylePractice atmosphereLevel of intensityAmount of coachingCoach/player interactionFind the program right for you, in less than a year you will be the one at practice.

Walking OnAthletes typically have the option to walk on to a college team.Risks that come with walking on:Having to go through a try-out.Possibility of being cut from the team.No scholarships for the first year.Benefits that come with walking on:A possible roster spot on a team that the athlete was not recruited by.Possibility for scholarships depending on success.Opportunity to get the full college athlete experience.

The Broken Leg TestCould you be happy at the school if either of these things happened?

Independence!Mom and Dad Stay out of the way!!!

Coaches want the grades and they want independent, resilient and self reliant athletes

Remember Your search is not easier or harder with athletics. Its just different. Explore all optionsAs a student-athlete, academic scholarships are more likely than athletic ones. Athletics MAY open doors to colleges that may have been just beyond your reach.Find the RIGHT FIT!