Question

Any ideas on best ways to get the attention of an athletic director (or someone) at a college? While I have a strong extracurricular record (sports) at the local/regional level, I have not won at the state or national level.

Answer 1

There is a expression from the days of the Roman Empire --" Many are called few are chosen". It refers to building an army for war. Many men will be called, but not everyone will be taken. So it is will college recruiting. Each school, no matter the level ( D1, D2, or D3), will always begin the recruiting cycle with many names - these name come from AAU coaches, high school coaches, players mailing in resumes, alumni forwarding names, former players submitting names, names from professional recruiting services, and players that the coaches have scouted. Being a former college basketball coach, I can tell you that we began the process with over 300 names for perhaps 3 spots ( to replace graduating seniors).

16 Things to Do If You Want to be a College Athlete

A player who wants to continue playing at the next level should do the following:

1. Talk with your coach and let him/her know what you goals are.

2  Play in an organized league in the off season.

3. Develop a resume that is focused only on your athletic career.

4. Be sure to register with the NCAA  Clearinghouse before you junior year.

5. Take the PSAT as a sophomore and junior.

6. Make a list of possible schools with your parents/coach and mail your resume directly to the head coaches. Follow up with a phone call. Do not be surprised if you have a difficult time reaching them (they will be out looking at players).

7. Go to camps. In the summer many college coaches attend camps to watch.

8. Make a professionally edited highlite video. Be sure to include your number on your jersey.

10. Have your parents sign a blanket release of transcript form, and have it on file in the Guidance Office after the first semester junior year in the event a coach wants to see your grades.

11. Know the recruiting cycle for your sport -- go to the NCAA website.

12. Attend Showcase events for your sport if possible.

13. Keep your head coach informed of all contacts with colleges. and stay in contact with all coaches who reach out to you.

14. Be aware that grades/ SAT scores are very important.

15. If possible attend games at colleges where you would like to play, take a campus tour, and set up an office visit with the head coach.

16. Use social media strategically and responsibly.

Finally, be aware that the process for D1 is different in terms of what the coaches can do/say/ number of contacts. And of course, there is the National Letter of Intent. Good luck with your interest in college athletics.

 

Answer 2

Traveling teams - allow you to play away from your classmates and to be seen by a larger audience Summer camps - allow you to be viewed by professionals and college coaches up close while also allowing them time to work with players one on one giving them an even better picture of who they are and how well they play.

Be sure to talk to your coach having an open and honest conversation about your level of play. I have had students that insist they are going to play D1 when their coach had shared with me earlier that no, D3 was more likely. I have also had students that believe they do not qualify for a D1 school when their coach is saying to me - yes, yes! The coach is your starting point - if you are a runner, don't forget to sign yourself onto MileSplit to make sure that your times, etc. are all recorded for potential coaches when they view each state's site.

Be sure to complete the Prospective Athletic Page for each college you might want to attend. If you are unable to locate the page, contact the athletic office at the college(s) you are interested in and ask them where on their website you can locate it, or if they can send you one. Submit the form and ask your own coach if he or she can make a contact for you as well. You can call the coach(es) but be mindful of sticking to the NCAA calendar.

Answers to many NCAA questions can be found on the organization's website.

Also, attend any and all Showcases as you are able. When looking for a Showcase simply Google as in Googling "baseball showcases."

Example: https://www.ncsasports.org/baseball/camps-showcases

And of course, do not forget to make that all important video! If you are a sophomore go ahead and make a video, and then make another for junior year so coaches are able to see how you have improved. Be sure to make the videos just in case there is an injury. One of my former students had videos from grades 10 and 11, which was great because she needed her ACL operated on early senior year. She was a basketball player and would be healed enough to play but not until a quarter of the way through the season. Luckily, she had videos from previous years to utilize.

Good Luck!