California Aces

                                  

Getting Yourself Recruited

 

For most high school athletes, it will require taking an active role in getting recruited, and starting with enough knowledge to protect them during the recruiting process.

The three stages in the athletic recruiting process through which every athlete will include:

Though these stages are definitely not all encompassing and do not describe every event that will occur in the recruiting process, they are probably the three most important components of the process.

 

Ø      Getting Recognized And Actively Recruited

Ø      Going On Official Or Unofficial Visits To Individual Campuses

Ø      Making A Final Decision On Where To Continue Your Athletic Career

 

1.      Getting recognized and actively recruited:

 

    • Return all questionnaires sent by colleges
    • Do not reject any interested school too early
    • Improve your grades. Regardless of how good they are
    • Call the coach of the schools you are interested in. College coaches are more likely to recruit individuals who show interest in them
    • It is never too early to visit a school
    • NCAA rules prohibit colleges from calling high school athletes until after their junior year. Any time a coach expresses a large interest in you, it’s always a good idea to call him/her to learn more about the college and their program
    • Get some playing exposure in the off-season
    • Take your ACT/SAT twice
    • Be honest with the coaches. Let them know what you think and learn as much as you can about their program
    • Package yourself; but don’t worry about polish. Coaches want to see resumes and tapes, but they usually aren’t impressed by elaborate packages

  

  1. Going On Official Or Unofficial Visits To Individual Campuses

 

You should visit through the athletic department on either “official visit” or “unofficial visit”. The major difference being what the university can provide for services and financially during the course of the visit.

 

Unofficial visits are restricted in services and financial support, but can take place at any time.

 

Official visits contain provisions for additional services and financially support during the visit, but can only occur following the start of the senior year of high school.

Try to maximize the visit by taking the time prior to the visit to formulate a plan. Know what you want to see and whom you want to see. Have a list of questions on hand.

 

·        What does the depth chart look like?

·        How many players do you plan to sign at my position?

·        What is the policy on red-shirting?

·        What happens if I don’t become a starter?

·        What kind of academic support will I get?

·        How long will it take me to graduate?

·        What happens after I graduate?

·        What if I get hurt?

·        What if I get hurt before I report?

·        What is the future plans of my head coach and assistant coaches?

·        Is my desired major or minor offered at the university?

·        What is the job placement rate of my particular major?

·        Is it possible to switch majors and stay on track to graduate?

·        What type of class size should I expect and what is the teachers/student ratio?

·        Can this university meet my financial needs?

·        What are the crimes and safety rates of the university?

·        Availability of student housing?

 

  1. Making A Final Decision On Where To Continue Your Athletic Career

Review everything that was written down during your visit etc. And ask yourself.

 

·        Does the school meet all of my academic needs?

·        Are my potential teammates the kind of people with whom I will be comfortable?

·        Will I be comfortable with the coaches?

·        Is the geographic location satisfactory?

·        Does the school meet my financial needs?

·        Is the school the level I want to play at?

·        On what visit did I feel the most at home?

 

The answers to questions 1 – 6 will be relatively similar among the schools, especially the top five on the list. Everything else being equal, the ultimate decision will come down to question #7. Does this place feel like my home for the next 4 – 5 years?

NCAA RULES

While going through the three main phases of the recruiting process, the athletes must have a basic knowledge of the rules of the NCAA rules on recruiting. Most of the rules are there to protect the athlete (some of these rules will vary by division and sport).

  1. College coaches in most major sports cannot make phone calls to prospective student-athletes until after June 15 prior to their senior year and then they can only be made one day a week.
  2. Prior to the student-athlete senior year, all visits with the college coach (until June 16) must be made on the college campus.
  3. Athletes can go on no more than five officials visits and only one official visit per institution.
  4. Athletes may go on as many unofficial visits as they would like.
  5. College coaches may not contact an athlete on the day of an event until the event is completed and the coach has released the athlete.
  6. Student-athletes or their families may not accept any financial or material gift from any member of the college athletic staff or anyone affiliated with the institution.
  7. If at any time an athlete is unsure about the rules of recruiting, they need contact their coach, guidance counselor, or the NCAA directly.

 

Being a college athlete is a great experience that can lead to many rewards and experiences both on and off the field. Having a successful trip through the recruiting process will be a predecessor to these rewards and experiences.