What are you doing to proactively pursue your dreams?

The phrase “don’t wait until it’s too late” can have many different meanings. Student-athletes might wait too long to reach out to coaches and miss out on scholarships. Some athletes make the mistake of waiting until senior year to start the recruiting process and then find out that all the top schools have made their offers and are finished recruiting their graduation class. And, in one extreme case, a student-athlete was diagnosed with an untreatable disease.

Recently, NCSA learned that one of our student-athletes has been diagnosed with brain cancer and tumors that will ultimately end his life before hi s upcoming high school senior year. Not only is it a tragedy to lose a young life, but this athlete will never be able to achieve his dreams of playing Big Ten football as a Michigan Wolverine.

When I say “don’t wait until it’s too late,” I’m simply implying that you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. And, if you put something off for tomorrow, who’s to say you won’t put it off again once tomorrow is here?

So, what are you doing to pursue your dreams? And, what are you waiting for?

To start your recruiting process and get evaluated by a scout, click here or call 866-579-6272.

Academics are crucial from the time you enter high school until your senior year. As a 9th grader it is crucial to understand the NCAA core course requirements that make student athletes eligible to play at the next level. It is important that student athletes are keeping on track with these requirements through their senior year so they do not get to graduation and realized they missed something that made them ineligible.

As well the NCAA has different minimum grade and test score requirements for athletes to be eligible to play at different division levels. Student athletes need to meet these minimum requirements to be eligible through the NCAA Eligibility center. Furthermore beyond meeting the NCAA requirements, each individual school has its own admissions requirements. While student athletes will receive slightly lower standards from the admissions office than non student athletes but there is still a minimum requirement that is necessary to meet.

Lastly coaches will often look at your academic performance as an indicator of your on the court/field work ethic. How hard you are willing to work in the classroom can show coaches what kind of athlete you are. If you and another ahtlete have similar athletic abilities the scholarship opportunity can often come down to the student athlete with the higher academic performance.

Student athletes make sure to stay on top of your grades!

The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies that college-bound athletes who wish to compete in Division I or II athletic programs have met necessary academic credentials and are of amateur status. NCAA colleges and universities set these regulations to ensure all student-athletes meet NCAA standards, including required core courses.

Do I really need to sign up with the eligibility center?

• You cannot attend official visits if you have not registered or qualified with the NCAA Eligibility center

• You cannot compete in division I or II if you have not been registered and qualified with the NCAA Eligibility center

When and how do I register with the eligibility center?

To qualify for NCAA eligibility and view core course requirements, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by completing the Student Release Form and amateurism questionnaire during your junior year.

*** Special notes

Fall 2012 enrolled athletes need to sign final amateur certification on or after April 1, 2012.

Starting August 1, 2013, NCAA Division II student-athletes will be required to take 16 core courses—this applies to any student first entering a college of university on or after August 1. Please note that the 16 core course for DI and DII slightly differ.

The SAT and ACT have changed their writing tests; SAT writing section is mandatory and the ACT writing section is optional.

Official test scores are no longer accepted from high school transcript. Instead, test scores are to be sent directly from the testing agency (use code “9999” to request ACT or SAT test scores).

By: Natalie Pedersen

A common myth that many student-athletes and their families believe is that a high school coach or athletic director is responsible for helping their athletes get recruited to play sports in college. They believe it is part of their job requirements to connect colleges with their kids.

Unfortunately, this just isn’t true.

A few high school coaches do the best they can to help their deserving student-athletes. NCSA Athletic Recruiting even has a new High School Relations department dedicated to helping H.S. coaches find colleges that would be a good fit for their athletes. But, the truth is most high school coaches just don’t have the time or knowledge of recruiting to truly help their athletes with the entire recruiting process, and they don’t utilize the tools and resources available to them.

First of all, many high school coaches have full-time jobs that take up a lot of their time. Also, many of them have families and children of their own.

While high school coaches may know several college coaches in their area, most high school coaches don’t have connections with college coaches across the country. So, unless you want to stay local and have limited options available to you, then you need to take the recruiting process into your own hands and start reaching out to college coaches on your own.

You also should remember that there are many other student-athletes on your team, and your coach cannot possibly dedicate his/her time to everyone. Your coach will not be able to give you as much attention as you deserve, so you need to be proactive. Remember, the recruiting process is like extra time in the weight room. If you put the work in now, it will pay off in the end.

Finally, if you are looking for scholarship money, your high school coach will not be able to help secure scholarship money for you. You need to be reaching out to college coaches on your own, building relationships with them, and then leveraging scholarship money after a coach shows true interest in recruiting you.

It’s great if your coach can help you, but don’t rely on him! Take the recruiting process into your own hands and contact a Scout with the NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network to see how you can start connecting with college coaches.

Do you need more help in the recruiting process?

Call 866-579-6272 or get started at http://bit.ly/GetRecruitedNow

Learn more at http://www.ncsasports.org/

Coaches not only look for high level athletes with good athletic skills that will help them win games, but, did you know that coaches also notice your attitude during competitions? Having good sportsmanship and being a team player shows college coaches that you are not only going to perform individually, but you’re also going to help motivate their team, which will also help them win games. If the opportunity presents itself before a game, slap hands with some of the players from the other team and wish them luck. Fire up your own teammates and show leadership before, during and after your games.

During competitions, make sure you aren’t picking fights with your opponents, trash talking during the game or making any kind of inappropriate gestures. College coaches will notice these negative aspects of the game and will make them think you are not the best recruit to bring to their college or university. If you play an aggressive sport, it’s great to be aggressive during a game, but don’t let your temper flare if you make a mistake or if your opponent gets in a good shot at you. Brush it off and move on. The way you react to your competition is something college coaches will notice, and they don’t want someone on their team with a negative attitude or an easily aroused temper. On the other hand, if you make a good block or slam dunk over your opponent, don’t rub it in the other team’s face. Lend a hand and pick the other guy off the floor. This is a small gesture, but it shows coaches that not only are you an amazing player, but are humble with good sportsmanship.

After a competition, win or lose, shake hands with the other players and tell them ‘good game’. Go up to the opposing team’s coach and shake hands with him as well while making eye contact. Even when you’re not playing, keep in mind that coaches keep track of you through social media, so don’t talk smack about your competition (or especially your own teammates) on Facebook or Twitter.

Many student-athletes know they want to participate in athletics in college but are unsure where to start. The biggest advice I can give right off the bat is to keep your options open. Remember, it’s all about playing the numbers game:

The more colleges you reach out to = The more relationships you’ll build with college coaches = The more opportunities you could receive = More offers might be extended to you and ultimately = The more leverage you’ll have to negotiate scholarship money.

Finding the right college is important, not just so you pick the right team, but so you enjoy your college life and receive a good education. Also, don’t forget picking a college is not just about four years of your life; it’s a decision that will affect the next forty years!

To find the right fit, start by asking yourself some of the easier questions, such as if you want to try to stay local or are open to playing anywhere in the country. The more open you are to travel, the better your chances will be of finding a college who will want to recruit you and that fits all of your needs and wants.

Do you know what you want to major in yet? If not, that’s ok. But if so, then make sure the colleges who are recruiting you offer your major. Your education should take priority over athletics, so if a school is recruiting you and they don’t offer your major, then you should research your other options.

What size school would you prefer? Do you want a large school or are smaller class sizes more appealing to you? Do you know what division level you want to play for, but more importantly, that you would be qualified to play at?

First, think about NCAA versus NAIA. Some NAIA schools are very competitive and could compete with NCAA schools, so remember that when you’re weighing your options. NAIA schools also have a tendency to be less-restrictive and generally less-expensive.

As for NCAA, decide what division level you could realistically be eligible to play for, and not just which level you want to play for. This is the most important tip I can give you when going through the recruiting process and reaching out to colleges. If your dream is to play DI and you’re only reaching out to DI coaches, then you’re missing out on a lot of opportunities. Only a small percentage of student-athletes are top level athletes who will qualify for DI athletics. If you’re not hearing back from top DI schools, then it’s time to face the facts. You might not be eligible to play at that level.

Now it might be really disappointing to find out that you’re not a top recruit and won’t be playing with the Andrew Lucks and RG3s of the college world, but at least now you can be honest with yourself and realize that you should be reaching out to college coaches at the level at which you will be a top recruit on those coaches’ lists. Try researching schools on the Division II and III levels and see if you get more responses from those coaches. If so, then at least you found a place where your athletic ability will be a match with your teammates and your competitors. If not, then you might be going about your recruiting process all wrong and I suggest you receive some additional help.

Call NCSA at 866-577-6272 if you wanted to get started on the recruiting process!

Many athletes think DIII athletic programs are not very competitive, but that is a myth! Some high level DIII programs are more competitive that low-level DI programs. So, keep your options open…and not just when thinking about division level, but when thinking about size and location of a school as well. Remember, the more opportunities you have, the more offers you might get, which means more leverage to negotiate scholarship money. So, play the numbers game, and good luck!

A majority of student athletes think that college coaches will just come to them. However most of the time that is not the case, unless an athlete is in the top 100 in the country, finding a college that is right for you will be up to you. A large problem is that student athletes do not realize that college coaches do not have the time or resources to find student athletes. It is the student athletes job to stay proactive,and reach out to coaches themselves. Start by emailing coaches, filling out questionnaires and calling. Depending on your age and NCAA rules coaches may  not be able to contact you back, but it is never too early for you to start reaching out to them.Make sure to get your information online both academic and athletic reusmes should be posted with verified information,

Do you need more help in the recruiting process?

Call us at 866-577-6272 or visit us at http://bit.ly/GetRecruitedNow

Student-athletes don’t realize that athletic ability alone is not enough to get recruited, and this applies to ALL colleges. Yes, athletic ability is important, as well as strong academic scores, but there is one more key element that is important and should not be overlooked: making a good impression on a coach. Not just a good first impression, but a lasting impression that continues each time you not only talk to a coach, but anytime a coach hears or sees your name. What do I mean by that? Read on, my friends.

First, let’s start with the less obvious ways to make a good impression on a coach, or rather, how to avoid portraying a negative image to a coach. All of your social media pages are public and can be viewed by coaches at any time. This means you should not have any pictures or posts portraying yourself in a negative manner. “Sure, they understand that you are just a teenager,” says one former Division I Recruiting Assistant. “But, anything vastly inappropriate can greatly diminish the chances of a certain coach recruiting you.”

Another former Division I coach says “everything an athlete does is under a microscope,” meaning you never know where or how a coach will evaluate your character and determine if you are a fit for their team. “No one wants a bad apple dragging others down with them.”

You can also make a good impression on a coach through your letters and emails. Show the college coach that you are smart and a good student by having good grammar and writing skills. Remember, you are not sending a text to your best friend, so use complete sentences and pretend you are writing a thesis paper for your favorite teacher that accounts for 100% of your grade.

Next, take a minute to think about any phone conversations that you’ve had with college coaches. Did you present yourself in a professional manner? If you haven’t talked to any coaches on the phone yet, then think about how you can make a good impression every time you do. First, be prepared when you call coaches by knowing what questions you’re going to ask. Don’t call from a cell phone unless you know you’re going to have a good reception, and make sure there isn’t any background noise that could interfere with your conversation. You don’t have many opportunities to talk to coaches, so take advantage when you get them!

You should also be prepared to receive calls from coaches. Make sure you know the NCAA rules about making and receiving calls and know when the date comes that college coaches can start calling you! Have a list of questions you want to ask near the phone at all times. If for some reason you can’t talk at the time the coach calls, schedule a specific time that you can call the coach back. And, if you miss a phone call from a coach, make sure you have a professional and appropriate voice mail message. This is a key element that many student-athletes miss and one that could hurt your image if your voice mail is inappropriate in any way.

Now, what about talking to coaches in person? Whether you meet a coach at a camp, on an unofficial or official visit, or in your own home, you should always look presentable and act respectful. Shake the coach’s hand, use “Sir” or “Ma’am” when addressing them, and don’t swear. If you’re attending a college camp, make sure you come prepared with your own equipment because this is something coaches will notice.

As one former DI college coach puts it, just being respectful is still not enough. “Those who ask the coach questions will make a more lasting impression. Keep in mind that coaches are having the same conversation over and over with hundreds of prospects, so a little back-and-forth [sport] talk with a student-athlete who looks you in the eye and knows what he’s talking about will truly help that coach remember who you are in the future.”
In one article from the South Bend Tribune, Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern University talked about the professionalism of his coaching staff which can also be applied to recruits.

He said “At one of our first staff meetings, [Athletic Director Jim Phillips] said, ‘The “N” never comes off. That’s the guiding principle. In other words, NU coaches represent the school seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you don’t operate that way, you’re making a huge mistake.”
So, think about how you can impress coaches and put your best foot forward at all times. Prove to each college coach that you will be a good representation of their college and will wear their colors with pride.

If you need more help in the recruiting process call NCSA at 866-577-6272 or visit NCSA at www.ncsasports.org

I read a book recently called the Dream Manager and learned how motivating people to dream can make them better workers. So, what does this have to do with me, you ask? Well, the point is that anyone can benefit from dreaming and working to achieve their dreams. And student-athletes striving to play sports in college must have tons of dreams! Do you know what all of your dreams are?

In the Dream Manager, the first step towards achieving your dreams is to start writing them down. Get a Dream Book or just write your dreams on post-its and post them around your room, on your textbooks and in your locker. Whatever strategy you use doesn’t matter, just as long you write them down and keep adding more dreams every day.

Some of your dreams can be athletic, such as making the Varsity team or playing at a Division One college. But, other dreams can be focused on school, such as graduating with honors, or family, such as teaching your little brother how to throw a ball and become a Division One athlete as well. You can also have dreams related to your character. Having a good personality will appeal to college coaches and increase your chances of being recruited.

Simply writing down your dreams isn’t enough, though. You have to keep looking at them and reminding yourself of your goals. Then, of course, pursue them and make them happen!  Start with something small and attainable, such as increasing your GPA by .2 points or developing relationships with five new college coaches. Work your way up to the more difficult goals such as making the Varsity team as a freshman or playing for the best club team in your area. Eventually, as you achieve more of your dreams, the farthest-reaching dreams will start to seem more attainable, such as being a starter for the Crimson Tide.

The idea of the Dream “Manager” is having someone who will help keep you accountable for achieving your dreams, such as your parents, coaches or siblings. Don’t rely on them to push you. But, if you tell someone your dreams, they can help by reminding you to push harder in practice, take an extra 10 minutes to study each night or remind you to follow up with the coach from Alabama.

Now, remember that little brother who you wanted to teach to throw and who wants to be just like you? Part of the Dream Manager initiative is being a leader and advocate of other people’s dreams as well as your own. Even if you don’t have a brother, maybe you have a friend who also wants to play sports in college. You can help keep other people accountable for achieving their dreams by just checking in with them once in a while about their progress towards reaching their dreams. Ask your friend how many college coaches he/she has been in touch with. Push your sibling to go out in the backyard with you to practice for an hour, even though he’d rather be playing video games. Remember, being someone else’s Dream Manager can improve your character, and do you remember what I said earlier about character?

Whether you are a freshman or a senior, it’s never too late to start dreaming of your future. But to be successful in achieving your dreams, let me leave you with two tips. First, a dream is not just a goal. It’s something your passionate about and desire. You have to have passion for your dreams otherwise you won’t work hard to achieve them. Second, you need to do some planning. Think about which dreams you can achieve right away and which might take some work. Playing sports in college will take a lot of time, effort and planning in order to research colleges, build relationships with coaches, get noticed and get recruited. Hey, no one said achieving your dreams would be easy!

The Dream Manager was written by Matthew Kelly