Only a small percentage of high school student-athletes go on to play collegiate sports. Less than 1% go on to play Division I athletics. So, what are you doing to help yourself become part of that small percentage of athletes?

Here are a few ways that you can differentiate yourself from other student-athletes fighting for the same rosters spots.

At Camps or Combines

• Before the event, make sure you reach out to college coaches who are running or attending the event. Introduce yourself, tell them you will be attending, and show them your athletic profile with highlight film. This will put you on the coaches’ radar and if they are interested, they’ll be paying closer attention to you as a prospect during the event. You have to remember that recruits don’t get discovered at camps or combines; only athletes with a prior relationship with the college coach will be evaluated.
• Then, at the event, make sure to go up and introduce yourself to the coach, shake their hand and tell them how excited you are for the opportunity to be there!
• Finally, carry your own equipment; never let mom or dad carry it for you.

On College Visits

• Do prior research about the coaching staff, the current players and the academic program. This way, you’ll impress the college coaches with your knowledge of their team and their school.
• Come prepared! Bring your game footage, transcripts and anything else you think the coach may need/want to evaluate you.
• Don’t let mom or dad speak for you. Make sure you take the lead during the visit and do most of the talking.

Communication

• Tell coaches why you are interested in their school and athletic program. Make sure to state specific examples and talk about why you would be a good fit on their roster.
• Don’t tell a college coach how good you are. Your stats, transcript and highlight video should speak for you!
• Don’t rely on emails to college coaches. They get hundreds of emails from recruits who are interested in their program. You will stand out by calling them and following up often so you can begin to build a relationship with those coaches.

During Competition

• Go above and beyond on the field/court. Not only will your own coaches be providing references to college coaches as to your attitude and effort during competition, but college scouts could be at any of your games.
• Do something out of the ordinary that will make college coaches want to recruit you. If you’re the loudest one shouting out encouragement to your teammates, coaches will notice. Also, shake the opposing coaches’ hands and bounce back from a mistake to leave an impression.

Social Media

• Show sportsmanship by posting or tweeting about other teams or athletes when they do a good job. Give your own teammates some shout outs too. You don’t need to always talk about your own accomplishments.
• Find college coaches on Facebook, send them a message and a friend request. This will give coaches another forum to keep track of you.
• Most importantly, keep your social media pages and posts professional and appropriate. Even if college coaches aren’t your friend on Facebook, they could be checking up on you at any time to see what kind of person you are. Social media is a good way to judge a recruit’s character.

Finally, you should always be prepared! College coaches could call you at any time or show up at your game. Have a list of questions ready so that coaches will see you are truly interested and are on top of your recruiting game. A coach could request game film or transcripts at any time, so you should always have this on hand so you can ensure a speedy delivery. Trust me, coaches will be impressed.

If you could use more tips like this, NCSA Athletic Recruiting offers lots of recruiting educational classes. You can also click here to start your free athletic profile now to connect with college coaches. Call a NCSA National Scout today for more information at 866-495-7727.

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Raised in tiny Hamilton, Mississippi (population 3100), Dr. Anne Adams (bottom right in photo)  would eventually become Professor of the Year at Duke University and a national expert in helping students who struggled with reading. Newsweek magazine featured her for her program Success in Beginning Reading and Writing. School systems around the nation utilized it to help thousands and thousands of students learn to read. The picture shows an educational leader that came all the way from Hawaii to Durham, North Carolina to study her system and put it into place in Hawaii public schools. This amazing woman is also my mother, and I wanted to show how her accomplishments could inspire you in honor of Mother’s Day.

Dr. Anne Adams

Her accomplishments are an example of how someone can come from a small town and make a tremendous impact on others. Many of you that read this live in small towns and hear that it is going to be harder for you to get those college scholarships against kids from the much bigger schools, or that you ‘just can’t do it.’ Yes you can, but it will take a burning desire and a strong work ethic along with a dedication to education. My mother would get up at 4 in the morning to write her books about reading. Then she would go in for a full day of work teaching.

Some of you have the potential to be ‘the first.’ My mother was the first woman named as a full professor in the Department of Education at Duke. Some of you might be the first to develop a community center in your hometown after using your athletic ability to get a college education and then become a successful business owner. That’s called Athleadership!

Some of you might be the first to get a college degree in your family, or the first to get a master’s degree. Some of you may decide to sign with a college athletics program that is up and coming and help them to win their first conference championship. Some of you might become the first Olympic athlete from your area. Where I live in northern Indiana, a young lady named Morgan Uceny, who was a college runner at Cornell, was the first person ever from Marshall County to reach the Olympics (she ran in the 1500 in the 2012 London games).

My mother was a fierce basketball player with a lethal jump shot back in her day and supported me playing sports. I will never forget the time back in the 1970s’s when she took me to New York City for the first time. We were going to a Broadway play, but I noticed the hotel we were staying in was right next to Madison Square Garden and that the Knicks were hosting the Buffalo Braves (now the L.A. Clippers) that night. I talked her into us going to the game instead! She was okay with us missing the play that night, but my education always came first. She taught at other Universities before going to Duke and saw many athletes focusing on their sport and failing to graduate. At Duke, she was around true student-athletes. Be sure to find a school where academics are a priority for the athletes.

Mom instilled within me a love of reading that enabled me to go into a sports anchoring career where I was able to cover The Masters, the Daytona 500, NCAA Tournaments, NFL Playoffs, the Final Four, and many other things. I encourage you to read sports motivational books and autobiographies of great athletes in your sport. The new book “Toughness” by ESPN analyst Jay Bilas is a tremendous read for athletes of all sports.

For the athletes reading this, there is no telling what you can accomplish. The key is to give back. NCSA’s definition of Athleadership is: In the simplest terms, athleadership empowers leaders through sports. Athleaders are student-athletes who maximize sports to get ahead and to give back. They are individuals who use sports as a stepping stone to achieve lofty but attainable goals.

With my mother, she went out and developed a reading program that in 1978 was named one of the best three reading programs in the nation, and was used in public schools across in the nation, including Washington, D.C.  She used to take me on trips where she instilled her system in local schools. In D.C. she dropped me off at the Smithsonian Institute and said,  “I’ll pick you up at 5!” The state of Hawaii used it in over 130 of their schools. You are capable of giving back as well. It all starts with getting a good college education and developing as a leader and as an athlete. That fire and determination you develop will allow you to go out into your community when sports are done and give back in a big way!

When she passed away, the Reverend Robert T. Young said this as part of his reflection on her life.

“Dr. Adams was known as a prolific writer, a prodigious worker, a woman of boundless energy and determination. She saw possibility where none other could or did. She surely was one of those described by George Bernard Shaw – as I paraphrase one of his lines: ‘Some people see things as they are and ask why – others dream things that never were and ask why not.’ Such were the ways of Anne.”

If you are inspired to make your dreams come true and use athletics to get ahead, then call NCSA today and talk to a National Scout about recruiting: 866-495-7727.

Charlie Adams is a motivational speaker and the author of 4 books on peak performance and the power of attitude, including 2013′s How to Build a Positive Attitude and KEEP the Darn Thing! (Corby Books, Notre Dame). As a sports anchor for a quarter of a century, he covered the recruiting process closely and often speaks on the subject. As a speaker, he constantly has corporate leaders tell him they look to hire former college athletes because of their ability to manage time, their competitive spirits, team play, and leadership abilities. For more information on his motivational programs you can go to StokeTheFireWithin.com.

The post How One Mother Can Inspire You appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

For more information on the recruiting process call 866-495-7727  or click here to create a free recruiting profile and start connecting with over 1700 colleges.

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All-out athletic competition may not seem like it has a lot to do with the biggest school dance of the year, but they have more in common than you think. Since it is the season, here are a few ways for you to think about of how college recruiting is like prom.

Go with the Right Person
Like potential prom dates, there are a lot of college coaches out there. Some of them are nice, but not the right choice for you. Some may be a little rough around the edges, but have everything you’re looking for. Make sure you think carefully about all the possibilities- what exactly are you looking for in a college program? Playing time, academic quality, athletic competitiveness? What location, how big? Be realistic about the college programs that are right for you – not everybody can be on the arm of the Prom King and Queen, and not everybody can go play at USC or Florida.

Find a Date Ahead of Time
If you start looking for a prom date the night before, most people are already going to be spoken for. Same with recruiting – if you’re running around senior year trying to find an opportunity to play in college, most of the roster spots will have already been taken by athletes who started as freshmen or sophomores. No matter how popular you think you are, waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster.

Have a Plan
Imagine trying to do prom on the fly – every restaurant would be booked and you’d have to go to McDonalds for dinner, you’d have to take three minivans instead of a limo, and you’d be wearing whatever you picked up at the Gap the day before. If you want to have a good experience, you need to have a plan, and recruiting is the same way. Keep a list of the coaches and institutions you are interested in, and that are interested in you. Keep records of your coach communications, and make sure that your academics are on track. The more prepared you are beforehand, the more fun you’ll have when the big (signing) day comes.

If you make the right choices and plan ahead, prom and recruiting can both be great experiences.

For more information on the recruiting process call 866-495-7727  or click here to create a free recruiting profile and start connecting with over 1700 colleges.

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Board Suspends changes to recruiting communications rules

• The suspension applies to recruiting through texting and lifting restrictions on numbers of contacts.
• The board, however, declined to change its position on prohibiting live scouting of opponents. The proposal received more than 75 override requests but will go to a full vote of the membership through an online process.

DII Presidents endorse Academic Task Force report

• The recommendations from the Task Force will be drafted into legislation for the Presidents Council to review in August.  Any sponsored legislation will be considered in the 2014 convention.
• Proposed regulation highlights include:
• Initial Eligibility -
  • Implementation of a sliding scale of test scores and GPAs, keyed to a GPA requirement of 2.2 for full qualifier and 2.0 for partial.
  • Progress toward degree –
    • SAs would be required to maintain a 2.0 GPA in degree applicable courses and complete at least 27 semester hours annually.
    • Two-year college transfers –
      • Any SA earning an associate of arts degree would be considered a qualifier otherwise new standards would reflect a required number of transferrable hours based on the amount of time spent at the two-year college.

NCHSAA limits eligibility of high school athletes who transfer

• The North Carolina High School Athletic Association board of directors passed a rule that would make any student transferring schools without a legitimate address change ineligible to participate in athletics for 365 days.
• Currently, a student can transfer from one system to another in athletics if both systems agree.

For more information on the recruiting process call 866-495-7727  or click here to create a free recruiting profile and start connecting with over 1700 colleges.

The post New Recruiting Rules and an update for North Carolina Athletes appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

When I picked up the Sunday sports section of the Chicago Tribune, two things immediately came to my mind that are important in recruiting and what being a college athlete can do for a young person. First, the picture of Joakim Noah after he led the injury riddled Chicago Bulls past the Nets in Game 7 in Brooklyn.

Look at that fire! Despite playing with a right foot racked with plantar fasciitis, Noah scored 24 points, had 14 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. Noah has been called the heart and soul of the Bulls because of all the intangibles he brings each night, including his steely determination to compete (photo courtesy Chicago Tribune).

In an article in Sports Illustrated in November of 2010, Noah told writer Lee Jenkins this: “I’m not a very skilled player. I’m not that talented. For me, it’s about wanting to win more than the other person. That’s what makes me a little different.”

Noah only had 2 scholarship offers going into his 11th grade year, then his fire was seen at the ABCD Camp and he had over 200 offers. College coaches saw how hard he played (and that he was tall!) and they realized he would add so much to a team. At Florida, he led the Gators to back-to-back national championships. College coaches know they need very talented skill players on their teams, but they also know they need fierce competitors that will give everything they have. While those recruits may not be ranked in the top 100 or chased by college coaches, they are needed and often found. I was speaking in Kalamazoo one time and picked up their local paper. A girl had just signed a full ride D1 scholarship with the University of New Orleans women’s basketball program. The story indicated that the UNO coaches were at an event to watch other players, but they kept hearing this loud passionate noise. They walked over several courts, saw this girl playing with incredible passion, and later offered her a scholarship because she was good, but also because of her fire within.

The other thing from the picture above that jumped out at me was the small picture of David Haugh on the left side.

He is the leading sports columnist of the Chicago Tribune and someone I have known for 20 years. Like many of you, David played high school sports in a very small town. He was able to earn a full scholarship to a D1 football program and maximize the educational opportunities. A skilled writer, he honed his craft to the point the mighty Chicago Tribune came after him. About a year ago when the talk of concussions in football was getting a lot of play, David wrote a column about what sports and a college education had done for him. Here is part of that column (which started with a story of how he had lost 2 front teeth in a high school football game):

“Despite the gap in my gums, it never occurred to me to stop playing that night or let anything get in the way of the goal at hand. It never occurred to me to quit. At 16, football already had developed an instinct in me to keep going regardless of mental anguish or dental emergency, to take pride in persevering.

From sixth grade in North Judson, Ind., through a career at Ball State University during which I experienced at least two concussions, football taught me to be aggressive, take a hit, get up and don’t back down. To respect all but fear nothing. Football taught me how to work harder than I thought possible, and with others. I saw football give countless lost teens direction by building self-confidence and turn hundreds of shy kids into bold ones. I was one of those kids.

Football helped raise a small-town boy into a man and often parented me while my own parents struggled to make ends meet. Football paid for the college education and created opportunities that made me who I am.” – David Haugh, Chicago Tribune sports columnist.

I wanted to share that because there is power in those words. College sports can do so many positive things. A few years ago I emceed a banquet with Nick Saban, then the LSU head coach. He talked passionately that while the media often focuses on the D1 athletes that come up short in their education, he said he could list countless young people who had been able to leave tough home situations and go to college because of sports. I think the things that David writes above shows how many positive things they can learn by being a college athlete. The key is to be like David and maximize the educational opportunities.

It is important to talk with a college scout about what college coaches look for in recruits, such as the fire within. You can talk to a NCSA National Scout to get evaluated and receive the assistance and education that all student-athletes should have while trying to get to the next level. Call a scout now at 866-495-7727 or click here to start the process.

Charlie Adams is a motivational speaker and the author of 4 books on peak performance and the power of attitude, including 2013′s How to Build a Positive Attitude and KEEP the Darn Thing! (Corby Books, Notre Dame). As a sports anchor for a quarter of a century, he covered the recruiting process closely. As a speaker, he constantly has corporate leaders tell him they look to hire former college athletes because of their ability to manage time, their competitive spirits, team play, and leadership abilities. For more information on his motivational programs you can go to StokeTheFireWithin.com

The post The Fire Within appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

The NCAA recently passed new communication regulations between athletes and coaches, or should I say deregulation’s, in January the NCAA division 1 board passed a majority of rules that would have allowed and unlimited amount of electronic communication- including text messaging from college coaches to football recruits.  However the Rules Working Group made several recommendations to the rule changes back in march due to a large amount of criticism to the rules adopted in January. The board also indefinitely suspended the rule that effected the test score- GPA sliding scale which was set to take affect in 2016. However the increased GPA and stricter core course requirement section of the rule are still set to go into effect in 2016.

The rules suspended as of yesterday 

• 11-2: The elimination of the requirement that only a head coach or an assistant coach can preform recruiting coordinator responsibilities
• 13-2: Tried to establish a uniform start date for recruiting contact of July 1st in the year before a prospects junior season
• 13-3: Which allowed unlimited contact initiated by college coaches to recruits
• 13-5-A: This rule removed and restrictions on printed materials mailed to prospects

For more information on the recruiting process call 866-495-7727  or click here to create a free recruiting profile and start connecting with over 1700 colleges.

The post BREAKING NEWS: New NCAA Communication Rules Suspended appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Division I athletics own the limelight – their exposure in major revenue sports like football and basketball is on par with the pros. Division III, which does not offer formal athletic scholarships, offers college sports at a more relaxed pace. It includes academic gems like NYU and the University of Chicago, along with elite liberal arts schools like Brandeis and Williams College.

Division II is the middle child of college sports: without the luster of DI or the rigorous academic reputation of DIII, it has struggled to define itself. But for an athlete who’s serious about exploring all the possibilities at the college level, DII is definitely worth another look. It offers a unique emphasis on the balance between academics and athletics. Read on to find out what makes Division II different.

Limited Training Schedule
Division II restricts how much time student-athletes can spend on athletically-related activities – exact rules vary some from sport to sport, but the guideline is 20 hours during the season, 8 hours in the offseason, and a week off around Christmas. This leaves a bit more time for family, friends, and homework.

Athletic Scholarships
Unlike Division III, Division II does offer athletic scholarships. They are not always as generous as DI scholarships (and most sports have a few less to offer) but many DII athletes supplement them with academic, leadership, and other scholarships. All Division II sports are “equivalency” (meaning coaches can divide each “full” scholarship into pieces and give it to multiple athletes). The number of available scholarships in each sport:

• Baseball: 9
• Men’s and Women’s Basketball: 10
• Men’s and Women’s Track/Cross Country: 12.6
• Field Hockey (Women’s): 6.3
• Football: 36
• Men’s Golf: 3.6
• Women’s Golf: 5.4
• Men’s Ice Hockey: 13.5
• Women’s Ice Hockey: 18
• Men’s Lacrosse: 10.8
• Women’s Lacrosse: 9.9
• Rowing (Women’s): 20
• Men’s Soccer: 9
• Women’s Soccer: 9.9
• Softball: 7.2
• Men’s and Women’s Swimming/Diving: 8.1
• Men’s Tennis: 4.5
• Women’s Tennis: 6
• Men’s Volleyball: 4.5
• Women’s Volleyball: 8
• Men’s Water Polo: 4.5
• Women’s Water Polo: 8
• Wrestling: 9

Strong Competition
Many athletes with DI talent choose to go the DI route, for a lot of different reasons: to stay close to home, to enjoy a more balanced college experience, or because they prefer a small campus. The good news is that if you’re looking for tough competition, DII is a good place to find it. “I decided I’d rather get a better education and have the opportunity to play all four years,” says a DII athlete who received recruiting attention from DI schools, “being a big fish in a small pond is better than a small fish in a big pond, especially when you’re going to receive a good degree in the end as well.”

Growing Fast
There are now 316 schools in Division II – up almost 20% from the number of schools in 2000. Many NAIA institutions have moved to Division II, and lots of new student athletes each year seem to be attracted to the philosophy Division II calls “life in the balance,” focusing on learning, balance, service, passion, sportsmanship, and resourcefulness.

Flexible Eligibility Clock
Unlike Division I, which starts a five-year eligibility clock ticking the moment you start college, Division II offers 10 semesters (or 15 quarters) of eligibility. If you have to leave school for family, medical, or any other reason, your eligibility clock pauses and doesn’t restart until you re-enroll in school.

Academic Requirements
Unlike Division I, Division II does not use a sliding scale for academic eligibility.

A. Graduate from high school

B. Earn a 2.0 GPA or better in these 14 core courses:

• 3 years English
• 2 years Math (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years Natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• 2 years Social Science
• 2 years of your choice of additional English OR Math OR Science
• 3 years Any of above OR foreign language OR non-doctrinal religion/philosophyC. Earn an SAT score of at least 820 OR an ACT sum score of at least 68

Recruiting Timeline
Division II recruiting follows more or less right behind Division I. The major differences are that coaches can start sending letters, calling, and contacting athletes off-campus on June 15 between their Sophomore and Junior years. Division II also allows unlimited official visits, but if an athlete takes more than 5 visits with Division II programs, they are permanently disqualified from Division I.

Division II isn’t for everyone, but it offers a balance of athletics and academics and is somewhere in the middle of the intensive, year-round schedule of a Division I athlete and the more academically-focused Division III.

Which division level is right for you? Call 866-495-7727 to talk to a college scout and learn what college programs you may qualify for. Click here to build a free recruiting profile you can share with college coaches.

The post The “Balance” and Benefits of Division II Athletics appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

What is Division I?

Division I is the highest level of athletics at the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  The NCAA is the governing body of a majority of intercollegiate athletics with DI, DII and DIII, the only exception being NAIA and NJCAA which are separate governing bodies. The Division I includes the collegiate power house conferences, generally more high tech and equipped facilities, larger total enrollments, larger budgets, and more scholarship opportunities. There are about 340 universities that make up the Division I level.

** Please note there are subdivisions for football at the Division I level, FBS and FCS. All other sports only have one division.

How do scholarships work at the division 1 level?

The NCAA imposes limits on the total financial aid each Division I member may award based on sport. It divides sports that it sponsors into two types

“Head-count” sports, in which the NCAA limits the total number of individuals that can receive athletic scholarships, but allows each player to receive up to a full scholarship.

“Equivalency” sports, in which the NCAA limits the total financial aid that a school can offer in a given sport to the equivalent of a set number of full scholarships. Roster limitations may or may not apply, depending on the sport.

What Sports are Head- Count Sports?

• BCS Football: 85 Scholarships
• M. Basketball: 13 scholarships
• W. Basketball: 15 scholarships
• W. Tennis: 8 Scholarships
• W. Indoor Volleyball: 12 Scholarships

What Sports are Equivalency Sports?

• Baseball: 11.7 scholarships
• FCS Football: 63 scholarships
• M. Gymnastics: 6.3 scholarships
• M. Tennis: 4.5 Scholarships
• M. Volleyball: 4.5 Scholarships
• Wrestling: 9.9 Scholarships
• Field Hockey: 12 scholarships
• W. Rowing: 20 scholarships
• W. Golf: 6 Scholarships
• M. Golf : 4.5 Scholarships
• W. Lacrosse: 12 Scholarships
• M. Lacrosse:  12.6 Scholarships
• M. Soccer: 9.9 Scholarships
• W. Soccer: 14 Scholarships
• M. Swimming and Diving: 9.9 Scholarships
• W. Swimming and Diving: 14 Scholarships
• M. Water Polo: 4.5 Scholarships
• W. Water Polo: 8 Scholarships
• W. Sand Volleyball
  For schools that also sponsor women’s (indoor) volleyball, 4 in 2012–13. The number of scholarship equivalents will increase by one each year until reaching a final value of six in 2014–15. The number of counters is limited to 14 throughout.For schools that also sponsor women’s (indoor) volleyball, 4 in 2012–13. The number of scholarship equivalents will increase by 1 each year until reaching a final value of 6 in 2014–15. The number of counters is limited to 14 throughout.For schools that do not sponsor indoor volleyball, 8 scholarship equivalents and 14 country. Players receiving financial aid for sand volleyball are not allowed to be on the school’s indoor volleyball roster. The opposite is allowed. 

• Cross Country/ Track and Field
  • Except as noted immediately below, 12.6 for men 18 for women
  • 5 equivalents for men’s cross-country if the school does not sponsor men’s track and field
  • 6 equivalents for women’s cross-country if the school does not sponsor women’s track and field

• For schools that also sponsor women’s (indoor) volleyball, 4 in 2012–13. The number of scholarship equivalents will increase by 1 each year until reaching a final value of 6 in 2014–15. The number of counters is limited to 14 throughout.
• For schools that do not sponsor indoor volleyball, 8 scholarship equivalents and 14 counter^.
• Players receiving financial aid for sand volleyball are not allowed to be on the school’s indoor volleyball roster. The opposite is allowed.

Division I Recruiting Timeline

The Division I recruiting timeline is the most accelerated of all divisions. DI programs are normally creating lists of athletes they are interested in during their middle school athletic career, and then heavily recruiting them by their freshman and sophomore year, with offers coming shortly after. Division I usually offers their athletes first, and then Division II and III will recruit after.

Breaking down Division 1 Athletic and Academic Standards

Explore all levels and find the right fit. You may find that Division I could be just the place. Call 866-495-7727 to get your recruiting process started, or click here to create a free recruiting profile and start connecting with over 1700 colleges.

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