Recruiting for College Athletics

1. Operation Inform08 Recruiting for College Athletics The State University of New York

2. SUNY Operation Inform08 • Today’s Program: • Provide information about college athletics • Help secondary school counselors advise potential athletes and their families • Introduce the NCAA Eligibility Center • Dispel myths

3. SUNY Operation Inform08 • What do all successful coaches • have in common: • They care about students • They want to win • They seek top players • They abide by NCAA rules

4. SUNY Operation Inform08 Various Divisions in Intercollegiate Athletics: • NCAA Division I: No tryouts, Athletic Aid • NCAA Division II: Tryouts, Athletic Aid • NCAA Division III: No tryouts, No Athletic Aid • NAIA: Tryouts, Athletic Aid • NJCAA Division I: Athletic Aid • NJCAA Division 3: No Athletic Aid • Level of play varies across divisions and within divisions

5. SUNY Operation Inform08 What do coaches look for: • Can the candidate play? • Do they have the ability: physical, tactical and mental attitude to be successful? • Can he or she withstand the pressures of competition? • Does the candidate have the speed for the contest? • Can they meet the institution’s academic standards? • NCAA v. individual college’s standards • Eligibility Center: “qualifier’ status • Does the candidate have character? • Leadership ability? • Goals for life and for sports? • What is their behavior before, during and after a game?

6. SUNY Operation Inform08 Where do good players come from? • Coaches seek good players • Players seek good coaches, winning teams and a good college fit • 2-way street of communication • Team sports v. individual sports • High school v. club teams • Videos

7. SUNY Operation Inform08 The time line for prospective student athletes: 8th – 12th grades: Take rigorous courses. Be prepared to meet high school graduation requirements and meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements. Understand NCAA’s definition of “core courses.”

8. SUNY Operation Inform08 The time line for prospective student athletes: 11th grade: Take SAT/ACT or both Send scores to the Eligibility Center DI and DII students should register with the eligibility center (code 9999) https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common.At end of 6th semester, send original transcript to eligibility center

9. SUNY Operation Inform08 The time line for prospective student athletes: • 12th grade: Student complete amateurism questionnaire and requests a final amateurism certificate • High schools Need to make sure list of NCAA- approved courses is up to date

10. SUNY Operation Inform08 The Building Blocks of Prospective Student Athletes: Recommendations for your student-athletes: • Play often with and against highest level possible • Make the grades – do the work! • Overachieve – the next grade builds on the previous year • Begin the process (look at colleges on the Internet) • Pick-up NCAA guide for the college bound athlete • Register with the Eligibility Center Junior/Senior Year • Develop a player resume and write to the schools of interest • Produce a video if possible • Play at as many high profile events as possible AND PLAY WELL!!! • Update important information – Playing schedule, Awards, Honors • Prepare applications for admission

11. SUNY Operation Inform08 The Building Blocks of Prospective Student Athletes: Recommendations for your students: • Visit the campus if possible before senior year • See the team play and meet the coaches and the players • Have your coach call with a recommendation • Call the coach at the schools of interest. They want to hear from the student. • Keep parents involved and in contact with the coach • Apply early to the schools of interest • Be realistic in choosing the school • How important is the sport to you? Are you committed to spending the time and energy necessary to be a successful student-athlete?

12. SUNY Operation Inform08 Questions for the prospective student athlete: • What type of college experience are you looking for? • Location… Close to home v opposite coast (3-5hrs) Academic, Athletic, Social, City/Country… Size…Team/Sport Specifics… • How many players are graduating and what positions will be available? • What are the time commitments of a student athlete? • What is the training like in and out of season? • What are the graduation rates of the school? (All athletes and the team) • What is it like to be a student athlete? • What are the academic benefits and special services for athletes?

13. SUNY Operation Inform08 Recruiting terms: NCAA guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=263): Contact Contact period Dead period Evaluation Evaluation period Official visit Prospective student-athlete Quiet period Unofficial visit Verbal commitment Qualifiers Red shirting

14. SUNY Operation Inform08 Know the process and the myths: • Match student’s academic skills, athletic skills and desire to play with the appropriate college. • Understand the goal of the ‘free ride.’ • Explain to the student athlete that meeting NCAA requirements does not guarantee admission into a college. The student must still meet the college’s admission requirements. • Clarify that signing a letter of intent does not guarantee admission to a college. The student must still meet the college’s admission requirements.

15. SUNY Operation Inform08 Wish your student-athletes good luck as they begin college-level athletic competitions! Questions? Thank you for your participation.