The Recruiting Process The Academic Game

Recruiting Facts Did you know? There is no such thing as a "Full Ride." ALL scholarships are 1-year renewable deals. Only 3% of high school student-athletes receive a scholarship. Less than 1% of high school student-athletes receive a 4-year Division I scholarship. 83% of scholarship opportunities are NOT on the Division I level. 90% of the 2,000+ colleges and universities in America DO NOT play sports on a Division 1 level. So, you if you focus on "going D1," you are missing out on 90% of the opportunities to play sports in college.

Are you sure you run a 4.40 forty? Only 3 of the 329 players invited to this year's NFL Combine posted a 40 speed of 4.40 or better. Men's Division I football and basketball and women's Division I volleyball, basketball, tennis and gymnastics are the ONLY scholarships which may NOT be divided (this, however, does not guarantee 100% funding for each scholarship). ALL other scholarships for all other sports and divisions may be sub-divided, and most commonly are. 80% of financial assistance is realized AFTER January 1 of the senior year.

Rank by State Boys and Girls Participation in Sports 1. Texas 490,816(B) 317,990(G) 808,806(T) 2. California 456,633(B) 325,279(G) 781,912(T) *NFHS Survey*

According to the National Federation of High Schools, the greatest participation by high school athletes is in high school football, with 1,023,142 boys participating at the high school level? What does this mean for your recruiting efforts? A recent recruiting services pitch we came across was as follows.... "There are 6.9 million high school athletes, how will you stand out" - “There are 254,000 seniors who play high school football. There are only 5,042 athletic scholarships awarded at the D1 level. Your odds are 1-50 that you get a scholarship.”

Sports Scholarship Limits Men's Sports (D-1) Basketball (12) (All FULL) FBS Football (25 per year/ 85 total) (All FULL) FCS Football (30 per year/ 63 total) Baseball (11.7) Cross Country/Track and Field (12.6) Fencing (4.5) Golf (4.5) Gymnastics (6.3) Hockey (18) Lacrosse (12.6) Rifle (3.6) Skiing (6.3) Soccer (9.9) Swimming and Diving (9.9) Tennis (4.5) Volleyball (4.5) Water Polo (4.5) Wrestling (9.9)

Sports Scholarship Limits Women's Sports (D-1) Basketball (15) Tennis (8) Volleyball (12) Gymnastics (12) Bowling (5) Cross Country/Track and Field (18) Equestrian (15) Fencing (5) Field Hockey (12) Golf (6) Lacrosse (12) Rowing (20) Rugby (12) Skiing (7) Soccer (14) Softball (12) Squash (12) Swimming and Diving (14) Water Polo (8)

Scholarship Myths “High school coaches get their players scholarships.” Coaches can help in the process and play a role but ultimately the player himself must get the scholarship. A player will get a scholarship based on his or her play and academic achievement.

“I received a letter from Coach Brown from Texas, so Texas is recruiting me to play football.” – Just because you receive a letter from a coach does not mean you are being recruited by them. They send out thousands of letters. When the coach contacts you via telephone or visits your home then you are being recruited! Scholarship Myths

“ Colleges do not care about size, strength, or speed. If I just play well, get named All-District, I have a chance.” - Colleges are looking to project players. What can they become and how will they fit into their program. Be realistic they are looking for the biggest and fastest players at the Division 1 Level. Scholarship Myths

“ Character does not count, no matter what I do off the field will not hurt me as long as I just make plays.” Wrong, College Athletics is a big time business. They are giving you a scholarship worth over $100, 000 in most cases. Your personal twitter, myspace, facebook all matter. Scholarship Myths

“I have great stats so I should receive a Scholarship” – College coaches do not look at stats. They evaluate by looking at film and see if you have the ability to play at their level

“ Colleges like hearing from perspective players and their parents during the recruiting process.” -College coaches want to talk to other coaches, period. Word of mouth is what will get you noticed. Your high school coach and other coaches are all that colleges realistically listen to. Scholarship Myths

How do I get Recruited ?

Academics GPA -Core Classes- English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language -A= 4 points (5 points for AP and K) -B= 3 points -C= 2 points -D= 1 point -F= 0 points

Your GPA will determine the type of score you will need on the SAT or ACT to qualify. It is based on a “sliding scale”. The higher the GPA the lower the test score you will need. The lower the GPA the higher the test score you will need. Academics

SAT and ACT Sliding Scale GPASATACT

Qualifications Division 1 – Sliding Scale (Class of 2015 is a 2.30 minimum) Division 2 – Minimum 2.00 GPA, 820 Verbal/Mathematics Combined, 68 between the four sub-groups NAIA – Two out of Three: 18 ACT or 680 SAT, Top 50% of class, 2.00 GPA or higher Division 3 – See Institution you are applying to

The NCAA Clearing House The NCAA Clearing House certifies you to play college football. It makes sure you meet the minimum academic standard for each division. You must register online at: From there they will monitor your academic progress

College Divisions Requirements Division 1(119 1A & 116 1AA)- 16 core credits Division 2 (151)- 16 core credits Division 3 (229)- Accepted into school JUCO- Accepted into school

Division I Requirements  Graduate from high school;  Complete these 16 core courses:  4 years of English  3 years of math (algebra 1 or higher)  2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered by your high school)  1 extra year of English, math or natural or physical science  2 years of social science  4 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy);  Earn a minimum required grade-point average in your core courses; and  Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core course grade-point average and test score sliding scale on page 9 (for example, a core-course grade-point average needs an 860 SAT).

Division II Requirements Graduate from high school; Complete these 16 core courses: 3 years of English 2 years of math (algebra 1 or higher) 2 years of natural or physical science (including one year of lab science if offered by your high school) 2 extra years of English, math or natural or physical science 2 years of social science 3 years of extra core courses (from any category above, or foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy); Earn a grade-point average or better in your core courses; and Earn a combined SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.

How can I help myself academically? Be successful in your academics, EARLY 33% of your core course work is done FRESHMEN YEAR Retake any classes C or below Take the SAT / ACT during your junior year Sign up for a SAT / ACT tutorial class Every point matters, 89 is 3 points 90 is 4 points

The Recruiting Process Colleges will begin to send letters & questionnaires your junior year. Be sure to always respond and return any such questionnaires promptly. Colleges will also use spring football as an evaluation period as well. Many early offers are given during spring ball. They will also use Camps as an evaluation tool.

Players Job Must have moral character, work ethic, and ability (Colleges are investing 5 years of tuition so they make sure they’re getting their money’s worth!) Complete high school with a core diploma and a GPA high enough to qualify Take the ACT or SAT and score high enough to qualify Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse Complete college applications before deadlines Visit colleges

College Coaches Job Contact references on player View film on the player They are not looking at statistics! They will Watch film on the player Contact player and parents and arrange college visitations Remember: The college coach has many recruiting rules to follow (ex. The number of times they can contact high school player and the number of visits)

High School Coaches Job Fill out questionnaires for those players he thinks have ability to play at next level (including Division 3) Arrange school visits from college coaches Send film to colleges after each season and for those who request it Contact college coaches on all potential college football players

Parents Job Complete financial aid form by the deadline (do this for any college student) Make sure: Student takes SAT/ACT Student graduates with a Core 40 diploma Student registers with NCAA clearinghouse Student completes college applications (sometimes there are fees to be paid)