1. The Student Athlete Recruitment Process
Winter, 2017

2. Recruited Walk-On - Student athletes that are invited to join a program but are not offered athletically related financial aid or scholarship.
Verbal commitment - A player has publicly announced a commitment, but has not yet signed the NLI (or a financial aid agreement). Often referred to simply as a "verbal".
Clearinghouse: Formerly known as the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, the NCAA Eligibility Center is the first step in the recruitment process. The Eligibility Center handles all inquiries regarding an individual's initial-eligibility status. The Eligibility Center also maintains and processes all of the initial eligibility certifications.
National Letter of Intent: An NLI is an official agreement between a student- athlete and a prospective school stating the agreement to attend that institution for one academic year in exchange for athletics aid. Once a student-athlete has signed with a prospective school, he/she can no longer be contacted by prospective schools for recruitment.
Blue Chip: Blue chip refers to a highly sought after student-athlete; usually a student-athlete who is among the top players in his/her position coming out of high school.
Terminology

3. Timeline

4. Work hard at earning good grades; GPA is a factor in eligibility.
Ask counselor for NCAA approved CORE course list. Can be viewed at eligibility center
Need to graduate on time…..4 years, 8 semesters (eligibility requirement)
Research
Marketing campaign (Top Recruits)
Unofficial visits
Grade 9

5. Initial Eligibility requirements http://slideplayer.com/slide/9248083/

6. Register with eligibility center at the beginning of sophomore year
Continue working hard on academics, if you fall behind in courses, catch up with an approved NCSAA recovery course ASAP.
Research
Marketing campaign (Top Recruits)
Unofficial visits
Grade 10

7. Students need to register to take SAT’s or ACT’s and report scores to the eligibility center using code Scores are part of the eligibility requirement.
Request a transcript to be sent to the eligibility center at the end of the year (6 full semesters)
Marketing campaign-speak to your coaches and AD
Research
Unofficial visits
Grade 11

8. Grade 12 Marketing campaign-speak to your coaches and AD
Official (paid for by the school/coach) and unofficial visits
Take SAT’s or ACT’s again if you need to
Complete Amateurism Certificate after 1st
Request final transcript to be sent to eligibility center after graduation
Grade 12

9. Recruiting Tips

10. Create a list of schools that are realistic around academics, athletics and financial aid
College list should be balanced with “reach, target and likely” schools that focus on each category above
Creatively and tactfully market yourself
Be pro-active
Understand the process and that it begins early on

11. All three areas should be a focus Realistic Probability ex.
You should research schools that meet the need on each level so that if you do not get the financial assistance, you can still pay for it. If you can no longer play athletics, you can still survive academically.
All three areas should be a focus
Realistic Probability ex.
Create a list of schools that are realistic around academics, athletics and financial aid

12. Just like any student applying for schools, there should be schools that focus around fit within a “reach” school…..their requirements exceed what you have on paper.
“Target” school….their requirements meet what you have on paper.
“Likely” school…..their requirements are lower than what you have on paper.
Creating a balanced list is imperative
College list should be balanced with “reach, target and likely” schools that focus on each category above

13. Creatively and tactfully market yourself
You should create a student-athlete profile that is one sheet long
A resume that has 1-2 pictures of yourself (1 headshot, 1 action photo) lists sports teams both in high school and club teams, achievements, awards etc.
Video of yourself not only in game situations but also during skill sessions.
Creatively and tactfully market yourself

14. Be pro-active Do not wait for coaches to seek you out.
Submit your marketing materials/portfolio to coaches you have an interest in playing for based on your research.
Follow up with an
Schedule unofficial visits
Be pro-active

15. Understand the process and that it begins early on
This process begins in 9th grade
You need to be taking the required courses and doing well academically
Researching schools, seeking out coaches is imperative early on
Understand the process and that it begins early on

16. **Sample Resume

17. NCAA & NAIA

20. Common Mistakes

21. Do not overestimate your talent Do not underestimate your talent
Do not wait for the mailbox to fill up with scholarship offers; be proactive
Do not overestimate your talent
Do not underestimate your talent
Understand that scholarships are rare
A letter in the mail does NOT mean you are being recruited
Students and parents think that grades do not matter because they are talented
Listen to the wrong people with hidden agendas
Families start the process too late
Didn’t realize the time and effort that goes into playing DI & DII
Didn’t ask themselves if they truly had the motivation
file:///C:/Users/jmazzola/Desktop/CC_Common_Mistakes_Athletic_Recruiting_Process.pdf

22. Eligibility Center
College board
NCAA
Scholarships
Resources

23. The End….Thank you!

24. Bibliography
file:///C:/Users/jmazzola/Desktop/CC_Common_Mistakes_Athletic_Recruiting_Process.pdf