Athletic Scholarship Advice for HS & JuCo Athletes
Having the opportunity to become an NCAA athlete, scholarship or walk-on player, is an honor. Only a small percentage of high school players actually move on to compete at the NCAA level, by sport: Football: 6.8% Men’s Basketball: 3.4% Women’s Basketball: 3.9% Baseball: 7.1% Men’s Soccer: 5.6% Men’s Ice Hockey: 11.7%
THE SCHOLARSHIP OFFER! What is the answer to the million dollar question—what can I do to put myself in the best position possible to get a collegiate athletic scholarship? Instead of starting this “how-to” at the very beginning with Step #1, I will start at the end, the moment that you are working so hard to get to! We’re starting …
As an athlete, let your actions speak louder than your words! College coaches make a million promises during the recruiting process, understand it won’t be as easy for you as they’ve made it sound. There will be adjustments and tough times, but they brought you there for a reason and believe in you! Some first year tips for your first …
Important Terms to Know From the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete… Contact: A contact happens any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face meeting with you or your parents off the college’s campus. Contact period: During a contact period, a college coach may have face-to-face contact with you or your parents, watch you compete …
First off, this is normal for many players. You may have hundreds of unreturned phone calls and emails—I’m not exaggerating! It’s not always easy. For most of you, it won’t be easy. There could be a few issues: #1- Are you old enough for coaches to contact you? The NCAA limits DI and DII schools, dates when coaches are allowed …
As much as college coaches are researching you as a player and evaluating you physically, they are evaluating you just as much as a person and student. Trust me, most of them do a lot of homework outside of just your height, weight, speed and stats. They want to see the whole picture and understand what type of person you …
Even the best athletes doubt themselves at some point. You will likely have many people tell you that you won’t make it, you aren’t good enough, that you aren’t talented… believe me, it’s extremely tough to tune out and ignore, but you must ignore it! What I have learned is this… the people who tell you that you will never …
Relax—GREATNESS takes time! Players don’t develop over weeks or a few months, it takes a year or years to begin to see significant differences. It’s up to you to decide if you are willing to put in the time and it’s up to you to remain mentally tough. It’s not easy, and you’re going to have to work your butt …
#1 – Chase greatness and everything else will come – Too many players are too focused on getting all of the media attention and playing the popularity contest that they never develop into great players. They put more focus on those external rewards than becoming great. I’ve been a part of a BCS (now FBS) National Championship team and worked …
#1 – VIDEO GAMES: Put the controller down!!! Play only on the weekend or give them up all together. Use that time during the week for homework or preparing for the ACT or SAT. #2 – Go out to the field or court 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late to get in extra drills every day. Encourage teammates …