Athletic Recruitment
You love sports. You were born to play, but the scouts are not knocking at your door to recruit you to a college team. We recognize that finding an athletic scholarship can be tedious, but can be a lot easier if you know the steps you need to take.
Here is a list of tips to help set you on the path for getting an athletic scholarship.
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The Internet is your most powerful recruiting tool. Easy access to video highlights and statistics lets coaches find players that fit their system. Showcasing your skills on the Internet makes the athletic recruiting process easier for both you and the coaches you want to impress.
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High School Seniors who plan to complete on the NAIA or NCAA level should get registered with the clearinghouses and meet eligibility requirements.
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The higher you score on the SAT and ACT along with having a high grade point average helps to leverage more scholarship dollars for you. College coaches are looking for players who are not just great on the playing field, but who are academically sound.
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Be sure to check the athletic recruitment page of the colleges you are interested in to complete the athletic interest form.
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Create an account with Hudl to upload the film. You could also benefit from creating a YouTube page to capture your highlights. Send the link to the coaches to review.
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When contacting coaches, attach a copy or link to your schedule. Many college athletic programs have a limited budget which impacts their travel. Sharing your schedule could help them to maximize their time and athletic recruitment schedule.
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Remember, less than 2% of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship. Ideally, you should begin thinking about athletic recruiting in the seventh or eighth grade, and by the beginning of freshman year, you should have a good understanding of the NCAA rules and core course requirements.
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The recruiting process is complicated and time-consuming, and waiting until the last minute is not a good idea if you’re looking for an athletic scholarship.
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Having the skill on the court or field doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spotted by college programs. College coaches work with experienced talent evaluators and rely on online resources to identify and discover top athletic prospects.
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Less than 1% of college athletes earn a Division I full ride. More than 1,800 colleges have athletic programs and 94% of them are outside of Division I. The majority of college athletes don’t compete in Division I, so set your expectations accordingly. Most college athletes are at the Division II, Division III, NAIA or junior college level.
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Ultimately, your athletic ability is what earns you a scholarship, but the recruiting process requires a lot of work off of the playing field. Your high school or club coach probably can’t dedicate the time that the athletic recruiting process requires.
Information retrieved fron NCSA Recruiting
Contact Mike Gilliam, Opportunities Through Athletics, Inc (OI) for information about the athletic recruitment process.
