College Planning content presented in partnership with The Sport Source
College Tips - Part 1
One of the most critical steps in the recruitment process is your direct correspondence with the college coach. Because there are often coaching changes, it is highly recommended that you contact the college athletic department to verify the current coach and the correct spelling of the name before mailing any correspondence. Compose your resume and address a personalized cover letter directly to the Soccer coach.
There are more than 2,200 soccer programs in the United States. As your research information on each college/university program that interest you, note the number of regional and national pool ODP players, and foreign players participating in the Soccer program. If a team indicates that out of 20 players, they have 7 regional ODP players, 3 national ODP players, and 2 foreign players, you can assume this to be a very strong program. Other colleges may list 7 or 8 "walk-ons" on their roster. Assess your interests and ability accordingly and remember you are a student first, and an athlete second.
Remember the 3 P’s:
I) BE PROACTIVE: Take a proactive approach to gathering information beginning the sophomore year. This should involve a system for prioritizing choices and a continuous evaluation of personal athletic and academic goals.
II) BE PERSISTENT: Once prioritized, be persistent in communicating your goals and personal interests to the program(s) of choice.
III) BE PREPARED: Prepare both athletically and academically to meet necessary eligibility and admission requirements.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
ACADEMICALLY...Will I have the desire, support, and ability to succeed here?
SOCIALLY...Will I be comfortable with my surroundings and able to grow as a person?
ATHLETICALLY...Will I contribute and become a better player?
Rules for NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA associations are different. Therefore, the recruit should always seek advice directly from the association's governing body if something seems too good to be true. Also, NCAA Division III rules vary from NCAA rules at other levels. If a recruit has questions, he/she should obtain a current copy of the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete which is published annually by the NCAA.
Visit: www.NCAA.org - Visit www.NAIA.org and Visit www.NJCAA.org
Choosing a college or university is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. It is your responsibility to know the rules.
NCAA RULES
National Collegiate Athletic Association |
|
|---|---|
700 W. Washington Ave. |
|
P.O. Box 6222 |
|
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222 |
|
Phone: 317/917-6222 Fax: 317/917-6888 |
|
Website http://www.ncaa.org |
NAIA RULES
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Headquarters |
|
|---|---|
23500 W. 105th St. |
|
P.O. Box 1325 |
|
Olathe, KS 66051 |
|
Phone (913) 791-0044 |
|
Website http://www.naia.org |
NJCAA RULES
National Junior College Athletic Association |
|
|---|---|
PO Box 7305 |
|
Colorado Spring, Colorado 80933 |
|
Phone: 719-590-9788 |
|
Fax: 719-590-7324 |
|
Website http://www.njcaa.org |
NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE
NCAA Clearinghouse |
|
|---|---|
2255 North Dubuque Rd. |
|
P.O. Box 4044 |
|
Iowa City, IA 52243-4044 |
|
Customer Service Line: 877/262-1492 (8am-5pm CST) |
|
| or 24-hr voice response: 877/861-3003 | |
Website: http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net |
As a student-athlete you need to enhance your opportunities for recruitment by helping in the process. The more knowledgeable and organized you are, the better your chances will be. Obviously, this process doesn't take the place of pure athletic ability and hard work, but if you have the talent and dedication to play at the collegiate level you need to freely communicate this to the coaches.
PRESENTING YOURSELF:
The Application and Interview
How can you improve your chances at any selective institution? Present yourself well. It will not always be the difference, but it does make a difference and you want as much on your side as possible. You have only one, two, and possibly three bona fide opportunities to do this. The first, and most important, is the application itself; the second is a campus interview or visit that you initiate; the third is the campus visit that may be initiated by the athletic department, and for some selective schools, the fourth may be an interview with a review board. For all of these the basics are the same: you want to create the most positive impression that you can without giving up spontaneity or genuineness. Fake it and you will be found out - guaranteed!
The same rules apply for personal meetings or interviews. Dress appropriately, neatly, and with good taste, including your hair, face, and fingernails. Over-dressed is always better than under-dressed, and take into account the taste in clothes for the season and region of the country you will be visiting. Make your appointment well in advance and be on time; better yet, be slightly early. If you are unavoidably detained, call and let the person know you will be late. A good rule of thumb is to prepare yourself as though your interview is with a potential employer. Do your homework on the school you are visiting and master the basic information to minimize dialogue about programs the institution does not have.
Different individuals and institutions will conduct interviews in different ways, however, most selective institutions are interested in some very basic things: What interests you? How do you invest your time? With what results? What have you gained from this? Have you pursued any outside interests in depth, and have you been recognized for this effort? Or to put it another way, they are designed to find out if you are as good in the classroom as you are on the field! Above all, spend some time collecting your thoughts before the interview.
Many student-athletes fall through the cracks of the recruiting process, while others are simply unable to make a decision about their future in education and athletics. For some, the financial situation is appealing; for others, the need to develop academically is a priority. These are all reasons that may best describe the cross section of student-athletes found in many junior colleges. Junior college affords them the opportunity to play Soccer at the collegiate level. For the most part, these student-athletes continue their education and playing careers at four-year schools. Many are recruited from the junior college setting, and many receive scholarships. These are success stories that cannot be ignored or discounted.
Click Here to learn more about the great resources from The Sport Source.
