Bleacher Report - Articles by Tom Kovic

The Recruiting Corner: Personal College Recruiting Websites

Tom Kovic — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:59:00 -0500

What information should be loaded on my personal college recruiting website?

I suggest a very simple approach. As you can imagine, you can load a website with a lot of stuff, but keep in mind: Coaches do not have time to navigate link after link on a website in order to get to the “meat and potatoes” of an athletic evaluation.

The two most important components of the personal website should be the skills/competition web stream and the personal profile.

Additional links (newspaper clippings, recommendations, photos, etc.) can be added at your own risk!

Make the job of evaluating academic and athletic talent as simple as possible. Your personal website can be an effective tool in assisting college coaches on their end of the recruiting process that they will appreciate greatly.

Greg Stamatov: “Renaissance Man”

Tom Kovic — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0500

Over the past six months, I have had the privilege to work with a fine young man from Foxboro, Massachusetts as he prepares for the college quest.

Greg Stamatov is a sophomore at Foxboro High School where he is a multi-sport athlete excelling at football, ice hockey, and lacrosse. As a sophomore, Greg is at a crossroad in his high school athletic career and he feels the need to focus more energy into one sport in an effort to strongly develop the skill needed to play at the Division 1 NCAA level.

As a highly touted goaltender (Greg was recently named to the 2009 Inside Lacrosse Rising Sophomore Watch list) with a keen eye in pursuing a true “student-athlete” experience, Greg is beginning to organize his personal college search plan. And with the help of his mom and dad, along with his lacrosse coaches, Greg is aiming high in an effort to attract attention from a number of the top college lacrosse programs.

Considering the level of competitiveness in the college recruiting arena, Greg shows great maturity and keen foresight for a young man. He realizes and accepts the fact that college coaches are looking to recruit strong student-athletes, but what Greg is beginning to equally embrace and appreciate is that he offers even more to lacrosse programs and college coaches and “ups the ante” by just being the young man he is.

Greg recently launched a not for profit organization named LAX General that focuses on providing used and donated lacrosse equipment to communities and potential players who would normally not have the funds or budget to purchase equipment outright, or have the resources to begin a lacrosse program.

Greg’s mission statement is simple but compelling:

“The aim of Lax General will be to entitle anyone to obtain equipment to play lacrosse. Lacrosse is a very expensive sport and it can be difficult to purchase all the necessary equipment to play. Although not everyone can meet the expenses to participate in lacrosse, everyone should have the opportunity to play.

Lax General will collect used and unwanted/unneeded lacrosse equipment for redistribution to those who can’t afford new equipment. This will provide young athletes that want to participate, but can’t afford it, a chance to play a great sport.”

“I have played lacrosse for nine years now and I have received help, advice, and great coaching thanks to the fast growing lacrosse nation. There is an endless list to people I have to thank, but now, it’s time to give back to the lacrosse nation.” Greg continues: “Lax General is a non-profit organization that puts equipment in the hands of those in need of it. Lax General is also how I’m going to “give back” to the lacrosse nation.

I love the sport and I think that everyone that wants a shot at it deserves one. I can see Lax General being a productive and constructive program reaching out to multiple communities.”

With the help of John Stamatov, Greg’s dad, Greg hopes to plant the seed of his newly formed organization in the surrounding Boston area. Through these contacts, Greg hopes that LAX General will find a greater number of young boys and girls who want to explore the sport of lacrosse and at no additional cost to the families or the community.

“I’m thrilled Greg has found a way to give back to the community and link it to something he is passionate about.” John says. “I believe too many kids get involved in community service projects simply to check a box on a college application. With Lax General, Greg is doing something that he really believes in – he’s already helped several families in town – and he can see how that has made a big difference in their lives!”

The next step may be daunting, but like any other meaningful goal, building momentum is a key component. Greg and his dad will begin soliciting local and regional lacrosse programs to determine their interest in donating used and unwanted equipment to Lax General.

Once the foundational inventory is developed, Greg looks forward to begin searching the Boston area for kids who might want to take a whack at lacrosse.

With the anticipated equipment inventory driving upward and the popularity of the program growing, Greg and his dad will also begin to identify inner city high school athletic directors and recreation officials who would be interested in starting community lacrosse programs that will benefit from the generosity of Lax General.

No doubt this project will be a labor of love for Greg Stamatov, but one that will potentially impact many boys and girls who would normally not have the opportunity to play. As daunting a task as it may seem, Greg knows in his heart it’s just plain “right” and he has the courage and determination to add one more building block to the great sport of lacrosse.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in the area of college recruiting. Tom is the author of Reaching for Excellence: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. In addition, Kovic was recently invited to speak at the 2010 US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Greg Stamatov: “Renaissance Man”

Tom Kovic — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:56 -0500

Over the past six months, I have had the privilege to work with a fine young man from Foxboro, Massachusetts as he prepares for the college quest. Greg Stamatov is a sophomore at Foxboro High School where he is a multi-sport athlete excelling at football, ice hockey and lacrosse. As a sophomore, Greg is at a crossroad in his high school athletic career and he feels the need to focus more energy into one sport in an effort to strongly develop the skill needed to play at the division 1 NCAA level.

As a highly touted goal tender (Greg was recently named to the 2009 Inside Lacrosse Rising Sophomore Watch list) with a keen eye in pursuing a true “student-athlete” experience, Greg is beginning to organize his personal college search plan. And with the help of his mom and dad, along with his lacrosse coaches, Greg is aiming high in an effort to attract attention from a number of the top college lacrosse programs.

Considering the level of competitiveness in the college recruiting arena, Greg shows great maturity and keen foresight for a young man. He realizes and accepts the fact that college coaches are looking to recruit strong student-athletes, but what Greg is beginning to equally embrace and appreciate is the fact that he offers even more to lacrosse programs and college coaches and “ups the ante” by just being the young man he is.

Greg recently launched a not for profit organization named LAX General that focuses on providing used and donated lacrosse equipment to communities and potential players who would normally not have the funds or budget to purchase equipment outright, or have the resources to begin a lacrosse program.

Greg’s mission statement is simple but compelling:

“The aim of Lax General will be to entitle anyone to obtain equipment to play lacrosse. Lacrosse is a very expensive sport and it can be difficult to purchase all the necessary equipment to play. Although not everyone can meet the expenses to participate in lacrosse, everyone should have the opportunity to play.

Lax General will collect used and unwanted/unneeded lacrosse equipment for redistribution to those who can’t afford new equipment. This will provide young athletes that want to participate, but can’t afford it, a chance to play a great sport.”

“I have played lacrosse for nine years now and I have received help, advice, and great coaching thanks to the fast growing lacrosse nation. There is an endless list of people I have to thank, but now, it’s time to give back to the lacrosse nation.” Greg continues: “Lax General is a non-profit organization that puts equipment in the hands of those in need of it. Lax General is also how I’m going to “give back” to the lacrosse nation. I love the sport and I think that everyone that wants a shot at it deserves one. I can see Lax General being a productive and constructive program reaching out to multiple communities.”

With the help of John Stamatov, Greg’s dad, Greg hopes to plant the seed of his newly formed organization in the surrounding Boston area. Through these contacts, Greg hopes that LAX General will find a greater number of young boys and girls who want to explore the sport of lacrosse and at no additional cost to the families or the community.

“I’m thrilled Greg has found a way to give back to the community and link it to something he is passionate about.” John says. “I believe too many kids get involved in community service projects simply to check a box on a college application. With Lax General, Greg is doing something that he really believes in—he’s already helped several families in town—and he can see how that has made a big difference in their lives!”

The next step may be daunting, but like any other meaningful goal, building momentum is a key component. Greg and his dad will begin soliciting local and regional lacrosse programs to determine their interest in donating used and unwanted equipment to Lax General. Once the foundational inventory is developed, Greg looks forward to begin searching the Boston area for kids who might want to take a whack at lacrosse.

With the anticipated equipment inventory driving upward and the popularity of the program growing, Greg and his dad will also begin to identify inner city high school athletic directors and recreation officials who would be interested in starting community lacrosse programs that will benefit from the generosity of Lax General.

No doubt this project will be a labor of love for Greg Stamatov, but one that will potentially impact many boys and girls who would normally not have the opportunity to play. As daunting a task as it may seem, Greg knows in his heart it’s just plain “right” and he has the courage and determination to add one more building block to the great sport of lacrosse.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting , where he provides individual advisement for families in the area of college recruiting. Tom is the author of Reaching for Excellence: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. In addition, Kovic was recently invited to speak at the 2010 US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com .

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0400

Time is crucial regarding college recruiting. Can I get it all done?

Any worthy goal can be reached and some goals require more time and attention than others. The key to successfully navigating the college recruiting process is planning. If you have a plan in place, even if it is a “catch up” plan, you will give yourself the best chance in reaching your goals.

Develop your plan with detail and confidence. You do not want to just "throw something together" and swing for the seats. It would be better to have less time and an impeccable plan than to have too much time and a mediocre plan. Remember, your confidence level is half the battle here!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:42:00 -0400

What additional information should I looking for on the campus visit?

Keep your eyes and ears wide open and pay close attention to the tone of the environment. Watch closely to how the team interacts with the coaching staff and vice versa. Are the kids happy? Do they seem enthusiastic about being part of the program? Do the administrators respond with care and enthusiasm to your questions? Are the admissions representatives sincere in their general excitement and pride as a college representative? Take the entire trip “in” and by the end of your stay, you will have a strong feeling in your heart about the general “tone” of the college environment.

The Recruiting Corner: Financial Aid

Tom Kovic — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:39:00 -0400

What can I do to prepare best for negotiating financial aid effectively?

• Keep records of everything you submit to each institution and maintain easy access to this information.
• Work efficiently and build your financial aid time-lines into the general application deadlines for either the early or regular decision period.
• Be proactive in requesting financial “pre-reads” through the coach, who will most likely write a recommendation for you to support your package.
• Match up your responses from competing institutions.
• Maintain very accurate financial records and double check everything. Leaving information out (that investment property etc.) could be the difference between a fair and a great package.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:49:00 -0400

What is a verbal scholarship offer?

Verbal offers are becoming more popular these days and for good reason. The competition within the college coaching ranks for the best players, coupled with the tremendous pressure coaches have in maintaining winning programs is fierce. Therefore, the stakes become higher and the recruiting process begins earlier.

A verbal scholarship offer is a “non binding” agreement that says in principle that a college coach will “hold” an athletics scholarship for the prospect who is willing to make the same verbal commitment to attend the coach’s institution.

Juniors, sophomores and even freshmen athletes can receive verbal offers, but nothing is “written in stone” until the prospect signs the National Letter of Intent. Each party may walk away from the agreement at anytime.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:22:00 -0400

What type of contacts should I avoid with college coaches?

One inadvertent error families and their children might make regarding contacts with college coaches is approaching them “face-to-face” well before the allowable time when off-campus contacts are permissible by NCAA rules.

This casual "meeting" can become a very awkward situation that might cause a loss of confidence in the eyes of the prospect and the family if they do not understand the specific contact rules.

Remember, prospects and families are not permitted to have face-to-face, off-campus contacts with coaches until after their junior year of high school (and after July 1 in D-1). If such a contact occurs, coaches are permitted to only say “hello” and remind the family about the NCAA contact rules.

Please don’t think the coach is being rude. He’s just following the rules!

The NCAA Recruiting Corner: Unraveling Eligibility

Tom Kovic — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:21:00 -0400

How do I determine if I am eligible to practice and compete once I arrive on campus in my freshman year in college?

The eligibility process can be long and sometimes frustrating, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Considering the tens of thousands of prospects who register on an annual basis, the NCAA Eligibility Center is an extraordinary organization that manages to process this information with near perfect accuracy.

Each institution should have a compliance director that will work in concert with the NCAA EC in gathering eligibility information while keeping varsity coaches posted to the eligibility progress of their prospects. Trust me, if there are any "red flags" from the NCAA EC, the compliance officer will alert the coach who will communicate the need for additional information to the prospect and family.

The Role of Parents in College Athletics Recruiting

Tom Kovic — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:29:00 -0400

The search among colleges for athletes has grown more complicated and increasingly competitive, especially during the past 10 years. There are countless components that require attention in developing and executing a successful plan of action, along with several key "players" who make up the team that run the offense.

Parents can play a significant role in the recruiting process and, in my opinion, they should make an active commitment to enthusiastically assist their children from start to finish in what will be a very important life decision.

What follows is my take on how parents can effectively participate in helping their kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.

Clarity

The best starting point for any dream or goal is to first establish clear objectives and timelines. Begin with the end game in mind and work backwards to the starting point of your plan. As you move backwards through the recruiting process, you will notice "checkpoints" along the way that you will eventually encounter. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of "things to do."

Parents have the opportunity to not only encourage their children to envision the process, but to take an active role in creating it. Half the battle in reaching any goal is to understand the mission and create an educational yet fun approach. The more we encourage our kids to take an active role in controlling their destiny, the greater the chance that they will appreciate the level of confidence mom and dad has in them.

Team

I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting and in developing a group of key members who each play a significant role in moving the process forward. Not only can this approach be effective, it will be welcomed by our kids. Student-athletes have a tremendous amount on their personal plates and developing a plan that spreads the recruiting assignments out will create a much happier camper.

Parents who have cultivated strong relationships with "typical" team members (guidance counselors, high school and club coach, etc.) can begin to lay the groundwork to suggest specific roles that will be played out by each team member. Moms and dads can organize occasional team meetings at the house where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will turn to high school and club coaches, guidance counselors and colleagues in an effort to gather information about the prospects they recruit, but they need to act as a resource for families as well. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad. But when you break it down, college coaches want to see the prospect for who she truly is.

One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be an active and independent player in the college quest. It encourages proactive preparation, the development of communication skills and it fosters the courage to stand alone in a worthy attempt to take the leap of faith into the recruiting arena.

What might seem nearly impossible for some prospects in the beginning will grow to a more confident approach with more practice and experience. Remember, college coaches are looking for three key ingredients in a prospect: strong athletic ability, sound academic progress and a personal character that rises above the rest. Let’s give our kids the opportunity to stand alone with confidence.

Communication with College Coaches

Personally, I encourage parents to play a very active role in communicating with the college coaches. The final college choice our kids make will be an important one and parents should be there every step of the way.

Certain areas of the college search immediately come to mind as important for parents to be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.

Equally important for parents to develop is the patience to yield in certain areas of the recruiting process, especially when our kids appear to be stumbling. Making mistakes, or feeling a level of uncertainty is commonplace for prospects as they navigate the nuances of recruiting. But when the dust settles, our kids will appreciate us more for allowing them to experience the "good struggle." Remember, college coaches want to see our children shine, but they also want to see how they respond when their backs are in the corner.

Red Flags

There are several red flags that could go up in the minds of college coaches. A few tips:

• In face-to-face interviews with college coaches where parents are present, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
• Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to the prospect.
• E-mail is used more than any form of communication in recruiting and although we want our kids to express themselves grammatically correct, parents should encourage the final draft to come from the prospect and in their words.
• The tough questions should be timed appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship for your son. Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: plant; cultivate; grow.

The rule of thumb in avoiding red flags is simple. First, develop a positive relationship built on trust, honesty and respect and keep the door of communication clear and always open.

Second, parents will serve their children best by maintaining their position on the field and allowing their children the opportunity to make the play in the recruiting effort.

Conclusion

Simply stated, we desperately want out children to succeed and make "right" and well thought-out choices and the college search should be no different. Many of us, though, can’t help ourselves from controlling situations, especially when it appears our kids are struggling. College coaches recruit families as much as they recruit prospects and the old adage is true: "The nut doesn’t fall too far from the tree."

Parents can play an impactful role in college recruiting. The best gift we can offer our kids is the freedom to spread their wings and fly. Focus on everything that is positive and fun in the college search and even when it appears our kids seem doubtful and frustrated, have the faith in their resiliency to rebound and advance the quest with confidence and self reliance.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence,” an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright 2009 Victory Collegiate Consulting

The Role Of Parents In College Recruiting

Tom Kovic — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:52:53 -0400

The college search for athletes has grown more complicated and increasingly competitive, especially during the past 10 years. There are countless components that require attention in developing and executing a successful plan of action, along with several key “players” who make-up the team that run the offense.

Parents can play a significant role in the recruiting process and in my opinion; they should make an active commitment to enthusiastically assist their children from start to finish in what will be a very important life decision.

What follows is my take on how parents can effectively participate in helping their kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.

Clarity

The best starting point for any dream or goal is to firstly establish clear objectives and time-lines. Begin with the end game in mind and work backwards to the starting point of your plan. As you move backwards through the recruiting process, you will notice “checkpoints” along the way that you will eventually encounter. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”

Parents have the opportunity to not only encourage their children to envision the process, but to take an active role in creating it. Half the battle in reaching any goal is to understand the mission and create an educational, yet fun approach! The more we encourage our kids to take an active role in controlling their destiny, the greater the chance that they will appreciate the level of confidence mom and dad has in them.

Team

I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting and in developing a group of key members who each play a significant role in moving the process forward. Not only can this approach be effective, it will be welcomed by our kids. Student-athletes have a tremendous amount on their “personal plates” and developing a plan that spreads the recruiting assignments out will create a much happy camper!

Parents who have cultivated strong relationships with “typical” team members (guidance counselors, high school and club coach etc.) can begin to lay the groundwork to suggest specific roles that will be played out by each team member. Moms and dads can organize occasional team meetings at the house where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will turn to high school and club coaches, guidance counselors and colleagues in an effort to gather information about the prospects they recruit, but they need to act as a resource for families as well. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad, but when you break it down; college coaches want to see the prospect for who she truly is.

One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be an active and independent player in the college quest. It encourages proactive preparation, the development of communication skills and it fosters the courage to stand alone in a worthy attempt to take the leap of faith into the recruiting arena.

What might seem nearly impossible for some prospects in the beginning, will grow to a more confident approach with more practice and experience. Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong athletic ability, sound academic progress and a personal character that rises above the rest. Let’s give our kids the opportunity to stand alone and with confidence.

Communication with College Coaches

Personally, I encourage parents to play a very active role in communicating with the college coaches. The final college choice our kids make will be an important one and parents should be there every step of the way.

Certain areas of the college search immediately come to mind as “important” for parents to be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.

Equally important for parents to develop is the patience to “yield” in certain areas of the recruiting process, especially when our kids appear to be “stumbling.” Making mistakes, or feeling a level of uncertainty is commonplace for prospects as they navigate the nuances of recruiting, but when the dust settles, our kids will appreciate us more for allowing them to experience the “good struggle.” Remember, college coaches want to see our children “shine,” but they also want to see how they respond when their backs are in the corner.

Red Flags

There are several “red flags” that could go up in the minds of college coaches and below are just a few tips:

In face to face interviews with college coaches where parents are present, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to the prospect.
E-mail is used more than any form of communication in recruiting and although we want our kids to express themselves “grammatically correct,” parents should encourage the final draft to come from the prospect and in their words.
The “tough” questions should be timed appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship for your son! Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: Plant; cultivate; grow.

The rule of thumb in avoiding red flags is simple. First, develop a positive relationship built on trust, honesty and respect and keep the door of communication clear and always open. Secondly, parents will serve their children best by maintaining their position on the field and allowing their children the opportunity to make the play in the recruiting effort.

Conclusion

Simply stated, we desperately want out children to succeed and make “right” and well thought out choices and the college search should be no different. Many of us though, can’t help ourselves from controlling situations, especially when it appears our kids are struggling. College coaches recruit families as much as they recruit prospects and the old adage is true: “The nut doesn’t fall too far from the tree!”

Parents can play an impactful role in college recruiting and the best gift we can offer our kids is the freedom to spread their wings and fly. Focus on everything that is positive and fun in the college search and even when it appears our kids seem doubtful and frustrated, have the faith in their resiliency to rebound and to advance the quest with confidence and self reliance.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:35:00 -0400

How far in advance should we plan for the college recruiting process?

I suggest developing a planning calendar “one year out” that will be general as you begin the college search, but will begin to fill in as the year progresses. Note everything from SAT test dates, and application deadlines, to your date for the Halloween dance! An organized calendar will help you avoid any unnecessary conflicts.

Not only will you be committing to an organized approach to the college quest, you will begin to develop a new routine to a potentially daunting effort. This newly acquired skill will serve you well down the road!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:45:00 -0400

When are the best times to contact coaches by phone?

Tracking down coaches can be quite a challenge and finding the right time to connect with them is important. Most coaches are practicing with their teams on weekdays between 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

If you want to give yourself the best chances in connecting with the coach in his office by phone, I suggest calling him between 11 am and 2:00 pm. This can be very difficult, especially if the prospect is in school and I suggest talking with your guidance counselor and ask her if you can use her office area to call coaches during your free periods.

That being said, I suggest asking the coaches for their cell numbers and determine the best time to call. Remember, coaches are restricted, in most cases to initiate one phone call per week!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:54:00 -0400

What information should be loaded on my personal recruiting website?

I suggest a very simple approach. As you can imagine, one could load a website with a lot of stuff! Coaches do not have time to navigate link after link on a website and I urge the athletes and families I advise to develop a "user friendly" site.

The two most important links you will need to post will be the skill and game webstream and the personal profile. Additional links (newspaper clippings, recommendations, photos etc.) can be added at your discretion.

Remember, your aim here is to assist the college coaches in doing a quality and timely evaluation of your academic and athletic ability!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:53:00 -0400

What athletic credentials should be included in the personal profile?

This is obviously a “sports specific” question, but here are some general tips to consider:

• You want to provide athletic statistics (games played, goals, assists, points etc.) for the college coaches from the most recent season of play.
• Include a short list of key tournaments, showcases and camps where you have participated and any noteworthy accomplishments.
• Share any athletic “honors and awards you have received.
• Include your height, weight and physical performance tests (bench press, 100 meter time etc.) that are sport specific.

Keep it simple and to the point and make the job of "evaluation" an easy one for the college coaches!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:51:00 -0400

Are non-scholarship athletes bound by the same NCAA rules as scholarship athletes?

Yes, they are!

Whether you are a scholarship athlete, or a walk-on candidate, you are bound by the same NCAA rules of eligibility and recruitment. As long as you have the desire to play for an NCAA-sponsored team, you need to abide by certain rules and procedures as you navigate the college search.

On the other hand, if you wish to play for a college club sport or recreational team (and by the way, there are tremendous opportunities out there), you are not bound by rules established by the NCAA.

Recruiting Corner: Planning a Campus Visit

Tom Kovic — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:45:00 -0400

Should I alert the coach prior to an unofficial campus visit?

If you are planning a “road trip” to a college campus, check the admissions schedule for tours and information sessions by calling the office of admissions directly.

The next step is to contact the coach either by e-mail or phone to introduce yourself and alert him to your impending visit.

Make a concentrated effort in arranging a face-to-face meeting and if the head coach is not available, try setting up a meeting with the assistant coach.

I suggest bringing a hard copy of your portfolio to drop off with the coach. The portfolio should include an introduction letter, transcripts, personal profile, standardized test scores, a letter of recommendation, and an updated recruit DVD.

This will demonstrate a proactive effort and your willingness to assist the coach in doing an initial evaluation.

It is important to arrange these visits and initiate communication with the coaches six-eight weeks prior to the time you plan to arrive on campus.

Remember, the campus visit is very important and you should do your best to get the best bang for your buck when preparing for the trip!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:17:00 -0400

Is registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center a “quick” process?

No! There could be upwards of 100,000 prospective student-athletes registering with the service and it can be a time consuming process. Remember, it is a two step process. Step 1 is painless and will take about 20 minutes. Go

to: https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/ and you will be guided step by step.

Step 2 is a more tedious process where you need to forward all of your core course information, along with the results from your standardized testing to the EC. I suggest you stay ahead of the game. With the help of your guidance counselor and by taking a proactive effort, the registration process should progress effectively.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:43:00 -0400

What is the “organizer” as it pertains to college recruiting?

The organizer is a system of gathering, filtering and maintaining any information you receive or save that has to do with college recruiting. The system of organization depends solely on what works best for the prospect and family.

Some folks are very comfortable with the standard “paper” system and using the old filing cabinet. Others utilize complicated software and programs that keep all there information a “click away.”

Personally, I find the Microsoft Excel program to be the simplest means of organizing electronic communication and maintenance of communication notes, while maintaining a backup record of important “hard” paper files in the old file cabinet!

Regardless of the system you use, the better organized the prospect is in keeping recruiting records in order and developing an efficient means of accessing this information, the more efficient the process.

College Recruiting 102: Awaken the Wizard

Tom Kovic — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:21:00 -0400

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head during an introspective moment, in an attempt to figure out how someone or some team grabbed the brass ring before you did?

I have! It can be a low and frustrating inner debate, but in most cases the difference between success and failure can be a very fine line and the game changer was simply that the other guy “found it” and you didn’t.

This is a very simple statement to make and the probable solution to a challenge that haunts a lot of us in many areas of our lives, but by making a dedicated effort to “awaken the wizard” inside of us could be the first step in moving to new and exciting personal levels, including the college search.

Awakening the wizard is just a simple phrase and nothing more. What it means to me though, is the opportunity to tap tremendous personal potential that for many of us remains dormant.

It is the ability to take risks, remain committed, and do things that, from a normal perspective, might seem ridiculous at best.

What follows is my take on how prospects and families can reach deep and find that inner “dormant wizard” and shake him up a bit in an effort to transform the college recruiting process into a “quest” rather than just another “chore.”

The college search for athletes may appear on the surface as a natural challenge, when in reality it is altogether another beast to tame! If you happen to be one of those blessed “blue chip” athletes that rank amongst the top five or 10 percent of athletes in the country, your college search will be a lot different and a bit more facilitated.

College coaches are, for the most part, brilliant recruiters…they’re going to find you! But what about the majority of high school athletes who do not fall into the “A” file, but are looking to compliment their college experience with a strong athletic component and play and compete for a worthy college program?

Their strategy is going to be slightly different. They will need to awaken the wizard and make every attempt to find it.

When Jul. 1, 2009 came and passed and you were sitting by the phone for the coaches to call, was it a long wait? My guess is yes!

Being proactive and making every effort to initiate contact with the coaches is not only a strongly suggested approach to “getting on the radar screen,” it is permissible and it will be, in most cases, much appreciated by the college coaches.

This suggestion may appear simple at first, but typically, the closer prospects get to picking up the phone and placing the call, the more the “butterflies in the stomach” seem to accumulate!

Essentially, prospects have two choices here: either they can continue to put off the initial contact with the coaches, or they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, prepare for the contact and take a “leap of faith.”

Remember, all of us have had our first date, first varsity game, or first whack at the SAT exam. “Firsts” will be with us throughout a lifetime. It takes courage to bridge gaps into the unknown, and navigating the college quest is no different.

Tournaments, showcases, combines, and other college recruiting events are becoming more and more popular these days and they provide college coaches with the opportunity to evaluate talented prospects throughout the country.

I strongly suggest that prospects take advantage of these events, but don’t just “show-up.” Research a manageable list of events and try to determine the consistent level of attendance that college coaches have shown over the past few years.

Additionally, when you have lined up the events you plan to attend, do not hesitate to contact the college coaches on your current recruiting list to let them know you have sincere interest in their program and invite them to watch you play. It just takes a little time, organization, and a willingness to “execute.” YOU have to make it happen.

Stirring up the wizard inside is a lot like developing and maintaining momentum in any given challenge. It’s not a sometime thing…It’s an all the time thing, and the moment you think you have it licked is the moment you will begin to lose ground.

Remember, all the wizard represents is the personal potential each of us has to offer. Thinking about it is one thing…committing to making it happen is altogether different.

If you believe in your heart that college entrance and the opportunity to play and compete as part of an NCAA program will simply “open up” and lie at your feet, you will most likely be disappointed with the results.

That being said, the prospect and family who maintain a positive approach with a willingness to impeccably organize and manage their college search, while making a full and complete “active” commitment to the plan, will be giving themselves the best chances at success.

Several years ago and toward the end of my college coaching career I clearly recall a couple of lean years where my program was mediocre at best and we were not meeting the high standards I always set.

I took personal responsibility, but I found myself focusing on just about everything “negative.” I was in a downward spiral and I knew I needed to get back on track.

Joel Fish, who heads The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia (www.psychologyofsport.com), was instrumental in helping many of my teams and I enjoy championship success and I immediately turned to him for advice.

Not surprisingly, Joel offered me the same advice he offered all of my athletes: “You're digging your own hole to hide in and paying more attention to everything that could go wrong, rather than remembering who you are and focusing on all you can accomplish.”

Joel simply reminded me that I am the one in the driver’s seat and I have the ability to act and react to any situation…at anytime. I simply needed to take the advice I had given my athletes all along and remind myself that the true measure of a champion is not when things are going well, but when our backs are in the corner. I had to find it!

If we are determined to give ourselves every reason NOT to make a proactive effort in executing a worthy plan of action, then the best developed plans will remain in a state of potential and nothing more.

Conversely, if we are willing to see each goal we present ourselves with as an opportunity to move to new and higher personal levels and with an unyielding willingness to commit, I truly believe we are half way there.

The college search for prospective student-athletes has evolved into a very competitive arena and one that will continue to be more challenging to navigate in years to come.

You can choose to hope for the best, or you can choose to roll your sleeves up and get busy. The dream to participate in college sports is a passion shared by many of our sons and daughters in an effort to compliment a tremendous four year experience and I suggest you “pick up the baton and run.”

Just as our boys and girls have committed countless hours to grow their athletic skill that carried them to their current level of success, so can a meaningful and dedicated effort help our student-athletes find the right college match. I encourage you therefore to rise up, stay focused, and swing for the seats.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual family advisement and guidance on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

College Recruiting 102: Awaken the Wizard

Tom Kovic — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:18:50 -0400

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head during an introspective moment, in an attempt to figure out how someone or some team grabbed the brass ring before you did? I have! It can be a low and frustrating inner debate, but in most cases the difference between success and failure can be a very fine line and the game changer was simply that… The other guy “found it” and you didn’t.

Awakening the wizard is just a simple phrase and nothing more. What it means to me though, is the opportunity to tap tremendous personal potential that for many of us remains dormant. It is the ability to take risks, remain committed, and do things that, from a normal perspective, might seem ridiculous at best.

The college search for athletes may appear on the surface as a natural challenge, when in reality it is altogether another beast to tame! If you happen to be one of those blessed “blue chip” athletes that rank amongst the top 5-10 percent of athletes in the country, your college search will be a lot different and a bit more facilitated.

College coaches are, for the most part, brilliant recruiters… They’re going to find you! But what about the majority of high school athletes who do not fall into the “A” file, but are looking to compliment their college experience with a strong athletic component and play and compete for a worthy college program? Their strategy is going to be slightly different. They will need to awaken the wizard and make every attempt to find it.

When July 1, 2009 came and passed and you were sitting by the phone for the coaches to call. Was it a long wait? My guess is yes! Being proactive and making every effort to initiate contact with the coaches is not only a strongly suggested approach to “getting on the radar screen,” it is permissible and it will be, in most cases, much appreciated by the college coaches.

This suggestion may appear simple at first, but typically, the closer prospects get to picking up the phone and placing the call, the more the “butterflies in the stomach” seem to accumulate! E

ssentially, prospects have two choices here: Either they can continue to put off the initial contact with the coaches, or they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, prepare for the contact and take a “leap of faith.” Remember, all of us have had our first date, first varsity game, or first whack at the SAT exam. “Firsts” will be with us throughout a lifetime. It takes courage to bridge gaps into the unknown, and navigating the college quest is no different.

Tournaments, showcases, combines, and other college recruiting events are becoming more and more popular these days and they provide college coaches with the opportunity to evaluate talented prospects throughout the country.

Stirring up the wizard inside is a lot like developing and maintaining momentum in any given challenge. It’s not a sometime thing…It’s an all the time thing, and the moment you think you have it licked is the moment you will begin to lose ground. Remember, all the wizard represents is the personal potential each of us has to offer. Thinking about it is one thing…Committing to making it happen is altogether different.

If you believe in your heart that college entrance and the opportunity to play and compete as part of an NCAA program will simply “open up” and lie at your feet, you will most likely be disappointed with the results. That being said, the prospect and family who maintain a positive approach with a willingness to impeccably organize and manage their college search, while making a full and complete “active” commitment to the plan, will be giving themselves the best chances at success.

Several years ago and toward the end of my college coaching career I clearly recall a couple of lean years where my program was mediocre at best and we were not meeting the high standards I always set. I took personal responsibility, but I found myself focusing on just about everything “negative.” I was in a downward spiral and I knew I needed to get back on track.

Joel Fish, who heads The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia (www.psychologyofsport.com), was instrumental in helping many of my teams and I enjoy championship success and I immediately turned to him for advice. Not surprisingly, Joel offered me the same advice he offered all of my athletes. “Your digging your own hole to hide in and paying more attention to everything that could go wrong, rather than remembering who you are and focusing on all you can accomplish,” he said.

Joel simply reminded me that I am the one in the driver’s seat and I have the ability to act and react to any situation…at anytime. I simply needed to take the advice I had given my athletes all along and remind myself that the true measure of a champion is not when things are going well, but when our backs are in the corner. I had to find it!

If we are determined to give ourselves every reason NOT to make a proactive effort in executing a worthy plan of action, then the best developed plans will remain in a state of potential and nothing more. Conversely, if we are willing to see each goal we present ourselves with as an opportunity to move to new and higher personal levels and with an unyielding willingness to commit, I truly believe we are half way there.

The college search for prospective student-athletes has evolved into a very competitive arena and one that will continue to be more challenging to navigate in years to come. You can choose to hope for the best, or you can choose to roll your sleeves up and get busy.

The dream to participate in college sport is a passion shared by many of our son’s and daughters in an effort to compliment a tremendous four year experience and I suggest you “pick up the baton and run.”

Just as our boy’s and girl’s have committed countless hours to grow their athletic skill that carried them to their current level of success, so can a meaningful and dedicated effort help our student-athletes find the right college match. I encourage you therefore to rise up, stay focused and swing for the seats.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual family advisement and guidance on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:40:00 -0400

How do I approach college coaches about my chances in admissions?

I suggest a tactful approach. For select academic, non athletic scholarship schools, the recruiting strategy is a bit different. The “brass ring” is not in the acquisition of scholarship money as much as it is for the potential support the college coach can lend the prospect in admissions. By developing a sincere and personal relationship, and providing the college coach with the necessary information he needs to do an accurate academic and athletic evaluation, it will be and ongoing process. From here, let the relationship play out one step at a time.

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:23:00 -0400

What are the advantages of having a personal recruiting website?

One stop shopping! Think about it for a second. College coaches are bombarded with a lot of information from prospects and high school and club coaches and it can become overwhelming! My suggestion is that simplifying the evaluation process for the college coach will not only streamline the process, the coaches will appreciate the effort.

By creating a personal website, the prospect can include a copy of his personal profile, video link, copy of his high school transcripts etc. in an effort to “condense” all the information the coaches need to do a quick, yet efficient evaluation. And all the prospect needs to do is provide the coaches with the link!

The Recruiting Corner: A Guide For Future College Student Athletes

Tom Kovic — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:45:00 -0400

How can I prepare best for the official visit?

I suggest doing your homework before taking any official visit. You are allowed only one official visit to any particular institution and you want to make it count. By “boning up” before the trip (gathering general information about the school, academic programs, majors requirements, team statistics etc), you will come in as an educated consumer. This will impress the coach and the members of the staff.

Develop a separate short list of questions for the coaching staff and for the members of the team. I suggest building your questions around a few general topic areas (Academic support, team philosophy, individual student-athlete expectations, and student-athlete benefits) and then narrow your list from there.

The Recruiting Corner: Becoming Eligible

Tom Kovic — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:37:00 -0400

What is the most effective way to navigate NCAA eligibility?

Personally, I like to keep things simple, and working with The Eligibility Center shouldn't be treated any differently. Eligibility is a simple, two-step process.

First, I suggest the family register with the EC online after the junior year grades are in.

Simply go here, click “prospective student-athlete,” and let the Web site walk you through.

You will need a credit card (the fee is currently $50.00) and it takes about 15 minutes.

Secondly, you will need to work closely with your guidance counselor.

I suggest meeting with your counselor after your sophomore year to determine your core course progress, and see if you are on track. Let the counselor know you are interested in participating in college athletics and that you will be a willing participant in the process.

Your guidance counselor will forward all the necessary core course information and standardized testing to the EC for review and hopefully in a timely manner!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:24:00 -0400

Beyond an organized approach, how does the team approach in college recruiting help?

More than anything, the team approach accomplishes two very important tasks.

First, it creates stability and confidence in the prospect, who knows he has a group of people who not only share his vision, but are willing to work tirelessly on his behalf to assist him in finding the right college match.

Second, the team approach encourages distribution of duties relative to college recruiting that can potentially become overwhelming and frustrating. The team approach encourages a collaborative system that draws strength from individual participants in a specific area of college recruiting.

Think of it like this: It’s very difficult for a baseball pitcher to catch his fastball too!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:28:00 -0400

Are there simple and effective programs to use to stay organized during the college recruiting process?

Each of us has a system of organization that works best and I encourage you guys to use your individual strengths here. If you resist electronic filing, then go with the paper file option, but what is important is to create a system that is timely and efficient.

If you choose the electronic option, I find Microsoft Excel to be a very simple and efficient program that organizes masses of information effectively. You can maintain all of your college coach contact information and create and even "hide" notes for future reference. If it can work for me, it can work for anyone!

The Recruiting Corner

Tom Kovic — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:12:00 -0400

What roadblocks should I avoid in communicating with coaches?

First impressions are remembered well, and I would make every effort to prepare well and with confidence for your first encounter with the coach. You are trying to accomplish two important tasks with the initial contact: Get on the radar screen and plant the seed that will hopefully grow into a lasting relationship.

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! Make a proactive effort in contacting the coach by phone or e-mail and stick with it. Like anything else, you will begin to develop a regular routine of proactive communication and thereby reach a comfort level that may have been missing.

Recruiting Tips for the Late Starters

Tom Kovic — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:52:00 -0400

I was a two-sport athlete in high school and I was pretty good. Not that I was the blue chip kid all the coaches were drooling after, but I was a New York State Champion gymnast and State runner up in track and field.

I really did not know much of anything regarding skillful tactics in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches, and quite honestly, I did not begin the recruiting process until well into my senior year of high school.

I’m thankful that both the track and field and gymnastics coaches at Temple were paying attention late in the process and I was very fortunate to receive a full athletics scholarship.

My brief story is a valuable one and for only one reason. Don’t do what I did! What follows are suggested strategies for athletes and families who feel they might be a bit behind in the college quest.

What You Shouldn’t Do

If you happen to feel a little disoriented with the college search and that feeling of frustration is creeping in, don’t’ panic!

When faced with any obstacle, where time is a crucial factor, we tend to think firstly of everything that could go wrong in an attempt to size up the situation. This only complicates the matter further and creates a potentially negative approach to the issue.

Additionally, late starters typically react by flooding the college coaches with information and communication in an attempt to at least “connect with someone.” This will immediately be picked up by the college coaches as an act of desperation and I strongly discourage prospects from taking this approach.

Another reaction many families might feel compelled to execute is to take the first good offer that comes along. Whether it's an offer to tryout for a team or be invited as a walk-on, I will admit there is a feeling of comfort when a coach shows sincere interest in a prospect, especially late in the game.

What You Should Do

With every important decision we make, it's important to maintain clarity in thinking.

No matter how overwhelming the current moment may appear, take the time to sit down as a family and adequately size up the situation. Do everything you can to keep negative thoughts at bay and maintain a positive approach to what may seem like a difficult journey. Remember the old saying, “Think you can, think you can’t, either way you’re right.”

Just like a good coach and a worthy team who is behind a goal or two with just a few minutes left in the game, approach your personal situation with the end game in mind and work yourself slowly back to present time.

An organized and well thought out plan of action will give families and their children the best chance at success. Whether it's effective communication with coaches or planning that mid-August road trip to a half dozen schools, take a “team effort” in developing a step-by-step approach, with targets and time-lines that will most likely be demanding, but doable.

The best laid plans are only as good as the manner in which they are executed and this is where your persistence and determination come into play.

If your target for the day is to contact five college coaches by phone and communicate your family’s plans to make a visit to campus in three weeks, you have to do it. It might take 25 attempts to connect with each of the five college coaches, but you must remain diligent and stay the course. Like hurdles in a race, you want to clear one at a time with unyielding focus on each individual hurdle.

Let the result of the race take care of itself!

Tips To Jumpstart Your Late Start

One of the first steps should be to either create or edit your personal resume.

By developing an easy to read, one page personal profile, you not only inform the college coach to who you are and what you have accomplished, but it will allow the coach to do a quick and efficient initial evaluation. Keep this document to no longer than one page and include your academic and athletic highlights, along with any extracurricular leadership initiatives you have participated in.

On that note, you need to provide the coach with a simple, but effective way to evaluate your skill as a player. Round up your recent season game footage and pick out five-to-six minutes of your best stuff. Save it to your laptop and burn as many DVD’s as necessary, to send to your consolidated list of schools…that’s next!

Streamline your list of colleges and universities that potentially fit your academic and athletic profile.

I suggest a well balanced list of Division 1, 2, and 3 schools that meet your immediate needs (geographic region, size of undergraduate student body, etc.). Develop a detailed contact list of the schools, coach’s names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses and save it to your recruiting folder. Add a separate list of “hard addresses” for the coaches in case they request a portfolio or when you are getting ready to ship your DVD.

Consolidate and Communicate

Now that you are moving the boulder forward, it will be important to maintain the momentum you have created.

Getting information in the hands of the college coaches is one thing…following up is another matter altogether!

Remember, the college recruiting process is not about flooding the college coaches with information, it's about developing relationships and the best approach in this situation is to take a proactive effort in connecting with the coaches. Coaches are being bombarded with hundreds of inquiries of interest from high school prospects and do not have the time to personally respond to every athlete.

You have to take hold of the baton and run the race; the best way to determine where you stand in the eyes of the coaches is to contact them directly.

Plan a Road Trip

If you reach this point in the recruiting process, and I hope you do, there will be a lot of action happening and your recruiting plan will begin to get some legs.

Taking a road trip should be a top priority for families and unofficial campus visits are a great way to take a look under the hood in an attempt to determine potential matches for their sons and daughters. Make every attempt not to just “show up.” Communicate with the coaches in an effort to coordinate a face-to-face meeting with your campus visit.

Personal visits can make a big difference for certain prospects and I strongly suggest making the best of your road trip.

If you sense you are either late in executing your plans for the college recruiting process, or feel the need to jumpstart your plan of attack, avoid any negative energy that will contribute to a loss of focus in the process.

Maintain a positive approach and use a team effort in reorganizing your quest with clarity and direction and you will give yourself the greatest chance at success.

College Recruiting Jumpstart for the Late Starters

Tom Kovic — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:52:47 -0400

I was a two-sport athlete in high school and I was pretty good. Not that I was the blue chip kid all the coaches were drooling after, but I was a New York State Champion Gymnast and State runner up in Track and Field.

I really did not know much of anything regarding skillful tactics in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches and quite honestly, did not begin the recruiting process until well into my senior year of high school.

I’m thankful that both the Track and Field and Gymnastics coaches at Temple were paying attention late in the process and I was very fortunate to receive a full athletics scholarship.

My brief story is a valuable one and for only one reason. Don’t do what I did! What follows are suggested strategies for athletes and families who feel they might be a bit behind in the college quest.

What you shouldn’t do

If you happen to feel a little disoriented with the college search and that feeling of frustration is creeping in, don’t’ panic! When faced with any obstacle where time is a crucial factor, we tend to think firstly of everything that could go wrong in an attempt to size up the situation.

This only complicates the matter further and creates a potentially negative approach to the issue.

Additionally, late starters typically react by flooding the college coaches with information and communication in an attempt to at least “connect with someone.” This will immediately be picked up by the college coaches as an act of desperation and I strongly discourage prospects from taking this approach.

Another reaction many families might feel compelled to execute is to take the first good offer that comes along. Whether it is an offer to tryout for a team or be invited as a walk-on, I will admit there is a feeling of comfort when a coach shows sincere interest in a prospect, especially late in the game.

What you should do

With every important decision we make, it is important to maintain clarity in thinking. No matter how overwhelming the current moment may appear, take the time to sit down as a family and adequately size up the situation.

Do everything you can to keep negative thoughts at bay and maintain a positive approach to what may seem like a difficult journey. Remember the old saying: “Think you can, think you can’t, either way you’re right.”

Just like a good coach and a worthy team who is behind a goal or two with just a few minutes left in the game, approach your personal situation with the end game in mind and work yourself slowly back to present time. An organized and well thought out plan of action will give families and their children the best chance at success.

Whether it is effective communication with coaches or planning that mid-August road trip to a half dozen schools, take a “team effort” in developing a step by step approach with targets and time-lines that will most likely be demanding, but doable.

The best laid plans are only as good as the manner in which they are executed and this is where your persistence and determination come into play. If your target for the day is to contact five college coaches by phone and communicate your family’s plans to make a visit to campus in three weeks, you have to do it.

It might take 25 attempts to connect with each of the five college coaches, but you must remain diligent and stay the course. Like hurdles in a race, you want to clear one at a time with unyielding focus on each individual hurdle. Let the result of the race take care of itself!

Tips to jumpstart your late start

One of your first steps should be is to either create of edit your personal resume. By developing an easy to read, one page personal profile you not only inform the college coach to who you are and what you have accomplished; it will allow the coach in doing a quick and efficient initial evaluation.

Keep this document to no longer than one page and include your academic and athletic highlights, along with any extracurricular leadership initiatives you have participated in.

On that note, you need to provide the coach with a simple, but effective way to evaluate your skill as a player. Round up your recent season game footage and pick out five to six minutes of your best stuff. Save it to your laptop and burn as many DVD’s necessary, to send to your consolidated list of schools...That’s next!

Streamline your list of colleges and universities that potentially fit your academic and athletic profile. I suggest a well balanced list of Division I, II, and III schools that meet your immediate needs (geographic region, size of undergraduate student body etc.).

Develop a detailed contact list of the schools, coach’s names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses and save it to your recruiting folder. Add a separate list of “hard addresses” for the coaches in case they request a portfolio or when you are getting ready to ship your DVD.

Consolidate and communicate

Now that you are moving the boulder forward, it will be important to maintain the momentum you have created. Getting information in the hands of the college coaches is one thing...following up is another matter altogether!

Remember, the college recruiting process is not about flooding the college coaches with information, it is about developing relationships and the best approach in this situation is to take a proactive effort in connecting with the coaches.

Coaches are being bombarded with hundreds of inquiries of interest from high school prospects and do not have the time to personally respond to every athlete. YOU have to take hold of the baton and run the race and the best way to determine where you stand in the eyes of the coaches is to contact them directly.

Plan a road trip

If you reach this point in the recruiting process and I hope you do, there will be a lot of action happening and your recruiting plan will begin to get some legs. Taking a road trip should be a top priority for families and unofficial campus visits are a great way to take a look under the hood in an attempt to determine potential matches for their sons and daughters.

Make every attempt not to just “show up.” Communicate with the coaches in an effort to coordinate a face to face meeting with your campus visit. Personal visits can make a big difference for certain prospects and I strongly suggest making the best of your road trip.

If you sense you are either late in executing your plans for the college recruiting process, or feel the need to jumpstart your plan of attack, avoid any negative energy that will contribute to a loss of focus in the process.

Maintain a positive approach and use a team effort in reorganizing your quest with clarity and direction and you will give yourself the greatest chance at success.