Rising Juniors: Go All In, Athletically & Academically

Putting Priorities in Order Could Catapult You to the College Level

Your future as a potential college student-athlete can all be capsulated in the next 12 months, August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012.  Over that time frame, you will put yourself, athletic talent and academic record on the line for college coaches to scrutinize meticulously.  Now, then, for 2013 grads is the time to go all in. 

For a moment, forget what the 2012 grads as they hit the final stretch run for a scholarship package offer.  They’re either in the right position and have managed the recruiting process correctly or they haven’t.  It’s as simple as that.  But, if they had it to do over again, there’s a very good chance that they would tell you these things:

• Get your grades up!  Nearly every college freshman student-athlete receives a “package” offer which includes athletic and academic scholarships along with other grants and loans.  The best way to minimize the loans?  Produce better grades in high school.  Otherwise, six months after graduating college you could have a car payment…without a car.  And, every tenth of a point your core GPA rises, the more college doors that open for you.  So, decide what’s more important, studying for an A or mindlessly texting all evening?
• Take nothing for granted, especially what a college coach has said or written to you, that is until you see an offer on paper in your possession.
• Keep every option open until you have signed a national letter of intent or you have a signed athletic letter from an NCAA DIII college. 
• Visit as many campuses as you can.  Nothing can possibly replace the firsthand experience of being around a coach, team and campus. 
• Look for the best fit both academically and athletically.  If you are injured and cannot play any longer, don’t get the playing time you expected, or the coaching staff is fired and the new coach and you don’t mesh, will you still want to get your degree from that school?  Remember, in all likely hood your athletic career will be over after four years of college.  Your education will take you through the rest of your life.
• Don’t believe everything people tell you.  Use your own best judgment and be as objective as possible when deciding if people are being completely truthful.  Coaches, team members, administrators, friends, alumni and even the current students giving you a campus tour all have a stake in you going a particular college.  Listen intently, but keep one foot planted in reality and always go back to your own litmus test — does it really feel right for you?
• Tell people what you want, like and dislike, but in a good way.  This is not a time to be timid.  That said, there is an appropriate way to deliver good and bad news, so blurting out that you “hate” this or that to a coach,team member or someone representing the college, would be shooting yourself in the foot.  Word will get back to the coach and your shot could be over and done.  Instead, ask questions which get you to the point, but aren’t in-your-face insulting.  Be smart about it. 

We’ve said it hundreds, if not thousands, of times:  you only get once chance to be recruited.  So few high school kids get this incredible opportunity.  People who saw this time in their lives come and go without realizing their dream of playing college sports almost always say they handled it badly and wish they had it to do all over again.  Is that what you want for your future, to regret having given everything you have for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change your life for the better?  This is it.  It’s here.  You choose, but if you elect to dig down and put in the time and effort, commit and make it happen.  You will never for a day regret it.