Seniors, It’s Now or Never…Get Moving!

Take the Initiative and Sprint to the Finish Line

The Big Push is on.  High school senior athletes around the globe are squirming in their seats wondering if their dream to play college athletics will come true at some time over the next six months.  If you are one of those seniors, take notes.  It’s time to push forward and there’s little time to waste.

If you do not have a firm scholarship offer in hand, don’t assume you will receive one.  Anything can, and will, happen in recruiting.  However, it’s unpredictable, so protect yourself by covering all your bases.

Take these steps:

1. Make a list. Create a list of all the coaches which have shown you serious interest.  This list should include any school from which a coach in your sport has continually written you and/or called you at home at least once.  Don’t include your “dream schools” on this list.  If those schools have not contacted you, other than a questionnaire, you will be spinning your wheels reaching out to them.  Time is of the essence at this point.
2. Eliminate from your list. Cross off any of these schools which you have visited and did not like.  This should leave you with a list of colleges to contact.
3. Call the coaches on the list.  Ask them if you are still on their recruiting list.  If so, ask where you stand.  Be nice, but ask.  Express your interest in remaining on their final list and ask the coaches if they need anything further to help make their decision.  Take notes of these conversations and be sure to follow-up immediately on any requests the coaches make.
4. Create a new list. Make a revised list of the schools which have indicated to you that you still have a shot at a scholarship or roster offer.  Email these coaches ASAP.  Send them any updated info.  If you have info on a Web site, include the link to this site.
5. Make Contact. Try to get as much face time as possible with these coaches.  Attend their games, visit them on their campuses, find any reason to stay in touch.  There is an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  This often holds true at this stage of the recruiting process.  The more interest you show a coach, the more interested they may become in you.
6. Repeat this process weekly.  Yes, weekly.  You are in a c0mpetitive situation.  Compete.  Get into the game and do it aggressively.  Don’t wait any longer for coaches to come to you or for your high school coach to send a tape.  Get hopping.

Trust the Process

Your shot at playing college athletics happens once.  If you are a solid student-athlete and have received no attention from college coaches it probably means that you have waited for something to happen because someone around you said that if you are good enough coaches would find you.

Now you know that’s a bunch of hooey.  The best thing you could have possibly done was to work with a professional scouting service, like National Scouting Report, which would have continuously promoted you to coaches and given you advice along the way.

It’s up to you to get this done if you are intent on seeing it happen.  Jump in with both feet and don’t stop.  There is a place out there for you.  It may not be your top choice, but if you are a good athlete with good to great grades, there is a college coach who needs you.