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Athletics and the College Process
How do I know if I can play at the college level?
The best way to determine your ability to play a sport at the college level is to talk to your coaches both in and out of school. In fact, playing a sport outside of school is crucial. Club teams, AAU, PDA, etc… will allow you to compare your level of play to others. Coaches at these levels also have greater exposure to better players and therefore can make better comparisons. Coaches know not only your ability and potential but also where and how students with similar qualifications have gone on to college in the past. It is important to be realistic when assessing your ability to play in college and at what level. Few Friends students earn athletic scholarships to NCAA Division I and II colleges. Each year, however, a handful of students will pursue and be pursued for Division III teams.
What is the difference between Division I and III?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association consists of three divisions. Division I is the most well known and most competitive and almost all schools in this division offer athletic scholarships with the exception of Ivy League (none) and Patriot League (only certain sports). Division II colleges also offer athletic scholarships but on a smaller scale than Division I. Finally, Division III colleges do not offer athletic scholarships. Competition can be intense at all three levels, though clearly more so at the big name Division I schools where games are typically televised. Playing at the Division I level is a major commitment year round—be prepared!
What Is the NCAA Clearinghouse?
The NCAA has established a Clearinghouse for both recruiting and eligibility purposes for student-athletes. The Clearinghouse determines if a student has met the academic requirements to play at the college level by calculating a GPA based on specific core course requirements. All potential college athletes should file a NCAA Eligibility Form (available online). Students who are being actively recruited by a Division I or II college team should review the NCAA recruiting rules and follow them carefully. Note that you are allowed official recruiting visits to only five colleges; if you visit any others, you must pay for everything yourself. There are also other rules about the times when coaches may contact you.
You can obtain a NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete on line at
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/CBSA.pdf
How do I get myself noticed by a college coach?
Friends is a small school and we compete in a small league. Serious athletes must attend summer college camps, clinics, and showcase tournaments, which will allow them to train and compete at a higher level and to be seen by college coaches who do not have the time to attend high school games. If a student plays with an out of school league, it is possible that college coaches will attend some of those games. Be sure to ask your coach about this possibility.
Students should also proactively contact college coaches by sending a brief cover letter and athletic resume (see samples). Email is an excellent way to establish contact with coaches. Once initial contact has been made it is important to be persistent in following up and maintaining contact with that coach. If you are a fall athlete, you should begin this process in the fall and winter of your junior year. If you are a winter or spring athlete, then the winter and spring of your junior year is appropriate. If a coach is interested, he/she may ask you for more information, your game schedule, and perhaps for a video. These videos do not need to be professional, which can be quite costly.
Be sure to keep track of your interactions with college coaches: who, when, how. Later this will help you to gauge the coach’s interest level. Remember that some coaches may contact a great number of students, while intending to truly recruit only a few.
What can my high school coach do to help?
Ask! Your high school coach can not only help you to assess your ability to play at the college level, but he/she may also be willing to recommend you (by letter or phone) to specific coaches. Your coach can be a great resource for advice and guidance; do not hesitate to talk with him/her. And of course if you play out of school you should also consult with that coach as well.
Will coach interest “get me in” to a reach college?
Remember that college coaches, particularly at the Division III level, are often more “public relations” than “admissions.” Their goal is to attract talented athletes, but they may actually have less influence over an admission decision than they say. While athletic talent and accomplishment is always viewed positively in admission review, the degree to which it may help a particular student at a particular school can vary dramatically. Make sure you have a realistic list of colleges, not based entirely upon perceived coach interest.
Of course, for this tip to be helpful, you do need some idea of what you’re looking for in a college. If you’re just figuring that out, reading through brochures from a variety of colleges could be helpful. As you read, make a list of what college characteristics appeal to you. You can refine this list later as you get a better idea of your interests and how they might fit into your college experience.
Are there any other books or websites that I can consult for more information?
Most big college handbooks contain lists of colleges that offer specific sports, sorted by division, which can be a good starting off point.
Other books to check out are:
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The Student-Athlete’s Handbook: The Complete Guide to Success
The college websites are also wonderful resources: you can find the coach’s name and contact information, the schedule of games, and specific information about the season and players. Other websites include:
Are there any other books or websites that I can consult for more information?
What kinds of questions should I be asking myself and my future college coach?
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Do you love your sport?
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Do you have the passion?
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Would you be happier on the bench of a very strong team? Or would you prefer to be a major force on a weaker team?
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If you were unable to play because of injury or some other reason, would you feel satisfied with the college academically and socially?
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Have you developed the time management and organizational skills to successfully balance college athletics and academics?
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Are both the athletic team and the academic program good fits?
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Will you be able to compete in the classroom and on the court?
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What options other than varsity athletics exist? Would you be happier playing on a club or JV team?
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How do athletes balance athletic, academic and social demands in college?
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What is the time commitment in and out of season?
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Are there practices once a day? Twice a day? Out of season training?
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What is the team’s meet schedule?
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How much travel is involved?
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What percentage of players graduate
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What is the current team’s grade point average?
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What academic support programs are available to student-athletes?
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How would you best describe your coaching style or philosophy?
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Can you describe your training philosophy?
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How will I fit into the team freshman year?
If you are being actively recruited by a coach, it is appropriate to politely ask for an indication of the coach’s interest. It is also not unusual for a coach to ask the same of you. Many coaches have a specific number of students that they can support (that does not mean “get in”) in the admissions process. You should be honest about your interest level.
