“These are four of the most important years in the lives of our children in that it will help shape their personal character and provide them with professional direction for the rest of their lives.”

I use it to grab attention of the audience, but I strongly believe in the purpose of the message. Depending on the amount of information families have gathered and the level of organization they have developed on college recruiting, will determine their “comfort level” as they navigate the college search. The college decision is a major life choice and preparing well for this opportunity will only increase the prospect’s chances in ultimately finding the right college match.

Utilizing a “Gap Year” is slowly becoming a more popular option for student-athletes who are either not sure if they are ready to attend college, need a little maturing, or require an additional year in order to bolster their self confidence. It gives these young men and women some extra time to step back, re-evaluate their current situation and develop a unique plan that will assist them best once they step on campus. Simply stated, most kids considering a gap year just need time to explore their interests or maybe just better determine who they are and what they want to accomplish from the general college experience.

Communication

Prospects considering a gap year will apply to their colleges and university’s of choice as any other student-athlete. The only difference would be that the gap year candidate would defer a year before beginning his undergraduate experience while his buddies would be a year ahead. If the gap year is a viable consideration, I would strongly advise communicating this with the college coaches early in the recruiting process. Each coach is different and their reaction to your intended plan will vary, so it is a good idea to come in prepared to clearly explain your reasons for deciding to take a “year to grow.” Taking a year off to simply think about what you want to do with your life will most likely not cut it with college coaches, but deferring a year to become involved in a humanitarian effort, take some additional classes, or become involved in a community action group will provide some “grip” in your decision and garner respect and stronger potential support from the college coaches.

Andrew is a current senior in high school and a talented soccer goalie from the Midwest, who also demonstrates outstanding academic achievement in the classroom. I think his dad sums up the gap year option for Andrew beautifully:

“The major complicating factor is related to his goal of pursuing soccer in college, since the coaches will not be recruiting him to play right out of high school, but rather following the gap year. Nevertheless, Andrew is fully committed to pursuing the gap year and has been honest and up-front with the soccer coaches at the schools to which he is applying. He has clearly communicated his plan to continue to train as a goalkeeper at the highest level even during this gap year, while engaging in several humanitarian projects in India. It is encouraging that the coaches have generally responded in a favorable manner.” John G. (Beachwood, Ohio).

Let the coaches know that you are planning to maintain and exceed your current athletic schedule and skill level through regular training and competition with club teams as part of your commitment in creating clarity to your future. The gap year is certainly focused on developing further confidence in the prospect, but there is an unwritten agreement of trust that needs to be honored with the coaches.

While the traditional admission route may be right for some students, some might question whether student-athletes are taking enough time to select colleges that align best with their academic interests, athletic goals, and personal aspirations. Some prospects are applying to schools that might meet some of their needs, without considering which colleges might be the right fit for them beyond the athletic experience. College coaches are certainly looking for strong students and excellent athletes, but these days, coaches are looking further out and for self aware individuals who have a “finger on the pulse” of their personal destiny.

The gap year is not for everyone, but it can be a viable option for the student-athlete that feels a bit anxious about “taking the plunge,” or they are not quite ready to embrace the college experience with confidence. What is important is that the students who choose this option have to do “something.” They can’t just hang at home or work. It has to be a transformative experience, one that will help them grow. The gap year can become a solid option for some student-athletes to consider, but developing a clear sense of purpose, sound judgment in your decision and effectively communicating this to the college coaches early on in the recruiting process will create stronger potential support, while positioning the prospect best for success.

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

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Get on the phone and start calling colleges to find out if they are still recruiting. If you are not concerned about a scholarship, but just want to have a chance to play at a high level and earn a scholarship, then most coaches are open to examining the possibility of you becoming a preferred walk-on for the fall semester.

Many college applications are past the due date but athletic programs can still push through applicants in most cases. Make sure you have your tapes and athletic profile ready to go as we outline in our book. This is not the time to keep coaches waiting. Also have transcripts ready and make sure your test scores are in line.

You also need to be prepared to broaden your athletic recruiting goals and realize that this late, your chances of a DI scholarship may be minimal. Open up your recruiting goals to include lower, DI schools, IAA and DII schools. These levels of competition often recruit later than DI, trying to secure players who may have been on top IA recruiting maps early in the season, but after the signing date were left with no place to play.

Coaches are not going to find you this late in the season, you are going to have to find them. Be aggressive, if you find one door to be shut, ask that coach if he or she knows of any colleges that may have needs for your ability. Coaches network constantly and will have no problem referring you to a fellow coach as a favor.

Junior Colleges are also in full recruiting swing now. You can use these schools as a stepping stone to DI competition after two years. If you have the ability and in some cases, the resources, there are many prep schools and post grad schools that specialize in one or more sports that are recruiting hotbeds for DI colleges. You can attend these for 1 or 2 years, depending on a few factors and go through the recruiting process again at a school that will give you tons of tools to succeed in athletics, academics and recruiting.

Current Juniors and even Sophomores can use this time to examine the recruiting classes that colleges just signed to compare the resumes and athletic ability of signed recruits. Do the athletes that were signed have similar stats and accomplishments that you already have or expect to during your upcoming season? If so, make sure you take note and contact these schools with your desire to play there and get your name out there before your competition does.

If you want a college athletic scholarship then don’t wait any longer. You must start today. Learn more about how to avoid costly mistakes that will ruin your scholarship chances. CLICK HERE to earn the athletic scholarship that you deserve. You only get one chance, get all the information you need to win.

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It’s a nice dream, and unfortunately for the vast majority of college bound students, it remains a dream. It’s not just because your child isn’t the superior athlete you thought they were, it’s that the vast majority of college athletes play without one penny of scholarship money.

Ivy League schools, for example, don’t offer athletic scholarships at all (though a superior athlete with good grades does have an increased chance of being admitted to such a school). Sixty percent of college athletes don’t have a scholarship, and most of the remaining 40 percent have only partial ones. It’s actually pretty rare for a child to obtain a full scholarship because coaches are faced with divvying up a set amount of scholarship money over than entire team.

For example, say Smart University has four full scholarships for its basketball team. That doesn’t mean that four students get a free ride. It usually means those four scholarships are divided up between 20 students.

Still, any money your child receives for an athletic scholarship is nice, and there are ways you and your college bound student can increase their chances of obtaining a scholarship. Here are some do’s and don’t’s for applying for an athletic scholarship:

-Don’t contact any coach before your child’s junior year.

-Create a resume with all your pertinent information, including name, address, phone, high school, as well as your athletic experience. Include your prospective major, as well as the position you’ve played and any statistics you have. The resume should also have contact information for your coach. Let your high school coach know where you’ll be applying and that you’ve included their name in the correspondence.

-Include your grades and SAT scores. Colleges are far more likely to award scholarships to good athletes with good grades, so don’t ignore that part of your high school experience.

-Have a video of you ready to send and offer to send it to them upon request.

-Proof read everything. Make certain your grammar and spelling is correct. If you are e-mailing the coach and do not get a response within a month, e-mail again. Remember, coaches receive hundreds of e-mails and letters requesting the exact thing you are.

-Apply for a scholarship even if you don’t think you’re good enough. Most students don’t get scholarships because they don’t think they are good enough to warrant one. You don’t have to be a superstar to receive a scholarship.

Remember, if you don’t apply for a scholarship, no one is going to hand it to you. You never know unless you try.

Beth Walker is President of College Funding Coaches which assists families like yours in creating a realistic college funding plan that won’t force you to give up your current lifestyle or dip into retirement savings. If you are looking for a Las Vegas college planner request your Free Scholarship College Affordability Plan by visiting http://www.CollegeFundingCoachesBlog.com

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Sports in NCAA DI and DII are either categorized as “headcount” or “equivalency” sports. Headcount sports are given a set number of full-ride scholarships that cover tuition, room and board and fees. For instance, DI Football has 85 scholarships. They are only allowed to award 85 players these scholarships, no more. Most schools will not award their full number at a given time and will reserve spots for transfers and walk-ons.

Equivalency sports have a set number of full-ride scholarships but can divide these up into as many players as they wish. As an example, DII baseball has 9 scholarships. If they give you a 50% partial scholarship, then they have 8.5 more scholarships to award.

NCAA Division I teams have more scholarships per team than DII schools do. Also the Ivy and Patriot leagues in NCAA DI, do not offer athletic scholarships, but will provide grants to recruited athletes that average over 50% of tuition.

The NAIA or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the NJCAA or National Junior College Athletic Association both offer athletic scholarships. They use a headcount and equivalency designation between sports and offer fewer sports than the NCAA does.

Too many athletes get a narrow focus during the recruiting season. The only focus their efforts on NCAA DI schools when there are many other great options to getting an offer to play in college.

If you want a college athletic scholarship then don’t wait any longer. You must start today. Learn how to choose the right athletic conference for your talents and have a successful recruiting season ending with a scholarship offer. Get recruiting tips!

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Anyone who’s ever gone to college knows that distractions are as big a part of campus life as the education apparatus. So, dedication, even among the most focused of students can be a fleeting thing. Add in the the atmosphere surrounding most student-athletes, and you’ll probably get someone who’s more “monkey business” than “down-to-business.”

Which isn’t to say that all college athletes are directionally-challenged. But, those, who play in revenue generating sports, are often given skewed priorities. Unfortunately, that’s what often makes them worth the high-stakes gamble. When their goal is sports-centric and not student-centric, their abilities as athletes take precedence over their skills as people.

LET HISTORY BE YOUR GUIDE
Since professional sports leagues are as image-conscious as they are profit-driven, most spend a lot of time and a lot of money making sure their employees are solid citizens in addition to top-flight athletes.

Before drafting college athletes, teams perform background checks, personality and intelligence tests, drug screening and probing interviews before offering any long term financial committment. But, they aren’t always enough.

Bad apples will always get through. Either because of an athlete’s deception or an owner’s arrogance. All-time draft “Bust Lists” are favorites among fans. They’re littered with names like Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, Mark Prior, Eric Lindros and Ralph Sampson.

Now, to be fair, some of these athletes didn’t pan out because of injuries. But just as many flamed out or never got started because of attitudes, drug problems or an inability to adapt their talents to a higher caliber of competition.

NO CRYSTAL BALL
If drafting college athletes was an exact science, every team that ever chose a lottery pick would be a lock to win a championship. Usually just the opposite is true. Desperate teams often look for a short term fix to cure problems that developed over time. So urgency often trumps due-diligence.

For some teams, quality talent scouting mitigates the risk. Others just get lucky. But, no amount of evaluation can predict the future.

For every sure-fire success like Peyton Manning, there’s a diamond in the rough like Tom Brady or Mike Piazza, the last player taken in the Major League Baseball draft. Piazza was chosen as a favor to Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, and he developed into one of the most prolific hitting catchers in league history.

So, with piles of money waiting for them at the end of their college sports careers, no matter how long they last, physically gifted kids will always be ready to cash in. However, for those with money and futures on the line, drafting college athletes will never be a sure bet.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about drafting college athletes [http://sportsrecruiting.info/drafting-college-athletes-college-sports-enthusiasts], please visit Sports Recruiting [http://sportsrecruiting.info] for current articles and discussions.

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Teaching programs and the arts are a critical part of every child’s education, this is why the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) places art as one of its core academic subjects. However, some schools, which are facing tight local budgets, have been forced to cut art programs due to lack of funds.

Similar to math, English, science and other core subjects, the arts (music dance, visual arts, theater etc.) can be extremely challenging subjects with rigorous achievement standards and content at the national and stated levels. The arts require highly educated teachers who can challenge all students, not just those students who are considered artistically talented, to create their own works, to perform works of art and respond to artwork and the ideas that they impart.

In addition to teaching programs teach students arts for their own sake, teaching students to make and experience art is extremely beneficial to a student’s personal, intellectual and social development. Art education can be particularly beneficial for those students who come form economically disadvantaged circumstances as well as those students who are at risk of being unsuccessful in school. Many studies provide evidence that there is a strong relationship between art education and fundamental cognitive skills and capacities used to master the other core subjects, including mathematics, science, reading and writing.

Teaching programs for athletics is equally important to a student’s nourishment. Athletic education is an integral part of a student’s curriculum for a number of reasons including educating students on good physical and mental health, the importance of fair play and sportsmanship as well as a number of other reasons.

Teaching students athletics allows them to develop and maintain good physical and mental health, which is a critical part of everyday life. It also teaches students the importance of competition, fair play and sportsmanship as well as the ability to deal with failure or loss in a respectable and responsible manner.

Teaching students athletics contributes directly to the various responsibilities that education has to society and to the individual. Athletic education provides real life situations in skilled performance in which students learn the importance of working under fire, respecting opponents or competitors, the acceptance of results that are determined by officials or are out of their control and participating fairly or playing the game according to its rules. Teaching students athletics also prepares them for the rugged competition, which is a critical part of our democracy.

Teaching programs for athletics can do so much for a student and our community. Athletic education assists in building human resources, preserving and extending democracy, acquiring a respect for our fellow human beings and developing physical and emotional stability.

Art and athletic education is often overlooked relative to the core subjects but is equally important in developing a well-rounded individual. Art and athletic education nourishes an individual intellectually, personally and socially and greater prepares them for the real world.

Cindy Knott is the Dean of the College of Education at Grand Canyon University. For more information about our teaching programs, visit our website.

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So what should you do each year in the process? Many tasks should begin in your freshman year, and these tasks should be revisited each year.

In your Freshman year, you need to learn what the eligibility requirements are for NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA competition. The NCAA requires that you take and complete a specified number of core courses, which vary from school to school. Thus it is important to talk to your school guidance counselor to learn what courses at your school are NCAA Approved Core Courses, and make sure you fulfill the requirements. You should also begin to decide what YOUR priorities are in selecting a school and begin the process of researching schools to determine what schools can meet those priorities – academically, athletically, socially, and financially. You then need to learn the academic and athletic standards that those schools require, and set specific goals for yourself to begin the process of meeting those standards. Talk to your coaches, teachers, and counselors to help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and work to improve yourself academically and athletically. Understand that solid academic performance begins in your freshman year and lead to many more options in choosing a college. Look for a club or travel team that can help you to improve and to be seen.

As a Sophomore, you need to continue the programs you began as a freshman and keep working to improve – athletically and academically. Start preparing for the college admissions tests – whether taking the practice tests or enrolling in a Board Prep course. Begin the process of communicating with college coaches to let them know of your interest in their school and your personal accomplishments. Of course, a comprehensive resume is a must. Begin scheduling unofficial visits to those schools in which you have the greatest interest.

As a Junior, you should be in regular communication with your top schools. Continue the process of academic and athletic evaluation and improvement. Take the college boards as many times as you can. Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Identify those schools that offer the academic majors of interest to you, and begin the process of financial analysis. Get the federal FAFSA forms and work the worksheets with your parents. Get admission applications from schools and familiarize yourself with them. Seek the best opportunities to be seen by college coaches.

By your Senior year, you should be well into the process. You should know those schools that are the best fit for you and you should be talking to the coaches to determine their interest level. Prepare for those conversations by determining the questions you need answered to make an informed decision, and ask the coach those questions. Continue to take the college boards and to improve academically and athletically.

At SportsWorx we prepare our athletes for the recruiting process, and we provide all of the tools and the comprehensive time line you need to be sure you are doing the right things. In addition, our Sports Advisors can work with you, your coach, and your family to make sure you stick with the plan. That is why we place almost 90% of the athletes we work with in the college athletic program that is right for them.

If you would like to learn more about critical factors to consider for student-athletes navigating the recruiting process, you can download the full-length SportsWorx “Recruiting 101″ webinar by going to http://www.sportsworx.com/recruiting101/

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Large high schools that consistently produce scholarship athletes, may get the attention from college coaches every year, but you still must take action. We see this way too much where a star athlete gets lots of visits and attention, but does not go far into the recruiting process. Initial buzz in the recruiting process can die down and be gone in an instant.  Even if you attend a magnet school for college coaches you still must follow a recruiting plan that guides you what to do after initial contact with a coach is made. The number one mistake is sitting by the phone, waiting for the coach to call you again and tell you what to do next. If buzz around your recruiting has disappeared, most likely other, more dedicated, hungry athletes have stepped in and have been recruiting the coach as we like to call it.

If you attend a small high school, maybe in a rural area, you may not get the visits.  Some will use this as an excuse as to why they can’t get a college athletic scholarship. We see this as an opportunity. You must work a little harder if you are in this position. It is critical that you put together a great recruiting packet and contact schools aggressively. Summer camps and combines are perfect for high school athletes from smaller schools because at these camps everyone is equal and it will give you a chance to impress and compete against athletes from large schools.

Whatever the size of your high school may be, the number one thing we can tell you to do is to TAKE ACTION!

Don’t sit by the phone and wait. Don’t complain that you have had no exposure. You can control the recruiting process with a proven system that gets your name, face and video in front of college coaches from across the country. If you deserve a college athletic scholarship, you can earn one if you want it enough.

Get for free the “Top 20 Myths of College Recruiting.” Learn what works and what wastes your precious recruiting time. Visit College Athletic Recruiting by clicking the link to learn how to start your recruiting today.

You can earn an athletic scholarship no matter where you attend high school. Don’t wait any longer while your competition takes your place. Visit http://www.blog.collegeathleticscholarships.net to start your journey.

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That said, there are some exceptions to the rules. For instance, the Ivy League schools are prohibited from awarding their students athletic scholarships. Another are those deemed as service academies by the US Military, such as West Point Military Academy, where all students are given full scholarships and not just based on their athletic abilities, but on the promise of providing their services as members of the US military upon graduation.

Here are some useful tips if you want to enter college via the athletic scholarship route. You must hone your skills and make sure that you practice well, even during off-season. Have your coach and your school’s sports administrator recommendation letters ready and if possible, send them to at least five colleges or universities you wish to attend. Last, make videos of your game and create clips where you are seen as the crucial factor of the game.

There are lots of athletes who have made it through college because of their athletic gifts, though not all of them became stars of their chosen sports, professionally speaking. However, they became smart businessmen, industry leaders, and consultants, successful still, because of what they have learned in college.

If you have the gift as an athlete, use it wisely and get a college athletic scholarship and college tuition grant. You may not be a superstar once you graduate, but at least you got yourself a degree, and it is a good thing so to speak.

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The number of athletic scholarships is limited and very competitive. Usually the athletic scholarships will only cover a portion of tuition, so be sure to look for other ways to supplement your tuition. Some of these schools include: Briar Cliff University in Iowa, Michigan State, Wingate University in North Carolina, Talladega College and Holy Names University in California, Baker University in Kansas and Morningside College in Iowa. These are just a few, but the list is not overwhelming. So how do you set yourself apart from everyone else?

How do you get these college sports scholarships? You will need to put together a portfolio of not only athletic achievement but also academic achievement. Start by gathering all the newspaper articles that you are featured in. Did you do an interview after a championship game? Got an article from when you broke a record? Pick out the best articles that highlight your athletic ability. Then make a good copy of each article. It doesn’t have to be photo quality, but if it’s smudged and illegible it won’t impress anyone. Get a letter of recommendation from your coach and one of your teachers, principle, or mentor. It may also help to make a video. You can highlight yourself both on and off the field or court. If you participate in any community service, show a scene of you helping out. Add in some shots of you playing and a short blurb about yourself. You want to show case your talents without losing the viewers interest. So keep it short; you will only need about 5-10 minutes. Add a cover letter detailing why you want to play for that school and even why you feel you deserve the scholarship. When your portfolio is complete, send it to the coach at the school you are interested in attending. This one package can make all the difference between getting noticed and getting passed by.

In addition to schools offering scholarships, there are other athletic scholarships available. For instance, the SAMMY 2010 awards $7500 for athletes to attend school. SAMMY stands for Scholar Athletic Milk Mustache of the Year. So not only do you get the money, but you also get to do a milk mustache commercial. This scholarship is awarded to twenty-five students who excel in academics, sports, and community service.

There are many scholarships available to help pay for school. While college athletic scholarships may be hard to find they are out there. Look at the school you are interested in and see if they offer a scholarship. Then try to supplement with the other programs that are out there. Who knows, maybe you’ll be in the next milk mustache commercial.

There are Many Hidden Scholarships People Are Unaware Of

Stop by and read about Scholarships for Single Mothers and Odd Scholarships for Colleges to learn about these opportunities.

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