| If you've always dreamed about competing in | | | | direction. |
| college athletics, your dream may be within reach. | | | | Be sure you learn the rules governing athletic |
| But, you need more than athletic talent...you need | | | | recruiting. And, be certain you and the college |
| to know how to "connect" with appropriate | | | | coaches with whom you come into contact |
| colleges. | | | | adhere to them strictly. Go to your high school |
| First, do a reality check. If you are good enough | | | | coach if you have questions or concerns. |
| to play basketball in the Big East or football in the | | | | Too learn as much as possible about the colleges |
| SEC, coaches from those leagues and others | | | | you are considering, be sure to be in touch with |
| would be taking so much of your time that you | | | | admissions offices. They will provide you with |
| wouldn't have the 5 minutes you need to read | | | | much more comprehensive publications and |
| this. Ask your coach and other knowledgeable | | | | information than you are likely to get from |
| people (not family or friends) which colleges might | | | | coaches. Coaches, to nobody's surprise, are very |
| be interested in your athletic talents. Do some | | | | focused on athletics, while good admissions |
| research of your own. Then make a list of | | | | counselors are likely to know far more about |
| possibilities and take it to your counselor to see | | | | academics, campus life, student support services, |
| which colleges might be a good fit for you. And, | | | | etc. |
| ask if he or she can add to the list. | | | | Don't worry to much about listed college costs. |
| Make sure you see and consider the whole | | | | What it will actually cost you may be far less. |
| picture, not just the colleges' athletic programs. | | | | Don't panic if coaches don't immediately reply to |
| Are the academic programs solid? Does the | | | | an initial letter or email from you. Wait a month, |
| campus environment seem friendly? Do you like | | | | and try again. Remember that some coaches get |
| the location? And, the big question; Is it a college | | | | a lot of mail, and that they are especially busy |
| you might choose even if you were not an | | | | just before and in season. Some coaches may |
| athlete? | | | | never get back to you...at least you'll know where |
| Don't rule out colleges simply because you have | | | | you stand with them, right? |
| not heard much about them. Mount Union, | | | | And, be aware that even the coaches that do |
| Kentucky Wesleyan, and Kenyon are three | | | | respond to you with letters, brochures and emails |
| colleges you may not have heard of, but all have | | | | may not have a serious interest in you or may |
| distinguished themselves in athletics. There are | | | | want to seriously recruit you only if the athletes |
| dozens more like them in every sport you can | | | | in whom they are most interested decide to go |
| name. | | | | elsewhere. That being the case, continue to |
| Remember that there is a lot of financial aid aside | | | | communicate with all coaches who appear to be |
| from athletic scholarships, and that there are | | | | interested in you until you have and accept a firm |
| some great athletic programs at the NCAA II and | | | | offer from a college. It's the best way to protect |
| III levels. | | | | yourself against disappointment. |
| Never lose sight of the fact that the goal of | | | | After you do commit to a college or university, |
| leaving college with a good education should come | | | | be sure you contact and sincerely express your |
| before your athletic aspirations. Unfortunately, | | | | gratitude to the coaches who have been |
| there are coaches out there, at all levels, who are | | | | communicating with you. It's the right thing to do, |
| more interested in winning games than educating | | | | and it might help a coach remember you if you |
| student-athletes. If you suspect that you've | | | | later decide to transfer from the first college you |
| encountered one, run, don't walk, in the opposite | | | | attend. |