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College Recruiting: Own The Process and Drive the Bus!

College recruiting is a fun and exciting time for most high school student-athletes because it is the first major life decision. It is also an opportunity to really discover who they are and where they want to go in life. As a former NCAA Division 1 swimmer, I remember the college recruiting experience, and I understand how stressful and overwhelming the process seems at times. However, there was a moment that changed the game for me so to say. A coach gave me some great advice on how to make this decision and weed out the emotions that seemed to block my clarity of thought. 

It is important to note that I acknowledge and appreciate the blessing of being a part of the 2% of high school athletes offered a scholarship to play in college. However, it is my belief that this same advice can help all athletes looking to continue their sport past high school, regardless of what level you want to compete and what sport you play. 

This advice came to me from Frank Busch, who was the head coach the Arizona Wildcats at the time. He said that every great athlete needs three things in a program. ONE- a coach, whom you trust. TWO- teammates, who will push you and challenge you to be your best and then support you like no one else. THREE- a place to go to just be you! You have to find somewhere to be your authentic self. In this space, you discover you are beyond sport and GPA. This is so important because the better you are as a person, the easier it is to perform on the field, court or the pool deck. 

For those athletes who are struggling with the decision or feeling the weight of the recruiting process on their shoulders, I challenge you to flip the table and discover what YOU need to be successful, and WHO do you need around you to develop your best self. This brings clarity and ultimate success to the final decision.

As you focus on these three areas, make a list of your needs, wants and deal breakers. Have a clear picture of what you are looking for in a coach, team and personal support. This list will allow you to take ownership of the process and put you in the driver’s seat moving forward.

Number One: The Coach. This person is the captain of the ship. You must have trust and faith in this person’s ability to steer the ship in the right direction, whether it is calm or stormy. This person sets the culture of the team by the relationships he or she has with the athletes and the coaches. As you analyze the coach(es), ask yourself a few questions:

• How does he or she interact with their athletes? 
• How does the coaching staff work together and unify their leadership? 
• How does the coach connect with his or her athletes outside of practice and competition? 
• During a competition, what does he or she respond to an athlete who made a mistake? 
• How do they define success and motivate each individual to the common goal? 
• What type of athletes are attracted to his or her style and what type of athletes are recruited to be a part of this team? 

Just like employers try to find as much evidence about their job applicants before the interview, you, as prospective student-athletes, should be focusing on finding as much about the coach as you can. Utilize social media and your connections in the sport to better understand who he or she is a person. If you have the chance, watch them in action at a competition or at practice. Your coach will be crucial to your development in the sport and in all areas of your life, so take every interaction with him or her seriously and with intent.

Number Two: The Team. Bonds forged between teammates are some of the strongest relationships I have experiences outside of the family. When sacrifices are made together and for one another, it then becomes more than just a friendship. It results in some of the sweetest and most energizing moments one can ever experience and they last a lifetime. 

When you get to meet and interact with the team, be sure to look for the following:

• Are the individuals invested in the program? 
• When you ask about team goals, are teammates consistent in their answers? 
• Do they understand and practice respect for themselves, each other and the history of the program? 
• What is the dropout rate between freshman and senior year? 
• Most importantly, are these individuals you want to be like? You will see these men and women more than your family or friends, and they will have a lasting impact on you. Be careful who you decide to surround yourself with because they will determine your direction in life.

Number Three: A Place to Just Be You. As athletes, we must see ourselves differently than the fans in the stands do, so we need to know our worth and value detached from times, statistics, records, and medal counts. This makes learning more about organizations, mentors and services that provide opportunities to expand our athlete identity so important. Finding ways to apply the gifts and characteristics that make us great athletes to others arenas will only result in increased confidence and foster resiliency in us as people. 

I know this is true because I found so much comfort in the phrase, “swimming is what I do, not who I am.” Saying this before my big races always helped keep life in perspective, but it was only by engaging in other opportunities did I come to believe it and internalize it. I was confident that regardless of the outcome, I was still going to be me- and that is good!

To truly understand the services and support schools can offer, takes time and a deeper look into the student experience. Start by asking the following:

• How is student development (a.k.a. Life Skills) structured in the department? Is there specific Life Skills staff, or do other staff take on player development in addition to their full-time jobs as an academic counselor or another area?
• What types of programs do they offer students to develop as people, and how do they ensure students are taking advantage of the opportunities? 
• Are there mandatory programs for students to attend? If so, what are they?
• What is the percentage of student-athletes engaged in community service, extra programs or workshops?
• What kind of leadership or service awards have student-athletes won in the past?

As high school athletes look toward their college career, parents, coaches and close friends are excellent resources to bounce off ideas and offer different perspectives. These people can help athletes be realistic, ask intentional questions and do their homework! Remember, regardless of your level of competition, you can stay in control and drive the bus to where you can have the most successful career.

Here are some websites for more information on rules and regulations potential student-athletes should be aware of preparing for the recruiting process. 

NCAA Division I, II, III Eligibility: 

• http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/educational-resources
• http://www.ncaa.org/static/2point3/ 

NAIA Opportunities at Smaller Schools:

• https://www.playnaia.org/eligibility-center 
• https://www.playnaia.org/d/NAIA_GuidefortheCollegeBoundStudent.pdf 

Lacey