November Newsletter

VOL. 1 ISSUE 1

NEWSLETTER

THE BEST THANKSGIVINGS INCLUDE TIME SPENT IN A LOCKER ROOM Coaches and athletes fortunate enough to still be competing in fall sports know it’s true. So do those participating in winter sports.

There’s often a leisurely pace to Thanksgiving Day workouts, even when teams are preparing for a playoff game. Practices themselves may be intense, but because the school is deserted and the turkey is in the oven there are few distractions.

Before and after workouts, coaches and players sometimes linger on the field or in the coaches’ office.

For established programs, it’s often a time when former players return to renew acquaintances. At De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., graduates gather to play in an annual pickup football game with their friends and ex-teammates after practice.

It was on just such a Thanksgiving morning that De La Salle coach

Bob Ladouceur, engineer of the school’s national record 151-game winning streak spanning 12 perfect seasons from 1992-2004, found a box wrapped in brown paper on his cluttered desk that had “To the De La Salle Coaches” written on it. Below it, the words: “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Inside was a framed letter from a former player along with a Marine Corps Achievement medal.

“Throughout my playing days in college and most recently my advancement in the Marine Corps, Cont. on pg 3...

CHARLIE ADAMS RECRUITING CORNER “If you are good enough, they (college coaches) will find you.”

Those that are saying this need to stop. I hear this statement quite a bit as I speak around the country. It often comes from school Administrators, Coaches, or ADs that are more ‘old school.’ These are well-meaning people, and there are many things

IN THIS ISSUE....

Athlete’s Wanted Tips Pg. 3 Ask Coach Taylor Pg. 4 Upcoming Events Pg. 5

about ‘old school’ I like: hard work, dedication, TEAM, and respect. While many young people share these values and work very hard, overall, it’s not the same. As Lou Holtz said, “Today so many want to talk about their rights and privileges. Twenty years ago people talked about their obligations and responsibilities.”

But -this ‘old school’ approach of ‘if you are good enough they will find you‘ is hurting many athletes chances of maximum recruiting success.

Usually it comes from Athletic Continued on next page...

Directors or Coaches that have been around awhile.

I remember speaking on the recruiting process in Michigan a few years ago. Just before the presentation, the Athletic Director told me his entire career he had told athletes that ‘if they were good enough, the College Coaches would find them and come after them.’ He meant well, but when families hear that they sit back and wait for recruiting to come to them, or they wait for their coach to take the lead in the recruiting process.

Now, if you are a highly skilled, 6’ 9” basketball player that runs the floor like a deer, recruiting will come to you.

If you are a 6’3″240 pound 11th grade linebacker that runs a 4.65 40, they will find you. If you are a 9th grade 5′11″Outside Hitter with an incredible vertical jump and play on a top club team that at significant events, they will find you, and on and on.

But one of the most devastating things I see is good High School student-athletes unsuccessfully waiting to be recruited. It is sad, to be honest. They usually have an over-inflated opinion of what level they can play at in College, and often end up heartbroken or terribly confused by the whole process. As legendary Bethel College (IN) men’s basketball coach Mike Lightfoot says, ‘Every Spring I get calls from families in a state of panic. They thought more recruiting would come to them or that they were better than what they were, and things didn’t go so well, so they call us at the high NAIA level but we have already allotted our athletic scholarship money. There is usually a long pause on the phone…”

Regional colleges will sometimes find talented athletes

on their own, but thousand of All-Conference athletes are unknown even to colleges two and three hours from their hometown. While ultra-talented athletes will get chased by the big boys, over 90% of High School athletes have to not only get their information out there to College coaches, but also their ‘Fire’ and their ‘Why.’ What is your upside? How badly do you want to keep

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playing and keep getting better? What is your burning passion for your sport? Why do you want to go to their particular College?

I talk with College coaches in all sports and they constantly tell me they will respond to the athlete that is qualified to play at their College level athletically and academically that has a ‘Fire,’ a ‘Why,’ and a way to get them verified information.

Because of where we are with technology today, College coaches are switching in droves to ‘one stop shopping’ of online profiles. That is how they are doing their initial evaluation of prospects. It is critical to understand how

While ultra-talented athletes will get chased by the big boys, over 90% of High School athletes have to not only get their information out there to College coaches, but also their ‘Fire’ and their ‘Why.’

important it is to have your information in one area where they can find you. That opens the door to more serious recruiting.

As I have said before here, an online profile also sends a clear signal that you are passionate about playing at the next level. Many top High School and Club athletes are now choosing simply not to play their sport at the College level, often because of burnout from specializing year round from a very young age. Just last weekend, I learned of a 5A star athlete that could have played D1 College in either soccer or basketball but is not going to play either sport in College. That’s another topic -but it shows how College coaches don’t have time to be finding every talented kid, especially when some have lost the fire and dedication needed for the next level.

It is about being proactive and understanding where recruiting is TODAY. So many High School and Club athletes are contradictions: aggressive in their sport, but not in recruiting. If there is a loose ball, they will go after it ferociously, yet they lay back in recruiting. Their approach to recruiting is like the Prevent defense in football -often because someone of influence has told them, ‘If you are good enough, they will find you.”

A more effective way of saying it would be: “If you are good and constantly getting better, and if you are qualified academically and athletically, and have a burning desire to play at the next level, and if you have a WHY of why you want to play for that particular school or coach, THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOU. Make sure you understand how to get your information out there in today’s world of recruiting, and they WILL find you.”

If you are worried you are not putting yourself in position for recruiting success, reach out to me any time. I will look over your particular situation, and make sure you are able to meet with a former College coach or athlete in your sport that can do a thorough analysis of where you are in recruiting. The more educated you are about recruiting, the more opportunities you will have in the process.

Charlie Adams is an award-winning sports broadcaster and

Best Thanksgivings Cont. the life lessons you taught me have continued to lead me in doing what is right, just and selfless,” the letter read.

“Being placed in a position of leadership, I fall back more and more to the model you presented me as coaches than any military lessons I have been taught.

If I maintain half the integrity, discipline and tenacity that you men present I’ll consider myself a success.

“So on this day of giving thanks I thank you with a by-product of your guiding hand in my life and the success it has brought me. I present this to you for your role in my life and the effect of your guidance beyond the field of play.”

It was a touching gesture that should remind us all what’s important on this and every Thanksgiving.

For everyone involved with high school and college athletics, it’s an opportunity to thank those who dedicate their time and energy to make the experience of being a coach, athlete or parent more rewarding.

It’s a chance to express gratitude to those who contribute to a program’s success. It’s a time to show appreciation to mentors who spend countless hours helping student-athletes learn skills that allow them to achieve on the field and later in life.

It’s a time to reflect on how fortunate we all are to be doing what we do. Most of all, it should remind us of what’s really important.

“Everybody talks about victories,” Ladouceursaid after reading the letter from his former player that day.

“Well, we got a victory today.”

Neil Hayes is the author of When the Game Stands Tall: The Story of the De La Salle Spartans and Football’s Longest Winning Streak and the co-author of The Last Putt: Two Teams, One Dream and a Freshman Named Tiger.

ATHLETE’S WANTED TIPS • “Student-athletes cannot redo the recruiting process. They cannot take a mulligan. The recruiting process is a once-in-lifetime experience that requires both the parents and the students to jump in full steam ahead.”

If you’re starting the process late, it’s more important than ever to “jump in full steam ahead.” Those who started early are already preparing the cross the finish line when early signing starts next week.

• “A child becomes a prospective college athlete upon entering high school.”

“Most scholarship offers are finalized senior year, and each sport has a National Letter of Intent Signing Day.” • “Also known as National Letter of Intent (NLI) Day, “Signing Day” is a specific date set by the Collegiate Commissions Association in which a student-athlete, an athlete’s parent, and an athletic director sign an “Inter-Conference Letter of Intent” binding a student-athlete to a specific university or college. Generally, the athletic director will also indicate the type and amount of financial aid being extended to the student.”

find out more at athleteswanted.org

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TAYLOR H C A O C ASK MAILBAG G IN IT U R C RE Dear Coach Taylor –what is the difference between an official college visit and an unofficial visit?

There are several simple but very important differences; money is one. Schools can’t pay for anything on an unofficial visit –any costs are shouldered by the student-athlete or their family. The only thing schools can provide on unofficial visits is three complimentary tickets to an athletic event. On official visits, schools can pay for lodging, transportation, meals (up to three a day), and entertainment for the student athlete. Even on an official visit,schools cannot pay for anything for parents.

A student-athlete can go on an unofficial visit almost any time. Summer or winter, freshman or senior, anyone can go on an unofficial visit to any school. It’s crucial to build relationships at schools you are interested in, and unofficial visits can be a great way to do that. It’s

as simple as calling the coach (something you can also do at any time) and inform him or her you are coming to campus and would like to set up a meeting.

If you aren’t in touch with the coach beforehand (to make sure you can meet with them) you may end up wasting your time.

Official visits are more restricted. There are small differences from sport to sport, but as a general rule, you can’t take official visits until senior or late junior year.

A student athlete is only allowed five official visits total to Division I and Division II schools.You’re allowed unlimited visits to Division III and NAIA schools, but oftentimes these schools’ small recruiting budgets restrict how much they can offer , and some colleges don’t offer official visits at all.

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ATHLEADERS OF THE MONTH HANNAH RAU

COLIN SUTTON

Volleyball Grad Year Favorite Quote: Life isn’t waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning how to dance in the rain

SETH AND TANNER KURZ

Swimming 2012 All State swimming champs, National Honor Society Members and part of the Navy JROTC.

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Football 2013 Favorite Quote: A navy seal quote “the only easy day was yesterday”

BRICE BASSINGER

Wrestling Grad Year Dreams of wrestling in college and possibly pursuing dermatology

SOCIAL CORNER Giving back to your community and those less fortunate is as much of a reward to those dedicating their time or money, as it is to those who are receiving it.

The NCSA family is giving back this holiday and helping children in need. We’ll be donating toys and money in hopes of creating a happier holiday for many families.

We want to hear how you’re giving back this holiday season!

Share your stories with us on facebook!

MEET THE PEOPLE answering your questions and keeping you informed of all things going on here at NCSA! Do you have recruiting questions?

Tweet @NCSA to have your questions answered and possibly featured in the NCSA Newsletter. #NCSASPORTS

Sarah

Aaron

Dear Coach Taylor -I’ve heard the words “quiet period,” “dead period,” and “contact period” thrown around a lot when it comes to talking to college coaches. What does each one mean?

Quiet Period Athletes can visit with coaches at any time, but only on college campuses.. Coaches may not watch athletes practice or compete, but they may communicate in writing or by phone.

Dead Period No in-person contact of any kind is allowed between athletes and coaches. They may communicate in writing or by phone.

Contact Period Athletes may visit with coaches at any time, on or off campus. Coaches may watch athletes practice or compete, and may communicate in writing or by phone.

These limitations also apply to athletes’ parents, and may be subject to sport-specific regulations.

Randy Taylor is a 30 year veteran of college athletics

UPCOMING EVENTS...

12/5 - 6:30 PM ICE Athletic Center ICE Athletic Complex Charlie Adams Mishawaka, IN 12/6 - 6:45 PM Navarre HS (All Sports) George Henshaw Navarre, FL 12/7 - 7:00 PM Syracuse HS Auditorium Paul Putnam West Syracuse, UT 12/12 - Viewmont HS Gym Paul Putnam Bountiful, UT 12/13 - 6:30 PM Chapelle HS Auditorium George Henshaw Metairie, LA 12/14 - 7:00 PM Woods Cross HS Auditorium Paul Putnam Woods Cross, UT

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