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How bad do you want it?Aug 08 '00 Write an essay on this topic.If you're a high school athlete and you think you have the potential or simply the desire to play in college, I have some advice for you. I played lacrosse in high school and now I play Division I college. Guess what? I wasn't the best player on my team in high school, I just wanted to play in college. I knew that if I really wanted it, there would be a coach out there who wanted me. Here are so tips if you can't really decide what you want to do or don't know how to go about doing it: 1. At what level do you want to play? Are you ready for the commitment? As you probably know by now, there are three levels to college sports: Division I, II, and III, I being the most competitive and time-consuming. When making this decision, you have to take a lot of things into account. Do you want to go Ivy League? They're D I. Do you want to make a really large commitment or do you want time to commit to other things? Division I is a HUGE commitment. I can't stress that enough. I have often times wondered if I can still dedicate myself that much to lacrosse. It is a really tough decision if your sport isn't one of the most important things to you. If you're having trouble with this one, don't make the decision now. Visit some schools, follow the tips below and see what happens. 2. Do your research! Put together a list of schools by yourself, with your parents, and with your college counselor. Look into the programs each offer, not just in sports but also in other extra-curriculars and any academic programs that are of interest. You never know what is going to happen and you want to be happy at your choice of school even if your sport isn't in the picture. 3. Now that you have your list or some idea, contact coaches! This should happen sometime during your junior year. If you play a winter or spring sport, make sure you do this either before your season or, latest, during the season. Write letters telling the coaches about yourself. Include stats, as well as board scores, GPA, and any other interests you have. Be sure to sound enthusiastic and make each letter individual to each school. This takes some time, but coaches typically aren't interested in some form letter. 4. Have they responded? They will respond. Some may send you forms that you should fill out immediately and send back. You don't want to forget! Most coaches aren't allowed to call you til after July 1st, NCAA rules. They can however write you letters and watch you play. You can call them though! If they've written you back and seem interested, give them a call! Be prepared with questions and enthusiasm and dial them up. Coaches want players that are excited about the team and willing to work hard. They might even accept someone who isn't the best because they have the right attitude. Show them that you have that attitude! 5. Make a video! Many coaches will not be able to see you play for whatever reason. Make sure that you make a video of yourself, preferably in game situations, but if that isn't possible, try practice. Your parents are key in this. If they can rent a video camera or hire someone, that is excellent, but coaches will appreciate what ever you can manage. 6. Talk to your coach! Talk to your coach, they can be your best asset! They are the only person who really knows what kind of potential you have. Think of them as your ad campaign. When you figure out where you want to go, your coach can provide them with a little extra convincing. 7. Visit! If you are looking at Division I schools, many will ask you to take an official visit. You go and stay overnight with a player, all expenses paid. You can see practices, lifting sessions, and just hang out with the team. This is the best way to tell if you are going to like a given school. Division III loves to have recruits come visit, but unfortunately, they will not pay for it. Visit as much as you can! 8. Pick a school that's right for you. Which school did you get the best feeling from? Which school has the best academic department for what you want to study? Did you like the coach? Did you like the team? How well is the team doing? Ask yourself lots of questions to make sure that you pick a school that is right for you in multiple aspects. You are hopefully not going to college to play sports. You're going to have fun, get a great education, and have one last big shebang before you enter the real world!  |
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