An athlete signs a National Letter of Intent to end the recruitning process.
Many high school athletes play sports with hopes of landing a college scholarship. The recruitment process sometimes begins as soon as an athlete enters high school. College coaches search for athletes who can improve their programs while teenage athletes put their talents on display for scouts to see. As the recruitment process plays out, a mutually-beneficial result for the student-athlete and the college sports program remains the ultimate goal.
Playing the Game
The first step in the college recruitment process finds a student-athlete playing the sport of his choice. This typically occurs at the high school level. However, in certain sports such as soccer and basketball, recruitment also occurs at the competitive club level. All sports at the college level, even lesser-known sports like lacrosse and water polo, involve some form of recruitment of younger players. Coaches determine the best avenues, whether high school or club, for finding players.
Getting Recognized
Players who perform successfully in their sport get recognized by college coaches or scouts. This recognition comes from a variety of methods. A coach may see a player at a high school or club game or tournament that catches his eye. Additionally, some college coaches hold camps for their sports, allowing many players to showcase their talent in a personal environment. Players also initiate contact by sending a highlight video and sports resume to coaches around the country. Interested coaches may then arrange to personally watch a player in competition to get a better handle on his skills.
Contact
When a coach recognizes a player he would like to add to his program, he gets in touch with the player. There are a variety of regulations put out by the NCAA and NAIA regarding what type of contact a coach can have with a player and when. Initial contact may come in the form of an informational packet or brochure regarding the college's athletic program. When appropriate, a coach may express interest in the player by offering one of the program's full or partial scholarships, or the coach may simply offer the player an opportunity to try out. The player will likely visit the school to see if he would feel comfortable. From the first contact to the end of the recruitment process, a coach monitors the player's progress and performance in both the athletic and academic fields.
Player's Choice
When a player has gathered all the necessary information and weighed the benefits of each offer, he will sign a National Letter of Intent with the school of his choice. This document binds the student-athlete to spend at least one academic year at the college. If the athlete is a minor prospect or plays in a smaller sport, he may need to act quickly to avoid losing his scholarship or roster spot. Colleges tend to show more patience with top-tier talent whom they hope will join their program and improve the team.
Tags: high school, recruitment process, choice This, college coaches, high school club, Letter Intent, National Letter