by DDG » Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:30 pm
Academics! Glad my kid always made this a priority. It wasn’t until the end of her junior year that she decided that she wanted to go into math and science, and attend one of the top academic schools. Without the solid four years of great grades, her choice of schools in those fields would have been very limited.
I have seen many great athletes limit their chances because they did not take care of their academics. It’s too bad no one told them sooner that grades count.
Get on a team that will be seen. Look at the fields they are on in the major showcases. Many good athletes don’t get the chance they may deserve because they are not playing on the fields where the colleges are at. This is really important for the “normal” gold level player. The greatest of the group will always be seen. But for the other 90%, exposure is important.
Emails and letters – Get real good at keeping a database with all the important information for each school of interest. Track all your contact. Use every excuse you can to email the reach out to the coach (updated schedule, updated resume, sending congrats on their teams recent performance, etc.).
Visits – As finances allow, go to as many as you can. Also, for schools close by, go to their games. Make sure to greet the coach before or after the game, when appropriate. This shows them you are interested, and lets you see how the teams functions.
If possible, go hear Sue Enquist speak (or someone like her). Being in SoCal, we have had the privilege of hearing her several times. Great motivational experience.
Lastly, even tough guys can cry when the kid signs on the dotted line.