Winning an Athletic Scholarship; Everything you need to know.

By: Daniel Z. Kane

Do you want to compete in intercollegiate athletics? If so, here's what you need to do.

First, be sure you "get real". Most high school student-athletes don't have the talent to play basketball in the ACC or football in the Big Ten. And, most coaches in those leagues already know which high school players they want to recruit. So, instead of spinning your wheels contacting the universities which are on TV every week, have a frank conversation with your coach and other well-informed folks and compile a list of colleges whose coaches might want to pursue you. Then, ask your counselor which of the listed colleges makes sense from his or her perspective, and if there are others you should add to your list.

Whatever you do, don't weigh athletics too heavily. Academics should always come first...always. Size, location, campus environment, special programs, and other factors should be considered as well. Try to find the "ideal" college for you, not just a place where you can compete in athletics.

Don't rule out colleges simply because you have not heard much about them. Mount Union, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Kenyon are three colleges you may not have heard of, but all have distinguished themselves in athletics. There are dozens more like them in every sport you can name.

Remember that there is a lot of financial aid aside from athletic scholarships, and that there are some great athletic programs at the NCAA II and III levels.

Keep in mind that the primary benefit of college is education. And, know that there are some coaches out there who care more about athletic performance than what you do in the classroom. If you encounter one, avoid him or her at all costs.

Make sure you read up on the operative regulations governing recruiting and consult with your high school coach if you have questions or concerns. Strict adherence to all (NCAA, NAIA, and/or NJCAA) regulations is critical.

Coaches aren't the only people who can help you learn about colleges. Communicate with admissions counselors too. They will often provide you with far more information than you can get from coaches.

Don't make the mistake of ruling out colleges in your initial research because of their listed costs. Frequently, students out-of-pocket costs are far lower.

Coaches receive lots of inquiries, so you may not receive an immediate reply to your letter or email. Thus, don't be too impatient. However, if you've not heard from a coach you contacted within a month, try again. Be aware that some coaches will not be interested in you and may therefore never respond.

Remember, even if a coach swamps you with emails, letters, or brochures, he or she may only be doing so to be polite or may be stringing you along as a possible alternative to the student-athletes he or she really wants. Knowing that, your smartest plan is to continue communicating with any coach who seems to be interested in you until you have accepted a firm offer. Don't close any doors early.

When you do accept a final offer, send a "thank you" note to all the coaches who showed interest in you...it's just good manners. And, you never know; you might want to transfer from the first college in which you enroll.

Article Source: Loan Info Center

Daniel Z. Kane, now a university dean, is a former high school coach. You can find lots of helpful information on his websites about college how to get an athletic scholarship , and online colleges .
Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content athletic scholarships article here.

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