One of the most effective roles you can play in the recruiting process is that of helping your athlete create a roadmap they can begin executing early in their high school career. Here’s a checklist of important tasks that you’ll need to undertake at various points in the recruiting process, beginning freshman year of high school.
Academic:
- Thoroughly review the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
- Use Division I core course worksheet inside the NCAA guide to set specific academic goals and plan a core course schedule
- Begin SAT/ACT test preparation
- Determine your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) to familiarize yourself with the collegiate financial aid process
- Apply to all colleges you are interested in attending
Recruiting:
- Start a correspondence log to keep track of your communications with college coaches
- Begin building a scouting report to present to college coaches
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and make sure your athlete’s high school counselor sends his or her transcript at the end of junior year
- Plan official and unofficial visits to local college campuses, always contacting the coaches beforehand to arrange a meeting
- Create a highlight or skills video using sport-specific video guidelines
- Compile a list of target schools based on your qualifications