A must listen to NY Times interview on College Recruiting & Scholarships Offers (Click here)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tournaments, Camps and Showcases: An Important Recruiting Tool for the Prospective Student-Athlete
Tournaments, Camps and Showcases: An Important Recruiting Tool for the Prospective Student-Athlete
By Tom Kovic
A critical component of an effective college athletics recruiting strategy is found in developing strong awareness for the prospective student-athlete. This can be accomplished through direct communication, the provision of a personal profile and skills DVD and the development of a personal website to name a few. Another effective way to get on the “radar screen” of the college coach is through participation in sport-specific camps, showcases and tournaments.
While providing coaches with general information (profiles, videos) can assist them with an initial evaluation of the prospect, participating in tournaments and camps will give the college coach a first hand look at the prospect and offer a more genuine evaluation. There are several events during the year and throughout the country that offer athletes the opportunity to “strut their stuff” against competition they would normally not see, and choosing the most “strategic” venues is important, especially if the athlete is trying to get some “good looks” from the college coaches.
One of the many recruiting areas that college coaches focus on is the evaluation of raw talent of prospects that are listed in their active file. Initially, they will begin with hard data that will include both academic and athletic credentials and build their information base further with onsite evaluations. Therefore, a prospect might choose a popular tournament that can result in a weekend of success and enjoyment, but if the further intent to participate in the event is to develop “visibility” and the college coaches are not in attendance, it may not have been worth the effort.
Determining the events to participate
This is a very important area that requires research, along with a team approach with your club and or high school coach. Firstly, you want to determine which events are most popular and attract a higher volume of athletes from a diverse geographic region. Secondly, you want to get an historical perspective of the event and determine past attendance by college coaches and more specifically who attended?
College coaches will make every effort to attend off campus tournaments, but they cannot attend them all! Obviously, if coach is recruiting 50 prospects and has the opportunity to view 15 PSA’s at 1 tournament, you can almost bet he or she will be there. College coaches strongly value “economy of time and effort” and will look to attend tournaments where their “active prospects” will be in attendance. Since college coaches are bound by strict contact rules, I suggest the prospect or parent call the college coach directly and determine which future events he/she plan to attend.
College Camps
On-campus sports camps are becoming more popular each year and for good reason. Not only do coaches who sponsors summer camp reap the benefit of bringing talented student-athletes to the university, they also have the opportunity to evaluate talent in the comfort of their home base, while offering prospects a first hand look at campus through a “pseudo” unofficial visit.
The prospect can benefit from this on campus experience as well. Since the event is held on the college coach’s campus, it provides the prospect with direct access to the coach and with very few restrictions according to NCAA unofficial visit rules. Not only will the athlete have the ability to take part in an exciting camp experience, he also has the opportunity to form the foundation of what can potentially become a mutually beneficial relationship. It gives the prospect a chance to “probe” the coach about his program, philosophy and where he possibly sees the prospect as a future member of his team, while creating a strong base of information that will only assist the prospect and his family as they navigate the college quest further.
Communicating with the coaches
Attending camps, showcases and tournaments is one thing, but if your sincere intention in attending these events is to get an initial evaluation from the college coaches, I suggest letting them know you will be there!
Remember, college coaches are bound by very strict contact rules, especially with 9th-11th grade prospects, but athletes and families are permitted to contact college coaches by phone, with little restriction. If you have begun developing a relationship with a number of college coaches, I suggest contacting them well before the scheduled event and determine which events they attend more often and utilize as their recruiting tools to evaluate future talent. Additionally, let them know that you have strong interest in their institution and would strongly value their personal evaluation.
Attending tournaments, showcases and camps will offer young athletes the chance to enhance their personal skill level and in new and exciting environments. Potentially, it also provides an additional benefit in providing prospective student-athlete’s with a chance at gaining strong visibility in the eyes of college coaches and further strengthen their position as they navigate the college search.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Monday, January 7, 2008
College Recruiting Survey Questionnaire
Attention all BaseballClick.com subscribing members
Take our College Recruiting Survey Questionnaire and make sure your on the right track during the college selection process....
Process take less than 5 minutes...
The questionnaire is provided by Victory Collegiate Consulting
All participants will receive an evaluation of their current college recruiting structure, with suggested tips, based on the information gathered.
All participants will receive an evaluation of their current college recruiting structure, with suggested tips, based on the information gathered.
This information will be forwarded back to the participant within 1 week.
Powered by: BaseballClick.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Victory Webinar Series
***ATTENTION COLLEGE RECRUITS***
This webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to attend weekly interactive presentations on college recruiting and in the comfort of their own home
Victory Webinar Series
On January 13, 2008 VCC will be launching the Victory Webinar Series in an effort to offer online, interactive seminars on college athletics recruiting. Seating will be limited to 12 families and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Fee: $195.00
On January 13, 2008 VCC will be launching the Victory Webinar Series in an effort to offer online, interactive seminars on college athletics recruiting. Seating will be limited to 12 families and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Fee: $195.00
Webinar Includes:
(4) one hour interactive presentations
Participants view each webinar from their home computers
Easy to follow PowerPoint presentations
Round Table discussions via teleconference
Write in questions via text message
(1) hour of personal advisement time with Tom Kovic
A personal copy of the recruiting manual: Reaching for Excellence An educational guide for college athletics recruiting
For further information please visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com and click the Webinar Series link.
To register go to: www.victoryrecruiting.com/pricing.html
Saturday, December 15, 2007
NCAA Baseball : New Recruiting Rules
The new rule making the biggest impact seems to be the 35 man cap on NCAA rosters. Apparently this is making it harder for the big schools to recruit top talent. In the past a powerhouse program could sign an unlimited number of top players knowing that many of them would opt out and sign minor league contracts and, even if more players reported then were expected to, the team could still carry all of them on their roster and just give out smaller scholarship awards. However, now that teams can only have 35 players on their roster it will be much harder for schools to extend dozens of offers. The schools must have some plan to accommodate the players on their roster and with a minimum 25% scholarship if they do come to campus. Taking this situation one step further than Fit, I think these new rules may lead college baseball recruiting in one of two directions.
The top few hundred recruits will always be fine. The group that will most be affected are those good but not great recruits. High school grads who are choosing between playing at the NCAA level, signing a minimum bonus minor league deal or deciding to focus on life after baseball. The new rule will presumably mean that more of these good players will sign professional contracts out of high school. If a good player wants to go to a top school that will groom him for the pros and that school cannot promise him support the uncertainty factor will make the professional contract appear more attractive. Or an alternative way this could play out....
If the top programs start telling recruits that they are not guaranteed a scholarship, or even a roster spot, these players might then find other colleges, presumably smaller programs, to sign on to.
The second option is the one the NCAA likes. We'll just have to see how this plays out. I am not sure that a good player with his heart set on playing for a Big-12 team who instead finds his only secure option is to instead go to a regional school will not just decide to by-pass college ball and take his chances in the minors.
The top few hundred recruits will always be fine. The group that will most be affected are those good but not great recruits. High school grads who are choosing between playing at the NCAA level, signing a minimum bonus minor league deal or deciding to focus on life after baseball. The new rule will presumably mean that more of these good players will sign professional contracts out of high school. If a good player wants to go to a top school that will groom him for the pros and that school cannot promise him support the uncertainty factor will make the professional contract appear more attractive. Or an alternative way this could play out....
If the top programs start telling recruits that they are not guaranteed a scholarship, or even a roster spot, these players might then find other colleges, presumably smaller programs, to sign on to.
The second option is the one the NCAA likes. We'll just have to see how this plays out. I am not sure that a good player with his heart set on playing for a Big-12 team who instead finds his only secure option is to instead go to a regional school will not just decide to by-pass college ball and take his chances in the minors.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
College Athletics Recruiting Process Presentation
College Athletics Recruiting Process Presentation
Please join Tom Kovic, Director of Victory Collegiate Consulting on Sunday, December 9th at 7:00 PM (Eastern) for a complimentary 1 hour web presentation on the College Athletics Recruiting Process.
Sponsored by: Baseballclick.com
Tom will give you a look into the myriad of college athletics and how organizing for the recruiting process can dramatically improve your chances in reaching your goals.
To register, simply e-mail Tom Kovic at: kovic@victoryrecruiting.com and he will forward you the free seminar invitation.
Simply follow the instructions he provides and you will be part of the seminar, while in the comfort of your own home!
For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com or call 610-620-3189
Video Preview
Please join Tom Kovic, Director of Victory Collegiate Consulting on Sunday, December 9th at 7:00 PM (Eastern) for a complimentary 1 hour web presentation on the College Athletics Recruiting Process.
Sponsored by: Baseballclick.com
Tom will give you a look into the myriad of college athletics and how organizing for the recruiting process can dramatically improve your chances in reaching your goals.
To register, simply e-mail Tom Kovic at: kovic@victoryrecruiting.com and he will forward you the free seminar invitation.
Simply follow the instructions he provides and you will be part of the seminar, while in the comfort of your own home!
For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com or call 610-620-3189
Video Preview
Thursday, November 15, 2007
NCAA Eligibility Center - Launched 11/01/2007
NCAA creates Eligibility Center to consolidate certifications
The Association has announced the creation of an NCAA Eligibility Center that will bring the initial-eligibility and amateurism certification functions together under one roof beginning later this year. The change is expected to provide increased efficiency and enhanced customer service to the membership, prospective student-athletes and their parents.Currently, the NCAA’s initial-eligibility certification process is administered by American College Testing (ACT), Inc., an independent, nonprofit organization in Iowa City, Iowa. The contract’s approaching expiration (October 31, 2007) provided an opportunity for the national office to examine options available for the future of academic and amateurism certification.
ACT was informed January 22 of the decision.“There is a broader vision for how we can interact with student-athletes and bring them into the NCAA family,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for membership services. “We want to provide a better understanding of what the NCAA is about. We’re excited about bringing a new vision beyond the transactional nature of a clearinghouse and exposing prospects and parents to more NCAA values, specifically gambling education, drug-testing education and what it means to be successful in college.”Lennon said bringing the processes in-house will better integrate the academic and amateurism functions the NCAA provides before a student-athlete enrolls in college. The new center also will afford increased use of technology and direct access to data by staff members.
In addition, combining initial-eligibility and amateurism certification procedures will improve service to the membership and the public and relay to prospects and their parents both the core values of the NCAA and its commitment to higher education.NCAA senior staff collaborated with an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis before opting to create the Eligibility Center. The action aligns with elements of the Association’s strategic plan, which calls for the national office and its functions to be operate in an “accountable, effective and efficient manner.” Todd Leyden, who spent 17 years with the international professional services firm Arthur Andersen before starting his own management consulting and financial management business, has been named president of the center, which will be established as a limited liability corporation, similar to the structure of the National Invitation Tournament. Leyden will report to a board of directors composed of NCAA senior staff, including Lennon.
The LLC will not develop policy or hear appeals. Those functions will remain with the NCAA membership services staff and membership committees.Lennon and the membership services staff will evaluate the quality of services provided by the LLC, and the board will complete all personnel transactions. Officials anticipate that some NCAA staff will move to the Eligibility Center.The Association benefits from an experienced leader in Leyden. During his time at Andersen and his own firm, Leyden led a number of strategic initiatives for organizations such as Simon Property Group; Clarian; Ivy Tech; the City of Indianapolis; and Indiana University, Bloomington. Lennon said Leyden’s vision and expertise will provide “the strong leadership necessary to run an effective process.”Other specifics of the plan are still being finalized. NCAA staff will seek membership feedback on what features they value about the current process and what they would like to see added with the creation of the new center. The search for feedback could occur in several formats, including focus groups, surveys and discussions within the governance structure.Lennon said the solid business plan, strong leadership and transition team should create a smooth transition and avoid some of the growing pains that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse experienced when it was established in the mid-1990s. While similar challenges aren’t anticipated because the processes already are in place, Lennon acknowledged a likely adjustment period while the Eligibility Center staff, the membership and prospective student-athletes grow accustomed to the change.“Any time you make a change like this, there are going to be challenges,” Lennon said. “But this is also a great opportunity to look at how we have been doing things — from programming and interactions to customer service. We look at this as a real opportunity to examine our processes over the transition period.”Once the transition is made, Lennon said he anticipates the NCAA Eligibility Center providing a higher level of service and greater flexibility within the certification process, as well as providing the Association with some cost savings.
The Association has announced the creation of an NCAA Eligibility Center that will bring the initial-eligibility and amateurism certification functions together under one roof beginning later this year. The change is expected to provide increased efficiency and enhanced customer service to the membership, prospective student-athletes and their parents.Currently, the NCAA’s initial-eligibility certification process is administered by American College Testing (ACT), Inc., an independent, nonprofit organization in Iowa City, Iowa. The contract’s approaching expiration (October 31, 2007) provided an opportunity for the national office to examine options available for the future of academic and amateurism certification.
ACT was informed January 22 of the decision.“There is a broader vision for how we can interact with student-athletes and bring them into the NCAA family,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for membership services. “We want to provide a better understanding of what the NCAA is about. We’re excited about bringing a new vision beyond the transactional nature of a clearinghouse and exposing prospects and parents to more NCAA values, specifically gambling education, drug-testing education and what it means to be successful in college.”Lennon said bringing the processes in-house will better integrate the academic and amateurism functions the NCAA provides before a student-athlete enrolls in college. The new center also will afford increased use of technology and direct access to data by staff members.
In addition, combining initial-eligibility and amateurism certification procedures will improve service to the membership and the public and relay to prospects and their parents both the core values of the NCAA and its commitment to higher education.NCAA senior staff collaborated with an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis before opting to create the Eligibility Center. The action aligns with elements of the Association’s strategic plan, which calls for the national office and its functions to be operate in an “accountable, effective and efficient manner.” Todd Leyden, who spent 17 years with the international professional services firm Arthur Andersen before starting his own management consulting and financial management business, has been named president of the center, which will be established as a limited liability corporation, similar to the structure of the National Invitation Tournament. Leyden will report to a board of directors composed of NCAA senior staff, including Lennon.
The LLC will not develop policy or hear appeals. Those functions will remain with the NCAA membership services staff and membership committees.Lennon and the membership services staff will evaluate the quality of services provided by the LLC, and the board will complete all personnel transactions. Officials anticipate that some NCAA staff will move to the Eligibility Center.The Association benefits from an experienced leader in Leyden. During his time at Andersen and his own firm, Leyden led a number of strategic initiatives for organizations such as Simon Property Group; Clarian; Ivy Tech; the City of Indianapolis; and Indiana University, Bloomington. Lennon said Leyden’s vision and expertise will provide “the strong leadership necessary to run an effective process.”Other specifics of the plan are still being finalized. NCAA staff will seek membership feedback on what features they value about the current process and what they would like to see added with the creation of the new center. The search for feedback could occur in several formats, including focus groups, surveys and discussions within the governance structure.Lennon said the solid business plan, strong leadership and transition team should create a smooth transition and avoid some of the growing pains that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse experienced when it was established in the mid-1990s. While similar challenges aren’t anticipated because the processes already are in place, Lennon acknowledged a likely adjustment period while the Eligibility Center staff, the membership and prospective student-athletes grow accustomed to the change.“Any time you make a change like this, there are going to be challenges,” Lennon said. “But this is also a great opportunity to look at how we have been doing things — from programming and interactions to customer service. We look at this as a real opportunity to examine our processes over the transition period.”Once the transition is made, Lennon said he anticipates the NCAA Eligibility Center providing a higher level of service and greater flexibility within the certification process, as well as providing the Association with some cost savings.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
VCC College Recruting Webinar Series To Launch January 13, 2008
Webinar Series To Launch January 13, 2008
Join Tom Kovic in an interactive online presentation series on the college recruiting process. Each presentation series will be conducted over a 4 week period, beginning January 13, 2008. Online PowerPoint presentations will be held live, each Sunday evening and followed by 1/2 hour of round table discussions at the conclusion of each presentation via conference call.
Detailed information will be available in the very near future with a direct link to the webinar page. Registration will be limited to 20 participants for each monthly series and begins November 30, 2007.
For a brief video introduction visit: http://victoryrecruiting.com/video/vccwebinar1.wmv
www.baseballclick.com
Join Tom Kovic in an interactive online presentation series on the college recruiting process. Each presentation series will be conducted over a 4 week period, beginning January 13, 2008. Online PowerPoint presentations will be held live, each Sunday evening and followed by 1/2 hour of round table discussions at the conclusion of each presentation via conference call.
Detailed information will be available in the very near future with a direct link to the webinar page. Registration will be limited to 20 participants for each monthly series and begins November 30, 2007.
For a brief video introduction visit: http://victoryrecruiting.com/video/vccwebinar1.wmv
www.baseballclick.com
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