NCAA Recruiting Calendar Presentation

Eligibility and Recruiting Calendars

Athletic Scholarships, Recruiting Calendars and Recruiting Eligibility Rules from Recruiticus

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Do you now your Signing Day?

National Letter of Intent (NLI) Signing Day

Signing your Scholarship?

So what is all the talk about signing day?  The National Letter of Intent, or NLI Program, is a voluntary program that has been put in place to coordinate a signed agreement between student athlete and a college or university.  The NLI states that the student will commit to an institution for at least an academic year, and that in turn, the college or university agrees to provide athletic aid in turn for the same period.  Once the letter is singed, the prospective student athlete is "off the streets" and can no longer be contacted by competing schools for recruiting purposes.  Different sports have different signing dates, and you can view them here:

Need more information?
NCAA NLI Signing Dates 
NCAA NLI Information Center
National Letter of Intent Guide

NCAA Recruiting Calendar: Understanding Periods

NCAA Contact Period, Evaluation Period, Quiet Period and Dead Period

Do you know your NCAA Calendar?

The NCAA Recruiting Calendar can be a nightmare of terms.  Understanding the NCAA Recruiting Periods is key to your athletic scholarship journey and recruiting timeline.  There are four periods: Contact Period, Evaluation Period, Quiet Period and Dead Period.  Each of these periods have strict rules on how, when and where the coach can contact  and meet the athlete and their parents.  For an extensive article on the topic, see below:

NCAA Recruiting Calendar Periods: Contact Period, Evaluation Period, Quiet Period and Dead Period

Also, you can get to the NCAA Recruiting Calendars here to see timelines for each sport:

NCAA Athletic Scholarship Links and Information

Athletic Scholarships: Setting Goals and Targets

Setting Recruiting Goals

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The Athletic Scholarship and the Full Ride

The Myth of the Full Ride Scholarship

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Where do I start? Athletic Scholarships and Recruiting

Getting Started on the Athletic Scholarship Road

One of the most common Athletic Scholarship questions is:

Where do I start in the recruiting process?

In order to be successful, you need to have a structured, organized method.  Below are some steps to get started:

1.  Identify your goals.  What do you want from a college and an athletic scholarship opportunity?  This is the best starting point. 
2.  Pick your target schools.  Once you have built your recruiting goals, you can then target schools that will help you meet them.
3.  Create a contact plan.  Once one and two are complete, you can start to gather information on the coaches at your target athletic scholarship schools.  This starts the whole process. 

For more information, go to  the Recruiticus Athletic Scholarship Info Site

Track and Field Scholarships: How do I know where I stand?

How do I get a Track and Field Scholarship?

The first step in getting a Track and Field Scholarship is getting exposure.  There are a number of sites on the internet that provide a great baseline on where you need to be in certain Track and Field events to be in the running for an Athletic Scholarship.  Below are some sites that you can use as a reference, and most college coaches use these to recruit Track and Field Athletes:

Athletic.net   This is a site that is used by coaches to submit meet results.  You can search by individual Track Athlete, Track and Field Teams, or by individual events.  In my opinion, one of the best.

DyeStat  This is another good site, and has a number of "lists" to judge your performance.

Recruiticus Online athletic scholarship database.

For more information: Track and Field Scholarships

Senior Year Athletic Recruiting Checklist

Senior Year High School Athletic Recruiting Checklist

Senior year is here!!  This is the most exciting time for college recruiting, and is key to your Athletic Scholarship.  Some keys are Official Visits, National Letter of Intent (NLI) or Singing Day.  Below is your recruit checklist:

Timing	Category	Item
All Year	Academics	Focus on finishing strong, some school scholarships are contingent on good final grades.
All Year	Academics	Depending on how your test scores have come out, schedule retakes and make sure you have sent scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
All Year	Activities	Continue to focus on extra curriculars by participating in clubs, community and leadership activities
All Year	Academics	Identify any problem areas immediately and seek teacher or tutor assistance to make sure you have a solid foundation for future classes
Fall	All	Set goals for the year in both academics and athletics.
Fall	Academics	Begin to examine all Financial Aid Requirements.  Check with target school admissions/financial aid.
Fall	Academics	Narrow down your list to 10 schools, and focus on the application process for these.  Just like any other non-athletic applicant, make sure you have some safety schools, as well as some reach schools on the list.  If you have no solid opportunities, you may need to rebuild your list.
Fall	Recruiting	Download or Purchase the latest version of the  NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete, check for changes
Fall	Recruiting	Review the latest NCAA Academic Requirements to make sure you are taking the correct courses: NCAA Student Athlete Worksheet and NCAA Academic Quick Reference Guide
Fall	Recruiting	Make sure your  NCAA Eligibility Center information is all complete, and you have directed your SAT and ACT scores to code "9999".
Fall	Recruiting	Download and learn your recruiting timeline.  Here is the NCAA Calendar:  NCAA College Recruiting Timelines and Calendars
Fall	Academics	Meet with High School Guidance Counselor to ensure you are on track for all requirements.
Fall	Recruiting	Plan and organize official visits.  If one has not been offered at your target schools, call and inquire.  Be prepared with questions, and also prepared to respond to offers.
Fall	Recruiting	Negotiate and compile all scholarship offers.
Winter	Academics	Finalize and Submit all application materials
Winter	Academics	The FAFSA becomes available January 1st, and most schools require it submitted in late winter/early spring.  Check with Financial Aid Office at each school for deadlines.
Winter	Academics	Work with your target school coaches to see examine your offers and figure out your best financial aid options.
Various Times	Recruiting	Know your National Letter of Intent (NLI), or signing day.  Make sure you have all your offers, and know your final choice.  Coordinate with your school, coach and athletic director.  Here for more info:  National Signing Day
All Year	Athletics	Ask for additional evaluations from high school and club coaches for a reality check
All Year	Athletics	Define strength, benchmark and competitive goals with coaches for the year
All Year	Athletics	Work with outside strength / agility programs and outside coaches / clinics to enhance skills
All Year	Social Media	Make sure you use Facebook, MySpace and all other internet accessible sites in a mature manner.  Coaches look!!!
All Year	Social Media	Make sure all your target school coaches have all your social media links, and update all sites with stats, footage, pictures, records, etc.
In Season	Athletics	Make sure you keep a log of all your stats, collect all photos and video clips and any newspaper clippings.
In Season	Athletics	Coaches look for good athletes, but also want leadership and good sportsmanship.  Make sure you rise to the occasion.
In Season	Athletics	Evaluate your performance pre, during and post season, and perform a reality check (do you make the cut)
In Season	Athletics	Utilize your social media and send periodic updates on new records, milestones, pics, etc.
In / Post Season	Recruiting	Update accounts on BeRecuited, Takkle, etc. and make sure your profile is complete and updated.
Post Season	Recruiting	Continue to communicate with your target school coaches through email and phone.  Get a true feel of where you stand.
Post Season	Recruiting	Continue to organize your email folders with one for each school.  Make sure you place all your messages for that school into the folder.
Post Season	Recruiting	Update your Microsoft Excel Log for all communications with school representatives.  Include calls, email, Tweets, etc.
Spring	Recruiting	Work with your counselor to make sure your final transcripts are sent to the Eligibility Center and your destination school.
Summer	Recruiting	Keep in contact with your new coach and ask for any focus areas.
Summer	Athletics	Enroll in strength and agility training specific for your sport, and target school.

Want more? These are available for download at the Recruiticus Athletic Scholarship Site

Sophomore Year Athletic Scholarship Checklist

Sophomore Year College Recruiting Checklist

The Sophomore year in High School for student athletes is one to hit the books, make sure you are on track, and in many ways resembles the Freshman Year from a checklist perspective.  Contacting recruiting college coaches, and making sure you are in line with NCAA Recruiting Rules are paramount, and establishing yourself as a top recruit for an athletic scholarship is your main priority in this recruiting checklist.

Timing	Category	Item
All Year	Academics	Continue to focus on the grades, contribute to that GPA!!
All Year	Academics	Continue to take challenging classes, AP and Honors
All Year	Activities	Continue to focus on extra curriculars by participating in clubs, community and leadership activities
All Year	Academics	Identify any problem areas immediately and seek teacher or tutor assistance to make sure you have a solid foundation for future classes
Fall	All	Set goals for the year in both academics and athletics.
Fall	Recruiting	Download or Purchase the latest version of the  NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete, check for changes
Fall	Recruiting	Review the latest NCAA Academic Requirements to make sure you are taking the correct courses: NCAA Student Athlete Worksheet and NCAA Academic Quick Reference Guide
Fall	Academics	Re-evaluate your target list of schools that offer your sport.
Fall	Academics	Meet with High School Guidance Counselor to ensure you are on track for all requirements.
Winter	Academics	Make sure you are scheduled to take the PLAN and PSAT tests.
All Year	Athletics	Ask for additional evaluations from high school and club coaches for a reality check
All Year	Athletics	Define strength, benchmark and competitive goals with coaches for the year
All Year	Athletics	Work with outside strength / agility programs and outside coaches / clinics to enhance skills
All Year	Social Media	Make sure you use Facebook, MySpace and all other internet accessible sites in a mature manner.  Coaches look!!!
All Year	Social Media	Establish a Twitter Account, YouTube Account, Acceptable Email Address (no inappropriate words) and setup a BLOG.  If you don't have Facebook, do that as well.
In Season	Athletics	Make sure you keep a log of all your stats, collect all photos and video clips and any newspaper clippings.
In Season	Athletics	Coaches look for good athletes, but also want leadership and good sportsmanship.  Make sure you rise to the occasion.
In Season	Athletics	Evaluate your performance pre, during and post season, and perform a reality check (do you make the cut)
In Season	Athletics	Utilize your social media and send periodic updates on new records, milestones, pics, etc.
In / Post Season	Recruiting	Update accounts on BeRecuited, Takkle, etc. and make sure your profile is complete and updated.
Post Season	Recruiting	Establish contact with your target school coaches through email and by filling out candidate questionnaires
Post Season	Recruiting	Send a handwritten note on professional stationary to each coach and assistant coach at your targets schools.
Post Season	Recruiting	Organize your email folders with one for each school.  Make sure you place all your messages for that school into the folder.
Post Season	Recruiting	Create a Microsoft Excel Log for all communications with school representatives.  Include calls, email, Tweets, etc.
Summer	Athletics	Attend Nationally recognized camps and events for exposure.  If possible, attend a camp at a target school.
Summer	Athletics	Enroll in strength and agility training specific for your sport
Summer	Academics	If available, take advantage of summer school to knock an additional class out, especially one that may require additional focus.
Summer	Recruiting	Contact coaches from your target list and visit campuses.  Coordinate with Coach/Athletic Staff, and inform of your desire to attend.

Want more? These are available for download at the Recruiticus Athletic Scholarship Site