The Reality of Athletic Scholarships

The Reality of Athletic Scholarships and Recruiting

So you want to go for an Athletic Scholarship, eh?  What are the true odds of receiving athletic aid, or some for of a college scholarship for sports?

We are in a society that lacks reality.  As my children have gone from grade school to high school, I continue to witness absolute insanity, usually at the hands of parents.  From countless dollars spent on camps, excessive training and club sports, to the relentless father filming his 6 year old at an indoor soccer competition.  I overheard the same father talking about the "film review" process they do after every game.  You have got to be kidding me.  

For a few gifted athletes, there are coveted scholarship spots out there.  The reality is, about 2% of High School athletes will obtain a sports scholarship.  The New York Times did a fantastic study called "Slicing the Pie" in which they analyzed the total number of athletes participating in High School sports, the number of scholarships rewarded, the total amount given and the % of a full scholarship.  A graphic can be viewed here with all the information:  Athletic Scholarship Breakdown by Sport.

The biggest myth our there is the "full ride".  Almost no full rides are given out there in the college world today, in fact the majority of athletic scholarship aid provided is in the 30-40% range.  Many Seniors will find that when they examine their expected family contribution at most schools, along with other types of aid, they will far exceed what they can achieve from an athletic perspective. Here is a calculator to figure out the type of aid you can receive:  EFC Aid Calculator  

Understand that sports can be a path to aid, but can also help your son or daughter get into an institution that otherwise may be a far reach for them if they applied through standard channel.  You need to look at it from both angles, and be fully informed.

Listing of DI, DII and DIII Schools and Their Athletic Websites

Listing of DI, DII and DIII Schools and Their Athletic Websites

NCAA Division 1, 2, 3 Listings and Athletic Sites

Compiled a list of schools and their athletic programs for reference.  I am also working on a sports specific list for those looking for athletic scholarship information.  This is a good reference for any college recruiting research as well:

DI College Listing and Athletic Sites

DII College Listing and Athletic Sites

DIII College Listing and Athletic Sites

ERG Times for a Rowing / Crew Scholarship

What ERG Time do I need for a Rowing Scholarship?

ERG for a Scholarship?

There has been a great rise in rowing participation in the U.S., with many high school students focused on the dream of rowing in college.  This site has some fantastic stats on the number of rowing scholarships and schools that offer them, as well as some eye opening percentages:

Rowing Scholarship Statistics

So what kind of ERG times do coaches look for?  Below is a summary of 2K ERG times I could glean from the web:

Heavyweight men: 6:30 and below gets you noticed, 6:10 will get them calling
Lightweight Men: 6:40 and below gets you noticed, top recruits are sub 6:30
to 6:20.
Heavyweight Women: 7:20 – 7:30 is considered good, 7:15 – 7:10 very good, 7:09 and below
is excellent
Lightweight Women:  Below 7:50 is good, 7:40 and under is considered excellent

Here are some other links:

School with Rowing Scholarships

I am constantly researching the subject and providing tips to fellow rowing parents and athletes through my core site.  Sign up if you would like to get email notifications on rowing scholarship tips: Recruiticus Rowing Athlete Registration  and follow us on Facebook here:  Recruiticus Facebook

2012-2013 NCAA Recruiting Calendars and Dates

2012-2013 NCAA Recruiting Calendars

Important Recruiting Dates

2012-2013 Division I Recruiting Calendars

2012-2013 Division II Recruiting Calendars

Overview Chart (PDF) Cross Country - Track and Field Printable Calendar Football Printable Calendar Men's Basketball Printable Calendar Women's Basketball Printable Calendar Baseball Printable Calendar Softball Printable Calendar Women's Volleyball Printable Calendar Men's Lacrosse Printable Calendar Women's Lacrosse Printable Calendar Other DI Sports (PDF) Football Guide (PDF) Men's Basketball Guide (PDF) Women's Basketball Guide (PDF) Other Sports Guide (PDF)

Football Printable Calendar Men's Basketball Printable Calendar Women's Basketball Printable Calendar Other DII Sports (PDF) Recruiting Guide (PDF)

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Choices: Colleges, Athletic Scholarships and Recruiting

How do you choose your college for an athletic scholarship?

So, I want to make one point clear, YOU choose the school, the school does not choose YOU.  For gifted athletes looking at obtaining an athletic scholarship, the options can be overwhelming.  I have witnessed on far too many occasions, gifted athletes with the grades to go to any school they choose sit back and wait for the phone to ring.  Here is the problem:  If a coach doesn't know you are out there, he or she will not call you, nor make you an offer.  I would argue that the whole college selection process should mirror how you would choose if you did not have the athletic option.  I told my son and daughter, imagine you were injured and unable to play during your first year, is it somewhere you would like to be or be from?  So here is a list of evaluation criteria for any college:

1. Athletics - by no means should this be the first in the order, but if you are going to compete, you want to be happy with the coach, the program and the team.  Your official visit will give you great insight to the "feel" of the school from an athletic perspective.  Trust your gut, and your parents as well, it is always right.
2. Size - Big schools are not for everyone, and large state schools can be intimidating, and at times not the greatest learning environment for certain types of students.  Talk this out with your parents and teachers, and narrow down your choice to large, medium or small.
3. Location - will you be comfortable 2000 miles from home?  Will the weather on the East Cost drive you crazy?  Does going to school in a farm town suit you?  These are all items that need to be examined.
4. Private or Public - there are benefits of both types of schools, and definitely a different feel.
5. Academics - Are University rankings important to you?  Do your choices have the right majors in line with your career goals?
6. Extra-curricular - What types of activities, clubs and organizations do your target schools have.  Sorority or fraternity?
7. Cost - When evaluating your options, obviously you want to make sure you can afford the price tag.  Most athletic scholarships are just a percentage, and most private school tuition after scholarship can be greater than public tuition.  Make sure it fits your budget.

There are some absolutely fantastic sites that let you specify your criteria, and then hone down  your options.   The College Confidential Search tool has a Sport and Division criteria if you are searching for Athletic Scholarship options..  Here are some links to help you with your choices:

CollegeBoard Big Future College Selection Tool

College Confidential's College Search (Includes Athletics)

College Prowler College Search Tool

Also, if you are just looking for schools that meet NCAA Division Scholarship criteria, search below for the school and the athletics they offer:

NCAA Member College and Universities and Divisions

Anything to add?  Please comment.

Introduction: Who I am and Why I Built This Site

Why build an athletic scholarship and college recruiting site?

The year was 2008.  My oldest son's Freshman year in High School was coming to an end, and he was somehow recruited to do Track and Field.  Coach David was an interesting man, he would watch the incoming Freshman walk onto campus, and set out to recruit the kids with the right frame.  Stephen was 6'5",   and quite thin.  Coach approached him, and said "I want you to throw shot put and discus for me".  Stephen resisted, a lover of football and basketball, he just didn't see the point.  But Coach was persistent, never let up, and there he was, in his second meet.  Without really any strength training or technique, and still quite wary of the whole Track thing in general, he popped a 50' throw with his 10lb. shot.  Coach David, a very serious man, pulled me aside after the meet, and informed me of Stephen's potential.  In so many words, he said, "I have never had a Freshman with so much raw potential and power."  And thus began a long an glorious high school throwing career that landed him several scholarship offers to a host of D1 schools, and eventually, a Scholarship at Duke University (His first choice), where he throws today.

When working with Stephen through the whole process, I found no central site for this information.  I had to pull from various resources, avoid people who wanted to take my money as a "consultant", and really educate myself.  This Blog is a road map to help any parent/student who wants to reach for the stars, and continue their athletic career in college and beyond.  It is a central reference for all things athletic scholarship and college recruiting related.  It is also my effort to help avoid something I saw over and over:  Highly talented, smart young adults who settled for schools well beneath them because they just didn't know how the process worked.  I am a Sales and Marketing Guy by trade, and I will share some methods to get the attention of those who YOU want, not that want YOU.  Enjoy, and please send me any questions, additions, omissions or lessons learned that you would like to share with others.

Go to our flagship site, www.recruiticus.com, and get busy now!!!

Sincerely,

Steve

Complete Recruiting Checklists for All High School Athletes

Athletic Scholarship and College Recruiting Checklists

I built these out from a ton of different internet sources when I was working with my oldest son's athletic scholarship quest.  These were a great help in making sure we did not forget anything in the college recruiting process, and were a great overall reference in beginning my daughter's quest for a D1 Scholarship.  They have a bunch of links as well to NCAA sites that have some great scholarship and recruiting information.  Please shoot me a note if you think there is anything missing, or you find any errors.

Freshman High School Athletic Scholarship and Recruiting Checklist

Sophomore High School Athletic Scholarship and Recruiting Checklist

Junior High School Athletic Scholarship and Recruiting Checklist

Senior High School Athletic Scholarship and Recruiting Checklist

Like these checklists?  Sign up at Recruiticus and get them in downloadable form.