Recruiting Must Haves: 1 - Assessment

There are a few key elements that are fundamental to a successful NCAA recruitment journey:

1. Assessment - an honest assessment of the student-athlete's skills and academic strengths and weaknesses
2. Profile - an athletic and academic profile that conveys your abilities on and off the field
3. Skills Video - a YouTube or embedded video that highlights your athletic abilities
4. Contacting Coaches - reaching out to coaches and building relationships
5. Recruitment Advisor - a high school or rep team coach, guidance counsellor, or objective third party

Our next few articles will focus on each of these key elements individually, beginning today with Assessment.

The first step that a family must take in the recruitment journey is to undergo an honest assessment of the student-athlete's athletic and academic abilities. This first assessment step should be done by an objective third party and is used to determine the kinds of universities that might be most suitable for the athlete and their family. If the assessment phase is skipped, your recruitment journey will lack the focus and direction that it needs to be successful.

A genuine assessment will help determine what level of play your abilities are most suited for: Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, NJCAA. Many families discredit divisions outside of DI, however, there are universities at all levels that offer outstanding academic experiences and financial assistance. For example, while 56% of all DI student-athletes receive some athletics aid in the form of athletic scholarships, 82% of all student-athletes in DIII receive some form of academic grant.

To complete your initial assessment follow these three steps:

1. Consult and listen to an expert - Have a conversation with a trusted source who has extensive knowledge of what university coaches are looking for athletically and academically at each level of competition.
2. Be genuine and practical - Align your expectations with your athletic and academic abilities as indicated by your trusted assessment source.
3. Research - Once you have received an honest and accurate assessment of your athletic and academic abilities, and you have committed to pursuing the level of competition that aligns with your assessment, you should begin to research the schools that fit your criteria. A focused and specific search will save you a great deal of time and frustration in the long run.

Next we'll be looking at creating an athletic and academic profile.

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