The creation of the safety net- Post Grad, NCAA -NAIA schools
High school athletes often dream of pursuing their passion and competing at the next level. For high school athletes, this means playing college sports. However, the road to college athletics is not always straightforward, and there are many potential obstacles along the way. This is where creating a safety net of colleges across various levels, including post-grad programs, NCAA and NAIA schools, can be incredibly valuable for high school athletes.
The first benefit of having a safety net of colleges across various levels is that it increases the chances of a high school athlete being able to play college sports. Not every athlete is going to be recruited by a Division I program right out of high school. In fact, most athletes are not going to be recruited by a Division I program right out of high school. However, there are plenty of opportunities to play college sports at Division II, III, and NAIA levels. Additionally, there are post-grad programs that can help athletes improve their skills and increase their chances of being recruited by a higher-level program in the future. By having a safety net of colleges across various levels, athletes are more likely to find a college that is a good fit for them and their skill level.
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The second benefit of having a safety net of colleges across various levels is that it provides high school athletes with more options. Not every athlete wants to play at the highest level of competition. Some athletes may want to focus more on academics or pursue a specific major, while others may want to stay closer to home. Having a safety net of colleges across various levels allows athletes to explore different options and find a college that meets their individual needs and goals.
The third benefit of having a safety net of colleges across various levels is that it can help athletes avoid burnout. The pressure to compete at the highest level can be overwhelming for some athletes. Not every athlete is ready to handle the demands of Division I athletics right out of high school. By having a safety net of colleges across various levels, athletes can start at a level that is more appropriate for their skill level and gradually work their way up. This can help athletes avoid burnout and give them a better chance of success in the long run.
The fourth benefit of having a safety net of colleges across various levels is that it can help athletes improve their skills. Post-grad programs, in particular, can be a valuable tool for athletes who need extra time to develop their skills before playing at the college level. These programs can provide athletes with additional coaching and training opportunities that can help them improve their game and increase their chances of being recruited by a higher-level program in the future.
The fifth benefit of having a safety net of colleges across various levels is that it can help athletes stay in the game. Not every athlete is going to make it to the professional level, but that doesn’t mean they have to stop playing the sport they love. By having a safety net of colleges across various levels, athletes can continue to play and compete at a high level, even if they don’t have aspirations of going pro.
Overall, creating a safety net of colleges across various levels can be incredibly valuable for high school athletes. It increases the chances of playing college sports, provides more options, helps athletes avoid burnout, improves skills, and allows athletes to stay in the game. High school athletes who are serious about playing college sports should consider all options and explore different programs at various levels to find the best fit for them.
When I begin to work with families, I try to make sure that they understand that this is a 40-year decision. It is NOT only about four years of baseball.
In addition to the more obvious topics, some families I’ve helped over the last 30 years include have felt these were important areas to consider as well:
Does a student-athlete want a major metropolitan city or more of a rural environment?
How close is the cafeteria to the dorm?
Where is the library located as it relates to the dorms as well as the baseball facility?
How far are the dorms in relation to the athletic facilities?
What is the undergraduate student population on campus?
This is not simply a baseball decision, it’s a life-altering choice, don’t fear the choice but embrace it by being the most informed you can be.
Friendships and relationships made during the college years last a lifetime. Future spouse, job connections and possibly permanent residence often happen because of the decision about where one chooses to attend college.
In this section I will provide a guide, in the form of a questionnaire. It is very important for the student-athlete to fill out on their own with some REAL thoughts about their answers. Maybe even answer the questions and, before making any plans, let the answers sit for a week or two, and revisit them to make sure none of the answers were given in an emotional or uninformed state. I’ve intentionally given plenty of blank lines to use.
The only wrong answers are ones that do not genuinely reflect the priorities of the prospective student-athlete. Mom and dad, this is a tough intersection – I know because I wanted through it with my two sons whom I love deeply. Giving them the space to learn to be their own young-adult self is really important for their development and your future relationship. Be a resource; don’t be the instigator or the decider.
STUDENTS: I STRONGLY encourage you to write in and mark up the book, as it then becomes your personal workbook to refer to throughout the decision process.
Questions you will want to work through include (but are not limited to):
What makes an NJCAA/JUCO school better than an NCAA D3 program?
Could an NCAA D2 program be a better fit than a D1 program?
How do you make those choices?
For me, it comes down to three primary focal points:
1. A student athlete’s athletic ability level and desire and drive to improve. Each player must have a firm understanding and evaluation of their athletic ability both from self-evaluation and getting an outside evaluation. It is very important to not over-estimate or sell yourself short. Talk to people with no vested interest, but lots of experience in accurately assessing young players for projectability; it may take some time to find these people, but know they’re out there. Later in this book are several people who are available to potentially give you their targeted skill assessments (it’s obviously up to each of them as to whether or not they can help you; it’s intended to be a resource for your family to have a jumping-off point for getting GOOD information and insight).
2. What type of academic transcript (AP, Honors, or CP level courses, and GPA, plus the standardized test scores, if any) will a student present to an admissions office?
3. Is the student-athlete truly driven to be part of a college baseball program? It takes 24-40 hours a week of workouts and practices. Understand that a typical day is up at 5am and ends after a study hall at 10-11pm. It makes for a long day for most student-athletes.
What I am saying is that there is not one single recipe for success, there is no script or blueprint to follow. Each student-athlete must make an individual decision based on their unique qualifications. The one common thread that all student-athletes have in common is a desire to play beyond high school.
With that in mind, the priority is to find a college program that wants you, and where you want to attend. Let me say that again…WANTS YOU! Go to some place that fits YOU and really appreciates what YOU can bring to the program and school. Doing so means YOU have a quicker path to actual real playing time and that is priceless! What good are you doing yourself besides stroking your ego, if you are riding the pine for three (or more!) years.
Go to where YOU have your best FIT and where you are going to PLAY.
Below is the promised recruitment guideline to help our athletes along the process. I encourage the athletes to fill out themselves and use the page space to write in!
REMEMBER THE NO’S ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE YES! It’s so important to get an idea of your likes and dislikes, your wants and needs, and your priorities. It also helps you narrow your focus and refine your list.
YOU THE ATHLETE not mom or dad. YOU ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO LIVE WITH YOUR CHOICES. With over 30 years of experience coaching and guiding student-athletes (including my two sons), the following is the exact tool I use with them, sitting at my kitchen table with our favorite takeout in front of us. Take your time and mark up away! The more you write the better! You should refer to this workbook often. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE ANY ANSWER AND COURSE CORRECT AS YOU MAKE PROGRESS THROUGH YOUR PROCESS – the odds are good you might change your mind about some things, and that is OK!
Let’s start from a 20,000ft viewpoint. Instead of being overwhelmed with all the options/choices that are possible, let’s narrow our focus to what’s important to your athlete and family. Just like if you were looking at buying a new house or car, getting clear on both what we DO want and what we DON’T want is the best place to start.