Get Recruited to Play College Sports

This is a guest post by Sam

Sam  is a blogger and recent college graduate who writes about college related social and academic issues. Being a college student is tough, but being involved in your school by joining a club or being a college athlete makes the college experience that more memorable.

College admissions have become more and more competitive. On top of that are tuition hikes and a faltering economy, which, altogether, makes higher education something almost impossible to grasp

However, if you participate in high school sports, you may well have a glimmer of hope. Many schools go about actively recruiting college athletes for their teams, granting full admission and scholarships.

Whether you play football or basketball, college recruiting might be your ticket to higher education and a chance to play professionally, but how do you go about getting the recruiter’s attention?

Stay On Your Game

The best way to gain the positive attention of a college sports recruiting official is to keep up with your current athletics. Make sure you maintain your training regimen. You should be in constant shape and fitness. After all, college coaches will not want to waste time trying to condition you.

Furthermore, be a good player on the field. Teamwork and heart are just as important as skill and athleticism. Winning games will gain you attention, but consistently trying your hardest and displaying proper sportsmanship is even more important.

In that same vein, remember the team you currently play for. As important as college is, you still wear your high school’s jersey and should be focused on doing well for your current team. Whoever you play for next year doesn’t matter if you can’t get your head around your current situation.

Use Your Resources

Make sure to research schools to figure out what teams work best for you. Recruiting is a two-way street. You should choose the college you want to play for.

The Internet has some great resources and information about specific colleges. Some websites also give you the opportunity to create a profile that college recruiters can look through.

Ask your current coach for help. He will have the connections and can help set up meetings with recruiters. Your coach will also help you sift through the more meaningless offers and inform your overall decision.

Visit the Campus

Visiting the campus is a great way to get a feel for the campus life, the academics, and the athletic facilities, which should all go into making your decision.

Try to set up a meeting with the coaches and recruiters. You can figure out how well you’ll work with the staff and also have a chance to leave an impact on them. If things progress well, you might even be able to meet the current team. Chemistry might be a little lacking, personalities can clash, all leading to a terrible team. If you get along well with the team, chances are you’ll do work well together on the field or court.

Keep Up Academically

It should go without saying that your grades are important. As great as you handle a ball or move on the field, if your GPA is less than satisfactory, colleges won’t even consider you. Keep your grades up and make sure to study for your SAT’s or ACT’s.