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Freshman Road Map

 


Sophomore Road Map     Junior Road Map     Seniors! - Road Map

As a freshman, you have time, which is a good thing!  However, don't sit back, there are still some things that you need to be considering or doing now so you won't get "jammed" down the road. Let's face it, we can all take time off from homework and research, but we are talking about your future, and if you have the desire, the you should be thinking ahead!  Continue reading below to learn the key tasks and activities that you should seriously be considering or already be doing.  

These tasks are separated out into "academic", "athletic", and "recruiting" categories and also divided into what you should be doing in the "fall", "season", "spring", and "summer".  It is important to note that "season" can be any part of your school year, so basically you will be doing these activities in conjuction with what may be listed in "fall", "spring" or "summer."

Review each task and assess where you are with completing the task and then work to achieve the task.  These things really aren't hard, the key here is to take OWNERSHIP and RESPONSIBILITY to get these done to proactively work your recruiting efforts.

FRESHMAN YEAR - CHECKLIST

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

CRITICAL TASK (Figure out if you are behind and if so, how far - and then CATCH UP!)

STANDARD TASK

PROACTIVE TASK (Get ahead on this task)

TASK REQUIRING SOME OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE (Ask for help)

 

 

 

 

ACADEMICS

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Order or download and print a copy of the NCAA Guide for the College -Bound Student-Athlete and read thoroughly.

X

 

 

 

Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to set specific academic goals and plan core course schedule. Even if you do not expect to play Division I athletics it is still smart to use the Division I worksheet so you are prepared in case things change.

X

 

 

 

Meet with high school guidance counselor to inform him/her of your goal to play college athletics and to review your core course curriculum to make sure it matches with the NCAA approved core courses.

X

 

 

 

Fill out Initial Target List with 25 colleges you want to pursue (5 DI, 5 DII, 5 DIII, 5 NAIA, 5 Junior College (if applicable).

X

 

 

 

Maintain a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.

X

X

X

X

Take honors classes only if an A or B average is possible.

X

X

X

X

Seek help from your teacher or a tutor if you are struggling in any subject area.

 

X

X

X

ATHLETICS

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Research athletic benchmarks and use Recruiting Guidelines to set specific athletic goals.

X

 

 

 

Ask an objective qualified third-party (such as a high school or club coach) for honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses.

 

X

 

 

Join a club or team outside of the high school that will provide more competition and better coaching (if applicable for your sport).

 

X

 

 

Alert high school and/or club coach(es) of goal to play in college.

 

X

 

 

RECRUITING

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Begin building scouting report to present to college coaches.

X

 

 

 

Introduce yourself to 3-5 college coaches at levels you realistically qualify for based on recruiting guidelines. Start low and you can always move up through the divisions.

X

 

 

 

Do spot check of personal voicemails and any social networking sites (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, TAKKLE, etc.). Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on public display.

X

 

 

 

Add folders in inbox to organize emails from college coaches. Organize folders by division, recruiting category and college.

X

 

 

 

Call two college coaches from your Initial Target List. Once you are comfortable on the phone, call at least two coaches from top-choice programs where you qualify academically and athletically.

 

 

X

 

Prepare for phone conversations by role-playing with your parents or a recruiting coach. Review the questions the coach is likely to ask.

 

 

 

X

Start to accumulate game or skills footage according to sport specific video guidelines.

 

X

 

 

Demonstrate good sportsmanship after ever contest/game/match and win or lose shake hands with all opposing coaches and officials. Look them in the eye and say "nice game".

 

X

 

 

Begin and update Correspondence Log.

X

X

X

X

Respond to all communication from college coaches at all levels. Add all contacts to your Correspondence Log.

X

X

X

X

If interested in a specific college who did not send recruitment information, contact the coach, introduce yourself and fill out a questionnaire if you meet the minimum academic and athletic qualifications (remember, academic reqruirements might be different because you are an athlete).

X

X

X

X

Email at least ten college coaches from your Initial Target List. Start with two coaches from local colleges, followed by four coaches from Division III, NAIA or junior colleges. Always have your emails proofread by a recruiting coach.

X

X

X

X

SUMMER BEFORE SOPHOMORE YEAR

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Plan at least one unofficial visit to a local college campus. Contact coaches in advance to schedule a meeting.

 

 

 

X

Plan at least two unofficial visits to a Division I or II campus, if interested in attending a Division I or II program, and visit at least two Division III, NAIA or junior college campuses. Regardless of division, always contact coaches in advance to schedule a meeting.

 

 

 

X

Attend local camps/combines to see how you compare with other high school athletes.

 

 

 

X

Steer clear of situations that could jeopardize your goals. Always make responsible choices.

X

X

X

X

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FRESHMAN YEAR - CHECKLIST

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

CRITICAL TASK (Figure out if you are behind and if so, how far - and then CATCH UP!)

STANDARD TASK

PROACTIVE TASK (Get ahead on this task)

TASK REQUIRING SOME OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE (Ask for help)

 

 

 

 

ACADEMICS

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Order or download and print a copy of the NCAA Guide for the College -Bound Student-Athlete and read thoroughly.

X

 

 

 

Use Division I core course worksheet inside NCAA Guide to set specific academic goals and plan core course schedule. Even if you do not expect to play Division I athletics it is still smart to use the Division I worksheet so you are prepared in case things change.

X

 

 

 

Meet with high school guidance counselor to inform him/her of your goal to play college athletics and to review your core course curriculum to make sure it matches with the NCAA approved core courses.

X

 

 

 

Fill out Initial Target List with 25 colleges you want to pursue (5 DI, 5 DII, 5 DIII, 5 NAIA, 5 Junior College (if applicable).

X

 

 

 

Maintain a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.

X

X

X

X

Take honors classes only if an A or B average is possible.

X

X

X

X

Seek help from your teacher or a tutor if you are struggling in any subject area.

 

X

X

X

ATHLETICS

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Research athletic benchmarks and use Recruiting Guidelines to set specific athletic goals.

X

 

 

 

Ask an objective qualified third-party (such as a high school or club coach) for honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses.

 

X

 

 

Join a club or team outside of the high school that will provide more competition and better coaching (if applicable for your sport).

 

X

 

 

Alert high school and/or club coach(es) of goal to play in college.

 

X

 

 

RECRUITING

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Begin building scouting report to present to college coaches.

X

 

 

 

Introduce yourself to 3-5 college coaches at levels you realistically qualify for based on recruiting guidelines. Start low and you can always move up through the divisions.

X

 

 

 

Do spot check of personal voicemails and any social networking sites (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, TAKKLE, etc.). Make sure you always appear mature and there is no inappropriate information on public display.

X

 

 

 

Add folders in inbox to organize emails from college coaches. Organize folders by division, recruiting category and college.

X

 

 

 

Call two college coaches from your Initial Target List. Once you are comfortable on the phone, call at least two coaches from top-choice programs where you qualify academically and athletically.

 

 

X

 

Prepare for phone conversations by role-playing with your parents or a recruiting coach. Review the questions the coach is likely to ask.

 

 

 

X

Start to accumulate game or skills footage according to sport specific video guidelines.

 

X

 

 

Demonstrate good sportsmanship after ever contest/game/match and win or lose shake hands with all opposing coaches and officials. Look them in the eye and say "nice game".

 

X

 

 

Begin and update Correspondence Log.

X

X

X

X

Respond to all communication from college coaches at all levels. Add all contacts to your Correspondence Log.

X

X

X

X

If interested in a specific college who did not send recruitment information, contact the coach, introduce yourself and fill out a questionnaire if you meet the minimum academic and athletic qualifications (remember, academic reqruirements might be different because you are an athlete).

X

X

X

X

Email at least ten college coaches from your Initial Target List. Start with two coaches from local colleges, followed by four coaches from Division III, NAIA or junior colleges. Always have your emails proofread by a recruiting coach.

X

X

X

X

SUMMER BEFORE SOPHOMORE YEAR

FALL

SEASON

SPRING

SUMMER

Plan at least one unofficial visit to a local college campus. Contact coaches in advance to schedule a meeting.

 

 

 

X

Plan at least two unofficial visits to a Division I or II campus, if interested in attending a Division I or II program, and visit at least two Division III, NAIA or junior college campuses. Regardless of division, always contact coaches in advance to schedule a meeting.

 

 

 

X

Attend local camps/combines to see how you compare with other high school athletes.

 

 

 

X

Steer clear of situations that could jeopardize your goals. Always make responsible choices.

X

X

X

X