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college football recruitment
how to get the attention of a division 1 programs coach?
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Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
Hi Tahjey:
I have worked and advised many athletes during the tenure of my academic advising career. Many went on to play sports at four year colleges and universities.
The fact is, if you are not rated as a blue chip product by media sources, many high level college programs may not come to your door to recruit you.
This means that you must go to their door and convince them that you are a person who should be on their team.
I am a big advocate of utilizing Athletic Resume's. It is similiar to a job resume, in the fact that you are attempting to sell your skills and abilities to a Division I program and coach and his staff. They may not be aware of how good you are, so an athletic resume can help to do this.
An athletic resume should contain specific information. This includes what sports you played, the positions you played, how many letters you won, all-league honors and other awards, academic awards and honors, a basic narrative on your sports skills and abilities, etc...
If you google the term Athletic Resume, online you will find many examples and a possible template to follow.
You might also wish to send a cover letter, along with your athletic resume, to the coach of the team at the college you want to attend.
As in attaining employment, I good athletic resume and cover letter will not guarantee that you will get a position on the team. But at least the coaches will be aware of you, and will most likely respond and provide some insight or suggestions, along with information about the college.
I would not limit yourself to a Division I school. I would also send athletic resumes to Division II and Division III and NAIA schools in your region as well. Basically, the resume will help you to sell yourself to the coaches, and hopefully will help you to land a spot on college team.
I hope this has provided you with some information and insight on Athletic Resume's and how to use them.
Look up online the examples and templates of Athletic Resumes
Write a well constructed resume about your skills and abilities
Write a cover letter about your athletic skills and abilities
Establish a list of many colleges, at all levels you would like to attend
Get addresses of athletic departments and send out your athletic resumes in the postal mail. The coaches get thousands of emails. A written letter, sent in the postal system, will land right on their desk.
I have worked and advised many athletes during the tenure of my academic advising career. Many went on to play sports at four year colleges and universities.
The fact is, if you are not rated as a blue chip product by media sources, many high level college programs may not come to your door to recruit you.
This means that you must go to their door and convince them that you are a person who should be on their team.
I am a big advocate of utilizing Athletic Resume's. It is similiar to a job resume, in the fact that you are attempting to sell your skills and abilities to a Division I program and coach and his staff. They may not be aware of how good you are, so an athletic resume can help to do this.
An athletic resume should contain specific information. This includes what sports you played, the positions you played, how many letters you won, all-league honors and other awards, academic awards and honors, a basic narrative on your sports skills and abilities, etc...
If you google the term Athletic Resume, online you will find many examples and a possible template to follow.
You might also wish to send a cover letter, along with your athletic resume, to the coach of the team at the college you want to attend.
As in attaining employment, I good athletic resume and cover letter will not guarantee that you will get a position on the team. But at least the coaches will be aware of you, and will most likely respond and provide some insight or suggestions, along with information about the college.
I would not limit yourself to a Division I school. I would also send athletic resumes to Division II and Division III and NAIA schools in your region as well. Basically, the resume will help you to sell yourself to the coaches, and hopefully will help you to land a spot on college team.
I hope this has provided you with some information and insight on Athletic Resume's and how to use them.
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much!
Tahjey
Updated
Jack’s Answer
You need to get yourself out there. Camps, High School resources (coaches, administrators, counselors, etc.). You should use social media to your benefit and be smart when using it (they are looking). Get to college run events (camps, 7v7, open houses, etc.). Get or keep your grades as high as possible. Money is available form various sources (athletic, academic, grants, etc.) you want to be able to make yourself available to as much as possible. Then perform, perform, perform in the classroom ,on the field, in extracurricular activities, etc.
Updated
Duane’s Answer
Tahjey,
Connect with your high school coaches, it is important that you get honest feedback from them first. Do they think you can play at the Div I level? If not now, what has to be done to get to that level? Is it feasible, maybe Div II or Div III is a better fit? I am glad to hear you have aspirations to play college football and at the highest level. As a high school football coach and former college player, I have worked with multiple Head Coaches to gain the attention of numerous colleges for the advancement of our young men. Sometimes with great success and sometimes we weren't able to convince the Div I college coaches. This advancement is not easy and much of the responsibility falls on you. I can assure you that many of the college coaches examine your physical attributes (e.g., size, speed and strength), skill set, academics, character, and other involvement (in the community and extra curricular activities). Beyond this, it is crucial that you work with your high school coaches early and create highlight video on Hudl or whatever system your coaches subscribe to that showcase these elements already mentioned. Forward these film clips to the institutions you wish to attend, both directly to the position coach or the associated recruitment coach. Make sure you and your high school coaches are aligned, it looks really poor if you submit film without your coaches knowing, especially if they don't think you can compete at the Div I level. The college coaches will want to talk directly to your high school coaches to better understand more about you. Are you good in the classroom amongst your peers (a leader), with the teaching staff, are you a good team mate (Captain of the team)? Trust me, they ask!
Good luck and I wish you only the best!
Duane
Connect with your high school coaches, it is important that you get honest feedback from them first. Do they think you can play at the Div I level? If not now, what has to be done to get to that level? Is it feasible, maybe Div II or Div III is a better fit? I am glad to hear you have aspirations to play college football and at the highest level. As a high school football coach and former college player, I have worked with multiple Head Coaches to gain the attention of numerous colleges for the advancement of our young men. Sometimes with great success and sometimes we weren't able to convince the Div I college coaches. This advancement is not easy and much of the responsibility falls on you. I can assure you that many of the college coaches examine your physical attributes (e.g., size, speed and strength), skill set, academics, character, and other involvement (in the community and extra curricular activities). Beyond this, it is crucial that you work with your high school coaches early and create highlight video on Hudl or whatever system your coaches subscribe to that showcase these elements already mentioned. Forward these film clips to the institutions you wish to attend, both directly to the position coach or the associated recruitment coach. Make sure you and your high school coaches are aligned, it looks really poor if you submit film without your coaches knowing, especially if they don't think you can compete at the Div I level. The college coaches will want to talk directly to your high school coaches to better understand more about you. Are you good in the classroom amongst your peers (a leader), with the teaching staff, are you a good team mate (Captain of the team)? Trust me, they ask!
Good luck and I wish you only the best!
Duane