College Athletics Handbook for FCDS Student-Athletes

Issues in Recruiting: Improper RecruitingThe vast majority of college coaches run good, honest, clean programs; they areinterested in your academic and athletic abilities as well as your personal well-being.However, there are others who may employ unethical, though legal tactics in order to gainsome type of advantage. Although this information most often pertains to Division I and IIprograms, there are abuses at the Division III and NAIA level as well.The coach who speaks negatively about other coaches or programs.The coach who promises you either a starting position or significant playing time right away. Paycloser attention to the recruiter who is honest with you from the start; they are likely to stay thatway.The coach who does not give an oral commitment to a four- or five-year scholarship. (Make sure toask specifically about the fifth year as many student-athletes now need this extra year). The NCAAonly allows for one-year, renewable scholarships, but an honest coach can give you an idea of theirlong-range plans. Make sure that the recruiter makes such a commitment to you, your parents, andyour coach.The coach who puts you in touch with a booster or any other non-university/college recruitingcontacts. The NCAA is very clear about this and even a casual conversation may jeopardize youreligibility for play or scholarship.The coach who promises you admission, easier professors, or an easy schedule. Such a coach isignoring your academic talents and needs.The coach who promises that his or her academic program in your field of interest is THE best inthe nation. This information should come from an admission or departmental representative. Youshould also check with your college counselor for such information.The coach who promises to let your best friend “walk on” with the team.The coach who promises admission to your friend or a job prospect at the university to a friend orfamily member.The coach who offers inducements such as cash, clothing, automobiles (or use of), jewelry, specialloans, or financial aid other than that administered by the institution’s regular scholarship awardsauthority.The coach who makes an in-person, off-campus, recruiting contact with the athlete or the athlete’srelatives before the completion of the athlete’s junior year in high school.The coach who uses any agency, group, or individual (athletic booster) outside the NCAA memberinstitution to expend funds for recruiting athletes in any way.The coach who reimburses the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospectto visit the campus.The coach who provides free admission to its away games to prospects, their friends, or theirrelatives.You have probably heard about other tactics or ploys used by unethical coaches. Theimportant thing is that if a coach makes you uncomfortable or attempts to attract you totheir program by questionable means, you should talk to your parents, your FCDS coach, oryour college counselor and think about whether you would want to play for such a coach.6

Issues in Recruiting: Skills and Ability AssessmentYou have had success as a high school athlete in your sport(s) and now you want tocontinue playing at some level in college. Is that success enough to attract the attention ofcollege coaches in your sport? Upon what factors have you based your assessment of yourability? Who is telling you that can play college athletics? Your parents and friends? Whatabout your FCDS and/or club coach? Are you ready for a substantial increase incommitment (year-round) to your sport? These questions are just a few of the numerousquestions you should begin to ask yourself as a prospective college student-athlete.Success as a high-school athlete does not automatically translate into success in therecruiting process. As you noticed in the “Food for Thought” section earlier in thishandbook, the probability of a senior moving on to playing college athletics is very, verylow. Those statistics reveal the scores of talented high-school athletes, even ones withindividual and team honors, never participate in your sport(s) after high school. Most choosenot to participate because they simply do not want to play or because the increasedcommitment in college is not for them. Others do not participate, however, because theyhave overestimated their ability and pursue college athletic opportunities at a level beyondwhich they can compete.You and you parents must have a frank and honest conversation with your FCDScoaches and, if applicable, an elite camp or club team coach or other sport-specificdevelopment people. These people can give you a clear view of your talent and yourpossible level of collegiate play. The section in this handbook titled “Questions to AskYourself and Your Coach” will give you some helpful points to consider as you begin theseconversations.7

Issues in Recruiting: Academic Eligibility and the ClearinghouseCoaches cannot work miracles. Typically, they will only spend time recruitingstudent-athletes they feel are admissible to their college. A coach who runs a reputableprogram is not interested in recruiting student-athletes who cannot succeed in theclassroom. Moreover, admissions officers are of course looking for the best students theycan possibly admit, but they will only bend standards so far. In the end, admission officershave the final say on admission decisions.Each NCAA division carries their own academic standards. These standards are notflexible and are driven by GPA, test scores, and completion of the minimum number ofcourses. Below is a summary of the academic-eligibility requirements by NCAA division:DivisionCoreCoursesGPAI 16 2.00minimumScholarship 16 2.00I-AAminimumNon- 16 2.00ScholarshipminimumI-AASAT/ACT Other Important InfoScore(CR & M only)400 GPA and Test Score governedminimum/37 by sliding scale400 GPA and Test Score governedminimum/37 by sliding scale400 GPA and Test Score governedminimum/37 by sliding scale most of thesecolleges will have much higheracademic requirements820/68 No sliding scaleII 14 2.00minimumIII CollegedependentCollegedependentCollegedependentNo sliding scale; admissionoffices dictate requirements forstudent-athletesMeeting the minimum requirements for any division does not guaranteeadmission to the college. In that way, the minimums are misleading. In Division I orScholarship I-AA, study the sliding scale outlined in NCAA guide carefully. There is noflexibility in these standards, even if you are the best player in the country. No coach orcollege can change these and failing to meet them can jeopardize your scholarship offer. InNon-Scholarship I-AA, the role of academics in athletic admission decisions varies bycollege. The Ivy League uses an academic index for athletes that allows for slightly loweracademic expectations than the general student body, though not by much. Other highlyselectiveschools in this division expect largely the same admission requirements as generalstudents, though strong input from the coach gain help an athlete overcome lower-thanexpectedacademics. It is important to note that some colleges compete in different divisionsin different sports, which can change the admission expectations for athletes. Division IIIathletic admissions tend to operate as Non-Scholarship I-AA schools. Not all use an academic8

index, but all will have academic standards that match or nearly match those for the generalstudents.Any student-athlete considering college athletics at the Division I or Division II levelmust be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse before he or she can participate. TheClearinghouse certifies that each student-athlete has met the academic-eligibilityrequirements for their division of competition (see above). Students apply for theClearinghouse at the end of their junior year by filling out a short application, paying a onetimeregistration fee, having their official transcript (from FCDS and elsewhere) with finaljunior grades, and requesting their SAT scores be sent directly to the Clearinghouse. Onceyou have taken these steps and your file is complete, you are eligible to make an official visitto a college if a coach offers one. Once you have your login information (your ClearinghouseID and password), it is advisable to give these to your college counselor. He or she can helpmonitor the receipt of materials and help answer questions for you. The final step in theClearinghouse process is to send your final high school transcript to the Clearinghouse aftergraduation. The NCAA website has all the information you need about the Clearinghouseand has the online registration webpage to begin the process.9

Issues in Recruiting: Getting ExposureStories of athletes “being found” are rare. In most sports, the days when a collegecoach comes to your school to watch your game are becoming rarer as well. With theconsiderable expense and finite time to recruit student-athletes, college coaches mustmaximize their recruiting time. Whether through combines, showcases, clinics, camps,festivals, or club tournaments, college coaches rely on these “select” or “elite” events toobserve the greatest concentration of the best available talent. With this trend growingexponentially, attendance of these events can mean the difference between exposure andobscurity.Ideally, you should begin as early as ninth and tenth grade to think about these eventsand other ways you can make acceptable contact with college coaches. The earlier you geton a college coach’s radar, the better. Speak with your FCDS coaches about whichopportunities may be available to you, as many exposure events require an invitation. Whenan invitation is required, your FCDS or club coach may need to submit a recommendationand other materials on your behalf (assuming your coach feels the event is appropriate foryour ability).Where possible, consider joining select or elite teams in your sport. Participating onsuch teams can expand your exposure from local to regional or national. These teamsrequire separate, year-round practices and games/tournaments that take place after schooland on the weekends. Adding this commitment to your schoolwork, FCDS sportscommitments, and free time must be a carefully considered family decision. All familymembers are affected by even one child’s participation on such a team. Talk with yourFCDS coach and friends on such teams about the extra commitment before you begin it.Also, talk with the club team coach to want sure you understand his or her expectations.The club coach may not consider your other commitments as important as playing on his orher team; failing to meet those expectations can jeopardize your place on a club team, evenif you are talented.Another valuable tool for initial exposure is the online questionnaire. Not all schoolsprovide such questionnaires, but usually colleges that rely on athlete initiative provide someform of this tool. These questionnaires maybe located on the main athletics website or onthe individual sports webpage, so be thorough in your search. Some colleges provide themfor lower-profile sports, but not for high-profile sports (UNC does this). Completing thisstep in addition to the others described in the “Self-Marketing” section is always advisablewhere available.The key here is to initiate the exposure you need to pursue the goals you have forparticipating in college athletics.10

Issues in Recruiting: Self-MarketingAs you seek exposure among the college coaches in your sport(s), you must considerequally important the way in which to position yourself as a prospective student-athlete.While your game or match performance will be the principal means of assessing your ability,the way in which you market yourself can often make the difference again between exposureand obscurity.The following steps will help you get started:List creation: once you have written your letter and resume, sit down with yourcoaches and/or college counselor to develop a list of college coaches you want tocontact. This list should be large and should include colleges with a range ofprograms (both athletic and academic) to suit you. College coaches’ names,addresses, and emails are available at most college websites.Cover letter and athletic resume: sending a brief cover letter and athletic resume toaccompany your film provides college coaches with more information about you asan athlete and as a student. This guide has samples of and tips for each document foryou to consider.Tracking: Keep track of all the schools to which you sent materials. Also, note allcontacts (e-mail, telephone calls, text messages, MySpace/Facebook contact, formletters, and handwritten letters). This tracking will help you determine whatprograms are most interested in you.Keeping in touch: Do not expect college coaches to do all the work. Coaches haveVERY large recruiting lists, so it is important for you to maintain contact with thecoaches and programs in which you have an interest. Such contact can include phoneand/or e-mail at the approved times, sending an updated schedule, providing inseasonperformance updates, and, if requested, an unofficial transcript and testscores.For many sports, the videotape/film you compile may be the best opportunity to createinterest in your abilities. As such, the preparation and packaging of your tape can make thedifference between something that gets you noticed and something that is ignored. It ishelpful to consider the following:Preparing your initial film after your junior season will give you a great initial pieceto send with your cover letter and athletic resume. This film can be updated in thesenior year, if needed, with any new footage the coaches need to see. If you are aspring sports athlete, do not wait for your senior season for film; you will likely betoo late in the process for it to matter.You are responsible for compiling your film. Ask your FCDS coach for tips on whatcollege coaches want and for recommendations of what film of you (i.e. particulargames or matches) will best represent your ability. Once you know what type of filmto produce, you may want to consider hiring a professional to compile the film sothat it is clear and looks sharp. Be sure to have many copies of the film made, asanything you send to college coaches will not be returned.11

Do not be too concerned with adding glitzy special effects to the film. These can bedistracting, and potentially annoying, to the college coach watching the film.Though you will send the film, cover letter, and resume together, they may notremain that way once they are in the hands of a college staff. College coaches staffsget hundreds and sometimes thousands of films, letters, questionnaires, and resumeseach year. Labeling any film you send is critical. Label any film you send out byindicating the following information on a mailing label affixed to the film itself (notthe case):Your Name-Position-Number-Class of______Forsyth Country Day-Uniform ColorYour Home AddressYour Phone NumberYour FCDS Coach’s Name and Phone NumberProviding the necessary contact information on your cover letter and resume isimportant as well. Be sure to provide your home address, email, home and cellphone numbers, and your coach’s name, work phone, and work email. The NCAAlimits the manner in which college coaches can contact you depending on your yearin school. For instance, if you are a sophomore and only provide a college coach withyour cell number and email, but no home address, that coach will not be able tomake legal contact with you until after your junior year. If you provide your homeaddress, they can at least get you in their system to receive interest letter,questionnaires, and camp brochures. Make it easy for a college coach to reach youand your FCDS coach by providing accurate information.A word on MySpace and Facebook…College admission officers and coaches are visitingthese websites in increasing numbers to learn things about their current players and recruits.When college officials find writings and photos of their recruit that concern them, they maybe inclined to drop the recruit from their list. As talented as a student-athlete may be, if thematerial found on those pages suggests he or she may have questionable character and/orconduct, the coach may turn to another recruit without those concerns. Why? A coach mayassume the athlete will engage in the same behavior as a college athlete, which couldpotentially lead to big trouble for the athlete and a real headache for the coach. Please watchwhat you do and say on these sites and avoid anything that can undermine the marketing ofyourself as a prospective student-athlete.12

Issues in Recruiting: GenderAll of the above applies to both male and female student-athletes; however, femalestudent-athletes may need to be more assertive and proactive in the recruitment processthan their male counterparts. The reason? Unfortunately, college women’s programs, withthe exception of a few women’s basketball programs, do not have the budgets that men’sprograms have. The budget for a women’s program might not allow for as much travel or asmany resources to recruit student-athletes. The recruiting and exposure events organizedfor female sports are doubly important. For instance, USA Field Hockey hosts a 3-daynational festival for club teams; nearly every college field hockey staff attends this annualevent. Participating in this festival will give you great exposure against high-qualitycompetition.So…be assertive, follow through, self-promote, and work hard!13

The Athletic ScholarshipThe specter of a college agreeing to finance all or part of your education in return foryour participation on one of their teams is very exciting. Even if you are fortunate enough toreceive an athletic scholarship, there is no guarantee that the school offering the scholarshipwill be a good fit or match for you. In the long term, it becomes imperative that you choosea college for all that it has to offer. Academic reputation, quality of student-athlete life,diversity, young alumni success and placement rates, and academic support are just a few ofthe things to consider when you are choosing a college. If the school can reasonably providewhat you need and want from it, it may be a great match for you. Remember, college is notjust a four-year decision; it is a life-long decision, so you must choose wisely.Not all scholarship offers are created equal. Often there are terms and conditions thatplace limitations on your scholarship offer. All athletic scholarships are one-year, renewableagreements for all or part of the financial obligation to attend the college. Your scholarshipis not guaranteed for all four years. If you violate the terms of the scholarship agreement orsuffer a career-ending injury, your scholarship may not be renewed for the next year. Thecollege coach and/or college have the legal right to terminate your scholarship at the end ofthe academic year. You have do have the right to appeal scholarship termination to theathletic department. Make sure that you understand the grounds for termination of yourscholarship BEFORE you sign.Each sport has differing numbers of scholarships in each division, and so each coachmust distribute the scholarship money available to them with care. Coaches can offer fullscholarships, but in nearly every sport but football and basketball, coaches tend to offerpartial scholarships. Partial scholarships also allow coaches to spread their available fundsamong more recruits as an enticement to enroll. This means that a full scholarship is notalways available, and thus part of the bill is picked up by the family or with “blended” funds.Scholarship blending allows coaches to meet the cost of attendance with athletic scholarshipmoney and general financial aid awards. The ability to blend funds is subject to the college’sfinancial aid policies.At non-scholarship schools (at the Division I-AA or III level), merit awards or grantsbased on a student-athletes talents on and off the field may be available. Rarely will theseawarded solely based on athletic ability, per the colleges’ decision not to award thetraditional athletic scholarship. Discuss any financial aid options with coaches in thesedivisions early in the recruiting process, as these colleges are often very expensive and mayrequire filing additional paperwork to receive such money.14

Walking-OnA “walk-on” is a student-athlete who does not receive scholarship money toparticipate on a college athletic team. While this is a general description, it hardlyencompasses the entire experience of the walk-on in the recruiting process and on a collegeteam. Many wrongly believe that walk-ons are non-recruited dreamers without the talentand ability to play any level of their sport in college. In fact, many walk-ons are recruitedathletes in high school with ability that attracted the attention of colleges, though perhapsnot the attention of the colleges they hoped to attend. Often, they do receive the interestfrom their desired colleges, but scholarship money may not be available for them. Whateverthe case, we can classify walking-on in two ways: the uninvited walk-on and the invitedwalk-on.Becoming an uninvited walk-on begins with a tryout. You must be an enrolled, fulltimestudent to participate in a walk-on tryout. You should contact the coaching staff to findwhen open tryouts begin for walk-ons, which usually begin in early August for fall sportsand thereafter for winter and spring sports. There are no guarantees in tryouts of this sort.Becoming an invited walk-on may begin while you are in high school. If a collegecoach wants you, but cannot offer you any scholarship money, he or she may offer you aninvited walk-on spot or the opportunity to tryout, but with some sort of preferred status.Ask the coach whether the invitation extends to preferment in the admission process. Somecoaches have the ability to recommend invitees to the admissions committee; however,most will not be able to assist you in any way with admissions because of school policy.There are still no guarantees, but the coaches may be willing to “commit” to having you ontheir team.Be sure to find colleges that meet your ability and talent level as you considerwalking-on. If you were not widely recruited as a high-school athlete, the likelihood thatyou can walk-on to a major Division I team is slim. It does happen (and has happened forformer FCDS athletes), but the percentages definitely not in your favor. After composingthe sort of list described earlier in the “Self-Marketing” section, send your letter, resume,and film to the colleges to see what sort of feedback you receive. You may hear nothingfrom some places, and receive some interest from others. As you consider those collegesthat respond, investigate the walk-on process at each college. The tryout periods last varyinglengths of time and usually rather grueling. Some college coaches enjoying finding walk-onsand rely on them to fill needed gaps in their programs; some coaches treat walk-ons likesecond-class citizens. Find out how the coaching staff views walk-ons before committing to atryout. Most coaches can and should provide you detailed information about their tryoutsand their expectations of walk-ons, information that must influence your college/walk-ondecision.In the end, you want to get clear, honest feedback for coaches about walking-on. If acoach seems non-committal or vague in their communication with you and will not clarify itto your liking, you may want to consider what sort of experience you will have on his or herteam and consider another option.15

Questions to Ask Yourself and Your CoachHow well do you play your sport? You or your parents cannot realistically answerthis question and be completely objective. Besides, college recruiters are not going torecruit you just because you say you can play for them. They are going to want proof.College coaches rely heavily on evaluative criteria such as: your coach’s evaluation, heightand weight, speed, strength, times, videotape, statistics, etc.Ideally, the student-coach relationship is a very important one. You should get helpfrom your coach in the college athletics hunt. Parents, your FCDS college counselor, andcoach make a collaborative team to help you. Right from the beginning, you should try to behonest with yourself and your coach. Set up an appointment as early as your sophomore yearfor a heart-to-heart talk with you coach and discuss your future. Here are some questions tohave prepared for your coach:How good do you think I am? (Be prepared for honesty)In what areas can I improve? (Be prepared for constructive criticism)Do you think I can play small, medium, or major college sports?With what colleges and college coaches do you have a good relationship?Are there any colleges you see my style of play fitting in particularly well?Do you have any suggestions for me about searching for a school?Can arrangements be made for videotapes of games? How about mailing them tocollege coaches?Would you be willing to contact college coaches on my behalf?Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation?As you discuss these and any other questions with your coach, it is important toinvolve your college counselor in your recruitment. Your college counselor will be animportant liaison between you, your FCDS coach, and the college coach on matters relatedto course selection, grades, transcripts and test scores, and the NCAA Clearinghouse.16

Sample Cover Letter to College CoachesThe following is a sample of a cover letter. You will need to tailor your letter foryour needs. For the letter, you should remember to be brief and to-the-point. Give thecollege coaches the vital information they need and then end the letter. College coaches willget many letters and will not have much time to read long letters. Always address the letterto the specific coach, not to “women’s lacrosse coach,” for example. You can find thecollege’s website for coaches’ names and addresses.DateCollege Coach’s NameAddressCity, State, ZipDear Coach _______,Having begun my college search process, I discovered that your school and, more specifically, yourprogram have many of the things I am looking for in a college. I would be very interested to learn moreabout your “Business Administration” program as well as the possibility of participating on your soccerteam.In addition to my film of highlights and game/match footage, I have attached an athletic resume outliningmy academic and athletic achievements at Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, NC, as well as aschedule of our games/matches for the year. I also play for the Lewisville AAU Under-18 All-Stars and Ihave included that schedule as well.If you want to speak with my school coach, please contact Abe Lincoln at (336) 945-3151, ext. 999. Iwould greatly appreciate the chance to talk with you or one of your coaches at your earliest convenience.Sincerely,Your nameAddressCity, State, ZipPhoneEmail Address17

Sample Athletic ResumeAthletic Resume for John DoeBiographical Information 5501 Shallowford Rd. Lewisville, NC 27023(336) 945-3151Born: 1/1/1985Height: 6’1” Weight: 185Educational Background -Cumulative GPA: 3.8-PSAT/SAT scores: 65 Math, 68 Verbal-Honor Roll every semester in high school-English Department Award, 2003-Major plans: Business AdministrationExtracurricular Activity-Class President-9 th , 10 th , 11 th grades-Volunteer at Baptist Hospital once a week-Drama Club-three yearsAthletic BackgroundSoccer- Center Forward-Junior Varsity-9 th grade-Team MVP-Varsity-10 th and 11 th grade-First-Team All-Conference-10 th grade-First-Team All-State-11 th grade-State Champions-11 th grade-19-1 record-Scored 17 goals, 20 assists-11 th gradeAthletic IntentionsReferences (with permission)Club Soccer Team- Center Forward-Regional Champion-2001-2004-Starter past three years-Second-leading scorer each year (30 goals total)To earn a full athletic scholarship to a Division I collegeto play soccer.Name of head soccer coach, FCDS, phoneName of club soccer coach, phoneName of college counselor, FCDS, phoneThe format of your resume can vary from the above sample. While a professionalappearance is always important, do not worry about different colored paper or unusualfonts. The most important part of the resume is the information you provide. Make sure youprovide any relevant information for the college coach. Also, be sure to ask permission fromeach reference source BEFORE you list them on your resume.18

Setting Up and Getting the Most Out of Your VisitsWhether your visit is “official” or “unofficial,” you want to make sure to take fulladvantage of your time on any college campus. Remember, for Division I and II colleges,you are only allowed five “official” visits, and you may visit each college (at their expense)only once, so use your time wisely and get as much information as you possibly can.Division III schools may not pay for you to visit campus and may only cover limited costs(such as food) while you are on campus.MAKING ARRANGEMENTSMake sure of the following:The definite date and time of the visit (Remember, you may only stay on campus for48 hours during an “official” visit.)Your schedule while on campus (You should receive this before you arrive.)Where to meet your player host and/or coachThe financial arrangements-who will pay for what? How will you or your family getreimbursed if it is your responsibility to pay up-front? Who (such as parents) isincluded in the paid visit?What you should bring (clothing, academic records, game or match videotape, etc.)That the college has a copy of your transcript and test scores, and that your file iscomplete at the NCAA ClearinghouseIn addition to the coach and his/her staff, make sure to speak with or see:A member of the academic department(s) in which you may majorA member of the admissions office staff (ask if they have an athletic departmentliaison)A class or two, if possible in a potential majorA team practice or workout sessionPlayers (freshman through seniors) other than the “host” who is assigned to youOther athletes at the collegeOther non-athletes at the college (It is important that you try to break away a bitfrom your host and get the best, most well-rounded view of the school you can.Make sure you will be happy at the school in and out of season, with or without yourteammates, or if you need to stop playing for some reason.)19

QUESTIONS TO ASKWHILE ON CAMPUS: Not every one of these questions will pertain to your uniquesituation, but many will. The more questions you ask, the more informed you will be aboutthe school. Although writing down answers to your questions during your visit may bedifficult, we strongly urge you to do so as soon as possible after the visit. Getting down asmuch as possible on paper will help you when you go to compare schools before makingyour final decision.Questions to ask the coach/recruiter:What position (event) do you want me to play (perform), and how many others areyou recruiting for the same position?What is your philosophy? (Can vary widely depending on the sport)Are there coaches for my particular position or event? Can I meet or talk with them?What are the chances I will be red-shirted?If I need a fifth year, will you finance it? (Get this in written and signed by a coach,probably in the letter of intent or other scholarship paperwork)Does my scholarship cover my total cost of attendance? If not, what percentage?(Remember, total cost of attendance includes more than tuition, room and board,and books. It can include travel home, summer school, private tutoring, etc.)Are there any circumstances under which I could lose my scholarship? What if I aminjured or ineligible? What is the minimum GPA I must maintain for my scholarship?Do you have an academic support office? (If they don’t, be careful) Who do I go to ifI have academic trouble? Does the team have mandatory study halls?Has drug use (elicit and/or performance-enhancing) been a problem at the college?How about within the program?Are all injuries handled by a team insurance policy? Who pays the school or theplayer?If injured, may I use my family doctor? Will the school insurance cover this? Whodetermines when I am fit to play again? Will my family doctor’s opinion be respectedby the athletic department medical staff?What are the off-season expectations for your players?Can I participate in more than one sport?What are the weight room/training facilities on campus? (This should be a part ofyour tour. Ask if they are shared by non-athletes as well.)Is the athletic training staff available to athletes during the off-season?How does the team travel to away games or matches?What is the level of competition? Does the team compete in a strong conference?What are the chances of post-season play?Is the program under any NCAA and/or school-imposed sanctions at this time? If so,for how much longer?20

What are my in-season/out-of-season responsibilities likely to be?Will I be required to miss classes for games and/or practices? How are my professorsinformed about this? Do athletes register first, so that their schedules canaccommodate practice and game schedules?Are there other players from my area being recruited? Have any committed to yourprogram? (Though this may seem strange, if you happen to know them or playagainst them, ask them about their recruitment experience at common schools andsee how the experiences compare.)Questions for the players:What is your typical daily schedule like? In-season? Off-season?How many hours per night do you study? Is it possible to get a quality education andstill play a sport? How many hours per night are you expected to spend on sportrelatedactivity (such as film and/or playbook) study?Is there pressure to choose certain majors that may be more athlete-friendly?What are the general attitudes among professors toward athletes? How about otherstudents?Am I required to live on campus? With other team members?How good is the academic support for athletes? How close tabs do the coaches keepon your academic progress?How many classes am I likely to have in a given term? Are you required to take alighter load in-season?How many classes am I likely to miss each term due to travel, games, etc.? How isthis handled? How do professors react to these absences?If you had to do it all over again, would you choose this school to attend? Why orwhy not?Questions for non-athletes:What do you think of the quality of education at the school?What are some of the strongest departments? Most popular?If you had to do it all over again, would you choose this school to attend? Why orwhy not?What is the general opinion of athletes on campus? (Be sure to ask several people thisone.)Questions for school officials and/or admissions officers:What are the graduation rates for athletes in my sport? Non-athletes?What is the average length of time it takes someone in my sport to earn his or herdegree?21