X-Factor College Recruitment
sTUDYING tRFFR’S
A great research step is to start becoming familiar with TFRRS, which is the college track and field performance website. You can see all collegiate track and field performance for all divisions. This is a great tool to learn where your student athlete stacks up against collegiate athletes. It is also a great tool to use to see what schools are missing so your student athlete can help fill the gap. As you search out schools, look for schools where you can add value. For example if they are missing 400 runners, this might be a good fit for you if you runner the 400. You can also learn how well other athletes have progressed in this training system. Get to know this website.
https://www.tfrrs.org
Contacting Coaches
Reaching out to coaches is critical in this new collegiate landscape. Do not sit back and wait for them to contact you. They do not have to because they have the portal and hundreds of other athletes. You need to be proactively in sending emails and making calls. X-Factor coaches will assist as best we can. Start by sending an email introducing yourself and sharing your academic and athletic achievements. Email should come from the student athlete. Coaches want to know that this is the athletes decision, not just the parents. Once email and/or phone relationship is started, continue to provide updates along the way. You are trying to build a relationship. Resources follow relationship.
NCAA Eligibility
A next step is to set up your NCAA Eligibility account. Athletes can set up the free account until you start the recruitment process. Make sure to build a relationship with your school counselor in that they will be vital to helping to move the recruitment process along. Transcipts, SAT, ACT scores are important in the application process.
https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3
making your list
Finding the right school is an art and a science. Just because your times may measure up, it does not mean that school will be a good fit for your student athlete. Things to consider are:
Degree focus
Coaching style and development process
Fit on and value to the team
Resources available
List should include reach schools, realistic schools and easy to get in schools
Apply early for seniors. It is good to be accepted already. This makes the coaches job easier.
etc.
Don’t Take It Personal
The college recruitment process if full of ups and downs. You will learn perseverance and develop tough skin through this journey. That is a life skill that will serve you well in the future. You will likely receive some “no’s” along the way. See it as an opportunity to continue searching for the right fit. Remember that closed doors lead to open doors. Both are necessary. Keep searching and you will know what is the best fit for your next season of growth. This process is two sided. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Know your value but stay humble and hungry.
Checklist
Students should put together a resume of accomplishments. Do not be afraid to brag on yourself. Do not limit to only athletic performances. Schools want to know what type of person you are. Start early working on your application essay. Summer before your senior year is a great time to start drafting essay. Apply for other scholarships where possible. There are numerous scholarships that can be matched with an athletic scholarship. Complete FAFSA to see what financial aid you can qualify for. The goal is to get a free college education and does not matter where resources come from to accomplish that goal.