| "body"> | | | | school will get you more college recruiting exposure |
| If you're currently a high school freshman athlete or | | | | than your high school team. While the cost of these |
| the parent of one, you're probably not thinking very | | | | programs may be a constraint for you, participate if |
| much about what you need to do to compete in | | | | possible. Starting now is smart for a few reasons: |
| college sports. Chances are you're more concerned | | | | It gives you the benefit of establishing yourself with |
| about what you have to do to make the high school | | | | one program early on so that you're a known |
| varsity team, and college seems like it's on a distant | | | | quantity to them. When that all-important summer |
| horizon. | | | | recruiting season between junior and senior year rolls |
| Fortunately for you, most of your competition is | | | | around, it could be tough to compete for a spot on a |
| thinking that as well, so if you're willing to put a little | | | | team in a program that you have no history with. |
| effort into planning for your college athletic recruiting, | | | | It may get you exposure to coaches who will keep |
| you will be ahead of the game. While many student | | | | an eye on you over time if they like what they see. |
| athletes have learned the hard lesson that you can | | | | Finally, it lets you get a better sense of what kind of |
| start too late, there is no such thing as starting too | | | | competition is out there so you can target yourself |
| early. | | | | to schools at the appropriate level when the time |
| Here are a few things you can start doing as a | | | | comes. You may be the best kid on your freshman |
| freshman: | | | | high school team but you may also find that there |
| 1. Lay out your four year high school curriculum to | | | | are many kids out there who are more talented than |
| ensure that it meets the NCAA Clearinghouse | | | | you. Better to find out now and plan accordingly. |
| eligibility standards. | | | | 3. Start researching colleges and athletic programs |
| Any student athlete who competes in a Division I or | | | | online. |
| Division II program must register with the NCAA. | | | | As a freshman, you're not expected to have a clear |
| Eligibility is based on academic record, ACT or SAT | | | | idea about where you want to go to college or even |
| scores, and amateurism participation. There is a list of | | | | if you want to pursue your sport when you get to |
| core courses that must be completed, the | | | | college. But doing a little early exploration can really |
| requirements are slightly different for the two | | | | pay off. You may be able to quickly eliminate schools |
| divisions, and the D I requirements just got more | | | | that you won't have either the academic credentials |
| rigorous. As a freshman, the first thing you need to | | | | or the skill level to play at. And you may find a group |
| do is ensure that you are on a path to complete all | | | | of schools that you never would have considered if |
| the core courses you will need. Over your high school | | | | you weren't pursuing your sport, but they make |
| career, you will also need to meet NCAA grade point | | | | perfect sense for you as an athlete. This will give |
| average requirements. | | | | you some time to follow their program for a few |
| Note that athletes at Division III schools are not | | | | years and develop a relationship with the coaching |
| required to register with the Clearinghouse, and that | | | | staff. |
| any individual school may have more rigorous | | | | As a freshman, target a few schools and e-mail the |
| standards than the NCAA requirements. If you | | | | coach to let them know you're out there. Ask a few |
| already know which schools you're interested in, | | | | intelligent questions about their program , let them |
| check their core requirements as well. You can find | | | | know you're interested and that you'll keep in touch |
| detailed information about the NCAA standards at | | | | with them over time. If you get a great mention in a |
| NCAAClearinghouse.net. | | | | local newspaper, send it on to them, just to keep |
| 2. Research and join club, travel, or AAU clubs to get | | | | your name top of mind. Coaches will be impressed |
| exposure outside of high school. | | | | that you took the initiative to contact them. |
| In all likelihood, your athletic efforts outside of high | | | | |