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MEN’S TRACK & FIELD

RECRUITING 101

THE RECRUITING PROCESS ISN’T EASY. There’s plenty of information that track recruits need to know, and NCSA is here to help. We’ve put together this guide to teach you about how recruiting works and the steps you need to take to reach your goal. It includes five key things that you need to do, recruiting guidelines, instructional videos and much more.

Staying informed makes the process a little easier. Trust NCSA to provide the guidance that you need to reach the next level.

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4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOWIMPORTANT STATS TO LEARNRECRUITING GUIDELINESRECRUITING TIMELINEHIGHLIGHT VIDEOWHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING

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4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

LEARN THE

When it comes to navigating the ever-elusive college recruiting process, there are many preconceived notions created by television and movies: the coaches will come pounding on your door and offer you full-ride scholarships to a DI program. Although we wish it were true, that’s simply not the case. Here are some important things you need to know before you begin.

RECRUITING FOR TRACK STARTS AS EARLY AS FRESHMAN YEAR. The earlier you start reaching out to college coaches and building relationships, the better your chances of being recruited.

College coaches don’t just recruit seniors – they recruit athletes in every class. Waiting just one extra day to start recruiting can mean missing out on 20 or more roster spots.

RECRUITING STARTS ONLINE. Track coaches have limited budgets so they need to learn about an athlete, hear about their times and their throwing distances, and watch their skills videos without having to travel to do it.

An online profile on a reputable recruiting site is an essential part of the recruiting process. College track coaches don’t go to YouTube or similar sites to find recruits.

Recruit-Match technology allows college coaches to find athletes whose profiles match what they are looking for like varsity experience, height/weight, personal bests and GPA. The more you stand out, the more successful you will be.

RECRUITING IS LITERALLY A FULL-TIME JOB. Researching hundreds of schools and contacting dozens of coaches can take 40 hours a week or more.

Professionally edited skills videos start at $300 and can cost $1,000 or more. Club track teams, standardized test prep, and private training can cost thousands of dollars.

COLLEGE COACHES WON’T SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR - you must be proactive and reach out to them.

Your high school coach will do everything they can to help you, but between coaching, teaching and their own family, they simply do not have the time to do the work for you.Coaches need to see commitment and passion in their recruits, and only you can show it to them.

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Hearing from college coaches isn’t the same as being recruited - 5,000 or more athletes may get letters from a coach with only 10 of them (0.002%) getting scholarships.

Sports are a path to an affordable college education. The cost of college is rising fast (up 1120% since 1978) and an average college student now

owes $26,682 at graduation. NCSA athletes average $18,000 a year in financial aid.A student-athlete’s discipline shines in the classroom as well as the field. College athletes graduate at higher rates than non-athletes by almost 30% (82% vs 56%)

The leadership and teamwork skills

built through sports carry over to the professional world. College athletes earn higher average salaries after graduation than college graduates who did not play sports. And 100% of CEOs in a recent survey said they would be more likely to hire a student-athlete than someone who was not.

According to the NCAA, only 2.2% of the 7.5 million high school athletes in the U.S. go on to compete at the Division I level in college. 82% of the opportunities in college sports are outside of Division I.

STATS TO LEARN

IMPORTANT

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RECRUITING GUIDELINES

KNOWING YOUR

55M IM60M IM

60 M H IN300M IN500M IN600M IN

1000M IN3000M IN110M HH300M IH400M IH

100M200M400M800M

1500M

Division I Top Division I Low Division II Top Division II Low

6.326.617.75

33.9401:05.581:21.08

02:28.557:54.1513.5535.9250.2110.1720.6945.29

01:48.4003:42.70

6.707.208.00

35.8001:09.0001:24.6702:32.4007:59.40

14.6639.5556.0011.0022.7051.00

01:57.0004:03.60

6.356.657.89

34.9901:07.5001:22.3002:31.3007:54.20

14.1338.0252.7610.4422.2347.09

01:52.5304:04.20

7.207.408.50

37.9001:10.3001:28.5002:37.4008:00.50

15.5944.0060.0011.3024.0054.00

01:59.7004:25.30

1600M3200M5K XC

300M STPLHigh JumpLong Jump

Triple Jump

Shot Put

Hammer

Discus

Javelin

Pole Vault

Decathlon

04:04.2008:47.8014.20.0008:44.60

7’2”26’1”

52’7”

63’6”

209’6”

193’0”

241’3”

17’8”

7,769

04:23.4009:30.4016:11.0009:50.00

6’4”22’0”

42’0”

55’6”

170’4”

167’0”

198’0“

15’0”

6,100

04:12.3009:32.4015:50.0009:32.40

6’10”24’1”

49’10”

56’5”

203’2”

173’3”

211’3”

16’11”

6,342

04:33.6009:45.6016:59.0010:15.00

6’0”20’0”

39’0”

48’6”

175’4”

156’0”

155’0”

14’0”

5,600

NCSA’s track and field recruiting guidelines show a men’s track recruit exactly what level of competition he’s best suited for based upon his times, throws or jumps. Knowing where you stand helps you create a realistic list of possible schools, which can help save time when trying to earn a men’s track scholarship. NCSA’s recruiting guidelines explain what men’s track coaches at every collegiate level are looking for.

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55M IM60M IM

60 M H IN300M IN500M IN600M IN

1000M IN3000M IN110M HH300M IH400M IH

100M200M400M800M

1500M

Division III Top Division III Low NAIA Top NAIA Low

6.786.928.92

36.7801:10.0001:27.6002:38.4008:00.40

14.5139.6753.3910.6522.3448.61

01:54.3004:07.30

7.207.408.50

39.0001:13.6001:30.6002:42.4008:14.70

16.5044.0063.0011.4024.5054.00

01:58.4004:20.70

6.526.818.21

34.9901:09.6001:23.4002:34.3008:15.60

14.6240.5554.8710.6822.0248.82

01:55.3004:02.50

7.207.508.50

39.0001:12.5001:25.7002:38.6008:30.30

17.0045.0060.0011.3023.0052.00

02:00.7004:16.40

1600M3200M5K XC

300M STPLHigh JumpLong Jump

Triple Jump

Shot Put

Hammer

Discus

Javelin

Pole Vault

Decathlon

04:17.4009:19.1017:00.0009:19.10

6’8”23’9”

48’7”

55’7”

194’1”

171’3”

208’2”

16’2”

6,239

04:42.5010:13.4018:00.0030:00.00

6’0”18’6”

38’0”

46’5”

165’3”

140’0”

150’0“

15’0

4,500

04:12.3009:09:5016:12.0009:38.50

6’6”23’3”

47’11”

54’3”

188’6”

161’0”

185’5”

15’7”

6,388

04:39.6010:01.7017:45.0030:00.00

5’8”18’0”

38’0”

49’5”

150’4”

120’0”

135’6”

14’0”

5,700

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RECRUITING TIMELINE

FOLLOWING THE

Track teams are large and developing relationship is essential. Don’t wait until Junior year to gain your spot on the roster. Freshmen and Sophomore years focus on approaching coaches, evaluat-ing your skills and developing your strengths. Stay in touch with coaches and anticipate calls your Junior year.

FRESHMAN YEARResearch 2-3 schools per week. Create a list of 100 prospective schools consider both athletics and academics. Send introduction letters to coaches. Go on at least 3 unofficial visits to colleges. Build relationships by making phone calls, send letters and emails. Attend camps with the goals of honing your skills and to gain exposure. Coaches are watching your development throughout high school at camps, in school and on the field. Standouts are proactive, it’s never too early for YOU to write a letter or make a call to coaches. DI and DII coaches can’t personally contact you until Junior year, but YOU can contact them. DIII and NAIA coaches can contact you at anytime. Important to do be familiar with the school both athletically and academically

SOPHOMORE YEARFilm your highlights tape. Get an evaluation of your skills tape. Continue to research prospective schools. Continue to build relationships with coaches by making calls, sending letters, emails. Fill out questionnaires. Make unofficial visits. September 1st is the first day DI and DII coaches can send you personalized letters and emails.

JUNIOR YEARFilm your highlights tape. Follow-up with coaches you’ve contacted in a TIMELY manner. Ask coaches where you stand on their recruits list. Fill out questionnaires. Join camps or clinics to hone skills and gain exposure. Respond to EVERY coach. Make unofficial visits to schools. Narrow down your prospective schools list. If you haven’t heard from DI coaches, start reaching out to DII, DIII and NAIA programs. Contact coaches at least once per week. Senior year Fall/Winter- DI coaches will start making offers.

SENIOR YEARMake official visits – only allowed 5. Send coaches your season schedule. Follow-up with coaches and respond in a TIMELY manner. Apply to the schools- applications. Apply for Financial Aid- FAFSA.ed.gov starting Jan. 1st. Sign and Commit to a school and program (Signing period is Feb. 1-Aug. 1). Find out the summer workout schedule. Get ready for an experience of a lifetime

MARK YOUR CALENDARSSeptember 1st Sophomore Year: DI & DII coaches may send personalized letters and emailsJanuary 1st Senior Year: Apply for financial aid at fafsa.ed.govFebruary 1st-August 1st: Sign and commit to a school and program

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HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

TAPING YOUR

A recruiting video is an important part of any high school track athlete’s online portfolio, and a well-made video can be a big help when looking for a college track scholarship.College track coaches don’t have the time to see hundreds of track recruits in person. But a good recruiting video can show what a high school recruit has to offer in just a couple of minutes.But, in order for your highlight video to be effective, you need to know what track coaches are looking for. Realize that all sports aren’t the same when it comes to recruiting videos.

SHOWCASE SKILLSNCSA knows specifically what college track coaches want to see. For example, sprinters need to highlight their starts and show complete races to illustrate their form. Clips from distance runners should focus on their ability to start well and use their aggressiveness to gain position. Jumpers and throwers need to illustrate solid technique.If you follow the video guidelines provided by NCSA and create a well-made highlight video, you’re taking the first step toward earning a track scholarship.

FILMINGFilm from the closest location possible to the event. If possible, station the camera on a tripod to keep it steadyThe camera view should not be obstructed (people in stands, etc). Focus on the athlete being taped so that they are clear and in focus, but not too close!

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FAMILIES ARE SAYING

HERE’S WHAT

Plenty of student-athletes have found success in track at the college level thanks to some guidance from NCSA. But don’t just take our word for it. Read what these track success stories have to say about working with the recruiting experts at NCSA. The recruiting process is difficult but we’re here to make it a little bit easier.

PARENT OF ‘13 VIRGINA MILITARY INSTITUTE COMMIT

“We are pleased to announce that [our son] has been accepted to attend Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. He will be joining the Track and Field team, in his chosen event, men’s pole vault. It certainly helped having his NCSA Website and I thank you for your advice, help through the learning curves, and fabulous program offered to him and a student athlete and us as parents. I have and will continue to recommend your services to other parents.”

‘12 COMMIT TO FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY

“It wasn’t until my senior year that I was exposed to NCSA. My only regret us that I didn’t get involved with the organization in the ninth grade. I was initially nervous, thinking that no one would contact me but to my surprise I was connected to several school coaches almost immediately. I loved having my own web page and connecting to who liked me and who I liked was convenient and functional. I was able to talk to several different schools before I made my final decision to attend FPU. I will be starting in January as I am currently in MO in boot camp. I am anxiously waiting to start school!”

‘13 COMMIT TO DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

“For me, I had a few select schools that I wanted to focus on but when I partnered with NCSA, my profile went to schools that were not on my radar initially. My official invites came from schools that I never knew would be interested in me or that I would be interested in. I am excited to have committed to an Ivy League school. None of this would have been possible without the exposure and support I gained from NCSA.”

It certainly helped having his NCSA Website, and I thank you for your advice, help through the learning curves, and fabulous

program offered to him as a student athlete and us as parents. - PARENT OF ‘13 COMMIT

Commit, Succeed, and Lead, the slogan for NCSA, has now become my motivation and drives me to obtain the best I can. The NCSA is a great Athletic Recruiting program, that offers many benefits, even academically, but most of all, in my opinion, the friendliest one on one help you can find anywhere, with some of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met. - ‘12 COMMIT TO ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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