Over the past six months, I have had the privilege to work with a fine young man from Foxboro, Massachusetts as he prepares for the college quest. Greg Stamatov is a sophomore at Foxboro High School where he is a multi-sport athlete excelling at football, ice hockey and lacrosse. As a sophomore, Greg is at a crossroad in his high school athletic career and he feels the need to focus more energy into one sport in an effort to strongly develop the skill needed to play at the division 1 NCAA level.
As a highly touted goal tender (Greg was recently named to the 2009 Inside Lacrosse Rising Sophomore Watch list) with a keen eye in pursuing a true “student-athlete” experience, Greg is beginning to organize his personal college search plan. And with the help of his mom and dad, along with his lacrosse coaches, Greg is aiming high in an effort to attract attention from a number of the top college lacrosse programs.
Considering the level of competitiveness in the college recruiting arena, Greg shows great maturity and keen foresight for a young man. He realizes and accepts the fact that college coaches are looking to recruit strong student-athletes, but what Greg is beginning to equally embrace and appreciate is the fact that he offers even more to lacrosse programs and college coaches and “ups the ante” by just being the young man he is.
Greg recently launched a not for profit organization named LAX General that focuses on providing used and donated lacrosse equipment to communities and potential players who would normally not have the funds or budget to purchase equipment outright, or have the resources to begin a lacrosse program.
Greg’s mission statement is simple but compelling:
“The aim of Lax General will be to entitle anyone to obtain equipment to play lacrosse. Lacrosse is a very expensive sport and it can be difficult to purchase all the necessary equipment to play. Although not everyone can meet the expenses to participate in lacrosse, everyone should have the opportunity to play.
Lax General will collect used and unwanted/unneeded lacrosse equipment for redistribution to those who can’t afford new equipment. This will provide young athletes that want to participate, but can’t afford it, a chance to play a great sport.”
“I have played lacrosse for nine years now and I have received help, advice, and great coaching thanks to the fast growing lacrosse nation. There is an endless list to people I have to thank, but now, it’s time to give back to the lacrosse nation.” Greg continues: “Lax General is a non-profit organization that puts equipment in the hands of those in need of it. Lax General is also how I’m going to “give back” to the lacrosse nation I love the sport and I think that everyone that wants a shot at it deserves one. I can see Lax General being a productive and constructive program reaching out to multiple communities.”
With the help of John Stamatov, Greg’s dad, Greg hopes to plant the seed of his newly formed organization in the surrounding Boston area. Through these contacts, Greg hopes that LAX General will find a greater number of young boys and girls who want to explore the sport of lacrosse and at no additional cost to the families or the community.
“I’m thrilled Greg has found a way to give back to the community and link it to something he is passionate about.” John says. “I believe too many kids get involved in community service projects simply to check a box on a college application. With Lax General, Greg is doing something that he really believes in – he’s already helped several families in town – and he can see how that has made a big difference in their lives!”
The next step may be daunting, but like any other meaningful goal, building momentum is a key component. Greg and his dad will begin soliciting local and regional lacrosse programs to determine their interest in donating used and unwanted equipment to Lax General. Once the foundational inventory is developed, Greg looks forward to begin searching the Boston area for kids who might want to take a whack at lacrosse.
With the anticipated equipment inventory driving upward and the popularity of the program growing, Greg and his dad will also begin to identify inner city high school athletic directors and recreation officials who would be interested in starting community lacrosse programs that will benefit from the generosity of Lax General.
No doubt this project will be a labor of love for Greg Stamatov, but one that will potentially impact many boys and girls who would normally not have the opportunity to play. As daunting a task as it may seem, Greg knows in his heart it’s just plain “right” and he has the courage and determination to add one more building block to the great sport of lacrosse.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in the area of college recruiting. Tom is the author of Reaching for Excellence: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. In addition, Kovic was recently invited to speak at the 2010 US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Recruiting Corner
Time is crucial regarding college recruiting. Can I get it all done?
Any worthy goal can be reached and some goals require more time and attention than others. The key to successfully navigating the college recruiting process is planning. If you have a plan in place, even if it is a “catch up” plan, you will give yourself the best chance in reaching your goals.
Develop your plan with detail and confidence. You do not want to just "throw something together" and swing for the seats. It would be better to have less time and an impeccable plan than to have too much time and a mediocre plan. Remember, your confidence level is half the battle here!
Any worthy goal can be reached and some goals require more time and attention than others. The key to successfully navigating the college recruiting process is planning. If you have a plan in place, even if it is a “catch up” plan, you will give yourself the best chance in reaching your goals.
Develop your plan with detail and confidence. You do not want to just "throw something together" and swing for the seats. It would be better to have less time and an impeccable plan than to have too much time and a mediocre plan. Remember, your confidence level is half the battle here!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Recruiting Corner
What additional information should I looking for on the campus visit?
Keep your eyes and ears wide open and pay close attention to the tone of the environment. Watch closely to how the team interacts with the coaching staff and vice versa. Are the kids happy? Do they seem enthusiastic about being part of the program? Do the administrators respond with care and enthusiasm to your questions? Are the admissions representatives sincere in their general excitement and pride as a college representative? Take the entire trip “in” and by the end of your stay, you will have a strong feeling in your heart about the general “tone” of the college environment.
Keep your eyes and ears wide open and pay close attention to the tone of the environment. Watch closely to how the team interacts with the coaching staff and vice versa. Are the kids happy? Do they seem enthusiastic about being part of the program? Do the administrators respond with care and enthusiasm to your questions? Are the admissions representatives sincere in their general excitement and pride as a college representative? Take the entire trip “in” and by the end of your stay, you will have a strong feeling in your heart about the general “tone” of the college environment.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Role of Parents in College Athletics Recruiting
The college search for athletes has grown more complicated and increasingly competitive, especially during the past 10 years. There are countless components that require attention in developing and executing a successful plan of action, along with several key “players” who make-up the team that run the offense.
Parents can play a significant role in the recruiting process and in my opinion; they should make an active commitment to enthusiastically assist their children from start to finish in what will be a very important life decision.
What follows is my take on how parents can effectively participate in helping their kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.
Clarity
The best starting point for any dream or goal is to firstly establish clear objectives and time-lines. Begin with the end game in mind and work backwards to the starting point of your plan. As you move backwards through the recruiting process, you will notice “checkpoints” along the way that you will eventually encounter. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”
Parents have the opportunity to not only encourage their children to envision the process, but to take an active role in creating it. Half the battle in reaching any goal is to understand the mission and create an educational, yet fun approach! The more we encourage our kids to take an active role in controlling their destiny, the greater the chance that they will appreciate the level of confidence mom and dad has in them.
Team
I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting and in developing a group of key members who each play a significant role in moving the process forward. Not only can this approach be effective, it will be welcomed by our kids. Student-athletes have a tremendous amount on their “personal plates” and developing a plan that spreads the recruiting assignments out will create a much happy camper!
Parents who have cultivated strong relationships with “typical” team members (guidance counselors, high school and club coach etc.) can begin to lay the groundwork to suggest specific roles that will be played out by each team member. Moms and dads can organize occasional team meetings at the house where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.
Encourage Independence
College coaches will turn to high school and club coaches, guidance counselors and colleagues in an effort to gather information about the prospects they recruit, but they need to act as a resource for families as well. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad, but when you break it down; college coaches want to see the prospect for who she truly is.
One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be an active and independent player in the college quest. It encourages proactive preparation, the development of communication skills and it fosters the courage to stand alone in a worthy attempt to take the leap of faith into the recruiting arena.
What might seem nearly impossible for some prospects in the beginning, will grow to a more confident approach with more practice and experience. Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong athletic ability, sound academic progress and a personal character that rises above the rest. Let’s give our kids the opportunity to stand alone and with confidence.
Communication with College Coaches
Personally, I encourage parents to play a very active role in communicating with the college coaches. The final college choice our kids make will be an important one and parents should be there every step of the way.
Certain areas of the college search immediately come to mind as “important” for parents to be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.
Equally important for parents to develop is the patience to “yield” in certain areas of the recruiting process, especially when our kids appear to be “stumbling.” Making mistakes, or feeling a level of uncertainty is commonplace for prospects as they navigate the nuances of recruiting, but when the dust settles, our kids will appreciate us more for allowing them to experience the “good struggle.” Remember, college coaches want to see our children “shine,” but they also want to see how they respond when their backs are in the corner.
Red Flags
There are several “red flags” that could go up in the minds of college coaches and below are just a few tips:
• In face to face interviews with college coaches where parents are present, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
• Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to the prospect.
• E-mail is used more than any form of communication in recruiting and although we want our kids to express themselves “grammatically correct,” parents should encourage the final draft to come from the prospect and in their words.
• The “tough” questions should be timed appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship for your son! Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: Plant; cultivate; grow.
The rule of thumb in avoiding red flags is simple. First, develop a positive relationship built on trust, honesty and respect and keep the door of communication clear and always open. Secondly, parents will serve their children best by maintaining their position on the field and allowing their children the opportunity to make the play in the recruiting effort.
Conclusion
Simply stated, we desperately want out children to succeed and make “right” and well thought out choices and the college search should be no different. Many of us though, can’t help ourselves from controlling situations, especially when it appears our kids are struggling. College coaches recruit families as much as they recruit prospects and the old adage is true: “The nut doesn’t fall too far from the tree!”
Parents can play an impactful role in college recruiting and the best gift we can offer our kids is the freedom to spread their wings and fly. Focus on everything that is positive and fun in the college search and even when it appears our kids seem doubtful and frustrated, have the faith in their resiliency to rebound and to advance the quest with confidence and self reliance.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Copyright 2009 Victory Collegiate Consulting
Parents can play a significant role in the recruiting process and in my opinion; they should make an active commitment to enthusiastically assist their children from start to finish in what will be a very important life decision.
What follows is my take on how parents can effectively participate in helping their kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.
Clarity
The best starting point for any dream or goal is to firstly establish clear objectives and time-lines. Begin with the end game in mind and work backwards to the starting point of your plan. As you move backwards through the recruiting process, you will notice “checkpoints” along the way that you will eventually encounter. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”
Parents have the opportunity to not only encourage their children to envision the process, but to take an active role in creating it. Half the battle in reaching any goal is to understand the mission and create an educational, yet fun approach! The more we encourage our kids to take an active role in controlling their destiny, the greater the chance that they will appreciate the level of confidence mom and dad has in them.
Team
I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting and in developing a group of key members who each play a significant role in moving the process forward. Not only can this approach be effective, it will be welcomed by our kids. Student-athletes have a tremendous amount on their “personal plates” and developing a plan that spreads the recruiting assignments out will create a much happy camper!
Parents who have cultivated strong relationships with “typical” team members (guidance counselors, high school and club coach etc.) can begin to lay the groundwork to suggest specific roles that will be played out by each team member. Moms and dads can organize occasional team meetings at the house where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.
Encourage Independence
College coaches will turn to high school and club coaches, guidance counselors and colleagues in an effort to gather information about the prospects they recruit, but they need to act as a resource for families as well. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad, but when you break it down; college coaches want to see the prospect for who she truly is.
One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be an active and independent player in the college quest. It encourages proactive preparation, the development of communication skills and it fosters the courage to stand alone in a worthy attempt to take the leap of faith into the recruiting arena.
What might seem nearly impossible for some prospects in the beginning, will grow to a more confident approach with more practice and experience. Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong athletic ability, sound academic progress and a personal character that rises above the rest. Let’s give our kids the opportunity to stand alone and with confidence.
Communication with College Coaches
Personally, I encourage parents to play a very active role in communicating with the college coaches. The final college choice our kids make will be an important one and parents should be there every step of the way.
Certain areas of the college search immediately come to mind as “important” for parents to be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.
Equally important for parents to develop is the patience to “yield” in certain areas of the recruiting process, especially when our kids appear to be “stumbling.” Making mistakes, or feeling a level of uncertainty is commonplace for prospects as they navigate the nuances of recruiting, but when the dust settles, our kids will appreciate us more for allowing them to experience the “good struggle.” Remember, college coaches want to see our children “shine,” but they also want to see how they respond when their backs are in the corner.
Red Flags
There are several “red flags” that could go up in the minds of college coaches and below are just a few tips:
• In face to face interviews with college coaches where parents are present, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
• Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to the prospect.
• E-mail is used more than any form of communication in recruiting and although we want our kids to express themselves “grammatically correct,” parents should encourage the final draft to come from the prospect and in their words.
• The “tough” questions should be timed appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship for your son! Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: Plant; cultivate; grow.
The rule of thumb in avoiding red flags is simple. First, develop a positive relationship built on trust, honesty and respect and keep the door of communication clear and always open. Secondly, parents will serve their children best by maintaining their position on the field and allowing their children the opportunity to make the play in the recruiting effort.
Conclusion
Simply stated, we desperately want out children to succeed and make “right” and well thought out choices and the college search should be no different. Many of us though, can’t help ourselves from controlling situations, especially when it appears our kids are struggling. College coaches recruit families as much as they recruit prospects and the old adage is true: “The nut doesn’t fall too far from the tree!”
Parents can play an impactful role in college recruiting and the best gift we can offer our kids is the freedom to spread their wings and fly. Focus on everything that is positive and fun in the college search and even when it appears our kids seem doubtful and frustrated, have the faith in their resiliency to rebound and to advance the quest with confidence and self reliance.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Copyright 2009 Victory Collegiate Consulting
Thursday, September 3, 2009
College Recruiting 102: Awaken the Wizard
Have you ever found yourself scratching your head during an introspective moment, in an attempt to figure out how someone or some team grabbed the brass ring before you did? I have! It can be a low and frustrating inner debate, but in most cases the difference between success and failure can be a very fine line and the game changer was simply that… The other guy “found it” and you didn’t. This is a very simple statement to make and the probable solution to a challenge that haunts a lot of us in many areas of our lives, but by making a dedicated effort to “awaken the wizard” inside of us could be the first step in moving to new and exciting personal levels, including the college search.
Awakening the wizard is just a simple phrase and nothing more. What it means to me though, is the opportunity to tap tremendous personal potential that for many of us remains dormant. It is the ability to take risks, remain committed and do things that, from a normal perspective, might seem ridiculous at best. What follows is my take on how prospects and families can reach deep and find that inner “dormant wizard” and shake him up a bit in an effort to transform the college recruiting process into a “quest” rather than just another “chore.”
The college search for athletes may appear on the surface as a natural challenge, when in reality it is altogether another beast to tame! If you happen to be one of those blessed “blue chip” athletes that rank amongst the top 5-10% of athletes in the country, your college search will be a lot different and a bit more facilitated. College coaches are, for the most part, brilliant recruiters… They’re going to find you! But what about the majority of high school athletes who do not fall into the “A” file, but are looking to compliment their college experience with a strong athletic component and play and compete for a worthy college program? Their strategy is going to be slightly different. They will need to awaken the wizard and make every attempt to find it.
When July 1, 2009 came and passed and you were sitting by the phone for the coaches to call, was it a long wait? My guess is yes! Being proactive and making every effort to initiate contact with the coaches is not only a strongly suggested approach to “getting on the radar screen,” it is permissible and it will be, in most cases, much appreciated by the college coaches.
This suggestion may appear simple at first, but typically, the closer prospects get to picking up the phone and placing the call, the more the “butterflies in the stomach” seem to accumulate! Essentially, prospects have two choices here: Either they can continue to put off the initial contact with the coaches, or they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, prepare for the contact and take a “leap of faith.” Remember, all of us have had our first date, first varsity game, or first whack at the SAT exam. “Firsts” will be with us throughout a lifetime. It takes courage to bridge gaps into the unknown, and navigating the college quest is no different.
Tournaments, showcases, combines and other college recruiting events are becoming more and more popular these days and they provide college coaches with the opportunity to evaluate talented prospects throughout the country. I strongly suggest that prospects take advantage of these events, but don’t just “show-up.” Research a manageable list of events and try to determine the consistent level of attendance that college coaches have shown over the past few years. Additionally, when you have lined up the events you plan to attend, do not hesitate to contact the college coaches on your current recruiting list to let them know you have sincere interest in their program and invite them to watch you play. It just takes a little time, organization and a willingness to “execute.” YOU have to make it happen.
Stirring up the wizard inside is a lot like developing and maintaining momentum in any given challenge. It’s not a sometime thing… It’s an all the time thing, and the moment you think you have it licked is the moment you will begin to lose ground. Remember, all the wizard represents is the personal potential each of us has to offer. Thinking about it is one thing… Committing to making it happen is altogether different.
If you believe in your heart that college entrance and the opportunity to play and compete as part of an NCAA program will simply “open up” and lie at your feet, you will most likely be disappointed with the results. That being said, the prospect and family who maintain a positive approach with a willingness to impeccably organize and manage their college search, while making a full and complete “active” commitment to the plan, will be giving themselves the best chances at success.
Several years ago and toward the end of my college coaching career I clearly recall a couple of lean years where my program was mediocre at best and we were not meeting the high standards I always set. I took personal responsibility, but I found myself focusing on just about everything “negative.” I was in a downward spiral and I knew I needed to get back on track.
Joel Fish, who heads The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia (www.psychologyofsport.com), was instrumental in helping many of my teams and I enjoy championship success and I immediately turned to him for advice. Not surprisingly, Joel offered me the same advice he offered all of my athletes. “Your digging your own hole to hide in and paying more attention to everything that could go wrong, rather than remembering who you are and focusing on all you can accomplish.” He said.
Joel simply reminded me that I am the one in the driver’s seat and I have the ability to act and react to any situation… At anytime. I simply needed to take the advice I had given my athletes all along and remind myself that the true measure of a champion is not when things are going well, but when our backs are in the corner. I had to find it!
If we are determined to give ourselves every reason NOT to make a proactive effort in executing a worthy plan of action, then the best developed plans will remain in a state of potential and nothing more. Conversely, if we are willing to see each goal we present ourselves with as an opportunity to move to new and higher personal levels and with an unyielding willingness to commit, I truly believe we are half way there.
The college search for prospective student-athletes has evolved into a very competitive arena and one that will continue to be more challenging to navigate in years to come. You can choose to hope for the best, or you can choose to roll your sleeves up and get busy. The dream to participate in college sport is a passion shared by many of our son’s and daughters in an effort to compliment a tremendous 4 year experience and I suggest you “pick up the baton and run.” Just as our boy’s and girl’s have committed countless hours to grow their athletic skill that carried them to their current level of success, so can a meaningful and dedicated effort help our student-athletes find the right college match. I encourage you therefore to rise up, stay focused and swing for the seats.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual family advisement and guidance on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Awakening the wizard is just a simple phrase and nothing more. What it means to me though, is the opportunity to tap tremendous personal potential that for many of us remains dormant. It is the ability to take risks, remain committed and do things that, from a normal perspective, might seem ridiculous at best. What follows is my take on how prospects and families can reach deep and find that inner “dormant wizard” and shake him up a bit in an effort to transform the college recruiting process into a “quest” rather than just another “chore.”
The college search for athletes may appear on the surface as a natural challenge, when in reality it is altogether another beast to tame! If you happen to be one of those blessed “blue chip” athletes that rank amongst the top 5-10% of athletes in the country, your college search will be a lot different and a bit more facilitated. College coaches are, for the most part, brilliant recruiters… They’re going to find you! But what about the majority of high school athletes who do not fall into the “A” file, but are looking to compliment their college experience with a strong athletic component and play and compete for a worthy college program? Their strategy is going to be slightly different. They will need to awaken the wizard and make every attempt to find it.
When July 1, 2009 came and passed and you were sitting by the phone for the coaches to call, was it a long wait? My guess is yes! Being proactive and making every effort to initiate contact with the coaches is not only a strongly suggested approach to “getting on the radar screen,” it is permissible and it will be, in most cases, much appreciated by the college coaches.
This suggestion may appear simple at first, but typically, the closer prospects get to picking up the phone and placing the call, the more the “butterflies in the stomach” seem to accumulate! Essentially, prospects have two choices here: Either they can continue to put off the initial contact with the coaches, or they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps, prepare for the contact and take a “leap of faith.” Remember, all of us have had our first date, first varsity game, or first whack at the SAT exam. “Firsts” will be with us throughout a lifetime. It takes courage to bridge gaps into the unknown, and navigating the college quest is no different.
Tournaments, showcases, combines and other college recruiting events are becoming more and more popular these days and they provide college coaches with the opportunity to evaluate talented prospects throughout the country. I strongly suggest that prospects take advantage of these events, but don’t just “show-up.” Research a manageable list of events and try to determine the consistent level of attendance that college coaches have shown over the past few years. Additionally, when you have lined up the events you plan to attend, do not hesitate to contact the college coaches on your current recruiting list to let them know you have sincere interest in their program and invite them to watch you play. It just takes a little time, organization and a willingness to “execute.” YOU have to make it happen.
Stirring up the wizard inside is a lot like developing and maintaining momentum in any given challenge. It’s not a sometime thing… It’s an all the time thing, and the moment you think you have it licked is the moment you will begin to lose ground. Remember, all the wizard represents is the personal potential each of us has to offer. Thinking about it is one thing… Committing to making it happen is altogether different.
If you believe in your heart that college entrance and the opportunity to play and compete as part of an NCAA program will simply “open up” and lie at your feet, you will most likely be disappointed with the results. That being said, the prospect and family who maintain a positive approach with a willingness to impeccably organize and manage their college search, while making a full and complete “active” commitment to the plan, will be giving themselves the best chances at success.
Several years ago and toward the end of my college coaching career I clearly recall a couple of lean years where my program was mediocre at best and we were not meeting the high standards I always set. I took personal responsibility, but I found myself focusing on just about everything “negative.” I was in a downward spiral and I knew I needed to get back on track.
Joel Fish, who heads The Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia (www.psychologyofsport.com), was instrumental in helping many of my teams and I enjoy championship success and I immediately turned to him for advice. Not surprisingly, Joel offered me the same advice he offered all of my athletes. “Your digging your own hole to hide in and paying more attention to everything that could go wrong, rather than remembering who you are and focusing on all you can accomplish.” He said.
Joel simply reminded me that I am the one in the driver’s seat and I have the ability to act and react to any situation… At anytime. I simply needed to take the advice I had given my athletes all along and remind myself that the true measure of a champion is not when things are going well, but when our backs are in the corner. I had to find it!
If we are determined to give ourselves every reason NOT to make a proactive effort in executing a worthy plan of action, then the best developed plans will remain in a state of potential and nothing more. Conversely, if we are willing to see each goal we present ourselves with as an opportunity to move to new and higher personal levels and with an unyielding willingness to commit, I truly believe we are half way there.
The college search for prospective student-athletes has evolved into a very competitive arena and one that will continue to be more challenging to navigate in years to come. You can choose to hope for the best, or you can choose to roll your sleeves up and get busy. The dream to participate in college sport is a passion shared by many of our son’s and daughters in an effort to compliment a tremendous 4 year experience and I suggest you “pick up the baton and run.” Just as our boy’s and girl’s have committed countless hours to grow their athletic skill that carried them to their current level of success, so can a meaningful and dedicated effort help our student-athletes find the right college match. I encourage you therefore to rise up, stay focused and swing for the seats.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual family advisement and guidance on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Collegerecruiting.tv
Victory Collegiate Consulting
Founder and Director of Victory Collegiate Consulting Launches Educational Content Website for High School Student-Athletes and Families
Boothwyn, Pa. – Tom Kovic, current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting has developed a low cost, simple to navigate and educational website that will help parents and their children gain valuable information on college athletics recruiting.
Collegerecruiting.tv is loaded with published articles written by Kovic who is a former 19 year college coach at The University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the website will offer podcasts and video interviews, along with valuable links to information centers that will further inform families in the areas of financial aid, the NCAA and specific sports sites.
“As an advisor to families and prospective student-athletes throughout the country, I realized the need to develop a resource website that would assist families in building a strong base of information as they develop and implement their plans for the college search. Having written dozens of articles for many online sports magazines, while conducting several interviews, I concluded that there was a natural flow of information that could act as an effective step by step organization tool that families could productively use in preparing for an important life process.”
Kovic’s aim is to provide families and their children with unlimited access to a seamless source of college athletics information that will be easy to grasp and create a strong understanding about how the potentially complicated area of college recruiting works.
For further information on Collegerecruiting.tv visit: www.collegerecruiting.tv or contact Tom Kovic at: Kovic@victoryrecruiting.com
Founder and Director of Victory Collegiate Consulting Launches Educational Content Website for High School Student-Athletes and Families
Boothwyn, Pa. – Tom Kovic, current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting has developed a low cost, simple to navigate and educational website that will help parents and their children gain valuable information on college athletics recruiting.
Collegerecruiting.tv is loaded with published articles written by Kovic who is a former 19 year college coach at The University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the website will offer podcasts and video interviews, along with valuable links to information centers that will further inform families in the areas of financial aid, the NCAA and specific sports sites.
“As an advisor to families and prospective student-athletes throughout the country, I realized the need to develop a resource website that would assist families in building a strong base of information as they develop and implement their plans for the college search. Having written dozens of articles for many online sports magazines, while conducting several interviews, I concluded that there was a natural flow of information that could act as an effective step by step organization tool that families could productively use in preparing for an important life process.”
Kovic’s aim is to provide families and their children with unlimited access to a seamless source of college athletics information that will be easy to grasp and create a strong understanding about how the potentially complicated area of college recruiting works.
For further information on Collegerecruiting.tv visit: www.collegerecruiting.tv or contact Tom Kovic at: Kovic@victoryrecruiting.com
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