As I reflect on the various motivational programs I was able to deliver in 2009, one of the lasting memories was the impact NCSA education and guidance had on a terrific young lady named Ashlin Sanders. As a speaker, I have a passion for two things: helping to ignite events with the Stoke the Fire Within keynotes and breakouts, and educating and inspiring young people on how to connect with college athletics scholarships. Companies are looking to hire them, because of the fire they have within.
A year ago this month, I delivered College Recruiting Simplifed on a cold, winter night in downtown South Bend, IN. Kirby Whitacre, Dir. of Athletics for South Bend schools, had organized the event. Kirby has always made sure Recruiting Education is available to families.
Ashlin’s parents, Perry and Cherrie Sanders, were in attendance. Ashlin was at basketball practice. The 5′8″ guard was in her senior season at Riley High. Even though she was All Conference and played on AAU teams such as The Family, the official NIKE travel program for girls basketball in Indiana, and in Showcases, she wasn’t being recruited that much. The family felt her High School coach wasn’t doing enough in recruiting, but the bottom line is that it is not the job of the High School coach to lead the way in recruiting. It is the responsibility of the family.
A few letters were making their way, but nothing was really happening for this very talented basketball player. As I have said many times, AAU and Club are important because you have to develop the ability to play at the College level, but so many families think it assures them College scholarships. The premier players - the top 20% or so - but many fall between the recruiting cracks. Ashlin was headed that way.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders heard my 50 minute presentation on The 5 Things You Must Know and The 5 Things You Must Do to connect with College Coaches, and they followed the steps. They knew they had to be more proactive with the recruiting game.
They decided to go into one of the NCSA programs. She built her Profile with NCSA’s guidance, and NCSA sent it out during the season. A lot can happen senior season, but you can’t horse around. Families have to take action.
“Everything came alive then,” said Mrs. Sanders of the response. “We heard from schools all over. Schools we had heard of. Schools we hadn’t. Division 1, 2, 3, NAIA, Junior College. Schools came out of the woodwork. Evansville was very aggressive after her. The Lady Vols viewed her profile. Eastern Michigan was really interested. Middle Tennessee State. Schools in North Carolina, New York, Florida…”
Ashlin was a very good player. Colleges simply didn’t know she existed. The sad thing about recruiting every year is that so many kids don’t get recruited because College coaches don’t know who they are. Good kids who work hard. College coaches today find good, quality kids through verified sites like NCSA. They can’t be everywhere personally finding kids. In today’s recruiting world, they are taking advantage of the internet and the ability to watch a young person’s hilites, full game tapes, and verified transcript all in one place. When they saw Ashlin’s ability to run the floor and play the game, their eyebrows raised!
Ashlin wanted to stay in the Midwest area within four hours of home. NCSA was able to open her up to all those schools’s in that radius.
Academically, she carried a 2.6 GPA as a senior at Riley High and struggled with the SAT, so that limited some of her options. As I always say - and this has resonated with young people because they will listen to an outside expert - “the better your grades, the more options you will have in college sports!” Ashlin’s grades/test scores weren’t the greatest, so she didn’t have as many options. However, she still had some, and took advantage of them! Among her offers was one from Lincoln College, a private, two-year, liberal arts college in Lincoln, Illinois.
Lincoln is covering her $21,000 tuition. Her family is covering room and board.
“That’s what I wanted!” said, Cherrie, excited. There is no greater relief than knowing the vast majority of college costs are being covered. The average college grad leaves with $23,000 in loans. Athletes like Ashlin Sanders have an advantage, which is why families need to be doing everything they can to connect with coaches.
Cherrie wrote a note to me later, saying NCSA had been a godsend to their family. What I love is that NCSA can simply help good kids get a lot more looks. These kids deserve to be playing somewhere. I love how we are able to connect coaches with top quality kids!
Ashlin is home on Break. She is loving her experience at Lincoln College. She has scored 17, 13 and 11 points in recent games, so she is getting to play a lot. Academically, she is now carrying a 3.5 GPA because of the tremendous academic support programs in place for athletes. Her mother calls their academic support “excellent.”
Division 1 schools like Eastern Michigan continue to watch her. No doubt, she will have the chance to transfer to a major college program in two years. Upon graduation, she wants to be a Physical Ed teacher and a coach. Like many athletes, she wants to spend her career in Sports.
“Everyone we talked to at NCSA was friendly and helpful,” said Cherrie. “If you choose to do one of the programs, it’s worth it”
As I head out to speak across the country, I always tell my wife that delivering College Recruiting Simplified will be a life changing experience for some of the people in every audience. The Sanders made the decision to drive out on a snowy night in the dead of winter a year ago to hear the Talk. Their girl was under the radar in recruiting. They chose to follow the steps and take action. Ashlin’s life has been changed. It’s early, but she is on track to earn a college degree. In today’s world, getting a college degree is no longer an option. It’s a necessity. Ashlin is doing it!
Charlie Adams
To see about getting your athlete evaluated for college athletic scholarship possibilities, contact me at [email protected]