How To Win An Athletic Scholarship; Take These Steps.

Do you want to compete in intercollegiate athletics? If so, here's what you need to do.

First, do a reality check. If you are good enough to play basketball in the Big East or football in the SEC, coaches from those leagues and others would be taking so much of your time that you wouldn't have the 5 minutes you need to read this. Ask your coach and other knowledgeable people (not family or friends) which colleges might be interested in your athletic talents. Do some research of your own. Then make a list of possibilities and take it to your counselor to see which colleges might be a good fit for you. And, ask if he or she can add to the list.

Whatever you do, don't weigh athletics too heavily. Academics should always come first...always. Size, location, campus environment, special programs, and other factors should be considered as well. Try to find the "ideal" college for you, not just a place where you can compete in athletics.

Don't rule out colleges simply because you have not heard much about them. Mount Union, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Kenyon are three colleges you may not have heard of, but all have distinguished themselves in athletics. There are dozens more like them in every sport you can name.

Remember that there is a lot of financial aid aside from athletic scholarships, and that there are some great athletic programs at the NCAA II and III levels.

Don't forget, even for a minute, that achieving your athletic goals is not nearly as important as leaving college with a good education and a degree. And, leaving college with a degree will not mean you have gotten a good education if you have selected courses only to remain eligible for athletics. Sadly, there are coaches (including some well known names) who appear to be more interested in wins and losses than the welfare of the student-athletes on their teams. Be on the alert for them.

Make sure you read up on the operative regulations governing recruiting and consult with your high school coach if you have questions or concerns. Strict adherence to all (NCAA, NAIA, and/or NJCAA) regulations is critical.

Coaches aren't the only people who can help you learn about colleges. Communicate with admissions counselors too. They will often provide you with far more information than you can get from coaches.

Don't worry to much about listed college costs. What it will actually cost you may be far less.

Of course, some coaches are deluged with email and snail mail from high school athletes, so you may not get a quick response when you contact them. Give them a month, and then try again. You may never hear from some of them. Don't take it personally...it just means they are already talking to the folks they want and that they could use a lesson in etiquette.

And, be aware that even the coaches that do respond to you with letters, brochures and emails may not have a serious interest in you or may want to seriously recruit you only if the athletes in whom they are most interested decide to go elsewhere. That being the case, continue to communicate with all coaches who appear to be interested in you until you have and accept a firm offer from a college. It's the best way to protect yourself against disappointment.

After you do commit to a college or university, be sure you contact and sincerely express your gratitude to the coaches who have been communicating with you. It's the right thing to do, and it might help a coach remember you if you later decide to transfer from the first college you attend.