Scotty Jenkins

Whether you got recruited to your dream school or took your only offer,
sometimes a transfer can be a necessity. It’s not simple progress, but neither
is getting recruited and you did that! There are some advantages and drawbacks
to consider before making the decision and starting the process.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why Transfer?
There are many reasons that might push a volleyball player to transfers schools:

 * Playing Time

This is a big one. It might sound like a cop out to transfer instead of working
hard a practice to find your spot, but sometimes it’s a logical decision. Let’s
say you are a freshman setter and you end up on a team with two phenomenal
senior setters, and another two in the sophomore class, you may not see the the
court until you are a senior. If that is something that is unappealing to you,
transferring may be a great solution.

 * Junior College

You might have gotten a great start in a JuCo program, but we all know that
doesn’t last forever. Four-year college will look to recruit from these
institutions and it may be a great way to continue your career out of your
freshman or sophomore year.

 * Coaching Changes

Almost any time you get recruited, you talk and build a relationship with a
coach from your perspective program. There is a lot of trust built when you
decide to sign with a school and you may feel completely comfortable devoting
your time to a team because of how it’s ran and who runs it. However, you can’t
guarantee that coach stays for all four of your playing years. Coaches get fired
or take new jobs and that may be a good reason to leave as well. The coach can
make or break a playing experience for athletes.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Advantages
Transferring may be an easier way into a great program because to coaches
transfer players provide two things: less financial commitment than offering a
scholarship to an athlete for all four years AND an athlete that knows the
demands of college volleyball, instead of a green freshman straight out of
college. You may find yourself with more playing time, fitting in with the team
and having a similar outlook on the game as your new coach.

While it isn’t a right fit for everyone, you may end up with a program that fits
your needs better or even a more prestigious program because of a transfer.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Disadvantages
While there are great reasons and positive outcomes to some transfers, it is not
without it’s complications. Tranferring doens’t always give an athlete the best
“look” in the eyes of coaches and teammates. May time it brings up the questions
of “why?” Were you not a good teammate or did attitude and effort problems break
relationships within your current program?

Transferring can also feel like starting over. You will have to adjust to a new
town, a new campus, a new coach, etc. Being a college athlete can already be
overwhelming on young players, and readjusting can be a lot to handle.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How It Works
The process of transferring vary by the level of volleyball and the conference
rules of your new school. However, it is very similar to the recruiting process.
Players wanted to transfer are put into a “transfer pool” and essentially
recruited again.

The NCAA website provides a great description broken down by division levels: 
https://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/current/want-transfer. One of the biggest
conversations you should have with a coach before transferring to their program
is what the process will be like within their conference and when you will be
eligible to compete again. Most likely they will put you in touch with a
compliance officer to walk through the process with you. Sometimes it will be a
full academic year before you play again, but to find the right fit, it may be
worth it.

How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

Division III sports are a great way for a high school athlete to continue their
career. More athletes play sports at the Division III level than Division I or
II, and Division III has the most member schools, 448. However, it doesn't carry
the same prestige in the national spotlight as Division I.

If you or your student-athlete is considering going the Division III route, you
probably have questions about recruiting and committing, especially if all
you've seen and known is the circus of Division I football recruiting. Well,
there are a number of differences and two of them are fundamental to the
recruiting process.

One of the most important parts of college athletics and recruitment is money.
In Division I, so much of recruitment revolves around athletics scholarships.
Does Division III give scholarships? The simplest answer is that Division III
schools do not offer athletic scholarships.

However, there are a few caveats to that. Clarkson, Colorado College, Johns
Hopkins, RPI, and St. Lawrence are able to provide athletic scholarships in
specific sports due to having sponsored those sports at the top level prior to
the NCAA three-division model implemented in the 1970s. They have the ability to
offer athletic scholarships in those original sports plus one women's sport
since the NCAA did not have championships in women's sports at that time.

All five schools compete at the Division I level in those sports while they
compete at the Division III level for all other sports.

 * Clarkson gives scholarships for both men's and women's ice hockey.
 * Colorado College gives scholarship for men's ice hockey and women's soccer.
 * Johns Hopkins gives scholarship for both men's and women's fencing and men's
   and women's lacrosse.
 * RPI has scholarships for both men's and women's ice hockey.
 * St. Lawrence gives scholarship for men's and women's ice hockey and skiing.

The NCAA does note that around 75% of student-athletes at the Division III level
do receive some form of scholarships, whether it's need-based or merit-based.

So if Division III schools can't offer athletic scholarships, how does
recruiting work? Do you still commit to a school like you would at the Division
I level? 

National Signing Day and Early Signing Day are a big part of Division I sports,
especially football. 

Is there similar pomp and circumstance in Division III athletics?

There is no official National Letter of Intent at the Division III level, but
the NCAA did implement a non-binding celebratory form to recognize when
student-athletes declare their intention to play for a Division III school.

The only needed steps are that the student-athlete must have been accepted to
the college, and the university cannot publicize it until the student-athlete
has made a financial deposit. Once those requirements have been fulfilled, the
school can publicize and celebrate the student-athlete's commitment.

While Division III may not get the notoriety that Division I does, there were
six graduates of Division III programs playing in the National Football League
during the 2021 season. Division III football players Jake Kumerow and Quinn
Meinerz out of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Dan Arnold from Wisconsin-Platteville, Ben
Bartch from St. John's (MIN), Nicholas Morrow from Greenville College, and Ali
Marpet from Hobart College all were drafted into the NFL.

Regardless of whether you want to go pro, Division III is a great way to
continue playing sports. You just want to make sure you understand how the
recruiting process goes before plunging in headfirst.

Do any Division III schools offer athletic scholarships? Or take part in National Signing Day?

For the last few years, we've seen top high school football recruits retitle
their position as "athlete" to indicate their ability to play anywhere on the
field. Similarly, we've seen the most versatile basketball players who can do
more than one thing become known as "point-forwards". Across all major sports,
we've seen college recruiters and scouts opt to take a chance on the most
well-rounded athletes rather than the one who is best at passing, defending, or
scoring.

But, for most of the last few decades, only one sport can claim participants who
are widely recognized as the world's best athletes. They commonly have the most
rigid standards of training, the least amount of body fat, and most notably, the
most obvious desire and ability to push themselves beyond limits.

That sport is triathlon. 

Check Out The Event: USA Triathlon Virtual Combine
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine/tasks/1181/athlete-background]
Including three very unique disciplines, each of which don't give any particular
muscle group or heart rate monitors a break, a triathlon has long been seen as
one of the most difficult and thorough tests for the modern athlete. The modern
triathlon includes segments of running, swimming, and cycling - a blend of
endurance activities that challenges the mind and body almost equally.

Because of the variety in talents it takes to complete a triathlon, it is such a
clear way to identify the most gifted competitors. This is why at GMTM, the
social media platform working to connect athletes to opportunities, we are so
excited to partner with USA Triathlon for virtual talent identification
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine] this summer. 

USA Triathlon is America's governing body for the sport and hosts state and
national championships. USA Tri is also responsible for naming athletes to Team
USA, the nation's representatives for international triathlon competitions
including International Triathlon Union's world championships and the Summer
Olympic Games.

Through USA Triathlon events on GMTM, triathletes will be able to participate in
activities hosted by Team USA scouts and coaches to gain exposure and be seen by
the best in the sport. Through questionnaires
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine], video uploads
[https://gmtm.com/film/8191686/USA%20Triathlon%20Athlete%20Form], and messaging
to help connect athletes to coaches, young triathletes will be one step closer
to competing for the nation's national team alongside the best athletes at their
age.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The USA Triathlon Virtual Combine
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine] offers triathletes
and athletes from other sports background a step-by-step process to begin
participating. Through the event page, four unique activities allow participants
to showcase a variety of talents from different disciplines. Those four
activities include:

 * Athlete Background
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine/tasks/1181/athlete-background] 
   - Build your triathlete profile and share what interest you about USA
   Triathlon.
 * Highlight Reel
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine/tasks/1715/highlight-reel] 
   - Upload a highlight reel or a video of your highest sporting achievement.
 * 100 Meter Swim
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine/tasks/1703/100-meter-swim] 
   - Add your 100 meter swim time.
 * 1600 Meter Run
   [https://gmtm.com/virtuals/306/usa-triathlon-virtual-combine/tasks/1714/1600-meter-run] 
   - Add your 1600 meter time.

The USA Triathlon website [https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon] is already the
best resource for young triathletes hoping to find coaches, clubs, and events in
their area. The partnership between GMTM and USA Tri will supplement those
offerings by allowing youth and senior triathletes to interact in real time and
build a profile that organizes accomplishments, metrics, and content visible to
coaches.

If you are a triathlete or an athlete from another sport hoping to find an
opportunity with USA Triathlon, create a profile now [https://gmtm.com/] and
stay tuned for new events coming to GMTM this week.

USA Triathlon Partners With GMTM For Future Talent Identification

Whether you believe it or not, the spring season might be starting to give the
fall a run for its money as the most exciting time for high school football. Of
course, nothing can replace the Friday night lights, the fans, and seeing effort
and talent reflected on the field. But, when it comes to your own personal
success in the game of football, how you handle and promote yourself between
your last game of the season and summer camp can mean the difference in where
you play next.

Football camps big and small have become the events where serious recruits and
talented second-string players can move the needle for college scouts and
coaches. And from February to June, you better be networking and making the most
of what camps and the coaches there can offer you heading into your next
football season.

Football camps have only grown in popularity over the last decade and have
become a stage where individual players can showcase talent, coachability, and
leadership skills away from their high school coaches and teammates. Events like 
Elite11 [https://gmtm.com/organizations/246655/elite-11], The Show by NextGen
[https://gmtm.com/organizations/31459/nxgn], and a few other All-American camps
have in some ways replaced the stats gained through a high school football
season. For a talented few, they’ve even been the difference maker between
playing college football at the Division-II level
[/how-does-a-football-camp-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-to-college-recruiting/gmtm.com/articles/tag/division-ii/] 
and receiving interest from a few of the best Power-5 programs
[/how-does-a-football-camp-work-and-why-they-are-so-important-to-college-recruiting/gmtm.com/articles/tag/power-5/]
.

But before we get into what helps an athlete gain that interest and exposure,
it’s important to understand how a football camp works and how each different
group is involved.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is a football camp?
A typical football camp is usually a one-or-two-day talent identification event
where the best high school football athletes in the freshman, sophomore, and
junior classes are invited to display their talent and learn from experienced
trainers and coaches. Throughout the day, athletes are separated into position
groups, compete in drills, listen to advice from coaches, and reenact real game
scenarios in order to add context for recruiters.

A typical camp could range from a hundred to several hundred or even a thousand
athletes. Because of the size of the talent pool and the number of coaches
needed to help and evaluate those players, it is essential for athletes to
maintain a game mentality and pay attention in order to succeed and
differentiate themselves.

Very few football camps come without an up-front cost to attend or travel
expenses, which is why each one should be taken seriously as an investment in
the future of the athlete in the sport.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do high school athletes get out of a football camp?
As we stated above, football camps have quickly evolved into one of the most
important aspects of college football recruiting where athletes can gain
exposure and learn from coaches and trainers who have been through the process
before. A football camp is a cornucopia of talent where individual athletes
attend in order to be analyzed and ranked by coaches and scouts.

Through a variety of individual positions drills like passing, route running,
blocking fundamentals, and defensive work, players from every part of the field
are able to learn and develop quickly with other top players in their region.

There are also valuable metrics that are measured and recorded helping players
with speed, strength, and explosiveness to shine above similar athletes in their
position. These activities include the 40-yard-dash, the 5-10-5 drill, shuttle
runs, vertical jumps, and others. Similar to how the NFL Combine works, these
drills are essential to how football athletes are assessed and every player
should not only practice these but work to always be developing these skills.
These drills can help a relatively underrated player stand out quickly at a camp
and gain a reputation as the leader among the group.

Along with these drills, football camps also offer one of the most important
opportunities for high school athletes - another opportunity to compete in a
game setting. Through one-on-one matchups for wide receivers and defensive backs
or offensive linemen and defensive rushers, athletes are able to show college
coaches and scouts how they match up to the talented players across from them.

The mini battles may seem repetitive in the scheme of the whole day but within
each one, evaluators are able to reinforce some of the intangibles that are so
difficult to assess in a live game setting or on film with limited context. Most
high school football players are not facing off against the best talent in their
region in a typical game during the fall season, so head-to-head dills or 7-on-7
games essentially add film and game experience college staffs love to see.

Because of the competitive atmosphere and real-time coaching athletes receive,
football camps have become an essential part of the recruiting and development
processes that coaches and scouts at the next level pay attention to.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do coaches, trainers, and scouts get out of a football camp?
Football camps are a huge part of the evaluation process for college football
recruits. The real-game scenarios, metrics, and athlete relationships that are
collected in the course of a one or two-day football camp are essential to
player rankings and organization before the fall football season begins.
Essentially, the in-person football camps that happen from February to June
offer an insight into which players are worth watching when the high school
football season begins in August. If you miss your chance to shine in the
spring, it might take a record-setting performance in the regular season for you
to get attention from scouts in the regular season.

Another major reason why football camps are so important for coaches and
trainers is that the offseason is the only time they get to meet players outside
of their how area and impart their knowledge to the next generation of football
athletes.

If you are from a small town or not connected to coaches and trainers on social
media, it is very rare that you will cross paths with them unless they are
coaching the opposing team in a regular-season game. Coaches love the way
football camps bring exciting talent to them and offer an opportunity for
everyone to wear the same color jersey and network.

Football camps also offer a way for those trainers and coaches to find new
clients to work with throughout the rest of the year. Most of the major Power-5
recruits work with an individual position coach who can help them develop away
from their school-organized practices. The sooner you can meet these coaches and
seriously think about how you are learning and developing at your position, the
more likely you are to succeed and be talked about among these scouts and
coaches.

What do colleges get out of a football camp?
A huge portion of high school athletes who are recruited to major college
football programs don’t earn their spot on the team through high school game
film. It certainly helps to put up stats, but these coaches want to see how hard
you work off of the field, how athletic you are without your pads, and what kind
of metrics you record when everyone is watching.

You can succeed without attending these camps, but it makes the process that
much harder. College coaches need multiple opinions and proof of your
competitiveness and athleticism. These camps and the dozens of trusted coaches
and scouts there offer valuable info to those who decide which athletes will
earn a scholarship offer.

Another reason colleges love football camps is the way in which athletes are put
into uncomfortable situations and forced to react. Without the speed of a normal
game or the pads to conceal how a player really moves and uses their body,
scouts and college coaches are able to get a view of an athlete that game film
doesn’t offer.

Football camps are as much about revealing an athlete's football IQ and the way
they react to new systems as they are about showcasing athleticism. When you
play within one offense for an entire football season, coaches rarely get to see
how you function in a different system. Football camps allow them to get a
glimpse at whether you would be an asset to the way their team plays the game.

How does a football camp work? And why they are so important to college recruiting

Grace White

For starters, the overall game and practice play is a lot more of a high tensity
level. There are many athletes that can feel a deeper level of nerves but there
are also many who truly level up and accept the competitiveness as a challenge.
As both choices are common, choosing to grasp the challenge and allow yourself
to propel in the uncomfortable foreign feelings you’re having will be a huge
game changer for you overall.

Similarly, both levels have daily practice times and weekly games you’ll compete
in. If you thrive off of routine, I would greatly encourage you to gain leverage
off of remembering the areas that are the same. One thing that is also important
to see is that the college routine of academics is also very different from that
of the high school schedule. As there may be many days you will be going
straight from class to your practice, there will also be ample amounts of days
that you’ll have free-time to rest before cruising on to the court. This
diversity of structure can be very helpful in the important rest times your body
and mind need.

What the schedule really comes down to is the specific division you will be
joining in on as well. There are times as a college athlete where it can feel
like you have two full-time jobs. From going to classes, working on all of your
homework all the way to having anywhere from 40-70 hours of court time. Do not
let this packed schedule overwhelm you, just embrace it and move forward.

Now, if you are the type of person that gains a passion of fire off of being
challenged and seeking to learn from all the unknown, the transition process
from the high school to college level athlete will initially feel a bit
smoother. Again, both types of people are normal and common. I would say it is
just important to figure out which one you are so that you can figure out what
areas of growth you will be able to leverage on for full success.

One of my favorite parts of moving on to the college level, besides the extreme
growth athletically, is that your team truly becomes your family. Of course, it
is important to branch out at times to gather friends from other areas of life
but when you are on a college team you spend hundreds of hours with your
teammates. From daily practices, weekly games to many miles acquired on travel
games you will be sure to see your team as family. Overall, moving forward in
joining a college level team for your sport is such a great choice and amidst
any hard times you have, the good will always out weigh the tough!

What are the Differences Between High School & Collegiate Levels?

Between the ability to focus more on the sport they play and begin to take care
of themselves and their families financially, the benefits of new Name, Image,
and Likeness laws protects athletes most basic rights.

When the federal NIL bills are finally passed this summer, athletes will begin
to see tangible monetary returns every day for their performance on and off the
field, helping alleviate some of the stress connected to college sports.

One of those basic rights is to record and create content - the ability to
document your story and protect what you have published on social media. Similar
to what their classmates - who collect tens of thousands of dollars - on TikTok
and Instagram are doing.

"(Athletes will finally) have the ability to make money how other 21-year-olds
do," says Zach Soskin, founder of brand marketing firm, Voltage Management
[https://voltagemgmt.com/]. Soskin, who worked for the Oregon Football
Recruiting staff throughout college has seen the NIL changes coming.

But for Soskin, who got an intimate glimpse into the business of college
athletics by folding Marcus Mariota's laundry, the compensation from Instagram
posts for protein powder distributors and energy drink companies is not what
moves the needle.

It is the story and recorded content of an athlete's journeys that will begin to
collect the most royalties.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While the interpretations of what NIL rights can become are still up in the air,
student athletes can take this period as a notice to start creating.

No matter how talented you are on the field or how good you look doing what you
do, the athletes who create the most content will see the most benefits in the
future. Recording the highs and the lows, the wins and the losses, the PRs and
the warm ups is how every athlete can build a narrative that finds fans.

"Honestly," starts former Los Angeles Clippers Video Producer Andre Robinson on
a zoom call in May, "what I would do is I would film the hard work. Just film
everything from the start."

Robinson knows a thing or two about documenting an athlete's story. Since
leaving the Clippers Creative Staff in May of 2021, Robinson has began
freelancing and intends to keep many of the young NBA talent he's crossed paths
with in his short but celebrated career.

"Invest in a little pocket camera have your brother or neighborhood friend film
everything you are doing. (And tell them,) 'if we make it there, it's not just
me being a millionaire. It's you being a millionaire too, because we have this
story."

For someone that spends their working life behind the scenes of the nation's
most-watched sports, Robinson knows how important footage is when promoting a n
athlete and a storyline. 

If you believe you're a top athlete, you also have think about the future. As
Robinson puts it, 

"You've gotta be a businessman," Robinson says, warning athletes that everyday
presents opportunities. "One day when your health can't go, but you can keep
earning and inspiring because your production company attached to your film
filming can take you further."

This is the idea that won Kobe Bryant an Academy Award in 2018. One of his
greatest achievements in his life wasn't on the court, but because of it.

Kobe was a businessman and a basketball player, and his success of his life
story, Dear Basketball, in 2018 was set into motion years before. He established
companies off the court, surrounded himself with creative people, and was
passionate about the story he lived.

That's a lesson every verified high school athlete should pay attention to.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But, with every camera in the AV Club rented out and kids playing pickup games
with GoPros and phone mounts, won't this freedom to create college sports
content drown fans' interest?

No. Fans are fanatics and the more opportunities to find a place for your voice
and talent, the more times you'll benefit from it.

Consider Michael Jordan's revealing docuseries, "The Last Dance". It took
Twitter by storm and introduced another layer to one of the celebrated, yet
mysterious icons in the world.

That level of interest... that level of trending was only possible because of
the intimate moments we saw behind closed doors. It was Michael's conversations
wth friends or his quarter games with security guards that gave life to a whole
new generation and demographic of witnesses to lore of His Airness.

It was the cameras that weren't aimed at the rim that really told an accurate
and exciting story of Jordan's life.

Obviously, the average college athlete benefitting from NIL changes this summer
isn't Michael Jordan, but the opportunity to tell your story to an interested,
paying audience will come.

Whether your story is shown in a Muscle Milk Twitter ad that earns you a small
check or a expertly-constructed short film that wins you an Oscar, documenting
your life moments and obstacles can help create opportunities for you down the
road.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The conversation around Name, Image, and Likeness has proven to be a complicated
one. Over a decade since the first NIL case was introduced to the Supreme Court
in 2009, the dispute to give athletes a right to compensation for the use of
their likeness in commercial content still rages on.

But, the deadline for a federal decision to be made and congressional
legislation to be passed is closing in.

After five individual states have passed bills to allow student athletes to
profit off of their name, image, and likeness, the federal government has until
July 1st to pass a bill that would regulate NIL benefits on a national level.

No matter how the i's are dotted after the rules are passed in July, though, the
inevitable shift in who owns the content is what should really excite the fans.

Student athlete's stories will belong to the student athletes and the influence
young men and women on the field will be fairly represented off of it. 

But, the advice from content creators across sports is to keep the camera
rolling even after the whistle is blown.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scotty Jenkins [https://gmtm.com/articles/author/scotty-jenkins] is a staff
writer for GMTM covering all sports. He grew up slowly in Nebraska in the midst
of the Husker football dynasty of the '90s... and has been aging rapidly ever
since.

Why Athletes Hoping To Benefit From NIL Should Start Filming Everything They Do

It's an incredible year to begin your college/university life while having a
passion for playing sports. Did you know each school is under a division level
based on the budget in the athletic program and the school's size? If your
school was category as Division III, you feel upset because their budget cut is
small with no scholarships.




However, it doesn't stop you from playing sports to represent their school and
community. Division III is the largest group in the National Colligate Athletic
Association with over 180,000 institutions. If you're still not convinced that
Division III sports can benefit your needs, here are ten shocking facts about
them and perhaps give you second thoughts.




The Coaches values their Athletes' Education




As much as you love to compete in sports, these coaches stay on top of your
grades.

Unlike Division I and II sports, your education is a priority before any
activity, including competing in sports. At any point, your coaches pull you to
the side and ask about your classes. Mainly, they wanted you to take time away
from competition until the grades have improved.




Athletes can Balance their Schedule




Going to a Division III school, you'll have the ability to balance your schedule
in studies, social life, and sports. Instead of focusing on your competition
more than studies, they want you to find time for yourself and any activity,
such as socializing with friends, studying for tests and exams, exercising,
walking or jobbing around the community, and more.




Shorter Breaks through each Game Season




As a result of the small budget in their athletic programs, athletes have
shorter game nights throughout each semester. Allows them to do other
activities, study, and relax.




Less Travelling




Division III sports don't offer travel to other colleges/universities for game
nights. Although, it allows you as a student-athletes to explore their school
and community in the time being before and after game night.




Achieve like a Professional Athlete




In Division III sports, passion is more important than fame and population.
Competing in sports is a passion you have sparked since day one, and imagine
yourself making it to the professional field in basketball, football, baseball,
ice hockey, and more. If you continue to put in the hard work, you'll become a
pro before or after college/university life.




Discover your Potentials




There are millions of activities you can get involved in other than sports. As
student-athletes, you're experiencing social life to help the community or find
interesting hobbies you like to try.




Less Exposure to Live Television




Have you felt pressure from fans watching you and your team live? Did you feel
humiliated after losing a game? You don't have to worry about being on live TV
each game night as Division III sports barely exposure. Without reporters
following you daily, enjoy life as a student-athlete and explore multiple
hobbies to do.




Explore Sports the school offers




As we mention, less exposure equals less pressure and more freedom. You want to
try different sports you have never heard of or experienced. As long as you keep
up with your studies, trying other sports will help you grow as an athlete.




Playing Sports for Passion, not Famous




Do you remember being famous in high school? Did you achieve through talent or
being part of the team? When you want to gain fame from joining a sports team,
your peers will judge you or steal your spotlight. However, playing sports for
passion created a strong community between you and your peers. They'll look up
to you as their rising star to bring in more students to attend their school and
compete for the team.

Ten Things Division III Sports Offer Student-Athletes

Lily Ford



Is playing for your high school team enough? It's a complicated question. Yes,
playing a club sport takes up time as a high schooler but it could be the golden
ticket to getting you recruited. 

Club sports are a great way for exposure. College coaches are seeking out
tournaments, they build relationships with the club coaches, and you can be seen
by a lot of different schools in a short amount of time. 

There are a lot of benefits that come with playing on a club team. The level of
play is typically higher. Since the team is sought after and they hold try-outs
the athletes playing take it very seriously. This is a great opportunity to get
better at your sport. Surround yourself with athletes that will push you to get
stronger in your sport. 

It gives you more time to play during the year. Club sports are year round which
means you have more practices, skill sessions, and games. This is what will make
you a more skilled athlete and get you to that higher level. 

With that being said, high school sports are still important. They still help
the recruiting process. They show a coach your dedication to your school, and
that you can balance the student-athlete life. 

It isn't impossible to get recruited from only competing on your high school
team. There are many reasons why club sports may not be available for athletes.
These teams can be expensive and so is the travel. Some areas don't have any
club teams close enough, and that is okay. You can still get exposure. 

If club sports aren't in the cards the biggest advantage you can make is to have
a high-level highlight tape. If you make a tape that coaches are impressed by,
they will want to talk to you on the phone, and come see you play. That is still
a way to get the conversation rolling. Just because you are not on a club team
doesn't mean they won't take you. 

You can show your leadership skills and determination playing on your high
school team. If you are a captain or someone other students look up too, that is
appealing to coaches. Remember, you are trying to join a team and they want to
see that you will be a good teammate. Being dedicated to your high school shows
that commitment to your teammates and your school matters to you.

In 2019, NCAA surveyed thousands
[https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/research/pro_beyond/RES_HSClubParticipationbySport.pdf] 
of athletes and asked if they competed on high school teams or club teams. The
results vary depending on sports but most favored competing on both. 

Here are the percentages of women who competed in both club and high school for
their sport:

92 percent of Basketball 
79 percent  of Field Hockey 
10 percent of Gymnast 
81 percent of Lacrosse 
88 percent of Soccer
91 percent of Volleyball

Here are the percentages of men who competed in both club and high school for
their sport: 

82 percent of Baseball
91 percent of Basketball 
25 percent of Football 
82 percent of Lacrosse
77 percent of Soccer 
77  percent of Wrestling 

Yes, club sports give you an advantage. Not only do the get you in front of more
colleges coaches but they make you better at your sport, but you can make either
work for you. As long as you work hard and coaches like the way you play, there
is always a chance for you to get recruited.

Do You Have to Play Club Sports to Get Recruited

Rebekah Morris

When you commit to playing college volleyball you have to commit to other
decisions as well to achieve your goals on the court. There are a lot of
differences when you advance to the next level and it is not just an increase in
talent, ability, and hard work.

Here are some of the biggest differences between high school or club volleyball
and volleyball at the collegiate level:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Schedule
In high school you're used to going to school for seven to eight hours,
volleyball practice, and then home for homework. But when you get to college
you're schedule is going to be a little more hectic and will change semester by
semester. Depending on the college you attend you might have a work out session
in the morning or practice in the morning, followed by classes throughout the
day, practice or a work out session later, film, and then much needed time for a
library session for homework. This schedule can also change week to week,
depending on the game schedule or coach's schedule.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Competition
In high school you were probably one of the better players on your high school
team and when you get to college you are surrounded by people who were also  the
better players on their high school team. Depending on the depth of your
position and the level of play at the college you attend, there might be up to
4-7 people in you're position all pursuing one spot on the court. If you earn a
position on the court, there's people on your team who want to take your spot.
Learning how to have friendly competition with your teammates is very important
and will strengthen everyone's skills as you compete with each other. 

Not only are there going to be great players around you in college, every year
your coach will be recruiting players that are better than you and the other
players already on the team. As you gain experience your volleyball IQ grows,
which is an advantage other less experienced players, and yet you will still
have to work very hard to continue to earn a playing spot on the team.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Amount of Travel
The bus trips in high school probably weren't very far, but when you advance to
college your trips to the away games will cause disruptions to your schedule.
Depending on the level and college you go to a two or four hour bus trip or
plane trip will impact your academics and attendance at school much more
frequently than high school. Learning how to manage travel and academics is a
must, but many college programs have great resources like tutors, mandated study
hall times, teachers assistants, and academic advisors that will enable you to
thrive at your academics.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Pace of the Game
While competition is high at college, so increases the pace of the game as well.
Listening to your coaching staff is huge as they coach you into progressing into
the world of college volleyball. The game is faster, played harder, and instead
of reacting you will need to learn how to read the game better in order to
succeed in college. Many college players will also be bigger and stronger than
the high school opponents you faced and so the time spent in the weight room is
also key for your improvement on the court. 

Not only does the pace of the game change, so does the practices. Practices will
be harder, more intense, and every day you will be competing either to get a
spot or to continue to deserve the spot that you have earned. Your coaching
staff will be larger as well and so the ability to practice many individual and
position-focused drills will be utilized to focus on many of the specifics of
the game.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your College Team is Your Family
One of the best differences from advancing to college volleyball is that the
girls on your team become your family. You have an instant group of friends who
will support you, and if they do not then your coach and culture have some work
to do. During college you will spend so much time with your teammates: rooming
together, eating together, studying together, playing together, working out
together, and sometimes even spending holidays together. Your college teammates
become more than your friends, and you will more than likely form friendship
bonds for life with some of the girls on your team.

How College Volleyball Differs From The High School Sport

Logan Furey

AAU has become a huge topic within the high school sports world, as it has
developed into a proving ground for aspiring athletes, especially when it comes
to basketball. So, if you are an athlete or the parent of an athlete who is
considering AAU, you probably want to learn more about what it all entails and
whether it is worth it. Let's take a look.

> The BEST AAU Team Ever ⁉️🤯 (via ig/clutchpoints)

Watch highlights https://t.co/bYUZyVOodT pic.twitter.com/hqSimnBvAo
[https://t.co/hqSimnBvAo]

— Expo Recruits (@ExpoRecruits) August 4, 2020
[https://twitter.com/ExpoRecruits/status/1290483376206438402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
AAU [https://aausports.org/] stands for Amateur Athletic Union and is an amateur
sports organization based in the United States. It offers over 30 different
sports and boasts over 700,000 members nationwide. The organization has surged
over the past decade, with most of the players in the NBA having taken part in
AAU basketball at some point in their careers. AAU has become an excellent way
to showcase your abilities as a young athlete, as it offers more competition
than just a high school season. So, this begs the question - is AAU worth it?

Truthfully, if the sport you are looking to play is not basketball, it may or
may not be worth it. There are other avenues for sports such as football and
baseball in terms of travel leagues, showcases, and camps that will help to gain
exposure at the next level without committing to AAU. Exposure is the name of
the game, so playing in additional leagues outside of just high school varsity 
is absolutely beneficial. If you are looking to play basketball at the next
level, however, AAU is something that is certainly worth it.

On top of providing additional opportunities to showcase your abilities, the
competition at AAU tournaments is often even higher than that of traditional
high school games. Since there are not the same rules regarding school zones,
you will often see AAU teams featuring the best players from rival teams playing
together. This will ramp up the competition level and serve as a truer, more
national measuring stick for basketball players looking to make it to the next
level.

> I had no offers from high school basketball.. got 12 division 1 offers in one
month from aau https://t.co/VwSZMlQsxr

— Trey Moses (@treymoses32) July 10, 2020
[https://twitter.com/treymoses32/status/1281615950090055681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
In the current NBA, almost all of the American-born players played in the AAU
circuit at some point in their careers. The most notable player in the NBA who
did not play AAU basketball at all was Otto Porter. The tournaments that AAU
features are frequented by coaches at all levels within the NCAA, and are a
great place to turn heads for aspiring athletes. 

There are some players who have criticized the AAU structure, as there are such
a high-quantity of games and sometimes there have been questions on whether or
not the AAU coaches focus on the fundamentals and playing winning basketball.
This emphasizes the point that playing for the right team makes all the
difference. It is extremely competitive, but if you are able to find a team that
features good coaching and is talented enough to play in larger showcase events,
it will absolutely raise your profile as a potential recruit.

So, in short, AAU does offer great opportunities for high school students who
are looking to make it to the next level. Outside of crushing it in school and
performing during high school seasons, getting additional exposure to college
coaches and recruiters is the most important determinant on whether or not you
will get a chance to play at the next level.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logan Furey [https://gmtm.com/articles/author/logan-furey] is a contributing
writer to GMTM and a long-suffering DC sports fan. He has never experienced joy
as a football fan like he did during RG3's rookie year and is still chasing that
feeling 8 years later.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is AAU Basketball? And Whether You Should Find a Team

Andrew Pistone

Everyone can picture the scene on Signing Day for ascending high school seniors
who have been fortunate enough to be offered full ride scholarships at multiple
Division 1 college basketball programs. The players are usually flanked on
either side by their parents, siblings, friends, significant others, or former
coaches that helped them get to where they are today; with the ability to grab
one of three hats in front of them on the table and sign their letter of intent
to play for the Kansas Jayhawks, UCLA Bruins, or Virginia Cavaliers, for
example.

There are other, less ceremonious avenues young men and young women pursue to
join college basketball teams though. It can involve texting, calling, or
visiting assistant coaches on staff, or powering through difficult conditioning
drills in an empty gym. It may entail following current players on the team in
an effort to study and mimick the ways in which they get ready for a practice or
a game. Regardless, the life of a prospective or current walk-on college
basketball player is filled with a lot of hard work.

> Scottie Pippen:

6-time NBA Champ...

7-time NBA All-Star...

0 Scholarship offers.

College Basketball walk-on.#PPW
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/PPW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #NeverGiveUp
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverGiveUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

— Prove People Wrong™ (@ProvePplWrong) August 9, 2013
[https://twitter.com/ProvePplWrong/status/365880379783135232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Walk-ons can be classified in a few different tiers by basketball programs.
There are preferred walk ons
[https://usatodayhss.com/2017/the-5-most-commonly-asked-questions-about-being-a-college-walk-on]
, who usually have a guaranteed roster spot, and enjoy many of the same perks as
full scholarship or partial scholarship athletes from a training and educational
resource perspective. However, they do not receive any scholarship assistance
from the school, and would have to pay their way through college(if they don’t
transfer somewhere else with scholarship assistance).

There are walk-ons who are recruited by a college basketball program, and
receive interest from the coaching staff—but are not offered financial
scholarship assistance, and do not have a spot on the team reserved for them.

At the very end of the spectrum are walk-ons who make it without being
recruited. Since they aren’t recruited and wouldn’t otherwise be on a school’s
radar, prospects usually have to go out of their way to make themselves known by
submitting high school/junior college game film, standing out by asking
questions/discussing strategy with assistant coaches to display their acumen for
the game, and other additional measures to get their feet in the door. This is
the most difficult way to get on to a college basketball team, but most schools
do leave the possibility open for talented and ambitious young men and women to
get an opportunity in this fashion.

> Grossly misunderstood college basketball recruiting fact: Walk-on spots are some
of the most competitive spots in all of college hoops. It’s not just a “oh well
I’ll take that” sort of thing...you can’t just “walk-on”.

— William Payne 🧩 (@TweetsbyCoachP) September 10, 2018
[https://twitter.com/TweetsbyCoachP/status/1039187937882202113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Kaitlin Cole can attest to this, as she walked on
[https://www.ndinsider.com/basketball/womens/notre-dame-womens-hoops-walk-on-kaitlin-cole-is-no-joke/article_357fdcea-016b-11e8-b5bb-1b4e43b390c5.html] 
to the highly acclaimed Notre Dame women’s basketball team in 2017-2018. While
realizing that she missed playing basketball competitively in college(after
averaging over 18 points her senior year in high school), Cole reached out to
the team to see if they would be willing to try out any new players. They told
her that they would conduct walk on try-outs leading up to that season, and she
spent her summer
[https://www.ndinsider.com/basketball/womens/notre-dame-womens-hoops-walk-on-kaitlin-cole-is-no-joke/article_357fdcea-016b-11e8-b5bb-1b4e43b390c5.html] 
getting back into game shape. That good fortune, coupled with her hard work,
paid off.

> Welcome home to Toledo’s own @katcole22
[https://twitter.com/katcole22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]!#GoIrish
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/YI8JAqRq3y [https://t.co/YI8JAqRq3y]

— Notre Dame WBB 😷 (@ndwbb) December 8, 2018
[https://twitter.com/ndwbb/status/1071454187756679174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The concept of athletes “betting on themselves” has been much discussed when it
comes to players in their contract years who are heading into free agency, but
the term can also apply to a hungry, determined athlete who is comfortable
receiving little of the glory and support their teammates might earn. Lamar Hull
was a walk-on at Davidson University during the years when another, slightly
more acclaimed guard named Stephen Curry was making a name for himself at the
school. Hull only got into 12 games in two seasons during his two years with
Davidson, but took a very cerebral approach towards how he would get noticed by
head coach Bob McKillop and the coaching staff.

In his own words
[https://inspirationalbasketball.com/college-basketball-walk-on/], Hull outlined
several aspects of his success, which he was able to parlay into an opportunity
to play professional basketball overseas. He highlighted the fact that while
players often times look for splashy clips to send to programs in order to prove
their worth, coaches are actually looking for players who have a strong command
on the fundamentals, and who are in tip top shape.

> “It doesn’t matter if you are a big man or a point guard, you should put every
ounce of effort into making your lay-ups and jump shots within the 15-foot
range. It seems like that is all I did in my walk-on tryouts. You will be
stunned when you tryout and see that many of the players didn’t practice enough
or work on these skills during the summer and can’t pull it off.” Via
InspriationalBasketball.com
[https://inspirationalbasketball.com/college-basketball-walk-on/]
The former Wildcats guard also talked about using his tryout to specifically 
fill in [https://inspirationalbasketball.com/college-basketball-walk-on/] needs
that the basketball team might have. Hull actually recommended tailoring your
workout or your footage(if possible) to highlight areas that the team you are
trying out for might be deficient in, so that coaches don’t automatically
dismiss you due to redundancy.

The good news is that in this day and age, it’s never too difficult to connect
with someone who is going through a similar experience or challenge. The
prevalence of social media has made it easy for prospective players, or players
who actually achieve walk on status, to connect with each other and share
encouraging messages. In 2014, two walk-ons at Gonzaga University and Auburn
University found each other
[https://www.si.com/college/2019/03/15/ncaa-walk-on-players-kentucky-texas-gonzaga-ohio-state] 
over Twitter, and formed a bond. Rem Bakamus and C.J. Holmes could talk about
busting their tails off in practice, and working with other scholarship players
in hopes of getting them prepared for the game, without ever expecting to play
in a West Coast Conference or SEC game themselves.

The two players found the interaction beneficial, and decided to broaden the
group to include walk-on players from all over the country. Eventually, the
underground walk-on fight club reached about 60 players, who became very close
despite usually not having met in person.

Even if a walk on position never does reap its rewards on the court, the 
networking opportunities
[https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2018/03/18/walks-ons-managers-and-who-uses-the-bench-to-get-ahead-in-life/?sh=736ef609202e] 
that present themselves to get into scouting, training or coaching might be
worth its weight in gold. Relationships cultivated over this time period could
allow a walk on player to develop a career in basketball in many different
roles, which could be another important factor for a forward thinking
individual.

How Does a Walk-On Program Work for a Typical College Basketball Program?

No matter how talented or hardworking you are as an athlete, there are ways to
boost your recruitment in order to get noticed by colleges, universities, and
recruiters that you're looking to play volleyball for. Volleyball recruiting is
incredibly competitive, but there are many different levels to continue on to
play after high school and if you're seriously interested in playing, you can do
it! Here are some tips that will help boost your recruitment: 

1) Create a short, yet impactful highlight film
Having film for recruiters and coaches to watch is important. Instead of
creating a highlight video of simply all your best kills, blocks, serves, or
passes in a micro-edited film, it is also best to show some longer clips as
well. Certainly include those great kills, blocks, passes, wherever your
strength is, show it! 

Along with your highlights, be sure to include clips and film that also show how
you overcome adversity during a match. Pick a few other excerpts of game film
that show your body language, how you interact with your teammates, what you do
when you fail, and ultimately, how you compete on the floor during AND between
points.

> 2021 Alamo Hot Shot Highlights for Alamo 16P's Katie Hill 
pic.twitter.com/U4o5qHnUDJ [https://t.co/U4o5qHnUDJ]

— Alamo Volleyball (@AlamoVB) January 19, 2021
[https://twitter.com/AlamoVB/status/1351625472988340226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
A lot of coaches will be impressed with your talent, but they're not just
looking for talent. They're looking for someone who will work hard, have a good
attitude, and fit well with their team.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) Research the Roster
Is it your goal to play for a nationally ranked team? Or maybe attend your dream
school as a student-athlete? If so, before you sink your teeth too deeply into
the idea, look into the roster.

This is so important! Researching the roster at a college can show you how deep
your position is on the team.

> Unbelievably excited to call ND home. Go Irish!!☘️ https://t.co/UQDwzVg9Fr

— paris thompson (@paristhompson12) November 13, 2020
[https://twitter.com/paristhompson12/status/1327106016169824256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
If you're a setter and there's only two other setters, and both are seniors,
that sounds like you have a great chance of playing for that team as an
underclassman. But, on the contrary, if the team you're looking at already have
a setter in each class and you know they run a 5-1, then you might have to
decide if playing time is more important than attending your dream school. 

Winning your spot on the floor isn't impossible, but with a deep roster on a
college team, you'll certainly be tested every practice. Being realistic about
your place on the team is an important aspect to consider as you look for a
place to play college volleyball. 

> The stage is set. pic.twitter.com/u2wATsRlxD [https://t.co/u2wATsRlxD]

— Husker Volleyball (@Huskervball) January 22, 2021
[https://twitter.com/Huskervball/status/1352617019137552385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
You should also find out how big the recruiting class is for your upcoming
freshmen season and who is included in that group as well. While a team may have
open spots with a lot of graduating seniors, those positions could be filled
quickly with other incoming freshmen who want to compete for that spot.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3) Watch and Learn
When you're in between seasons or have time on your hands, it's always a great
idea to keep watch on the players that you wish to play like. Watch videos on
Youtube, watch college volleyball games, and attend volleyball games when you
can. By watching you learn and your volleyball IQ will get greater. You might
understand that elbow-pop dig off a block after watching it, or the form of
great blockers that you haven't seen before, or the amazing serve you will one
day imitate. Immersing yourself into the realm of volleyball will enable you to
have more "smarts" with the way the game is played.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) Play on a Club Team
Because both high school and college volleyball are during the fall season
(usually, when not in a pandemic) coaches typically don't have a lot of time to
do recruiting, and so usually do more recruiting doing spring JO season. They
will attend, or send assistant coaches to attend, tournaments where there are
numerous competitive teams playing. And playing during both seasons will
definitely give you an advantage and increase in your volleyball level. The more
volleyball you play– the better!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4) Stay Active
When transitioning from playing high school volleyball to college, the biggest
difference athletes claim that is different than high school is the attention to
weight lifting and working out.

> Clemson VB🏐commit Jacyn Bamis just getting it DONE!🔥🔥#BKcrew
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKcrew?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #contrast
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/contrast?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #power
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/power?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] #strength
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/strength?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] What are
your goals and are you working hard enough to get there??👍🏼👍🏾💯 
pic.twitter.com/1InyYXHDkn [https://t.co/1InyYXHDkn]

— Tommy Boyer-Kendrick (@TommyB_K) January 20, 2021
[https://twitter.com/TommyB_K/status/1351951799637352449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
Every college sports team has a weight lifting program that is expected to
follow and you want to give the impression to the recruiters that you are
active, healthy, and willing to work hard in the gym.

> Spokane ———> TigerTown 

✍️ Jacyn Bamis is CLEMSON COMMITTED 🐾 pic.twitter.com/eAUtb3JhJ3
[https://t.co/eAUtb3JhJ3]

— Clemson Volleyball 🏐 (@ClemsonVB) November 12, 2020
[https://twitter.com/ClemsonVB/status/1326864841408131077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These steps can help boost your recruitment to not only get noticed by a
recruiter or coach, but to have them think yes, they want you playing for their
team!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rebekah Morris [http://gmtm.com/articles/author/rebekah-morris] is a
contributing volleyball writer for GMTM. She played college volleyball for
Minnesota-Morris and now coaches at the high school level, helping to empower
the next generation of volleyball athletes.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

Aria Modirmassihai

Every year almost 2,000,000 high school athletes compete to try and earn an
athletic scholarship.

Despite this staggering number, only 180,000 athletic scholarships are given out
every year, which means that only 9% of high school athletes will receive
financial aid to play their sport at the collegiate level. It also means that
intramural fields on campuses across the country are littered with athletes that
had the talent to play at the collegiate level but just were not able to get
enough recognition from college coaches.

In order to maximize your chances of receiving an athletic scholarship, you need
to have a plan. To help you in that process, we have laid out some important
tips to follow along on your recruitment journey.

* Do Research And Make Lists Of Realistic Schools

This is probably the step that gets overlooked the most but may in fact be the
most important one. There are thousands of schools that offer collegiate sports
and all of them have something to offer. It's important to understand that
finding the school that is the right fit for you can be more important than
just
going for the best program possible.

The top programs, like Duke Men’s Basketball or Alabama Football, have the most
competitive recruitment processes. And they may not be able to promise you the
playing time or role you desire.

Instead of focusing all your efforts on these few schools, you need to broaden
your search and find schools, coaches, and environments that complement your
skills on and off the field or court. If you find a coach with a history of
playing players like you, and the school matches your ideal living conditions,
you are far more likely to receive an offer to play there.

* Participate In Virtual or In-Person Camps And Create Extra Film

Many programs at different schools offer summer and off-season camps for
prospective athletes. This is a great way to make an impression on the coaching
and recruiting staff.

After you have researched and found the program or programs you like the most,
see if they offer any sort of off-season program or have a virtual showcase
[https://gmtm.com/virtuals/visits]. These usually only last a couple of weeks
and will help give you the chance to show your talents in person.

They also signal to the coaching staff that you have a particular interest in
playing for that school and offer an easy way for you to create more film
[/how-to-get-noticed-by-college-coaches/gmtm.com/sign-up/] from activities
other
than your high school season. Something that other athletes will not have under
their belt.

* Introduce Yourself To Coaches

Unless you are a 5-star recruit whose highlight reel is blowing up the
internet,
chances are not too many coaches have seen or even heard about you. With the
massive number of athletes playing in high school, it is impossible for coaches
to keep tabs on all of them.

So, the best chance you have at getting noticed is by taking that first step
yourself. Send that first message with a link to your GMTM profile
[https://gmtm.com/watch/suggested] or share a graphic with your season's stats
[https://gmtm.com/promos]. If nothing else, at least this means that the coach
or scout knows you exist, which gives you a massive advantage over other
athletes.

Most likely it will also display your hunger and desire to pursue your goals,
your courage to make a first impression, and your interest in that school or
program.

[https://www.gmtm.com/sign-up/]

Three Steps To Get College Coaches To Start Noticing You

The great American poet Robert Frost could have been talking about a number of
pro athletes when he penned, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one
less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Aaron Rodgers, Alvin
Kamara, Bryce Harper, Albert Pujols, Jimmy Butler and Shawn Marion, among
others, took an unconventional path to becoming stars in their respective
professional sports.

They all attended junior college.

Most fans, families and prospects are familiar with the more famous four year
college and university system, and watch the athletic programs for these
institutions each week on major television networks. Many people, however, are
not as in tune with the junior college scene, both from an academic and an
athletic standpoint.

A junior college is an institution that can provide student-athletes a place to
continue their education, while participating competitively in a sport that they
may want to pursue at a four year university in the future. Junior colleges
provide a two year stepping stone for a student or athlete to prepare themselves
academically and physically for a more conventional university experience. In
certain instances, they may also offer certain standalone vocational degrees
should students want to pursue a trade after their certification and training
has been completed.

There are a number of reasons why an athlete and their families might need the
buffer between high school and a four year university.

Academic Reasons To Attend Junior College
Academically speaking, it’s possible for an elite athlete not to qualify for an
NCAA university or four-year college due to high school transcripts that are not
up to their standards. 

During 2020, as remote learning has become the new normal in many states
throughout the country, students may have more difficulty in the “classroom”
than before since they aren’t surrounded by peers. Also, not having the option
of meeting with their teachers face to face if they are having trouble with
course material makes it a difficult time to catch up if grades have fallen. 

An otherwise competent student could be negatively affected by these factors, In
that case, a junior college offers an inexpensive way to get back on the right
track academically and continue competing at a high level in sports.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Athletic Reasons To Attend Junior College
From that athletic point of view, there are also strategic rationales for why a
prospect might go the junior college route. Some players, like Aaron Rodgers (if
you can believe that), did not have many scholarship offers coming out of high
school, and used his time at Butte Community College to put together more
impressive tape that would attract big time Division 1 college football
programs.

Additionally, athletes who are plucked from junior colleges by four year
universities often have a leg up than the true freshman players in the program,
since they are two years older, and have had a chance to mature both emotionally
and physically. This can give them an immediate edge when it comes to playing
time.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Reasons To Attend Junior College
There’s also a financial aspect to address when reviewing the benefits of a
junior college. Great athletes come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds,
so if a college offer isn't arriving in high school, some student-athletes start
to believe they don't have another option. A family may just not have the luxury
of paying their child’s way through college at this point and time and a
part-time job is near impossible with a college athlete's schedule. 

Junior college, according to a CNBC article published in 2019
[https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/tuition-at-community-colleges-is-3660-a-year-on-average.html]
, can cost an average of $3,660 per year, which is significantly lower than
[https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college#:~:text=The%20average%20cost%20of%20attendance%20at%20any%204%2Dyear%20institution,tuition%20and%20fees%20average%20%2426%2C427.] 
the $25,362 annual average cost of four year schools. That cost/savings benefit
analysis will be even more closely examined by athletes and parents this year if
breadwinners have lost their jobs in 2020.

> Extremely blessed to announce my commitment to Tyler Junior College!! All glory
to God for every opportunity that has been given to me. I couldn’t have done
this without my amazing family, coaches, teammates, and supporting friends
around me. #feathersup
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/feathersup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
@LoganStout [https://twitter.com/LoganStout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] @TJCBaseball
[https://twitter.com/TJCBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] pic.twitter.com/1CfBqXUbW7
[https://t.co/1CfBqXUbW7]

— Luke Sheppard (@luke_8hep) November 17, 2020
[https://twitter.com/luke_8hep/status/1328782635037057031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong path to academic enrichment and athletic
success. If the road to a four year university is there for a young prospect,
and checks off the scholastic, financial, and sports development boxes, there’s
no good reason to pass that up.

 But if a young athlete finds themselves needing a little extra time to mature
emotionally, sure up their finances, or re-dedicate themselves in the classroom,
there is no shame in attending a junior college for two years to get things in
order.

What Is A Junior College? And Why Some Great Athletes Go

“Whatever it takes to get the call right”. That’s usually the initial sentiment
about video replay and its involvement in sports. Throughout the course of the
past two decades, we’ve seen action on the field or court slowed down frame by
frame with the intention of improving the accuracy of officiating with a little
help from technology. The NCAA Softball Rules Committee recommended last month
that college softball implement a video replay system, and it’s a notion that
appears to be gaining traction.

Like with most things in life, usually change is brought about when a compelling
event takes place to make everyone challenge the status quo. For college
softball, that singular moment may have occurred earlier this summer in the
Women’s College World Series. The University of Oklahoma squared off against
Florida State University, and there were a few calls that went against the
Sooners in the first two games of the series that appeared questionable. An
obstruction call, a safe/out determination at second base, and a play involving
a runner moving out of the baseline headed towards first base all received a lot
of attention.

Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso was extremely vocal throughout the course of the
series, wondering out loud why the NCAA wouldn’t use the technology they had to
get calls correct.

> “If it takes a little extra time, our sport is that good that people aren’t
going to leave. And if they leave, personally, I would say I would rather a fan
leave viewership and us get the call right,” Gasso expressed. Via Si.com
[https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/softball/oklahomas-patty-gasso-college-softball-deserves-instant-replay]
There’s a chance that we’ll know pretty soon whether or not the NCAA will
implement video review for college softball, since the rules oversight panel [
https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2021-07-02/video-review-challenges-recommended-college-softball] 
is set to discuss softball regulations specifically on August 12th. 

> A terrible obstruction call went against OU softball last night. What did Patty
Gasso think of it? She gave a strong response. #WCWS
[https://twitter.com/hashtag/WCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] 
pic.twitter.com/Gxtxuq85kA [https://t.co/Gxtxuq85kA]

— SportsTalk1400 (@Sportstalk1400) June 9, 2021
[https://twitter.com/Sportstalk1400/status/1402636651353055236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]
The system recommended by the rules committee is not unlike some of the replay
setups we see in other sports on the professional and collegiate level. Under
this version of the proposal
[https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2021-07-02/video-review-challenges-recommended-college-softball]
, head coaches would have two opportunities to challenge calls during the game.
Additionally, umpires can also bring bang-bang calls to the monitor starting in
the 6thinning. There are many types of plays that can be looked at under this
recommendation, including, but not limited to; fair or foul, ground rule doubles
or home runs, and deciding whether a batter was struck by a pitch.

If this proposal is passed, it will inevitably slow down the game for a sport
that is generally trying to speed things up. However, the integrity of the game
should come before the pace of play on the pecking order, and if approved,
replay would be a positive development for softball.

How Would Video Review Work In College Softball?

After competing for the French National Team at the Sydney Olympics, Myriam retired from Synchronized Swimming to attend business school. She worked for Accorhotels in marketing and sponsorship in France, Thailand and Australia and eventually resumed her sporting career to compete for the Australian National Team in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Following her second retirement, Myriam combined her business and sports knowledge to return to sport and worked in high performance and sport management in England and in the U.S for several years before founding Athletes Soul. ​

In this podcast, Myriam and Joey go through some of the ways Myriam was empowered as a female athlete and ways that we can continue to make sure others like her are as well.

The Power of Female Sports - Podcast with Myriam Gletz and Joey Grant

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Connor is a co-founder of GMTM Sports, an athlete social network designed to connect organizations to the talent sources they need for recruitment and success. Andrew began his fencing career at an early age, attended Penn State University, and later joined Team USA to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. He's headed back again with his eyes on the podium and his future career when fencing isn't an option.

Connor - https://gmtm.com/athletes/3/connor-dietz
Andrew - https://gmtm.com/athletes/1335718/andrew-mackiewicz

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