Don't Catch this Dreaded Recruiting Disease (Sponsored by NSR)

The following article is sponsored by National Scouting Report. Visit NSR’s web site at http://www.nsr-inc.com/

DON’T CATCH THIS DREADED RECRUITING DISEASE

There is a very contagious disease spreading in the college recruiting world. Over the years, thousands of high school athletes have become ill with this dreaded disease. Unfortunately, in many cases, the athlete’s recruiting suffers and dies from this awful illness.

It’s called D-I-itis.

D-I-itis usually starts when a high school athlete’s parents begin talking about “how good” their son/daughter is in their sport. The symptoms usually worsen when a high school coach or travel coach tells the parents something positive about their child in an effort to make them feel good about playing on that team or enrolling at that high school.

The coach’s intentions were good. They had no malicious purpose. The coach just needed to satisfy the parents.

This dreaded disease continues its destruction when the athlete begins to believe that his/her abilities are much better than the reality of his/her skillset. The athlete begins to talk big and bold about “where I will play in college” and the pressure starts to build.

D-I-itis reaches its peak when the athlete loses touch of his/her real athletic abilities, size, speed, academic abilities and other items measured by college coaches. The athlete and family become blind. They no longer can see where the athlete fits in the recruiting process. The sad part is that those who are sick with D-I-itis are often the last to know.

If D-I-itis isn’t caught early or totally prevented, the athlete’s recruiting dies. College coaches can spot the disease from a mile away and do not want to be part of the process. D-I-itis kills the athlete’s recruiting dreams. College coaches look for athletes who truly understand their skillsets and abilities.

In the end, only about 1 percent of high school athletes will get the opportunity to play at the NCAA Division I level.Division II and III programs are outstanding options for athletes wanting to pursue their dream. NAIA and JUCO options also are wonderful alternatives for aspiring college athletes.

Don’t focus all of your recruiting attention on Division I. Don’t catch D-I-itis and miss the only opportunity you have to get recruited.

National Scouting Report, the world’s oldest and largest college recruiting organization, has received hundreds of requests from college coaches seeking 2017-20 prospects in all sports. More than 95 percent of NSR’s qualified prospects receive scholarship offers. For a free evaluation, contact NSR Area Director Gary Silvers, former Executive Sports Editor of the Bucks County Courier Times, at (215) 480-8764 or gsilvers@nsr-inc.com.