Biz Tips
By Tom Kovic
College coaches are brilliant recruiters and look for 3 key components when evaluating prospects. Firstly, they look for strong students who meet and exceed academic eligibility and admission standards. Secondly, they are looking for direct impact athletes who thrive at their position and will drive the team to higher levels. Finally, they desire self-aware young men and women who bring a strong character component to the table.
Building a Powerful College Recruiting Mission Statement can help elevate your position on a college coach's radar and compliment your recruiting effort. Below are 3 tips on building a powerful college recruiting mission statement.
College Goals
Your college mission statement should be compelling and display a high level of self-awareness. Sit down as a family and identify critical operatives that your ideal college choice will possess. Primary on the list and the glue that binds additional operatives should be the quality of the academic experience you desire.
A good college coach will not be recruiting you just for the next 4 years, but the next forty years. A caring coach desperately wants you to impact his program on the athletic side. He also wants you to thrive academically and position yourself for future advancement. You do not get a second chance at a first impression. Make this point stand out.
Athletic Contributions
Considering you likely have a long list of athletic accomplishments; you want to streamline these accolades into a clear and robust statement about how you plan to impact a college sports program.
There is a fine line between being cocky and confident, and you want to impress the coach. Create a bold statement that combines your athletic skill-set with elegant confidence. Let coach know that you have not met your full potential as a student-athlete.
Leadership
College coaches are looking for the best and the brightest prospects to help drive their program to higher levels. Consequently, they are putting a greater premium on the inner make-up of the candidate.
Coaches are looking for boys and girls who display loyalty, dedication, perseverance, and a diligent approach to their everyday lives. They are seeking direct impact athletes on the team. In addition, they desperately want kids who will become “strong links in the team chain.”
Team leadership provides intangible growth at the core of the program. Furthermore, it builds team momentum and the ship always remains on course. Below is an example of a balanced mission statement:
“I envision my college years as a quest that will build my all-around personal growth. My goal is to explore my interests in orthopedic medicine and contribute to a worthy college team. I will apply myself not only as an athlete but as an integral team leader. I am confident my work ethic, determination, leadership ability, and time management skills will position me to be a successful student-athlete." Most importantly, I will conduct myself with honor and respect, knowing that the way I carry myself reflects my team, my coaches, and the school I attend.”
The final draft of your mission statement should be crisp, confident, and well-balanced. Next, give coaches every reason to believe you are looking for a quality education that will position you firmly upon graduation. Drive home the point clearly and confidently that you have the athletic tools to impact a successful college team. Finally, establish yourself as a team player and extend your loyalty and respect to the coaches as a prospective student-athlete who is the complete package.
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and Founder/Principal of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he advises prospects and families on college recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.