Rylan Sankey is a pitcher for Rancho Bernardo High School and recently committed to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. We caught up with Rylan to get his take on the recruiting process, what tips he has for getting exposure to colleges, what he is looking forward to as he heads to Friends University and much more. Check out Rylan’s highlight video below and visit http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/rsankey for Rylan’s full SportsForce Profile.

1. What do you enjoy about playing baseball? Baseball is my escape. All my troubles are gone the instant I step foot on that field. Once on the field, it’s me and my team against you. I love the sound the glove makes when the ball strikes that sweet spot and I love that slow walk around the left side of the mound when I strike someone out. And nothing beats the sound of a bat screaming when it launches the ball over the center field fence! Most of all, I love facing my next opponent as he walks to the plate and I get ready to unleash all I have at him.
2. When did you begin pitching? When I was about 13 years old in Pony League, after Little League. I played first base in Little League.
3. How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? A bull dog! I’m not willing to let go and I fight for the strike until the very end.
4. What other sports did you play growing up? A little soccer and the occasional football game in the neighborhood. Baseball has always been my favorite sport.
5. What type of college experience are you looking for (athletically,
   academically, socially)? Most importantly, I want to get my college degree. But it’s just as important to me to excel in athletics all four years. I can’t wait to see how much better I get with some great coaching and physical training. I am also looking forward to making some long lasting friendships with my teammates and the students at Friends University. The dorms should be a unique experience and I also look forward to some great relationships with the professors, which I think is very possible at a smaller sized school like Friends.
6. How do you decide to sign with Friends University? When my family and I flew out to Wichita, we were impressed with the campus and facilities. Everyone we met there was very nice and the coaches were so enthusiastic about having me. They had a new field this year and we met other team members. I decided that having a more personal relationship with the professors and coaches would be ideal for me. It just felt right. I know I’m going to have to work hard for school and baseball, but I know I’m going to have a great experience!
7. How did it feel to go out to Kansas and sign with the coaching staff? It was very exciting. We explored Wichita and the campus and the coaches both made me feel so welcome and I could talk with them. I know they’ll work me hard, but they were really great.
8. What are you looking forward to most about being a college baseball player? I’m looking forward to the whole college experience and I’m really proud to be a college student-athlete at Friends. It feels good to know that I’ve accomplished my goal despite the fact that there have been many people who have tried to discourage me. But it’s ok, because it made me want success even more, it made me work harder and try harder, and I learned some valuable lessons for my life. I AM A COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYER!
9. What other colleges actively recruited you? Doane College, Washburn University, Rollins College, and Harding University to name a few.
10. What other schools did you seriously consider and why? Doane and Washburn were at the top of my list because of their campuses and science programs.
11. What college recruiting trips did you take and how were they? I only went to Western Oregon University once and the coaches weren’t very accepting and it seemed like I just wouldn’t have fun there.
12. What was the craziest thing that happened during the recruiting process? When I got my video done on SportsForce, it surprised me how many colleges responded within the very first week!
13. What helped you maximize your exposure to colleges? The online profile video and DVD video was perfect. It was sent with college applications and/or an email indicating my interest in their school. It really gave the coaches an idea of how I throw, even if they were out of state and couldn’t see me in person.
14. What advice would you give to a high school athlete looking to play college sports? NEVER GIVE UP. That’s something I’ve learned. There will always be people who encourage you and people who discourage you. Take in the encouragement, and sift through the criticism for any useful information, but keep working at it if it’s something you love.
15. How did your family helped in the college selection and recruiting process? I couldn’t have done it without them. Dad looked at all the colleges on a sports level and Mom made sure the colleges offered science programs that she knew I wanted to pursue. SportsForce helped me get the video produced so we could distribute it.
16. What is your intended college major? I plan to major in chemistry or pre-pharmacy.
17. What is your long term career ambition? Hopefully to become a pharmaceutical chemist.
18. What are your baseball goals over the next few years? To raise my velocity and gain more control of my split-finger. I also want to contribute to taking this team to a new level. I wouldn’t mind setting some new records too.
19. What do you do to prepare to be a successful student-athlete
    (training, practice, film review, etc.)? Practice is where the sweat and the hard work are put in. And I have regular regimen for weight training 3 times a week. And I have a protein drink routine I follow for building strength and trimming down. Then the games are just pure fun!
20. What hobbies or interest do you have outside of sports? I love to sing and play guitar, draw, play video games, hacky-sack, and snowboard. And I love animals.

Coach Kentera and XX1090 Sports Radio hosted SportsForce CEO Andrew Beinbrink recently to discuss the changing time line of college recruiting, the importance of video in the recruiting process and how SportsForce is working hard to help high school student athletes in every way possible. Check out the interview below. Coach Kentera highlights high school sports every week for XX1090 and is himself very familiar with college recruiting as he’s been a mentor to hundreds of student athletes guiding their careers in many ways including placing over 100 students at the college level and having 37 players drafted or sign professional baseball contracts. Check out the full interview below.

Sport: Basketball Position: Forward Height: 6’7″ Class: 2010 School: Lincoln High School San Diego, CA

The Lincoln Hornets started out the season with the goal of taking the Division II state title and they are just steps away from it. A balanced team, with strong performances coming from many members, this week senior forward Victor Dean took the chance to step up against Compton. A captain for Lincoln, Dean scored a game high 19 points, the majority of which came after the half as Lincoln picked up momentum to take the lead after being down in the first half. Lincoln defeated Compton 60-52 and secured the Southern California Section D-II Title. Dean was also named to the first team for the All San Diego Section Basketball Team. Dean and the Lincoln Hornets will face off against Mountainview St. Francis in Bakersfield this weekend in search of the state title.

To view Victor’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/vdean

Highlight Video and Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

On Wednesday, Canyon Crest Academy senior Matt Malott entered elite company, when he pitched a perfect game against Bloomfield, Colorado, in the La Jolla Country Day tournament at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, CA. Matt struck out ten batters in his dominant seven inning performance with a variety of pitches including a four-seam fastball, curve, change-up, and two-seam fastball.

A recent SportsForce combine participant, Matt was an event standout with superior control and command for prep level athlete. Canyon Crest Academy head coach Ryan Sienko emphasized Matt’s abilities when questioned after the game by the North County Times saying that Matt, “…mixed his pitches really well. He is a hard working kid that pounds the strike zone.” Matt’s performance was truly spectacular and we at SportsForce want to congratulate the SportsForce alum on his great achievement and what will likely be an impressive and successful season.

See Matt’s full SportsForce profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/mmalott

Highlight Video and Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

The college recruiting process is often misunderstood by many parents, student-athletes, coaches and fans. The fact is, the college recruiting process has changed dramatically over the last 10 years and understanding how to play the game is important.

Are you a sports parent or a high school student-athlete who is asking yourself “How do I maximize my recruiting exposure to college coaches?” If so, you are not alone. This is a very common issue across the country that we often help student-athletes and families proactively address at SportsForce.

In this article you will begin to learn the basics of maximizing your college recruiting exposure and some key facts to understand about the recruiting process.

At the end of this article you will have an opportunity to sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide and get access to recruiting tips, advices and insight to learn more keys to college recruiting success. Click Here for the full recruiting guide.

First, a few key facts to keep in mind before we talk about maximizing exposure:

– College coaches are recruiting earlier and earlier (often evaluating freshmen & sophomores)

– Colleges often don’t have the budget to recruit many players in person and are relying more and more on video to help make better recruiting decisions

– 80% of college sports opportunities exist outside of DI level teams

– Over $1 Billion dollars in athletic scholarship money is awarded to student-athletes each year

– A recruited student-athlete has a significantly better chance of getting accepted to a college over a non student-athlete with similar grades

– College coaches are using all sorts of technology including: email, smart phones (Blackberrys, Iphones, etc.), online recruiting databases, social media (YouTube, Facebook) and more to find and evaluate players.

If your son or daughter is seriously looking to play college sports, your goal as a parent should be to support them and provide them an opportunity to best position themselves to reach their goal and find the right college fit.

You might be asking yourself what is the RIGHT FIT?

The right college fit means understanding what type of college experience your child is looking for and what’s best for the family. When creating a list of potential colleges focus on the most critical decision factors and criteria including: academics, athletics, location, cost, level of competition, coaching staff, social environment, potential playing time and scholarship opportunity.

Now that we have some more information on the table lets discuss “How to Maximize College Exposure.”

Step 1: Determine what College Programs are right for the Student-Athlete

– Conduct a realistic student-athlete assessment (stats, skills and grades)

– Ask for a coach’s evaluation (HS & Club team)

– Research & create a target list of schools based on critical decision factors and college criteria (10 – 30+ colleges)

Step 2: Express Interest / Build Support

– Meet with high school / club team coach regarding your college goals and commitment and make sure everyone is on the same page

– Network with other trainers, coaches and parents to seek potential qualified college coach introductions

Step 3: Introduce and Market Yourself

– Start early (Ideally Freshman and Sophomore years)

– Introduce yourself to college coaches and express your interest (use email, phone or an in person meeting to make an introduction)

– Remember you can call a college coach even though they might not be able to call you based on NCAA regulations

– Provide complete resume / profile and highlight video for a college coaches evaluation

Some example SportsForce profiles below:

• Girls Soccer: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/kdick
• Boys Soccer: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/scallahan

– Follow up is KEY (email, phone and unofficial trips)

We will include more in Part II on “How to Maximize Your College Recruiting Exposure” Click Here to read Part II now.

To get more advanced recruiting tips, strategies and advice visit our website and sign up for our complimentary SportsForce College Recruiting Guide and updates below.

FREE sign up for SportsForce College Recruiting Guide:

http://www.sportsforceonline.com/resources/resources_recruiting_recruiting_guide.html

Article courtesy of SportsForce, Home for professional College Sports Recruiting Profiles, Highlight Videos, Tips and Tools – www.sportsforceonline.com

La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA), a perennial lacrosse powerhouse in Southern California won two early season games against top contenders to prove their continued strength in California. LCC met up with De La Salle High School (Concord, CA) earlier this month. LCC took control of the game from the start and held onto the game til the very end, defeating a strong De La Salle team, 11-5. Big performances came from Senior Middie Andrew Hayden and Sophomore Attack Brendan Gaughan and Senior Attack Timmy Andrews. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.

Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

San Diego’s Summit Performance Group (SPG), a leading provider of conference planning, incentive travel, sports hospitality and event technology solutions announced the launch of PacificXPOSURE. SportsForce has partnered with PacificXPOSURE, which is a premier national lacrosse tournament and Southern California sports destination event, that will take place in North County San Diego at Del Norte High School (Headquarters), Rancho Bernardo High School, and West View High School. The event is scheduled for June 25^th-27^th 2010.

Doug Wheeler, co-owner and partner of SPG, said that his company decided to launch PacificXPOSURE because of the growth of lacrosse in the area and the need for quality travel tournaments for the sport. The company’s site (http://www.summitpg.com/pacificxposure/index.htm) explains that “the tournament is open to boys and girls and men and women Open Division lacrosse players from across the country and Canada. Attendees will come from as far as California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Canada and the East Coast. Divisions will be separated by age level including elementary and middle school youth U-11, U-13, U-15 groups, high school and club boys and girls teams, and Open Division Men’s and Women’s play (high school graduates and above).”

The tournament will be led by director Dennis Yeatman from Rancho Bernardo. Dennis was recently elected member of the US Lacrosse San Diego Hall of Fame and has been directly involved in the sport of lacrosse for over 40 years. In 1996 he founded Pacific Lacrosse and has been operating girls & boys, youth and High School programs since that time. Both he and his wife were recognized in 2006 as recipients of the A. Norman Webb Award for their volunteering efforts across the county on behalf of the sport of lacrosse.

There will be a PacificXPOSURE Vendor Village at Del Norte High School in 4S Ranch, which is located in Northern San Diego. The Vendor Village will showcase both youth and adult offerings, including lacrosse and sports products, entertainment and food and beverages. Other tournament locations will also offer exhibits and showcases. The event will offer coaches talks and parent/child meetings as well as evening events. PacificXPOSURE will also offer an exclusive boys and girls lacrosse combine June 25^th at Del Norte High School.

Wheeler explained that with today’s tough economy, PacificXPOSURE will offer the chance to attend an exceptional lacrosse tournament and event close to home. Taking place in June in San Diego County, PacificXPOSURE will also prove to be a great destination event for those traveling from out of the area.

PacificXPOSURE is a chance to give back to the community as SPG and the event work with Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit whose mission is to empower at-risk and underprivileged youth through outdoor programming and the Wounded Warrior Project that works to provide aid to and empower wounded soldiers.

LCC faced off against Coronado this week. The game was sure to be full of action as Coronado defeated LCC last season in the CIF Championship game. Arguably the two best teams in San Diego and among the top teams in the state, Coronado and LCC fought hard to establish each team’s dominance for the new season. LCC took an early lead with help from Andrew Hayden who helped secure possession for LCC in the majority of the game’s face-offs. Hayden scored a game high three goals in the match up that LCC won 8-5. Timmy Andrews had two goals and one assist, and Brendan Gaughan finished with goal and two assists. No. 2 ranked Coronado played strong with great performances from Kyle Runyon and Alex Bookout who each scored two goals. See below for highlights of the game and be sure to visit the Lacrosse page at SportsForce.

Highlight Video courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

Sport: Basketball Positions: Guard Height: 6’1″ Class: 2010 School: Francis Parker High School San Diego, CA

Andrew Greenberg has been instrumental in powering the Francis Parker Lancers through the California State playoffs as they search for the Division IV State Title. Andrew scored a game high of 34 points, 24 of which came from three pointers as his team defeated Paraclete 64-40. Andrew’s massive scoring run against Paraclete helped the team move onto the semifinals where Greenberg helped seal the win over Horizon, scoring all 10 of his points that night in the final quarter. Francis Parker is scheduled to meet up with Price in the Southern California Finals this weekend.

To view Andrew’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/agreenberg

Highlight Video and Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com

SportsForce is excited to share the announcement of La Costa Canyon and NC Starz Elite player Alex Pardieu’s commitment to Florida State to play Men’s Lacrosse.

Florida State Men’s Lacrosse shared the news in a press release:

La Costa Canyon senior midfielder Alex Pardieu will attend Florida State University in the fall. LCC High School is located in Carlsbad, California.

The 5’10”, 165 pound Pardieu was a four year varsity letterman and as a junior, was named All-County and All-Conference in the highly competitive San Diego section. Most recently, he was invited to play at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England on the U19 team.

“Alex can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving”, said LCC Head Coach Dallas Hartley. “He plays team defense on and off the ball and is great in transition”. Added FSU Head Coach Bill Harkins, “We are excited to have Alex join the program”.

See Alex’s Full SportsForce Profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/apardieu