Archive for the “Commitments” Category
Ryan Orr Feature Athlete Interview- Committed to San Diego State University
Posted by SportsForce in Baseball, College Feature, Commitments, CommitmentsBlake McNamara Feature Athlete Interview – Committed to Wheelock College
Posted by SportsForce in Basketball, Commitments, Recruiting, tags: Basketball, Commitments, RecruitingWe want to congratulate Blake McNamara on signing with Wheelock College. Here is Blake’s recruiting story and interview from after he committed. We wish Blake the best as a Wheelock Wildcat!
1. Share your recruiting story and status (what was the process like?)
On April 29, I committed to Wheelock College. I phoned the coach and infomed him of my decision. The process was exciting. I really enjoyed conversing with College coaches and recruiter (asst. Coaches). I went on several visits to different schools to get a feel for the campus, the coaches, etc. each time my family and I were invited to watch the team play. That piece gave me a real good idea of what type of players the coaches recruit as well as the coaching styles.
2. What school are you going to, and why did you choose them?
I choose Wheelock because their collegiate Basketball program is top notch. What I mean by that is the Coach LeVangie is great, he truly invests himself in each player and took a great deal of time to meet with myself and my family. Coach LeVangie meets with players once per week to check in on their academic load and how it’s going, he looks out for his team and it is a comforting to know he has your back. The campus is nice and right in the heart of Boston, it is in the “Fenway Five” district (5 area colleges in the consortium).
3. How did SportsForce help in the process?
SportsForce was instrumental in getting my video and portfolio out to college coaches. They assisted me every step of the way, with making the video, providing guidelines for my initial and consequent contact with college coaches, offered advice for my college visits and meetings with coaches. SportsForce was great!
4. What advice would you give to other players and parents with the recruiting process?
Get your emails out early to college coaches, contact as many coaches as possible. Some colleges that I added to my list later in the year meant that the deadline to apply to the school had passed. Send emails early and leave enough time to visit the school and apply. Many deadlines for applications are the beginning of Jan or Feb.
5. How excited are you on your future in college?
I am very excited to take my basketball career to the next step and play at the collegiate level. This is something that every boy dreams of and now my dream has come true, with a lot of hard work and help from SportsForce!!!
6. How much money do you anticipate your family saving in college expenses?
I am not exactly sure how much money I saved as a result of basketball but my parents estimate it to be around $35,000 – $40,000 (over the 4 years). The money at Division III does not come directly from athletic funds or scholarships but is rolled into the financial aid package.
7. Would you recommend SportsForce to any other student-athletes? Why?
I would recommend SportsForce to any high school athlete who has the desire to play ball at the collegiate level. They are helpful in a variety of ways and the money you put into the program comes back around, for just under $500 my family is saving an upward of $35,000 and to play ball at the collegiate level……PRICELESS!!!
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Rachel Martin Feature Athlete Interview – Signed with Oregon Institute of Technology
Posted by SportsForce in Basketball, College, Commitments, High School, Q & A, Recruiting, Social Media, Tips & Advice, tags: college basketball, college recruiting, Girls Basketball, high school basketball, Rachel Martin, sportsforce, sportsforce recruiting, sportsforceonline.com, Womens Basketball1. Why did you decide to sign with Oregon Institute of Technology?
I chose this school because of the strong academic programs provided and the incredibly high job placement rate. I loved being on campus, I enjoy the coach, and it felt right to be there.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I am very excited about the opportunity to be a college student-athlete. It’s something that many people do not experience, and I am thankful that I am one that does.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
I would just let them know that if you have an offer early from a school you love, it’s okay to sign early.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
My dad has been my biggest influence because he he has spent hours practicing with me and pushes me to be the best I can be.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I want to improve over the next four years.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Jessica Donnelly Feature Athlete Interview – Signed with Hesston College
Posted by SportsForce in College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Recruiting, Soccer, tags: college recruiting, College Soccer, girls soccer, hesston college, High School Recruiting, High school Soccer, jessica donnelly, sportsforceonline.com, womens soccer
1. Why did you decide to sign with Hesston College?
They actually found me–and it was a blessing! The soccer coach found me on berecruited.com. I decided to sign my letter of intent with Hesston College for many reasons. I wanted to attend a small college–most of my friends were going to OSU or U of O, both sporting over 25,000 students. Hesston only has 450 students enrolled. I wanted the lifetime experience of attending a school in a different state, a different geographical location, and I wanted to experience something that I have never experienced before. Hesston had everything I wanted all wrapped up in a bow.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
Excitement, are you kidding? It was beyond excitement, beyond words. I wish everyone could experience the thrill that I had when I heard that I received not only a soccer scholarship, but an opportunity grant on top of it. I was delighted. My dream was not only to attend college, but to also play soccer. This is a huge dream come true for me!
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Don’t give up. Start early with having your parents videotape your games. If possible take only about 10 minutes of total video and some still shots and add some stats and facts about yourself. Don’t let anyone take your dream away from you and if one coach doesn’t think you have the skills or the speed, don’t let them discourage you. Sometimes their judgment of your abilities could be wrong, so keep practicing, training, stay clean and keep up your schoolwork. Eventually your hard work will pay off.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
Probably my parents–they went to every single game and practice, washed my practice gear, and made sure I had every opportunity to achieve my dream goal of playing college soccer.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I would love to be picked up by a 4-year school. Currently, I will be playing for Hesston College in Kansas, which is only a 2-year private school. I would love to play for a D-3 or D-2 school; because of my height I doubt that I will be able to play D-1. But for now I am good, and am happy that I’m playing!
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Tim Fair Feature Athlete Interview – Signed with Stevens Institute of Technology
Posted by SportsForce in College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Lacrosse, Q & A, Recruiting, tags: college recruiting, high school lacrosse, High School Recruiting, Lacrosse, sportforceonline.com, stevens institute of technology, tim fair
1. Why did you decide to sign with Stevens Institute of Technology?
It has a great reputation for engineers everywhere and it is a prestigious school to play lacrosse, with a chance to win a national championship. Coach Peluso and Coach Madalon and Coach Koch are very great teachers of the game.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I’m one of a very special group that gets to continue their dream of playing sports in college; I am absolutely excited to have this opportunity.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
The game of lacrosse and recruiting is speeding up; there are sophomores committing left and right. Every opportunity you have, visit colleges and call coaches. It can only help and may be the difference between your dream school and settling.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
My first ever coach, John Gendron. He has introduced the game to me and all my friends that lived on my street. Without him and his teaching of the fundamentals, I wouldn’t be the player I am today.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I would like to enhance my skills on defense and make a true name for myself. Also I would like to start many long-lasting friendships with my teammates and fans. My hopes for the team are to win conference, as well as contend for a national championship.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Tayler Henegar Feature Athlete Interview – signed with Tennessee Wesleyan College
Posted by SportsForce in College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Q & A, Recruiting, Soccer, tags: college recruiting, girls soccer, High School Recruiting, High school Soccer, Soccer, sportsforceonline.com, tayler henegar, Tennessee Wesleyan College
1. Why did you decide to sign with Tennessee Wesleyan College?
I loved the campus and location. They have the degree I am pursuing: Exercise Science. I really liked the soccer Coach (Naomi) and the girls I met on the team were awesome. I could also play starting my freshman year and that’s huge. Overall I could see myself really happy there for 4 years.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I have had dreams of progressing in my game of soccer and this is another step on my ladder. I am so proud that all my hard work has paid off and I want to keep working hard the next four years in developing further, and I hope maybe to continue playing after college. Who knows? National team, Olympic team, play abroad professionally or in the US – anything is possible.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
I would make sure you are on the right club team to get noticed. You need to market yourself. Reach out to colleges that interest you and don’t give up. Keep working hard in the classroom and on the pitch.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
There are a lot of influences but I love Abbey Wambach. She is so awesome, not only as a dominant soccer player but as a role model for young women and a great leader on the US team.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I want to earn a starting spot and I would like to be a person that is there for my teammates. I would like to win championships, of course, and improve my game to earn the opportunity to take my game to the next level after college.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
The Three Phases of the College Recruiting Process
Posted by SportsForce in Blogs, Commitments, High School, Recruiting, Tips & Advice, tags: college recruiting, High School Recruiting, High School Sports, Recruiting, recruiting phases, recruiting timeline, recruiting tips, sportsforce, sportsforceonline.com
Here is a brief overview of the three phases of the college recruiting process:
Phase I – Introduction
- Build your student-athlete resume
- Create your target college list
- Prepare your introductory letter to coaches
- Email an introduction to all the coaches on your target list
Phase II – Evaluation
- Market yourself to college coaches via email
- Let coaches evaluate your skills (online profile with video)
- Select the right events to showcase yourself
- Build a relationship with college coaches
- Visit colleges in person and online
Phase III – Negotiation & Selection
- Determine the colleges that are most interested
- Negotiate the best financial package possible
- Review your final choices
- Make the best all-around college selection
Following this basic timeline will provide you with the best chance of achieving recruiting success.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Lydia Reedy feature athlete interview – signed with Adrian College
Posted by SportsForce in College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Lacrosse, Q & A, Recruiting, tags: Adrian College, college recruiting, Girls Lacrosse, high school lacrosse, Lydia Reedy, sportsforceonline.com
1. Why did you decide to sign with Adrian College?
I chose Adrian, because it had everything I wanted in a school. A great lacrosse program, but also a great program for what I want to major in. They take their sports and academics seriously, which is something I value. They also helped a lot financially, because it is not cheap to attend school here and they do their best to get you as much aid as possible.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
It’s great to know that I’ve excelled enough in my sport to be able to play in college. I wasn’t a big star on my high school team, so to do something that not many people get to do is cool. On top of that I don’t come from a lacrosse heavy area, so being able to stand out above amazing players from the hotbeds of lacrosse is a great feeling.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Don’t wait for coaches to come to you, be proactive. It shows a lot of you as a person to approach a coach by yourself and show them you have passion and drive to play for their team. Also be gracious, these coaches don’t have to talk to you, so reply to all emails, call them back, and always say thank you, because they’ll remember someone who was nice and genuine over the cocky star athlete.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
My dad has really pushed me in my sports career. He went to as many games as possible, especially after missing a year because he was deployed to Afghanistan. He really knows the game now that I’ve been playing for 8 years and he helps the other parents figure out what’s going on. He also really wanted to be active in the recruiting process and he helped me say the right things to coaches which really helped sell me as a player.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I really want to excel as a player, and be better than I was in high school. I hope that I can develop my skills and push myself to be better than people thought I was. I also want to make people from my high school team proud.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
Drew Peters feature athlete interview – signed with Elgin Community College
Posted by SportsForce in Baseball, College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Q & A, Recruiting, tags: Baseball, college recruiting, Drew Peters, Elgin Community College, high school baseball, sportsforceonline.com