9-Jun-2010
NCAA D1 Update: Non-Traditional High School Courses
If you are considering playing Division I athletics, you MUST become
aware of a newly-adopted NCAA proposal. The NCAA has begun
identifying "non-traditional" courses from various high school
programs that do not meet the parameters of the newly-adopted
proposal.
20-May-2010
Choosing a Tennis Academy
Dede Allen answers the question: "I have a child who is being
recruited by a few tennis academies. As a parent, how do I handle
these situations?"
7-May-2010
Overview of the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Process
High school tennis players interested in competing in college probably
know that they need to take care of their academics and athletics.
But they should also need to understand the overall recruiting
process. For players and parents interested in NCAA Division I or II
tennis, below is a quick overview of the NCAA initial-eligibility
process.
31-Mar-2010
Countdown: Signing Day, NLI - What Does It Mean?
Last November, TennisRecruiting.net had one of its biggest weeks in
terms of visitors during the Fall Signing Period. And in just a
couple weeks, we will do it all again - we kick off our Spring
Countdown to Signing Day coverage. But what does it all mean? Dede
Allen breaks down terms like 'Signing Day' and 'National Letter of
Intent'.
5-Mar-2010
Tennis Academies: Best Road to College Tennis?
There are more players at tennis academies looking for college
scholarships or placement than there are those looking to turn
professional. Preparing for a professional career takes years, but
often, parents look to tennis academies for a short-term sprint of
improvement to help the player get the attention of college coaches.
Does this work?
12-Feb-2010
NCAA Rule Change - Enrolling After Graduation
The NCAA recently passed bylaws that are relevant to college-bound
junior tennis players. These bylaws specify new rules: how long a
high school graduate can wait before enrolling in college - and the
kinds of competition in which the student-athlete can engage. Dede
Allen discusses these new bylaws.
8-Jan-2010
The Community/Junior College Option
In light of the extensive publicity about the price of a college
education - some states have raised their tuition over 70% over the
past ten years - it is sad that more families do not consider local
community or junior colleges as a great option. Really, it is a great
option... not just the 'last choice' option.
10-Sep-2009
How to be the Ideal College Tennis Parent
College coaches are loathe to say anything to insult parents. After
all, parents have made many sacrifices to support their children
through junior tennis. However, in candid conversations away from the
office, there have been comments we can learn from reflecting their
opinions about American players and their parents. A common topic is
that of the American Tennis Parent.
25-Aug-2009
Video Conversation with Andy Brandi
Former University of Florida Women's coach Andy Brandi discusses his
experiences with recruiting - and what junior players should be doing
right now to get ahead. Brandi coached at UF for 17 years and holds an
amazing record of 460-43. He was the fastest coach to reach the 400
career win mark, doing so in just 435 matches. Brandi's Gators have 14
national indoor championships and 3 NCAA championships. He is now a
coach at the Harold Solomon institute in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
11-Aug-2009
Video Conversation with David Roditi
David Roditi joined the ATP tour in May, 1996 and achieved a career
high doubles ranking of 41. During David's Pro career, he served as a
member of the ATP Tour Players Council. He has reached the finals of
four ATP Tour Doubles events and has represented Mexico in the Davis
Cup. David was a three-time All-American at Texas Christian University
(TCU) who was runner-up in the NCAA Doubles Championships in 1995 and
finished third in 1996.
4-Aug-2009
Video Conversation with Lou Belkin
Lou Belken is an Arizona State University coaching legend. With more
than 26 successful seasons under his belt, he holds an overall record
of 312-309. Belken has guided his Sun Devils teams to NCAA post season
berths in 14 of the past 20 years, including five berths in the NCAA
Sweet 16 and one quarterfinal appearance. He has trained and produced
14 All-American players and 28 All-Pacific 10 selections.
21-Jul-2009
Video Conversation with Jerry Noyce
Jerry Noyce played varsity tennis at the University of Minnesota (UM)
and coached the varsity men's tennis team for 15 years. As co-founder
of the UM Baseline Club, Jerry was instrumental in endowing all men's
tennis scholarships at UM and securing significant contributions to
construct an on campus tennis facility. As a tennis professional,
Jerry coached playing professionals David Wheaton and Ann Henricksson.
Here he discusses what coaches look for in their recruits.
17-Jul-2009
College Tennis: Myths versus Realities
Sue Hansen, founder of SCCAC, takes on some of the college recruiting
myths that she frequently encounters in her role as a private college
athletic consultant: 1) matriculation eligibility rules, and 2) home
schooling as it relates to recruiting.
14-Jul-2009
Video Conversation with Dick Leach
USC legend Dick Leach led the Trojans for 23 years, capturing three
NCAA championships (1991, '93 and '94). His teams advanced to the NCAA
semifinals eight times and to the quarters three times. He has an
overall record of 529-133 for an unbelievable 0.799 winning
percentage. Here, Coach Leach talks about what coaches look for in
their recruits.
13-Jul-2009
What if I Don't get a Scholarship Offer from my First Choice?
Dede Allen addresses the question: "I'm afraid that I might not get a
scholarship offer from my first choice - what should I do?" Allen
stresses the importance of researching multiple options and alternatives -
and encourages players to be proactive.
8-Jun-2009
The Recruiting Process - Is It Ever Too Early?
Dede Allen takes on the question: "I'm a junior in high school, is it
too early to start the recruiting process?" She advises kids to take
care of business in the classroom - and to start organizing their
options.
15-May-2009
When and How to Send a Video to Coaches
College coaches are always pleased when a student-athlete has done his
or her homework. One of the first things most coaches will ask is "do
you have a video?" Uness you are staying close to home, coaches may
not have seen you play extensively. The college placement video is,
therefore, very critical. Here are some tips as to when to create your
video and what should be in it.
1-Dec-2008
Making a College Recruiting Video
Most kids who want to play college tennis will need to send
prospective coaches a DVD that shows off their game. Often, coaches
will see the DVD before ever meeting the player face-to-face, so it's
important to put your best foot forward when creating your recruiting
video. Adam Sieminski of FuzzyYellowBalls.com tells you how to make
the most of your recruiting DVD.
22-Aug-2008
Market Value and its Importance in Tennis Recruiting
In recruiting, knowing your market value means knowing exactly where
you stand in the eyes of the coaches at the schools you are
considering. All coaches recruit more players than they have spots
available, so knowing how you compare to the competition is essential.
28-Jul-2008
Three Steps to Tennis Success
The competitive level of college tennis in the United States is
extremely high, and recruiting process has become ultra-competitive.
What does that mean for you? Simple. Whether you're ranked top ten or
top 1000, you're going to need a game plan to find the school that
will be the best fit for you. Here are three questions you should ask
to help you navigate the recruiting process and choose a school that
is the best fit for you academically, socially, and athletically.
7-Jul-2008
Playing For Time - The Importance Of Expectations For Recruits
When trying to find a college that will be a perfect fit, there are
many academic, social, and athletic factors that must be considered.
One of the most important factors is playing time. Playing time can
make - or break - your collegiate tennis career. The goal is to know
what you want and what to expect from your program.
30-Jun-2008
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2008-09
Tomorrow - July 1st - marks the beginning of another recruiting
year. Once again, recruiting expert Dede Allen reviews important
dates on the recruiting calendar for all ages - and she also has a
primer on basic recruiting terms.
16-May-2008
Open Letter to Recruits
An open letter to high school tennis hopefuls seeking college
scholarships from Coach Paul Torricelli, former head of men's tennis at
Northwestern University.
21-Feb-2008
Redshirting in College Tennis
Typically associated with football players, the term redshirt is
frequently applied to student-athletes who spend their first
collegiate academic year attending classes, practicing and working out
with the team, but not competing in games. Colette Lewis explores the
issue, talking pros and cons with college coaches and players.
1-Feb-2008
Tournament Tennis vs. High School Tennis
As a national tournament director for the USTA, and as an advisor to
high school students looking to play in college, I have seen many
juniors agonize over the choice of which 'master' to follow: the USTA
tournament schedule, or their high school schedule. Each has a set of
regulations to follow to be eligible for play/ranking, and sometimes
those rules and schedules conflict.
31-Dec-2007
Choosing a College Recruiting Service
Annette Broersma provides her take on the following question: "When
I look around the Internet, I quickly find a lot of different
recruiting services. Which ones should I consider using?"
24-Sep-2007
Just One Thing to Think About?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If you had to tell a player just one
thing to think about during the recruiting process, what would it be?"
6-Aug-2007
Campus Visits and Interviews
With the school year about to begin, rising seniors and their
families are about to start taking official campus visits. Rising
juniors might also be planning college visits with their families -
stealing away for a weekend to check out a school and take in a
football game. Dede Allen talks about the importance of the visit in
the college decision process - and how to make the most of one.
21-May-2007
The Importance of College Tennis Culture
From an outsider's perspective, it might seem that collegiate tennis -
like professional and recreational tennis - is an individual sport
where success and failure rest solely upon the player. Nothing could
be further from the truth. The success of a collegiate tennis team
depends upon a successful team dynamic. In this article, Ben Belletto
explores the importance of culture in college tennis.
26-Feb-2007
Where Can I Find a Scholarship?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If there is so much money in college
athletics, why can't I get a full scholarship?"
23-Oct-2006
College Tennis for Middle School?
Dede Allen answers the question:
"I'm in middle school and I keep hearing my sister and her friends
talk about college tennis. It sounds like something I'd like to do,
but is it too early for me to start thinking about it?"
31-Aug-2006
Early Action, Early Decision, and Rolling Admission
"I keep hearing about early decision, early application and rolling
admission. I'm getting confused - can you explain the difference?
How does signing early for athletic scholarships play into the
scenario?"
20-Jul-2006
College Freshman Orientation
With freshman year only a month away for the Class of 2006, this is
the time of year when I frequently hear the question: "Is it important
to attend freshman orientation?" I highly recommend it.
27-Apr-2006
New for 2006-07: NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse
If you are a junior or college tennis fan, you have probably read one of the many recent articles about "professionals" participating in college sports. While you may not be following the discussion, you do need to be aware of the new NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse. Today's article looks at the NCAA's newest clearinghouse.
27-Feb-2006
What Should I Tell a Coach at a Tournament?
During the summer and fall, many coaches attend national and sectional events to evaluate recruits. Dede Allen addresses the question: "Coaches keep trying to talk to me at tournaments. I just want to concentrate on my play. What should I do?"
30-Jan-2006
Taking a Year Off After High School
Resident recruiting expert Dede Allen answers the question, "Is there
an NCAA rule about taking time off after high school graduation?"
12-Dec-2005
Recruiting Vocabulary Test
Dede answers the question: When I'm at tournaments or talking to my friends, I keep hearing terms that I think I should probably be familiar with. Can you help me out here?
31-Oct-2005
How Can I Get a Coach to "Find" Me?
In a perfect world, every college coach would know who you are, and
many coaches would pursue you diligently. Unfortunately, that is NOT
the case for the majority of tennis players. However, there are many
opportunities available. So how can you come into focus on the
coaches' recruiting radar? For starters, you have to let them
know that you are out there. Be proactive - communication is the key!
21-Jul-2005
Advice on Seeking Sponsorship
Many junior tennis players have questions about sponsorship opportunities – a topic that can be very confusing. There are a variety of levels of sponsorships from a wide variety of companies. Here are some things to think about when looking into sponsorship.
