Recruiting 101

13-Nov-2012
Fall Signing Week '12: How Important is the Coach in your Decision?
How many times have you heard players say they signed with schools because they love the coach? It happens all the time, and there is nothing wrong with it. You should love the coach of the team you want to join. On the other hand, loving a coach should never be your sole decision maker when it comes to college tennis.

12-Nov-2012
Fall Signing Week '12: Where Do Top Recruits Play in the Lineup?
Most recruits are seeking a competitive team where they can also be part of the starting lineup. Scholarship for Athletes conducted an analysis comparing top level recruiting to see what percentage of recruits made the starting lineups of their respective teams.

7-Nov-2012
Countdown: Playing Tennis at the U.S. Military Academies
The experience of playing tennis at one of the military academies can be a unique experience, and so there are some unique factors to consider before a tennis recruit decides on a service academy. Our friends at Donovan Tennis Strategies talked with current players and coaches at three service academies to get insight on what it's like to be a student-athlete at one of the United States Military Academies.

31-Oct-2012
Countdown: Dividing Men's Scholarships
NCAA Division I Men's Tennis is an equivalency sport, meaning that for a given program, scholarship money can be divided among many different players. With the need to play six singles and three doubles - and given a maximum of 4.5 scholarships - coaches can rarely award full scholarships to recruits. We put the question to NCAA women's coaches: What is your strategy when planning out your scholarships?

17-Oct-2012
Countdown: Planning Women's Scholarships
NCAA Division I Women's Tennis is a head count sport, meaning that for a given program, only eight women can receive athletic scholarships. With six singles and three doubles matches - and in light of injuries - a roster of eight can appear quite thin. We put the question to NCAA women's coaches: What is your strategy when planning out your scholarships?

28-Sep-2012
Expectations of Athletes in College (Pt. 2)
Earlier this month, we talked with college coaches about the tennis expectations of student athletes. Today, more coaches weigh in on the question: "Can you quantify the number of hours that players spend on tennis each week? What times of year are the busiest?"

18-Sep-2012
Expectations of Athletes in College
College is a busy time for student-athletes, and balancing academics with athletics is known to be a challenge. What should an incoming freshman tennis player expect? We put the question to our panel of coaches: "Can you quantify the number of hours that players spend on tennis each week? What times of year are the busiest?"

2-Jul-2012
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2012-13
July marks the beginning of another recruiting year. Recruiting expert Dede Allen is back to review important dates on the calendar for all ages - and she also has a primer on basic recruiting terms.

25-Jun-2012
How Has College Tennis Changed?
College athletics offers an ever-changing landscape, and that landscape has had an impact on tennis. Conference realignment, Title IX, athletics budgets, recruiting, and increased USTA focus on college tennis have all been hot topics over recent years. We put the question to college coaches, "How is college tennis different today than it was ten years ago?"

13-Apr-2012
Spring Signing Week '12: Things Juniors Should Know (Pt. 2)
Last week, we talked with several coaches about misunderstandings many players and parents have. Today, more coaches weigh in on the question: "What is one thing that you wish all recruits knew going into the process?"

13-Apr-2012
Spring Signing Week '12: Can I Take Time Off Before College?
There are many reasons why prospective college tennis players might consider taking an extra year before starting college. Improving academic standards, working on your game, or spending another year maturing are reasons to consider a gap year. But students considering taking time off need to keep some new NCAA rules in mind.

12-Apr-2012
Spring Signing Week '12: Watch that Status!
When it comes to getting ready to go to college, you spend hours perfecting your essay and sending letters to prospective coaches. You have also (hopefully) watched yourself carefully on the court to make sure your behavior won't turn a coach off. The one thing that many players forget is that they also need to watch themselves online.

3-Apr-2012
Countdown: Discussion - Things Juniors Should Know
Many high school tennis players have misunderstandings about the college recruiting process. Some of these misunderstandings can lead to awkward situations between players and coaches. We put the question to college coaches: "What is one thing that you wish all recruits knew going into the process?"

12-Dec-2011
Talking with Georgetown Freshman Sophie Panarese
Sophie Panarese of Milton, MA is a freshman on the Georgetown University tennis team. Panarese attended Milton Academy and was a 4-star recruit who reached a high of #45 in the 2011 TRN national rankings. Here she answers questions from Hope Rupley of Donovan Tennis Strategies about her transition to college and college tennis.

29-Oct-2011
Countdown: What Not to Do on a Visit
A big part of the recruiting process is building a relationship with a college coach - much of which is formed during visits to the school. As with any relationship, there are certain things a prospective student-athlete simply should not do - like sending text messages during a conversation with the coach. We put the following question to several college coaches: "What should prospective student-athletes NOT do while on a visit?"

12-Oct-2011
Countdown: Should I Sign in November?
November 9th - Signing Day - is the first day of the one-week fall signing period. The fall signing period is the only opportunity this calendar year for seniors to sign a National Letter of Intent with a Division I or Division II school. If you are interested in such a school, should you sign an NLI? What are the pros and cons? In today's article, Marcia Frost addresses this question.

11-Jul-2011
Talking with Tufts Coach Kate Bayard
Kate Bayard earned First Team All-Ivy honors each of her four years playing tennis at Harvard University. After coaching at prestigious schools throughout New England, she took the head position at Tufts, where she just completed her sixth season. Tufts has been a Division III contender under Bayard's leadership, going deep into the team tournament and winning individual national titles. Donovan Tennis Strategies talks tennis with the reigning NESCAC Coach of the Year.

24-Jun-2011
College Panel Provides Pointers to Potential Student-Athletes
In conjunction with the NCAA Division I championships at Stanford University last month, USTA Player Development and USTA Northern California held a College Day at the NCAAs. Parents, junior players and coaches heard nearly two hours of advice, facts, insights and answers to their questions on college recruiting.

19-May-2011
Real World: Former Midwestern State Player Brynne Chappell
Annette Broersma is back with another installment of The Real World of Recruiting. In today's column, Broersma talks with Brynne Chappell, former women's tennis player at Midwestern State University. Chappell talks about the recruiting process - and her experiences as a Division II tennis player.

27-Apr-2011
Real World: Idaho's Jeff Beaman
Annette Broersma is back with another installment of The Real World of Recruiting. In today's column, Broersma talks with Jeff Beaman, head coach of men's tennis at the University of Idaho. The Vandals' coach talks about his philosophies for both recruiting and running his team.

8-Apr-2011
Countdown: The Real World of College Recruiting
Today, we unveil the initial installment of The Real World of Recruiting - a new regular feature at TennisRecruiting.net by Annette Broersma. Today, Broersma talks with a recent NCAA D1 tennis player about her college experiences.

14-Mar-2011
The Dilemma of High School Tennis
Accomplished USTA junior tennis players have long grappled with the question of whether to play on their high school teams. While they want to support their team and school, they don't want their level of play to deteriorate over the course of the season. Donovan Tennis Strategies talks about how junior tennis players should evaluate the tradeoffs.

18-Feb-2011
Q&A with Lew Brewer: Changes to USTA Junior Tournaments and Rankings
Change has finally arrived. Last March, the USTA approved changes to junior tournaments and rankings at the national level. New draw sizes... new draw formats... a reduction in the number of tournaments that count for national rankings... All of this change went into effect at the beginning of 2011. Why were these changes made? Lew Brewer, USTA Director of Junior Competition, took time out to answer our questions.

6-Dec-2010
College Tennis - It's Never Too Early
Sue Hansen, founder of SCCAC, talks about the importance of starting early with the college recruiting process. Understanding the process - and making a plan - can take the anxiety out of recruiting.

17-Oct-2010
Upcoming Collegiate Information Sessions, Showcases and Forums
Curious about college tennis and the recruiting process? All across the country, USTA Sections and other organizations are hosting information sessions, showcases, and forums that provide education on college tennis and recruiting. Take a look at upcoming events - many of them are coming up soon...

12-Oct-2010
Countdown: Making the Most of Official Visits
It's fall. For many high school seniors who haven't yet made up their minds about school, that means official visits. An official visit is one in which your expenses are paid for by the college. Since there is no right or wrong way to run a college tennis team, you need to find out if a particular coach and program works for you. Here are some things you can find out during a visit that can have a major influence on your college experience.

25-Aug-2010
Q&A with Erica Perkins: Campus Showdowns
They are going on now - and at a college near you. Campus Showdowns - one-day, short-format tournaments that take place on college campuses across America - are open to everyone from juniors and amateurs to college players and professionals. These tournaments give junior players a unique chance to check out college - as well as the level of competition. Erica Perkins of USTA Player Development stops by to talk about this joint initiative between the USTA and ITA.

15-Jul-2010
ITA Summer Circuit Fills Competition Gap for College and Junior Players
Last Saturday 128 players took to the Western Michigan University courts with a variety of motives - to size up their games, stay sharp over the summer months, prepare for the fall college season and test their conditioning in two-a-day matches in the summer heat and humidity. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com took in the ITA Summer Circuit tournament - here she provides a wrap-up of both the tournament and the program.

9-Jul-2010
Advantages of Division III Tennis
Although there are many ways to explore college choices, there is a large group of schools that is often overlooked by top juniors - the 300+ programs that make up NCAA Division III. The D-III tennis blogger stops by to discuss why Division III can be a great option for all American juniors, from 1 star to 5 stars, boys and girls alike.

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.