Many college-bound student-athletes have no idea how to go about marketing themselves for athletic scholarships.  The following information will increase the odds of getting an athletic scholarship dramatically.  Following this five-step process will increase your odds of getting noticed by college coaches and playing at the next level.

The Five Basic Steps of Marketing A Student-Athlete

1.  Become proactive in the marketing process 

Families assume that college coaches will hear about their athlete from their high school or summer league coach.  Many feel newspaper clippings from the local media will expose the athlete enough to get recruited.  This is far from the truth.  The marketing process is the student-athlete’s responsibility and no one else’s.  

2.  Find the right academic program 

Many student-athletes only go to college to play athletics and do not give much thought to academics.  When this occurs the athlete over-looks the right “fit” in regards to academics and in many cases athletically as well.  Academics in high school can lead to larger athletic scholarships and top academics in college can lead to better job offers after your college athletic career is completed. 

Student-athletes must focus on their academics before and during college. Student athletes must consider finding the right academic program first and place athletics second.  Yes, some students get the opportunity to go on to play professional sports after college, but these opportunities are few and far between.

3. Research college athletic programs

Many student-athletes do not research the college or the athletic program before accepting admission to or an athletic scholarship from a college.  Athletes should look at several things before committing to a particular college and athletic program.  The athlete should consider the following:

Team roster (will you be able to play quickly or will have to wait a few years).

• The competition (does it match your athletic ability).
• Coach’s psychology and playing style (does it match your psychology and playing style).

Knowing these things ahead of time will make selecting the best college and athletic program much easier.  It will also eliminate any surprises once you begin college.

4. Keep your grades up

Your athletic skill may get you into a selective college or university, but grades will dictate your admission possibility.  The NCAA has minimum academic requirements, but many colleges have much more stringent academic requirements.

5. Research other forms of financial aid assistance

All scholarships are identical regardless of whether the scholarship is based on need, merit or athletics.  Some colleges will substitute an athletic scholarship with an academic scholarship, or other tuition incentives.

This is commonly done in NCAA Division III colleges where there are no athletic awards or in NCAA Division II or NAIA colleges in order to maximize the school’s athletic budget. Money is money regardless of what they call it.