If you would like to get more detailed information about Premier Volleyball's Recruiting programs and services, please contact PVR by calling 952-233-1695 and I will answer all your questions.

Shattering College Recruiting Myths

The recruiting process can be long, confusing and different for each individual player and family. What often times happens is there are many misconceptions regarding recruiting from a player/parent’s perspective. Here you will find information on some of the more prominent mistakes/myths players and parents may make.

Myth: I am just a sophomore, so it is far too early for me to worry about being recruited.
Reality: College coaches, per NCAA rules can learn about ‘prospective student-athletes as early as one’s freshman year. Coaches can forward the student-athlete basic information per NCAA rules, watch them play and basically learn more about them via proper NCAA methods. More and more coaches and players are actually making decisions earlier regarding players they want to recruit and college’s players plan on attending. If more players and coaches are looking at making decisions sooner, then it goes to reason that it is very competitive and there may be fewer opportunities the longer you wait.

Myth: I am already getting letters, so why do I need PVR?
Reality: It is not uncommon for junior Olympic and high school players to receive the same information/questionnaire letter from college coaches. Many players on the same team may get the same letter from the same college. Per NCAA definition, just because you are getting a letter does not mean you are getting recruiting. It just means you are on a coaches list of contacts, along with dozens of other players.

Many players I work with, also are already getting letters or contacts from coaches. But on many occasions, some of these colleges do not meet the student-athletes interests (academically, location wise, weather, size etc.), so they really are not of any value. PVR’s goal is to take what the student-athlete has already gotten and research them and clarify which ones are of value and which ones do not meet her particular needs. Now we go out and start contacting the right types of colleges so new contacts and communications will be of VALUE.

Myth: Don’t I need to be a blue chip ‘top athlete’ to get a scholarship?
Reality: No you don’t have to be one of those top 100-200 players in the country. I have worked with many qualified low level D1 and D2 players who were able to attain a scholarship (both academic and athletic). Besides D1 and D2 colleges, NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) offer many athletic scholarships as well.

Also, do not get the impression that D3 colleges do not offer competitive programs since they do not offer athletic scholarships. That is the furthest thing from the truth. D3 is a great path to take to continue playing competitive VB and to get a great education. You have bad programs record wise at some D1 colleges just like you do at D3 level.

Myth: Players and parents often think that their high school coach will actively get their name out their.
Reality: Unfortunately this is not the case in many instances. Sometimes a high school coach may not have a full understanding of what is all involved and may not have the necessary resources. Though I know there are high school coaches that go to great length to assist a student-athlete, there are many that just do not have the time or resources to be effective at a high level.

Myth: I am a good enough athlete that college coaches will just find me.
Reality: The fact is you may be one of a few hundred or thousands that are good enough to gain a scholarship. It is very competitive and the sooner you realize that you are competing with thousands of quality athletes, you will realize the importance of aggressive exposure. By taking these steps that many take for granted, you will be giving yourself a huge advantage.

Myth: All scholarships at D1 and D2 level are full ride athletic scholarships.
Reality: Unfortunately this is not the case. It may be the case for your big time programs at your major universities, but in many cases it is not. Remember, D1 offers the maximum number of 12 scholarships and D2 has a maximum number of 8 scholarships. Many D1 programs may only be able to fund 8 scholarships instead of 12 and a D2 program may be able to fund only 4 scholarships instead of 8. What does this mean. It means that if you carry 12-14 players, there are not going to be many full ride athletic scholarships. That is why your academics are so important. You can get for example 60% athletic scholarship and because you got a great ACT score and GPA, you qualify for 40% academic aid which equals 100% scholarship. Don’t go into it thinking you have to get 100% in athletic money because there are many situations where some D1 and D2 programs just don’t fund a full number of scholarships.