1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

Preparing for College
Volleyball
Myths
Because I play for a club means that I will get
recruited
There is not enough time with going to school
and being able to play volleyball and keep my
grades up.
I’m not good enough to play
I get a college brochure in the mail so I’m being
recruited
Because you hear from the coaching staff means
that you are being recruited.
Things to think about when selecting a College
You need to understand the time commitment
and sacrifices involved with each Tier.
You should look at different levels of college
games to help determine where you might you
fit in. D1, D2, D3, NAIA
What feels right to you (not what you think your
friends and/or parents want)
What is the school history? (win, lose, middle of
the pack, do they graduate players, transfer of
players).
What is important to you
Academics – Do they fit your needs
Distance from home – circle your area on a map
Type of program (competitive, social,
scholarships)
Type of coach (teacher, screamer, intense, laid
back, stress academics, etc.)
Opportunity for playing time (sit & learn or
chance to play right away?)
Sell Yourself
#1 Goal is to get the attention of the coaches
Initial letters. (Get the head coaches name
correct) Include the following:
Grade
Position & Number
Club
Other sports
Vertical jump, height
Playing schedule
Grade point
Coaching references
Letter Example
Sell Yourself
Reply to All requests – Keep your options open
until you have made a decision.
Check out the program (people you know,
former players, media guides, and internet)
Attend a camp of the college that you are
looking at. This allows the player to get a feel
for the campus and allows an opportunity to be
seen.
If you are traveling for a tournament – schedule
a visit on the way.
Sell Yourself – Profile, Video, Game Film
Put together a profile sheet which is basically
your resume
Whit4thprofile.pdf
Skills video – 5 minute skills video
Check out the links to players on our website for
examples
Kristen Paulus.mpg
Game Film – 10 Minute segment unedited
Sell Yourself
Always remember that even though one school
may not be interested in you, there is one out
there that is.
When to Start
Begin as early as your Freshman year so coaches
can follow your progress.
Its never to early to start
Physical Measurements
Know where you fit and what college
coaches are looking for at each level of play
The following are some examples of DI, DII,
DIII physical measurements that they look
for.
Note: This does not eliminate anyone. It is just a
realistic view
DI Physical Measurements
•
Setter
•
Height 5’9” - 6’1”
• Approach Jump 9’6”
Height 5’11 - 6’2”
• Approach Jump 9’8”
•
•
Outside Hitter
Height 5’11” – 6’2”
• Approach Jump 9’8”
•
•
Middle Blocker
Height 6’0” – 6’4”
• Approach Jump 10’
•
Right-side Hitter
•
•
Libero/Defense
•
Height 5’5” – 6’
DII Physical Measurements
•
Setter
•
Height 5’8” - 6’0”
• Approach Jump 9’4”
Height 5’11” - 6’2”
• Approach Jump 9’8”
•
•
Outside Hitter
Height 5’10” – 6’0”
• Approach Jump 9’6”
•
•
Middle Blocker
Height 5’11” – 6’3”
• Approach Jump 9’8”
•
Right-side Hitter
•
•
Libero/Defense
•
Height 5’5” – 5’10”
DIII Physical Measurements
•
Setter
•
Height 5’7” - 5’10”
• Approach Jump 9’2”
Height 5’8” – 5’10”
• Approach Jump 9’4”
•
•
Outside Hitter
Height 5’8” – 5’10”
• Approach Jump 9’4”
•
•
Middle Blocker
Height 5’10” – 6’2”
• Approach Jump 9’6”
•
Right-side Hitter
•
•
Libero/Defense
•
Height 5’0” – 5’8”
What College Coaches are Looking For
Attitude or personality – On and off the court
Needs based on # of spots open and positions
available.
Size, jump, speed, court smarts, experience,
heart, raw physical talent.
The high school athlete’s interest in their
college program.
NCAA Rules
Freshman & Sophomore year
Coaches are only allowed to send you camp
brochures, NCAA Educational Information and
Questionnaires.
A coach can also accept phone calls from you as
long as they are at your expense but remember
that if you leave a message on an answering
service the coach is NOT allowed to call you
back. They also cannot email you.
Communication at this age is through the club
coach or high school coach.
NCAA Rules
Junior year
D1 - After September 1st, Coaches are allowed to
send additional information on their college
programs.
DII – June 15th Coaches can start sending
recruiting material & make calls
DIII & NAIA – Coaches can call and send printed
material anytime
NCAA Rules
Senior year
Coaches can make telephone calls and send
written correspondence as per the rules of your
junior year.
Phone calls unlimited after signing.
NCAA Rules
Unofficial visits- Athlete pays their way to
campuses (unlimited)
Official visits- Division I schools can pay your
transportation, food & lodging to visit their
campus. Five allowed per player.
Contact Period – During this time, a college
coach may have in-person contact with you or
your parent on or off the college campus.
Dead Period – Coaches may not have any inperson contact with athlete or parent.
NCAA Eligibility Center
The NCAA Eligibility Center ensures that
student athletes are prepared to meet the
academic rigors of college.
You will not be eligible to play college sports
or get an athletic scholarship from an NCAA
school without registering and being cleared by
the NCAA Eligibility Center
Website: www.elegibilitycenter.org
NCAA Eligibility Center
Reference material will be posted on our
website
Available Scholarships
NCAA Division I – (12) Volleyball
scholarships
Division II – (8) Volleyball Scholarships
Note: DII can be creative with scholarships
Division III - Academic Scholarships only
NAIA – (12) Volleyball Scholarships (mostly
private schools)
NJCAA Division I & II (Junior College) (14)
Volleyball Scholarships
College Visits and
what to prepare for
Campus Visit Questions - Athletic
What does a full scholarship entail?
Is my daughter guaranteed a four-year
scholarship?
Is there any kind of fund raising required?
When does the team practice?
Where does the team practice?
Do they have to share the practice facility with
another team?
Campus Visit Questions - Athletic
Where are matches played?
What is the average attendance?
Describe the athletic facilities available for
volleyball players (Ex: gym, weight room,
team room)
What trainers, doctors, medical facilities are
available?
How does the team travel?
Campus Visit Questions - Athletic
To what extent are the community and media
involved in supporting the University and the
student athlete?
Does the team go overseas to train?
What is the off-season schedule?
Do all team members travel?
Campus Visit Questions - Academics
What is the current team’s GPA?
Does an athletes GPA effect their playing
time?
What is the graduation rate of the volleyball
program?
What is the quality of the educational
experience the institution can offer?
Campus Visit Questions - Academics
Can the curriculum accommodate potential
changes in my daughter’s academic major?
How many areas of study does the institution
have to choose from?
How many classes are generally missed do to
volleyball?
What happens when an athlete has to miss
classes or tests due to volleyball?
Campus Visit Questions - Academics
Is summer school required?
Does the athletic department provide an
academic services program that will ensure
that my daughter will have every opportunity
to succeed academically?
How closely are grades and classes monitored?
Do they have access to computers, study
rooms, library, etc?
Are tutors available?
Is fifth year aid available?
Campus Visit – Expectations
Tour & Spending time with the team
Sample Visit Itinerary
Friday, May 28, 2015
5:00 PM
Arrive on campus – meet Coaching Staff.
5:05 P.M.
Tour student center, locker room & watch highlight film
6:00 P.M.
Dinner with Coaching Staff in the Alumni Lounge
TBA
Check into University Plaza Hotel
Saturday, May 29, 2015
9:00 A.M
Breakfast at University Hotel with Coaching Staff
9:30 A.M.
Campus tour
11:00 A.M. Meeting with Coaching Staff
Campus Visit – Be Prepared
What do I do if I receive an offer?
Accept
Kindly put off - give your reasons
Need more time
Have additional visits scheduled
Remember to stay in touch with the coach or
staff. One of the top issues is poor
communication.
Information Resources
NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association:
Publishes Information for College-Bound Student Athletes and
Parents. Contains eligibility rules, guidelines, and suggestions.
(www.NCAA.org)
NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics: (www.NAIA.org) or (www.playnaia.org)
NJCAA - National Junior College Athletic
Association: (www.NJCAA.org)
College Directories: Publishes the National Directory of
Collegiate Athletics. (www.collegiatedirectories.com)
NCSA – College Recruiting services (www.nscasports.org)
Recruiting Realities
2015 Guidebook
$29.95
https://www.recruitingrealities
.com/book/
Final Thought
Do your homework and learn all you can
to help you prepare for this big
decision.
Questions