Who needs a Scholarship into College? Part One
Being a High School Tennis Instructor is a lot more than just helping people hit a great looking forehand shot or perfecting their service motion. As a matter of fact, I'd say when speaking of the mechanics of the Game, many of the Student bring serious game to the table before day one begins. You know kids aren't dumb like we were when I was in High School. I guess I shouldn't say "dumb" but unaware of opportunities was certainly one of our traits compared to HS Students these days. It's really not that unbelievable given the Information age works very efficiently.
MTV - The Net - Word of Mouth are just three huge forms of information available to each & all who want to make use of what's available out in the World. So when you're my age interacting with a bunch of Students, you would do yourself well by not assuming you are dealing with a bunch of idiots. Granted there are many things Teens aren't familiar with as yet but because our Teens are growing up in a much more violent World than we could have ever imagined, they are being forced to get it together much faster than we had to.
So as a Coach, you find yourself talking alot about College, how they are going to get there and what they are going to do once they are there. The School District I work in has more advantages than most. I'd estimate that approx. 70% of the Students we teach, have clear options for College. But for the ones that don't and want to go to College, how are they going to get there?
Most would like a Tennis Scholarship if possible and I tell them this is not beyond their possibility if they are willing to put in the work. If you are serious about going to College on a Sports Scholarship or have Students that you feel may qualify, the time to get started is when they are in their Freshman Year.
Yes, you read it correctly, Freshman Year NOT Senior Year. By that time, it's too late unless you have Andre & Steffi's kid you're working with. So how can a High School Tennis Coach help a Student get a Scholarship? You have to put in some work but it starts with contact the NCSA and following up on that several times until they acknowledge you.
NCSA stands for National Collegiate Scouting Association. You must identify the Student or Students you feel have something to bring to the table and get them evaluated. The process is difficult but very rewarding. I don't have the address at my fingertips right now but you can Google however I do have their phone number which is (866) 579-6272
To Be Cont'd
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