Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Scholarships by Sport: Tenis

Tennis:

For millions of athletes that play tennis in America there are college scholarships available. If you are aware of the systematic process of receiving a scholarship, you will have a firm foundation to move forward and be rewarded for you hard work (Please refer to our scholarship article). If you are a high school tennis player, you may be able to use your talents to pay for college. College coaches have the options and the flexibility to divide scholarships among the majority of players and may grant larger scholarships to

attract better talent.


The Scholarship Break Down:

-The NCAA allows each DI men's tennis program 4.5 scholarships.

-In DII, 4.5 scholarships can be utilized.

-Each DI women's program is allotted 8 scholarships.

-DII women’s programs are provided with 6 scholarships.

-There are 274 DI and 164 DII colleges that offer tennis scholarships for men.

-For women there are 316 DI and 211 DII programs.

-A total of 1,971 men's tennis scholarships and 3,794 scholarships for women in the NCAA.

Scholarships by Sport: Swimming and Diving

Swimming and Diving

For millions of athletes that swim and dive in America there are many college scholarships available. To receive a scholarship you will need to follow specific guidelines (Please refer to our scholarship article). If you are a high school swimmer or diver, you may be able to use your talents to pay for college. College coaches have the options and the flexibility to divide scholarships among the majority of players and grant larger scholarships to attract better talent.


The Scholarship Break Down:

-The NCAA allows each DI swimming program 9.9 scholarships for men and 14 for women.

-In DII athletics, 8.1 scholarships are available for both men and women’s programs.

-There are 142 DI and 50 DII colleges that offer swimming scholarships to Men.

-There are 185 DI and 64 DII colleges that offer scholarships to women.

-That's a total of 1,810.8 swimming and diving scholarships for men in and 3,108.4 for women in the NCAA.

Scholarships by Sport: Softball

Softball:

For the millions of athletes that play softball in America, there are many college scholarships available. Softball is a popular sport for both men and women at American colleges and universities. To receive a scholarship you will need to follow specific guidelines to overcome these obstacles (Please refer to our scholarship article).

If you are a high school softball player, you may be able to use your talents to receive a scholarship. College coaches have the options and the flexibility to divide scholarships among the majority of players and grant larger scholarships to attract better talent.


The Scholarship Break Down:

-The NCAA allows each DI softball program 12 scholarships and 7.2 for DII programs.

-There are 262 DI and 253 DII colleges that offer softball scholarships.

-That's a total of 4,965.6 softball grants available in the NCAA.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

College Gameplan: Graduation, Definitely Look Into Doing It

Chris Rotolo

Despite what most student-athletes may tell you, not all of them go to college with graduation as their top priority. For the 7 footer that dominates the paint and knows a large sum of money is in his future, graduation can wait. However, as the official NCAA commercial clearly states, “There are about 380,000 student-athletes, and just about every one of them will be going pro in something other than sports.” Thus, if you do not start at center for the Tar Heels of North Carolina, and the Georgia Bulldogs have not penciled you in at running back, you really need to put your focus on graduation.


Realistically speaking, sometimes the rigors of training, practicing, and developing your skills will cut into your school work. For the student-athlete who does not seek help, this situation could potentially snowball into a problem and your coaches know this. That is why they will offer their players help through academic programs. In big time D1 schools these programs may consist of personal tutors and academic advisors that will be on your case, making sure your work gets done. At smaller schools, help may consist of tutors and advisors but could be something as simple as a team study hall. To be a success on the field and in the classroom you really need to take advantage of team academic programs, no matter what those programs may be.


The RateTheCoach Team has developed a small list of things to keep in mind that, if done, will keep you on the fast track to graduation.


Academics Come First:

The hardest thing for a student-athlete to comprehend is that undoubtedly and without question your academics must come first. Will your coach be upset if you miss a practice because you have to do work? For a little while. But better a practice than a game, or worse, the season, because of academic ineligibility.

Note: During the season, look at your class syllabi, and complete work ahead of time. This will ensure that you will not miss any athletic events, you will not have any missing class work, and your coach will not get mad at you.


Get To Every Class:

You have to be a mail carrier, meaning, rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night will keep you from class. It’s imperative to your success as a student-athlete to make it to every class you possibly can. I say this because one of the perks/downfalls of being a student-athlete is that you will miss class due to games. Valuable information will be forever lost while you are on the playing field. Therefore, you can not let it be lost because you could not wake up on time. The postal service has national holidays, the student-athlete has games, hence, be a mail carrier.


Meet With Professors Regularly:

You need to have a good relationship with your professors for three reasons. The first is extra help. Missing class during the season will put you behind. If you are on good terms with a professor they are more willing to be lenient with due dates and will provide you with extra help if you seek it (please do seek it). Second, professors do not like when students miss their classes. If you have a good relationship with your professors they can be more understanding to your situation.


Note: You get your athletic season schedule early. Make copies for all of your professors. Highlight the dates you will be missing their class on the schedule and give it to them. Also, remember, professors have to deal with a lot of things. Chances are they will not remember the dates you have highlighted. A few days before the game, remind them again that you will be missing class.

Finally, after graduation, the job search begins. It always helps to have a letter of recommendation from some of your college professors. In order to write you a letter your professors need to know who you are, so meet with them regularly.


Meet With Your Academic Advisor Regularly:

Your advisor is basically a glorified guidance counselor. They record all of the classes you take, how many credits you have earned, etc. They will be able to point you in the right direction on your path to graduation.


Once Again, Take Advantage Of The Academic Programs Offered By Your Coach.

College Gameplan: Junior Year Guide

By this point in there are no congratulations from us needed because you are an old, crusty, seasoned veteran in this college game. You’ve been in the trenches for the last two years fighting the good fight. You have your study strategies down pat, you know the ins and outs of your campus, you know which days of the week to stay away from the cafeteria. Now it is time to focus on life after college.


CHOOSE A MAJOR:

No more putting it off until next year, next week, or tomorrow. You’ve tested the water for two years, now it is time to pick a specific pool of study, and dive in head first. Scary? Yes. Necessary? You bet it is. So take the plunge.


Note: For those of you who have already chosen a major you need to remember that in the very near future you will be graduating and competing against your classmates for employment. Work on improving and honing your skills. An employer can find 50 people to the basic of a job well. You need to bring something more to the table, something that sets you apart from the rest. Discover your ace and place up your sleeve.


Be a leader:

You are an upperclassman now. Act like it. Set an example for younger teammates on and off the field. Keep a solid G.P.A., be respectful to authority figures, conduct your business properly at all times, show the younger players how to do things the correct way. The progressive development of your sports program is on your shoulders. What type of program will you leave behind after graduation, and, what type of people will you leave it with?


Finally, junior year is the time you need to start preparing yourself for the future. This is the time where you need to break bad habits, choose a career path, be responsible, and start securing the foundations you have built for your right future.