2013 Presentation of what it takes to run track & field and cross country in college. Designed for high school athletes.

1. Collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country
Athletic life beyond high school

2. Disclaimer
 The NCAA, NJCAA, NAIA, and NCCAA rulebooks
change frequently. Some of the details of this
presentation may change. This presentation is designed
to give you an overview of what it takes to become a
collegiate track & field/cross country athlete and to
familiarize yourself with this process.

3. Preview
 Divisions (NCAA I,II,III; NAIA, NJCAA, NCCAA)
 Athletic Scholarship Information
 Recruiting Services (BeRecruited, NCSA, Forms)
 NCAA Eligibility Center
 Official/Unofficial Visit
 How to Choose
 How to Commit
 Life of a college student-athlete
 Benefits

4. Athletic Scholarship Info
 “I’m being recruited by X school, so I must be getting
scholarship”
 NCAA Division I 18 (Female) 12.6 (Male)
 NCAA Division II 12.6 (Female) 12.6(Male)
 NCAA Division III0 (Female) 0 (Male)
 NAIA 12 (Female) 12 (Male)
 NJCCAA 30 (Combined M&F)
 Fully Funded?

5. Divisional Breakdown
NCAA Division I
Alabama State University
Alabama A&M University
Auburn University
Jacksonville State University
Samford University
Troy University
University of Alabama
UAB
University of South Alabama
NCAA Division II
Miles College
Stillman College
Tuskegee University
University of Montevallo
University of Alabama at Huntsville
University of North Alabama
University of West Alabama
NCAA Division III
Birmingham Southern College
Huntingdon College
NAIA
AUM
Faulkner University
Spring Hill College
Talladega College
University of Mobile

6. Financial Aid
 Academic Scholarship
 ACT > 25 SAT > 1200 GPA > 3.0
 Amounts vary
 Foundational Scholarships
 Based on school
 Interview based
 Leadership positions
 Amounts vary
 Government Grants
 FAFSA (Pell Grant)
 Outside sources
 FastWeb.org
 Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans

7. How to get Recruited
 BeRecruited.com
 NCSA.com
 Prospective Student-Athlete forms
 Contact coaches directly
 Be prepared to be bombarded with contact

8. Links
 http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp
 http://www.ncsasports.org/
 http://new.berecruited.com/
 http://TroyTrojans.com/
 http://TFRRS.com/

9. Official Visit vs. Unofficial Visit
 Official Visits – SR’s Only
 Paid for by the institution
 $ Room
 $ Meals
 $Transportation
 $ Entertainment
 Limited to one per institution
 Allowed five total NCAA Division I OV’s
 Unofficial Visits – All ages
 Paid for by the PSA
 Entertainment provided by institution
 Unlimited

10. Recruiting Terminology
 Dead Period
 Quiet Period
 Contact
 Evaluation
 In-Home Visit
 Red Shirting
 Camp/Clinic
 Incidental Contact
 National Letter of Intent (NLI)
 National Signing Day

11. Moving Forward…
 Apply for admission (SR)
 Transcripts & Test Scores (SR)
 NCAA Eligibility Center (JR/SR)
 Tour Campus (FR/SO/JR/SR)
 Apply for Housing***(SR)
 Attend Camp (FR/SO/JR)

12. Pros & Cons – NCAA Division I
 Practice outfits and athletic equipment
 Team strength and conditioning coach
 State-of-the art training and game facilities
 Top-notch competition
 Larger class sizes
 Athletic time commitment
 Strong pressure to perform athletically
 Traveling cross-country

13. Pros & Cons – NCAA Division II
 Student-to-teacher ratio
 Less pressure to perform athletically
 Less cross-country travel
 Less support for program
 Athletic time commitment
 Lack of facilities
Stack Magazine “Divisional Breakdown” – Jan/Feb 2009

14. Pros & Cons – NCAA Division III
 Student-to-teacher ratio
 Games played in immediate region
 Easier to play two sports
 Minimal summer commitment
 Lack of fan support for program
 No athletic aid available
 Lack of facilities
Stack Magazine “Divisional Breakdown” – Jan/Feb 2009

15. Pros & Cons - NAIA
 Student-to-teacher ratio //
 Coaches have fewer recruiting restrictions //
 Less pressure to perform athletically //
 Transferring between schools is easy
 Lack of facilities //
 Coaches may be faculty members as well //
 Athletic time commitment
Stack Magazine “Divisional Breakdown” – Jan/Feb 2009

16. Pros & Cons – NJCAA I,II,III
 Better opportunity to play right away
 Chance to improve GPA to get admitted to a four-year
college
 NJCAA Division I programs can offer full athletic scholarships
 NJCAA Division II programs can only offer tuition, fees and
books
 NJCAA Division III programs cannot offer athletic aid
 Lack of facilities

17. Where do I belong?
 “If I woke up tomorrow and couldn’t run anymore,
would I be happy here?”
 ACADEMICS!!
 Do they have your major?
 Or a major that will prepare me for professional school?
 Honors programs?
 Will I get admitted?
 Athletics
 Travel opportunities
 Top 10 in XC
 Can I score at their championship meets

18. Committing and Signing
 Verbal Commitment
 Notify other schools
 National Letter of Intent (NLI)
 Housing Deposit
 Signing Day!!!
 Final Amateurism
 FAFSA
 Contact Team/Other Signees
 MOST Recruiting restrictions lifted
 Physicals/Shots/Orientation/Summer Training

19. Am I Good Enough?
 Target school conference results
 Current roster
 WALK ON!!
 Prove yourself
 Top 10% = more failure
 11-20% have the most success
 Examples…

20. Life of a Collegiate Track&Field/XC Student-Athlete
 Advantage of having a team.
 Traveling
 Mentors
 Academic Resources
 The bigger the school, the less you stand out.
 New definition of “good”.
 Time management
 New coaching style (good or bad)
 Training is more demanding.

21. Personal Advice
 Enjoy every minute.
 Be patient in your training.
 Buy in with what your coach is doing.
 Be a leader.
 Be a team player.
 Be humble.
 Learn to fail.
 Learn to succeed.
 Push your limits.
 Know your limits.

22. …Since I have a Captive Audience…
 http://www.troytrojans.com/documents/2013/3/18/Distan
ce_Running_Camp.pdf