On Tuesday Oct. 22, the Athletic Department and College Counseling teams hosted a College Recruitment Information Session in the at the Janet S. Pullen S.T.E.A.M. Center for students interested in playing sports at the collegiate level.
Led by Athletic Director Cole Hudson and members of the college counseling staff, the session guided student-athletes through the realities of the recruiting process. Topics included NCAA registration, academic requirements, athletic scholarships, and how to effectively communicate with college coaches.
Hudson said the event, held annually, aims to help student-athletes better prepare for the future.
“We partner with the student-athletes,” Hudson said. “So we can help them along their journey to get the chance to play collegiate sports.”
The speakers emphasized the need for athletes to focus on developing authentic film reels throughout their careers. As opposed to just saving highlights, keep track of other qualities of you as an athlete, as coaches are aware that highlight reels are not always fully honest.
He also emphasized that earning a scholarship or offer is only one part of the process.
“Just because a student gets an offer or a scholarship doesn’t mean the work is done,” Hudson said. “There’s still a lot more that has to be completed to get into that school and participate.”
The college counseling side focused on communication. Director of College Counseling Mrs. Hasbrouck spoke about the importance of communication from you, the student-athlete, as opposed to coaches and counselors.
Senior Nicholas Pagnotta, who is pursuing admission to the U.S. Naval Academy for lacrosse, said that his college counselor Mrs. Nikki Williams has been a huge part in his recruiting process.
“Mrs. Williams and other counselors have contacted college coaches and staff at the Naval Academy,” Pagnotta said. “It’s really helped with my application process.”
Pagnotta advises other student-athletes to reach out to coaches early, maintain strong grades, and stay on top of applications. Pagnotta added that the annual presentation benefits all grades, not just the upper classmen.
For students who hadn’t been thinking of competing in NCAA sports, the event was eye-opening.
