The decision to try to run collegiately comes with many questions. AlabamaRunners has spoken with many of the distance coaches at the Universities throughout the state to get their take on the recruiting process. In this installment we spoke to Coach Jeff Jenkins, an assistant / Cross Country coach at Troy University.
What are some good things high school kids do to get noticed/"self-market" themselves?
It goes without saying that the best way to be noticed is to perform better in their respective event, but there are a few things that can really set you apart. Fill out questionnaires for the team that you're interested in, send letters, call, email college coaches; you never know when you'll get a reply.
What are some bad things high school kids have done to get noticed/"self-market" themselves?
Several athletes try to self market by making excuses for every poor performance or lie about marks. Coaches will always know when you're not telling the truth and if results aren't verifiable, they will be overlooked. I'm looking for athletes who can run well in open events (not just relays) and do it in the big meets when it counts.
What amount of scholarship should kids expect? Do full rides really exist?
Different levels of competition bring different size scholarships depending on the caliber of athlete. Coaches are buying conference points scorers, regional qualifiers, national qualifiers, etc. There are so many scholarship options out there that the coach can help you with if you just reach out to them. Generally speaking though, athletic "full ride" scholarships are pretty rare.
When can high school athletes contact you? Is it helpful for them to contact you or do you prefer to contact athletes?
Different divisions have different rules. In Division I, high school athletes can begin contacting coaches at any time. Typically, I prefer for high school juniors to begin making contact just after their junior cross country season to start setting up their first unofficial visit to our campus. The more an athlete stays in contact with me, the more likely it is that they will end up on our team.
When can a high school athlete visit a college, will they be able to check out the program when they come?
Student-athletes can visit a college campus anytime they would like. I recommend that aspiring college athletes begin the visit process in their junior year by contacting coaches and setting up meetings and campus tours. Your best point of contact is usually the event coach for which you would be training under. During those visits, you will be able to see the athletic facilities (track, xc course, locker rooms, pools, weight rooms, training rooms, etc.), classrooms, dorms, dining facilities, and more depending on the school.
What personality traits define the best kids you have coached?
A competitive personality has shown to breed more competition in the training which, in turn, breeds success. On race day, those that race for each other rather than themselves usually have more success all around anyway. The athletes that keep an open mind to occasionally making an event change can end up being very successful in their new event as long as they embrace the change.
What are some personality traits that make kids harder to coach?
Athletes that seem to be stuck on what they did in high school rather than focusing on what they want to do in college have a difficult time progressing. If they spend too much time thinking about what individual accolades they want instead of trying to determine how they can best contribute to the team, they will often be unsuccessful. Those that are comfortable at being average in one event instead of embracing the fact that they could be even better in others only limit themselves.
Does an athlete need 4-6 years of JH/HS Cross Country / Track in order to be competitive for a scholarship?
Absolutely not. A higher training age is certainly preferred, but if an athlete shows that they have the ability and the attitude to be a successful collegiate competitor, then they're just as likely, if not more likely, to receive financial aid.
What purpose does a walk-on serve and should I be embarrassed about being asked to "walk on" instead of receiving a scholarship?
Athletes sometimes have a difficult time understanding that "walking on" to a program doesn't mean that the coach doesn't really want you. Be sure to gauge the coach's interest from his/her emails, calls, conversations, and willingness to pay for visits instead of focusing so much on the scholarship offer. Remember, we are all trying to build a successful program and we aren't allowed as many scholarships from the NCAA as football, baseball, and basketball relative to the number of participants we have competing.
What else do you tell kids to look for when thinking about school?
Always remember that you're going to college to get a degree first. Everything else is secondary. Pay careful attention to the athletic program's attention to academics to ensure that you will be fostered and cared for along the way. Pay close attention to the direction that the school is going instead of where they were in the past.
What are some questions for kids to ask any college coach they talk to?
What happens if I get injured?
What are some of your program's weaknesses?
How long do the coaches plan on staying?
What is training like?
Will I be able to travel as a freshman?
What event(s), if any, would you have me do in track?