How many of the appointments offered were to sport recruits?

SoFloSailor said:
I have been religiously watching the USNA 2020 Appointment thread and was curious to know how many of the offered appointments were recruited for a varsity sport and/or blue-chipped?
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The SA admissions process is complicated, there are a few simple answers. Can't speak for USNA, but I can speak for USMA. Probably safe to assume that their process is similar. So simple answer is several hundred, but the number is meaningless. But the number you might be interested in is how many candidates get some help from being recruited?

USMA has goals for recruited athletes for both direct appointment and the prep school. Some of the recruited athletes are fully qualified and competitive enough for direct appointment regardless if they are being recruited or not. Typically about 30% or more from the prep school are recruited athletes, they are little be different as being recruited got them to the Prep school, but they have to put in a year into improve themselves and not all prep school kids get appointed. I believe the admissions office shuffles candidates, when they can, to get competitive recruited athletes appointments (i.e. if a recruited athlete is #2 candidate in a Congressional district, the admissions office could appoint the #1 candidate against a different slot and push up the #2 candidate to be #1 in the district). The last situation will be the Supe's nomination, but it's limited.
 
MemberLG said:
The SA admissions process is complicated, there are a few simple answers. Can't speak for USNA, but I can speak for USMA. Probably safe to assume that their process is similar. So simple answer is several hundred, but the number is meaningless. But the number you might be interested in is how many candidates get some help from being recruited?

USMA has goals for recruited athletes for both direct appointment and the prep school. Some of the recruited athletes are fully qualified and competitive enough for direct appointment regardless if they are being recruited or not. Typically about 30% or more from the prep school are recruited athletes, they are little be different as being recruited got them to the Prep school, but they have to put in a year into improve themselves and not all prep school kids get appointed. I believe the admissions office shuffles candidates, when they can, to get competitive recruited athletes appointments (i.e. if a recruited athlete is #2 candidate in a Congressional district, the admissions office could appoint the #1 candidate against a different slot and push up the #2 candidate to be #1 in the district). The last situation will be the Supe's nomination, but it's limited.
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I'm not a USNA admissions expert, but my kid was a recruited athlete (brought the kid to USNA on an "Official"). I think LG's input is dead on.

There was discussion of LOA's Etc. (assuming basic academic and physical standards were met) for the USNA. That said, the Kid has excellent academics, and statements from the congressional service review boards as well as the nominating congress person suggest that the kid "killed it" in interviews, ( received a nomination Rec. from the USAF without a sport connection). During the process we learned that our States representatives coordinate the nomination process to maximize the number of kids out of our State who will likely to be accepted into the application review process (avoiding "Dbl-triple nominations). We understood that the "recruited athlete" status impacted on the nomination process at the State level, but on our end it was kinda fuzzy as to what was going on re: recruited athlete status and USNA application review.

Not much contact with the coach over the application review process; a little bit of communication regarding a problem with medical review, but otherwise pretty hands off. No once a week calls and the kid never received an LOA. There was just a heads up call from the nominating congress-person about appointment a few days before USNA notification. Looking back at the process, I'd bet that the Coach backed off on "supporting the application" because support wasn't necessary. As a Coach, why spend your political capital on an athlete who will gain admission anyway?

Advice for SoFlo: stay in contact with the coach. We found that the service academy and Ivy coaches seemed to attach much more more importance to the athletes DESIRE to join the team and school than did the PAC12, AAC, ACC, et-al.
 
I am a Junior in high school but I have been in contact with several academy coaches for over 1.5 years already. They were not able to contact me directly but I could contact them. They could not have face-to-face communication at tournaments (recruiting or high school affiliated) but they spoke with my club coaches and high school coaches a lot. My club and high school coaches still speak to academy coaches probably weekly.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you were recruited or being recruited you would know it.

Also I know that a lot of the academy coaches I have spoken with always mention the attrition rate. This is a large number (I'm not sure what it is but all coaches spoke to me about it). A couple of academy coaches have also said that they welcome me to the team (in the next season) if I decide to play another sport before theirs. The incoming classes of cadets always make up the largest percentage of the rosters of the sports I'm interested in.

I would keep in contact with the coaches, too.
 
Athena said:
I am a Junior in high school but I have been in contact with several academy coaches for over 1.5 years already. They were not able to contact me directly but I could contact them. They could not have face-to-face communication at tournaments (recruiting or high school affiliated) but they spoke with my club coaches and high school coaches a lot. My club and high school coaches still speak to academy coaches probably weekly.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you were recruited or being recruited you would know it.

Also I know that a lot of the academy coaches I have spoken with always mention the attrition rate. This is a large number (I'm not sure what it is but all coaches spoke to me about it). A couple of academy coaches have also said that they welcome me to the team (in the next season) if I decide to play another sport before theirs. The incoming classes of cadets always make up the largest percentage of the rosters of the sports I'm interested in.

I would keep in contact with the coaches, too.
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First of all good luck and keep us up to date. There are certain time periods when the D1 coaches can contact and meet with you. If you go to the NCAA website the dates are posted there. It's very limited and very strict time frames.

If you wanted to meet with the coaches in person you can arrange that during those periods.

Also, one of my players was recruited to AFA for football and went in via prep school, but he now plays rugby for AFA. So yes, you can switch sports once in. Again, keep us up to date.

Edit - one more thing. All of you hopeful athletes need to remember that when you take the ACT or SAT you need to enter a special code number that allows your results to be viewed by coaches. I can't remember it but should be available on the NCAA website.
 
I don't think I allowed coaches to view or see my test scores. I didn't know I should do that. I don't have anything to hide from them since I think my test scores are pretty good (33 ACT). The academy coaches I have talked to haven't asked to see my scores. They have just asked what they are.

Next time I talk with the academy coaches or my club coaches talk to them, I will ask them if they want to see them.
 
Athena said:
I don't think I allowed coaches to view or see my test scores. I didn't know I should do that. I don't have anything to hide from them since I think my test scores are pretty good (33 ACT). The academy coaches I have talked to haven't asked to see my scores. They have just asked what they are.

Next time I talk with the academy coaches or my club coaches talk to them, I will ask them if they want to see them.
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DOH! The code is 9999. You'd think I'd have remembered that!

Here are the directions to ensure the coaches can see your SAT and ACT.

http://www.ncaa.org/student-athlete...-my-sat-or-act-scores-ncaa-eligibility-center
 
Coach62,

I don't think USNA Coaching is 'in the weeds' looking at SAT/ACT test scores.

I think USNA Coaches are updated directly from USNA Admissions (which is the buffer ).

When asked by a Coach, USNA Admissions will provide him/her an update to 'how his/her recruited candidate's WPS is doing', relative to meeting the qualifications for a USNA Appointment.
 
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Athena said:
I don't think I allowed coaches to view or see my test scores. I didn't know I should do that. I don't have anything to hide from them since I think my test scores are pretty good (33 ACT). The academy coaches I have talked to haven't asked to see my scores. They have just asked what they are.

Next time I talk with the academy coaches or my club coaches talk to them, I will ask them if they want to see them.
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Most are perfectly fine with you just telling them, you can also log into your account and take a screen shot of the score to send, no need for it to be official unless they ask. Once you apply you will send them but you will need to send them to NCAA Clearinghouse at some point if you are going to play a NCAA sport anywhere.
 
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I think there is some confusion....the "9999" SAT/ACT code is for the NCAA Eligibility Center/Clearinghouse and NOT for coaches to see.
 
usnabgo08 said:
I think there is some confusion....the "9999" SAT/ACT code is for the NCAA Eligibility Center/Clearinghouse and NOT for coaches to see.
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I worded that poorly, sorry. I'm in a rush now I'll clear it up later.
 
Keep in mind, depending on the sport, you may still earn a spot on the team without being a recruited athlete.

To add to the strict rules of contact with coaches, one of the coaches told my son (responding to an email of course!) that they cannot initiate any contact before the NCAA designated date, they can only respond to your contact. He gave my son his cell number and said to text him, and then he can text back. The coach arranged game tickets for him; son picked up the tickets at will-call, enjoyed the game then texted the coach after the game so they could link up and the coach gave him a good texting booty chewing, telling him he should have called or texted sooner, that he was concerned about him getting there (drove 5 hours by himself in the snow), finding parking, picking up the tickets, etc., but at no time could he initiate the contact to check on him.

I don't know the specifics of your sport so I am certainly not going to discourage you, and I wish you all the best of luck, but I would almost guess, if you are a senior, this late in the process, you might have had more personal contact with the coaching staff if they were recruiting you. But then the flip side to that is, as those athletes ahead of you choose different schools, you may move up in the order and get the great news. Good luck!
 
I was not r
murfthesurf said:
Coach62,

I don't think USNA Coaching is 'in the weeds' looking at SAT/ACT test scores.

I think USNA Coaches are updated directly from USNA Admissions (which is the buffer ).

When asked by a Coach, USNA Admissions will provide him/her an update to 'how his/her recruited candidate's WPS is doing', relative to meeting the qualifications for a USNA Appointment.
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I was not referring to service academies. I had stated previously that the SA's work differently.
 
usnabgo08 said:
I think there is some confusion....the "9999" SAT/ACT code is for the NCAA Eligibility Center/Clearinghouse and NOT for coaches to see.
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I went back over the emails that NCAA sent me last year. I'm under the impression that coaches can access those scores. They do send out emails every year to update any calendar or rules changes.

I think the confusion I caused was mainly 1. That I was referring to the SA's and 2. That it was the only way coaches can see your scores. It is the only way the NCAA can see your scores.

If you want to be a recruited athlete other than a SA you have to go to the NCAA Elegibility center website, open an account, send your scores and a transcript and a few other things to be considered eligible. Like I said, I'm pretty sure coaches can access all of that info. What makes you think that's not the case?

Before I can even bring a team to an NCAA Certified event I have to fill out a roster with much of the same info and get it approved at least 2 weeks in advance. Those rosters are available to the coaches and scouts at the events.
 
usnabgo08 said:
I think there is some confusion....the "9999" SAT/ACT code is for the NCAA Eligibility Center/Clearinghouse and NOT for coaches to see.
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As I thought, that is incorrect. Here is the correct answer.

  • The NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER is watch dog organization for NCAA Athletics. Their purpose is to validate that academic requirements are on track for a student athlete NCAA schools have interest in.

  • The NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER was established to stop the doctoring / falsifying of academic records.

  • When you register, you need to fill out what is called a “STUDENT RELEASE FORM”.

  • The Student Release Form grants permission for NCAA Div. I and II colleges to look at your records.

  • You cannot take OFFICIAL RECRUITING TRIPS (They pay for all or part of your visit) to NCAA I and II

    colleges without being registered with the NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER.

  • You may take as many UNOFFICIAL RECRUITING TRIPS as you wish to (You pay for all of the trip).

  • You cannot be given WRITTEN SCHOLARSHIP OFFER unless you’re registered with the NCAA

    ELIGIBILITY CENTER.

  • College Coaches do NOT go to the NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER to find athletes, they find athletes, then go to the ELIGIBILITY CENTER to see if they are academically eligible
 
The point of the Eligibility Center is to determine whether potential NCAA athletes are eligible to compete in NCAA athletics. I'm not even sure coaches can directly see SAT/ACT scores...they might just see if their athlete is eligible. I don't think they would really be concerned with seeing testing scores or grades, if the athlete was eligible...that's probably the only real thing they care about. The determination is on a sliding scale between SAT/ACT and grades.
 
usnabgo08 said:
The point of the Eligibility Center is to determine whether potential NCAA athletes are eligible to compete in NCAA athletics. I'm not even sure coaches can directly see SAT/ACT scores...they might just see if their athlete is eligible. I don't think they would really be concerned with seeing testing scores or grades, if the athlete was eligible...that's probably the only real thing they care about. The determination is on a sliding scale between SAT/ACT and grades.
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While I agree with you on the clearinghouse and it's purpose I can tell you that the more competitive the institution the higher the requirements even for recruited athletes. The sliding scale only qualifies them through NCAA, it doesn't mean they can/will get into the school. The fact that many recruited athletes attend prep schools for the academies proves this. My DS regularly sent both test scores and transcripts to coaches, at their request (which is also what leads me to believe if they could simply look it up in the clearinghouse they would). Also the Clearinghouse doesn't review the athlete until a school requests it, in other words they have been recruited and have committed to an institution.
 
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Sorry I wasn't clear on my wording...the only thing they would care from the Eligibility Center is if they are eligible. You are absolutely correct that the coach will want to have an idea of their academic performance...but they aren't going to necessarily need to see a copy of the SAT/ACT and grades (although you did in your case). As others have said....the coach will ask (informally) about their grades.

Bottom line...and based on your response...sending the SAT/ACT isn't going to necessarily let the coach see the scores.
 
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