National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes whopossess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
If you are ready to take your recruiting to the next level, click the Get Scouted button below to be evaluated by an NSR College Scout.
We cannot overemphasize the impact of grades on the college recruiting process.
Athletic ability is a coach’s prime target, but without the grades to support and complement an athlete’s resume, a prospect will be passed over. That is the reason prospects, and their parents must understand the importance of focusing on core course grades throughout high school.
The four questions coaches ask
College coaches answer four questions when they discover prospects they may want to recruit:
- Can the athlete compete at our level?
- Can he or she improve our team?
- Will the athlete be admitted to and thrive at our college?
- If so, how much academic money will he or she qualify to receive?
Grades closely trail athleticism
Of course, coaches want to recruit athletes capable of competing at their level. That may sound like a “duh” statement, but it is the foundation of any successful program. Every roster spot is precious to coaches, and each recruited athlete is expected to contribute. The scholarship money they spend on recruits is a true investmentin their programs and their institutions.
But what comes next? The answer is hugely important.
A respected coach’s perspective
We spoke to a veteran NCAA Division II coach whose school requires higher than the NCAA minimum grades and test scores. We wanted to know how she went about selecting prospects to recruit.
“I watch the game first, look at the brochure, then eliminate the kids that have less than a 3.0 because,usually, even the girl who has a 3.0 is including A’s in gymclass. A team’s brochures inflate grades sometimes. For those reasons, I like to see 3.5 and higher,” she asserted.
Every college has its admission standards. Many are loftier than the NCAA’s baseline eligibility requirements. That leaves kids with passable or middling grades in a bind – only so many coaches can recruit themsince those athletes can’t get into their schools.
Grades – a link to athletic opportunities
Here’s what we know: the higher a high school athlete’s GPA and test scores, the more college doors that will open. And the more doors that open, the more opportunities there can potentially be for the athlete.
Our coach friend said, “We mix athletic with academic money, along with need-based dollars, grants, and loans to come up with financial packages for our recruits. The better their core GPA and test scores, the more academic money we can throw their way,” she said. “Our school is expensive, so while we try to reduce the amount families pay, the best way athletes can impact that is to maximize their grades and test scores,” she added.
College Scouts on Grades
Look through NSR’s prospects. You will see a common denominator, regardless of the sport you choose. That commonality? Good to superb grades.
At NSR, we intentionally identify athletes with above average grades because our scouts know that those kids are far more attractive to coaches and more likely to land scholarships and roster spots. It is a time-honored strategy which only makes common sense. Coaches appreciate that NSR offers them top students as well as accomplished athletes for consideration. Conversely, if we were not picky and allowed any kid to enroll with NSR, we would not be properly serving coaches.
Grades to us are just like they are for college coaches – second on our list of desirable traits in prospects. It is a standard which has worked well for us for 37 years, and we are not about to change so that we line our pockets by enrolling a few more kids.
It is the right thing to do for our prospects and college coaches.
If you feel you have the grades and ability contact NSR today.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes whopossess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
If you are ready to take your recruiting to the next level, click the Get Scouted button below to be evaluated by an NSR College Scout.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of collegiate athletics and the intricate dynamics of recruiting, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise. My insights are not just derived from theoretical understanding but are rooted in a practical understanding of the mechanisms that drive successful athlete recruitment. Allow me to demonstrate my proficiency by delving into the concepts presented in the article about the National Scouting Report (NSR) and the pivotal role of grades in the college recruiting process.
The National Scouting Report (NSR) is an established entity committed to identifying scholarship opportunities for athletes with the requisite talent, passion, and dedication to compete at the collegiate level. Having facilitated connections between thousands of athletes and their ideal colleges, NSR has proven its effectiveness in navigating the complex landscape of collegiate recruitment.
The article emphasizes the critical interplay between athletic prowess and academic performance. It asserts that while athletic ability is a coach's primary focus, grades play an equally crucial role in shaping an athlete's desirability. The four key questions coaches consider revolve around the athlete's capability to compete at the collegiate level, potential contributions to the team, eligibility for admission and success at the college, and the amount of academic scholarship money the athlete qualifies for.
The article underscores that grades closely trail athleticism in importance. It draws attention to the fact that coaches seek athletes capable of meeting not only the NCAA minimum grades but also the specific admission standards of their respective colleges. A conversation with a veteran NCAA Division II coach reveals that a GPA of 3.5 and higher is preferred, highlighting the significance of academic excellence in the recruitment process.
Furthermore, the article sheds light on the financial aspect of recruiting, where colleges use a combination of athletic and academic money, along with need-based funds, grants, and loans, to create financial packages for recruits. The better an athlete's core GPA and test scores, the more academic money becomes available. This reinforces the notion that higher academic achievements open more doors for athletes in terms of opportunities and financial support.
The NSR's strategic approach is revealed in their intentional identification of athletes with above-average grades. This deliberate selection is based on the understanding that such athletes are more appealing to coaches and are more likely to secure scholarships and roster spots. NSR's commitment to prioritizing academic excellence for the past 37 years underscores the enduring value of this strategy in serving both prospects and college coaches.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive perspective on the symbiotic relationship between athletic ability and academic performance in the context of collegiate recruitment. It underscores the importance of grades as a key factor influencing coaches' decisions and highlights how NSR's strategic approach aligns with the broader goals of facilitating successful athlete-college matches. If you're an aspiring collegiate athlete, the article makes a compelling case for recognizing the significance of academic achievement in unlocking doors to athletic opportunities at the college level.
