Post #2 — 10/15/20 — understanding the recruiting process 4-part series, ncaa covid update
IN THIS POST…
- Understanding The Process…
- NCAA COVID Update…
Understanding The Recruiting Process…
Getting to play college hockey isn’t easy. You need to 1) meet the NCAA Eligibility Center academic standards, 2) be admitted by the school you apply to, and 3) receive an offer from a coaching staff to join their hockey program. These are just a few of the things players will need to even be considered to play college hockey. But there is so much more to the process as a player and since recruiting is not an exact science, trying to understand all of its nuances can be confusing. So, to help shed some light and understand how the recruiting process works, we’ve identified a few ‘key’ pieces, in somewhat of an order, we think you should pay attention to. We’ll expand on each one in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. You won’t want to miss this 4-part series.
1) Player Identification/Evaluation–Player Identification/Evaluation is number one because honestly, it’s what happens first and is probably the most important. Schools want to win and you can’t win without getting great players.
2) Academics–Coaches care about your academics. Who’s a great fit hockey-wise? That’s the easiest to answer. Can you get admitted to the school you want to go to? That is quite a bit trickier for some schools and easier for others, there is definitely a range.
3) Affordability/Financial aid/Scholarships–Know the difference between how scholarships and financial aid packages work. Know how an Ivy education can be affordable without being a millionaire. If you can’t afford where your daughter wants to go – it doesn’t matter how good of a player you may be. Know what to be prepared for.
4) Want The School and Let Them Know It.–Coaches want players who want to be at their institution and a part of their program. Telling them matters!
We’ll tackle Player Identification/Evaluation next week… stay tuned!
NCAA COVID Update…
-Yale University will have a direct impact on NCAA sports, such as Basketball and Hockey, potentially having their respective seasons.
-Hockey conference commissioners are watching as the NCAA announced an update to its ‘Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball document — read it HERE
The Yale University Medical School teamed up with the NBA earlier this summer and developed a low-cost, quick turnaround time, saliva based COVID test called SalivaDirect. Each test cost are somewhere between $5-$30 and results are known in a matter of hours. In its resocialization updated document, the NCAA recommended SalivaDirect was one of the tests sport programs could use as they develop safe and effective testing protocols.
Hockey people are paying close attention to what happens with Basketball. We’re similar sports in that we play indoors, have indoor locker rooms, and have close personal contact with many groups of individuals–coaches, players, officials, school administrators, medical people, etc. The NCAA has recommended Basketball tests ‘Tier I’ individuals–players, coaches, trainers, and essential staff etc., 3 times per week once the season begins. Figure each DI Basketball program between players, coaches, and essential staff could be around 20-25 personnel. The math gets pretty pricey without a SalivaDirect option. Other tests on the market could be used but cost as much as $150. Put into hockey terms… teams with an average group of 28 players coaches, staff etc. and testing three times per week within a shortened 10 week season… could cost programs anywhere from $4,200 to $25,000 for SalivaDirect tests.
Until next time everyone… Enjoy your weekend and be well!