Newport News F.C.
College Bound
Program - offers
more to older players!

The club has redesigned our College Bound program that will give our older teams/players an additional edge to make it to the collegiate level. As part of our program, older teams will now have more comprehensive websites designed with college recruitment process in mind. They will include individual player profiles which will provide academic information and provide the college coaches the ability to recruit players and contact them directly. As part of our ongoing commitment to placing players in college, we hold an Annual College Night Program for Parents with Players and invite Coaches from William and Mary, Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion as featured guest speakers.

For additional Information about playing soccer in college, visit one of the websites below:

NCAA.com
NCAA.org - Recruitment Guidelines

College Sport Scholarships

Women's College Soccer on the web

College Planning by The Sport Source®

Other ways our club helps our
Elite teams and players achieve their goals.

As a member of Newport News F.C. your child becomes eligible to participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). The ODP program is designed to be an identification program for players which can lead to participation on State, Regional, and National teams. Each year ODP tryouts are held for players beginning at U12. If you are interested in this program and want to learn more you can visit vysa. If you have further questions or would like to discuss your child's readiness for ODP, contact Al Cousineau at DOC.

As an officially sponsored club of Adidas America, our Elite teams gain access to exclusive College Showcase Tournaments. These tournaments are designed specifically to allow college bound players the opportunity to showcase their talents to numerous college coaches who attend these tournaments. College Showcase tournaments are very popular with college coaches because allows them the chance to scout and recruit several players in one venue.

Additional College Information

Getting Started - Understanding the Process:

Interesting facts:

• Sophomore year
  Research familiar colleges on the web
  Attend local college fairs
  PSAT
   
• Junior year “fall”
  Begin to narrow search
  Apply to the NCAA clearinghouse
  Attend local college fairs
  Visit local colleges
  SAT/ACT
   
• Junior year “spring/summer”
  Pick “3-3-3”
  Write letters to coaches
  College visits
  SAT/PSAT
   
• Senior year “fall”
  Submit applications
  “Early Decision” applications
  “Official and “Unofficial” visits
  Final SAT/PSAT
   
• Senior year “spring”
  “Signing Day – Nat’l Letter of Intent”
  Make final visit to top choice
   
• Senior year “summer”
  Get Fit!!!!!

Important Contact Information

• NCAA – ncaa.org
  (317) 917-6222
  Hotline 1-800-638-3731
   
• NAIA – naia.org

ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Myth vs. Reality

The majority of students and parents believe that talented high school student athletes are actively recruited and give full sports scholarships by Division I coaches. The reality is that less than 2% are “actively recruited” by leading college coaches, leaving the other 98% left to “recruit themselves” via their own self-directed efforts.

A Parent’s Promise

83% of all parents’ say that the most important promise they make to their children is a college education. FACT: Today college costs the average family $122, 350, and in 15 years, the cost of college will exceed $204,375 (Source: U-Promise).

You are a Student, First. ANYTHING ELSE, Second.

When you begin to consider colleges or universities, consider the following factors:

• Admissions (SAT/ACT, Class Rank, GPA)
• Size of the school (Student to Faculty ratio, on-campus housing, etc.)
• Location of the School ( distance from home, geographic location, climate, urban or rural)
• Cost of Attendance (academic/ athletic scholarships available, student loans, FAFSA)

Understanding the Different Types of Institutions

There are several different types of institutions of higher learning.

• State Institutions
• Private Institutions
• U.S. Military Academies
• State or Private Military Academies
• Junior Colleges

Getting Noticed

As a prospective student athlete you need to take a proactive interest in your college selection process, with encouragement from your parents. Your action plan involves five steps to effectively contact a school:

1. Build your resume
2. Write a cover letter
3. Send direct mail to college coaches
4. Telephone coaches to follow up
5. Make official and un-official campus visits

Be sure you give college coaches a schedule of upcoming events where you might best showcase your talents.

There Is More Than Just Division I Athletics!

So many high school student athletes and parents only look to NCAA Division I athletic programs when consider schools to attend. But in fact there are several athletic associations of accredited college/universities that compete Intercollegiantly and offer athletic scholarships. These athletic associations are as follows:

• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
  3 divisions ( I, II, and III ). Division I and II offer athletic scholarships
   
• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
  NAIA schools compete in several sports and offer athletic scholarships
   
• National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)
  NJCAA are always 2 year schools and often offer athletic scholarships
   
• National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)
  NCCAA schools always will have a religious affiliation and often offer athletic Scholarships.

NCAA Clearinghouse

If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman, you must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. Students should register immediately after their junior year in high school. More information is available from the NCAA website: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Action Plans

Develop your own action plan for successful recruitment by:

• Performing in the classroom and on the field.
• Assessing your strengths as a player and student athlete.
• Beginning the college identification process early during your freshman and sophomore years in high school.
• Selecting 7-10 compatible college programs base on your needs and ability.
• Narrowing the list to you top 3-5 choices by eliminating those programs that are not a good fit for you academically, athletically or financially.
• Communicating your abilities directly to college coaches through your resume and cover letter.
• Evaluating your options as a student first and an athlete second.
• Choosing the one college or university that best fits your needs and abilities. The right choice for you means that it fully meets your objectives for a degree plan and athletic program, all at a cost you and your family can afford.

College Coach Information
If you would like information about one of our teams or players please contact our Director of Coaching at doc@newportnewsfc.com.