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Defining Your Recruiting Vision in 2020



It's a new month, a new year, a new decade.  Everything you want is right in front of you. Can you see it?  You have to be able to envision your future.  

 Vision is a vivid mental image of what you want your future to look like based on your goals and aspirations. ... A vision statement captures, in writing, the essence of where you want to be and it can inspire you to reach your goals.

 So, what is your recruiting vision?  

 If your just getting your recruiting process started or are well into the process you need to set your goals for the next few months.   You need to focus on what you really want from your college experience, academically, athletically, and personally.   As you begin creating a list of schools you have to discover which one of those schools will provide you with the best college experience, the school where you will develop in the classroom, on the field, and in your personal life.   And that is the ultimate goal of this college recruiting journey.

 So let's take a look at somethings you should be thinking of based on your grade.

 Seniors - Class of 2020 
First of all congrats on reaching this stage,  not many of your peers make it this far. 
  • Continue working hard in the classroom and on the field.
  • Stay in regular contact with the coaching staff and current players as much as possible.
  • Start preparing for the transition of living at home to being an independent person living on your own.  
  • Start working on the transition from high school athletics to college athletics.  Train Hard!  Bigger, Faster, Stronger.
  • Be very careful on what you are putting out on Social Media, just because you are committed doesn't mean that all can't change in an instant with one mistake on social media.
Seniors - Class of 2020 (Uncommitted)
  • Continue communicating with the programs you are interested in. 
  • Schedule Unofficial or Official visits to those schools
  • Narrow your list of schools to a manageable number of schools
  • Weigh your options and select the right fit.
Juniors - Class of 2021 
You are in the thick of the recruiting process now.   
  • Be sure you are communicating with coaches whose programs you are interested in.
  • Go on campus visits this spring
  • Attend ID Camps, clinics, and showcases to ensure those college coaches have the opportunity to evaluate you.
  • Begin having serious conversations with parents about your college options and finances.
Sophomores - Class of 2022
For most prospective DI student-athletes, you are approximately 4 months away from being able to communicate freely with college coaches (June 15).  Now is the time to build your list of schools and start contacting college coaches.  Even though you can't interact with DI college coaches yet doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing anything. 
  • Educate yourself about the process; know the rules, understand the college athletics landscape, learn more about the student-athlete experience.
  • Build your list of schools 
  • Contact college coaches 
  • Attend ID Camps, clinics, and showcases
  • Begin visiting campuses
  • Get out and watch college games
Whatever grade you are in,  there are always things you can be doing in regards to the college search / college recruiting process.  Make sure you create a game plan and stick to it throughout the process.

 Visit www.GuidingFutureStarsAcademy.com to learn more about GFS or to purchase your copy of Designing Your Pathway to College Sports workbook to start planning for your academic and athletic future.

 Come be a part of GFS and maximize your potential, your experiences, and your community.
Join the GFS Tribe and download the Guiding Future Stars App in the Apple or Android stores, or save the web app to your home screen.

 LEARN THE #GFSWAY

 Christopher J. Stack is the founder and CEO of Guiding Future Stars, a student-athlete development company that is committed to educate prospective student-athletes, parents, and coaches about what it takes to play at the next level, how the college recruiting process works, and how to be a successful student-athlete who excels in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

 A former Division I soccer player and coach at Mount St. Mary's University, he holds a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Sports Management and an MBA in Marketing. He worked in intercollegiate athletics for over 12 years. He started his career in college administration in rec sports and eventually transitioned into student-athlete academic support. He has the unique experience of being a collegiate coach as well as working closely with student-athletes on the academic and personal development side.

 Stack now enjoys using his higher education experience to help high school students achieve their dreams of playing college sports while also gaining a first rate education.












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