Most of us have seen the movie Blind Side. The young man achieves his dream of a college education by receiving a full-ride athletic scholarship to the University of Mississippi. While this was indeed a true story, it is apparently a rare occurrence.

Karen Weaver, an Ivy League-educated consultant shared her expertise on the athletic recruiting process.  Karen’s experience includes positions as a Director of Athletics, adjunct professor, and head coach for schools at the NCAA Division I, III, and small college levels.

She outlined some key factors regarding athletic scholarships:

• Football in Division I offers 85 full scholarships…no other sport comes close. Next is womens rowing at 20.
• Olympic sports scholarships usually in $3-5,000 per year range…sometimes alot less.
• Full ride is real, but only mostly for Top football and basketball players
• All grants are one year, potentially renewable, but not always…and if you get injured…you could lose it.
• There is 22 times more academic aid available than athletic aid. Where are your priorities?
• Please know there a VERY few full rides out there for non football or basketball players…just reality.
• There can be alot more availability of academic aid at small privates, which tend to be DIII–no athletic aid there, however
• Big mistake parents make is ONLY focusing on what the coaches say or do–they are a small part of what makes up a campus.
• It’s important that coaches are only a facet of developing a feel for the college–too many times the parents rely only on the coach.
• Parents should guide but not lead–especially as it gets closer to college years…student must develop relationship with the coach.
• In most sports today, college coaches start building files on 9th graders–but basketball recruits 7th grade!

Bottom line–If you have a student athlete, concentrate on academics first. Colleges look at the all-around persona, not just the athletic prowess. Academics should be the focus first, with athletics being a part of the overall package. And…don’t depend on a full-ride scholarship unless they play football or basketball. Competition in these arenas is fierce.