The Complete Game Plan for Maximizing Athletic Scholarship and Life Potential ATHLETES WANTED CHRIS KRAUSE High School Edition NCSA Publishing, a division of National Collegiate Scouting Association, Inc. CHICAGO, ILL “Every high school physical education teacher, athletic director, counselor, and coach should make this book required reading for high school athletes.” — Stedman Graham, president, S. Graham and Associates “Superb advice that is at once inspiring and practical.” — Frank Lenti, head football coach, Mount Carmel High School “Krause’s book is best of all, a complete guidebook for maximizing athletic scholarship and life potential … a must read for every parent and athlete who ever gets involved in the recruiting process.” — Taylor Bell, reporter, Chicago Sun-Times “Chris Krause just gets it. When it comes to the recruiting process no one does a better job of breaking it down for parents and student- athletes. As parents, we have no greater treasure than our children and no greater responsibility than making sure our children have every opportunity available. Chris has lived this process and now has the dedication and expertise to help others avoid some of the pitfalls and truly take advantage of the myriad of opportunities that are out there in college athletics.” — Tom Donahoe, former NFL executive “Even though Chris snubbed my alma mater (Northwestern) for Vanderbilt, this book proves that his mind is sharp and full of insight. My daughter is less than one year old, and yet I’m already eager to examine every chapter with a highlighter in hand. There’s a wealth of terrific information and anecdotes that help make this the bible for parents who want to give their kids every chance to earn a free ride in college.” — Teddy Greenstein, sports writer, Chicago Tribune “Athletes Wanted is an ultimate resource and starting point to help parents and student athletes better understand the tangibles and intangibles associated with college recruiting. Whether you are a blue-chipper or a sleeper, this book is a must read.” — Izell Reese, former NFL player “Athletes Wanted is a straightforward message about how many talented athletes are overlooked and the proactive steps they need to take for recognition and exposure. Krause does an excellent job of explaining how the recruiting process works. He lays out a game plan for student-athletes and parents in search of the best college match.” — Bill Conley, former assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes “A great resource to help the student-athlete and parents in taking action to match the right college institution with the student-athlete.” — Alberto Verteramo, high school coach “Choosing a college or university is one of the most dramatic and difficult decisions a young person will have to make in his or her life. Athletes Wanted takes away a large part of the stress in this decision and provides the guidance and stability in making the right choice.” — Aleks Mihailovic, president of Soccer Made in America, United States Adult Soccer Association Men’s National Team Coach “An honest and eye-opening resource for parents and student-athletes navigating the college recruiting process.” — Mary O’Malley, director of admission at La Lumiere School “Chris Krause uses life examples to open eyes and promote understanding of some of the underlying principles that sports serve in youth development.” — Sonja Porter, University of Alabama coach “A how-to guide that illustrates all of the different paths available to student-athletes as they try to play at the next level.” — Jim Catanzaro, Lake Forest College coach “Athletes Wanted is a must-read book by all parents and student athletes who aspire to play a sport in college.” — Rich Hofman, high school coach “This book should be read and regularly referenced by every aspiring athlete and his parents.” — Dion Wheeler, author of Sports Scholarship Insider’s Guide “Chris Krause has taken years of personal experience and knowledge and created a perfect how-to manual that is educational and entertaining. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to grasp the bigger picture and value of playing.” — Nancy Campbell, college coach “Chris Krause has the ability to inform and inspire. That is a powerful combination.” — Charlie Adams, sports anchor and educational speaker “Athletes Wanted provides a roadmap for all families to follow so they never have any regrets in this once-in-a-lifetime recruiting experience.” — George Bauer, former high school coach “A great book and a great topic.” — Kevin Downey, high school coach “Athletes Wanted is a tremendous eye-opener on how many opportunities are truly out there for our children that go untapped.” — Barbara Moran, business owner and parent “Sports can promote academic excellence and challenge our children to do their very best on a daily basis.” — Michael Grenda, principal North Chicago Community School District #187 >>> This book is dedicated to the athletes and scholars, boys and girls, and men and women who were not given the opportunity to participate in sports, including my grandfather, who was confined by the Great Depression, and my mother, who was not allowed to participate because of the limited opportunities for women. Their struggles are not forgotten. Let this book inspire parents and student-athletes from any neighborhood—regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic standing—to build character, earn scholarships, and win the game of life. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS COUNTLESS PEOPLE CONTRIBUTED to the development of this book: The entire NCSA staff shared stories, experiences, and wisdom. In particu- lar, Luke Adrian, Mark Bagdon, Ryan Ball, Carmen Bucci, Joseph Curtis, Brian Davidson, Adam Dew, Adam Diorio, Andrea Emmons, Ty Garland, Rick McDole, Dennis O’Brien, Amanda Rawson, Bob Shriner, Lisa Str- asman, Tom Thayer, Adrienne Treado, Bridget Venturi-Veenema, Matt Webb, and Joyce Wellhoefer contributed their expertise and time review- ing the manuscript, as did my editor, Jocelyn Baker, who relentlessly edited and focused my thoughts. A very special thanks to Mary Pat Chmiel, my executive assistant and a juggler-extraordinaire, for keeping me on track, staying calm, and picking up all the pieces. Parents, coaches, athletes, and former clients generously donated their time and insight, including: Michel Balasis, Don Beebe, Kevin Carroll, Bob Chmiel, Tom Donahoe, Chris Ducar, Arne Duncan, Bo Eason, Heather Geck, Jim Goranson, Rob Ianello, Howie Jacobson, Frank Lenti, Ross Lerner, John Letts, Augie Maurelli, Andy Petranek, Billy Porter, Izell Reese, Cindy Smith, Crystal Smith, Michael Stonebreaker, Jay Straight, Randy Taylor, and Larry Wert. — ix — x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This book would not have been possible without the coaches who mentored me in high school and college. Among the best the world has to offer, these coaches taught me to use my experience as an athlete to achieve great professional success. Namely, I would like to thank George McIntire and Brad Bates, both college coaches, and high school coaches Mike Coleman, Bob Brothman, and the late Amos Jones. I am just one of the many students whose lives were forever changed by a ball, a goal, and their nurturing guidance. Finally, I want to acknowledge my parents and grandparents for encour- aging me to compete in sports while maintaining a focus on academics; most importantly, my wife, Kameron, for giving me the confidence to share this story; my son, Christopher; and my daughter, Kaila, whom I hope to inspire in the same fashion as those who inspired me. A SPECIAL THANKS A SPECIAL THANKS TO NCSA’S College Recruiting Simplified team of expert speakers who support the mission of the Athletes Wanted. NCSA’s College Recruiting Simplified team of expert speakers is instru- mental in collecting information from the field and disseminating this information via the “College Recruiting Simplified” workshops presented at Cal South Youth Soccer events, IBC Baseball Showcases, U.S. Army Combine, Five-Star Basketball Camps, Schuman Lacrosse Showcases, and AVCA Talent Showcase, among 4,000 other special events for high school student-athletes. A very special thanks to these speakers: CHARLIE ADAMS MIKE GOMEZ PAUL PUTNAM JOE BACHMANN CHAD HERMANSEN IZELL REESE BLAINE BISHOP JAI HILL JE’MONE SMITH RUTHIE BOLTON RICH HOFMAN HOWARD STEVENS JOE BURNS LUCIOUS JORDAN JAY STRAIGHT dave CARL TIM kempton RANDY TAYLOR BOB CHMIEL LEVON KIRKLAND MIKE TOMCZAK PHIL CLARKE CECIL MARTIN TAYLOR TWELLMAN STALIN COLINET DERRICK MAYES TIM TWELLMAN tonY collins ROMAN OBEN BRIDGET VENTURI-VEENEMA RICKY ELLIS BOB PICKENS NICOLE WATSON kelvin GARMON MARCUS PRICE — xi — xii ATHLETES WANTED CHARLIE ADAMS JOE BACHMANN • TWENTY-THREE YEARS AS AN AWARD- • INVOLVED IN COLLEGE RECRUITING WINNING SPORTSCASTER FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-EIGHT • COVERED NOTRE DAME, BIG 10, AND YEARS COLLEGE SPORTS FOR SIXTEEN YEARS • PLAYED BASEBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY • HAS INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF OF AKRON MICHAEL JORDAN, TIGER WOODS, • MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH AND PAT SUMMIT COACHES ASSOCIATION BLAINE BISHOP RUTHIE BOLTON • FOUR-TIME NFL PRO BOWL • TWO-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST PERFORMER • NAMED TO WNBA ALL-DECADE TEAM • TEN-YEAR NFL VETERAN WITH THE • APPEARED IN CONSECUTIVE FINAL HOUSTON OILERS AND PHILADELPHIA FOUR TOURNAMENTS WITH THE EAGLES AUBURN TIGERS • INDUCTED INTO THE BALL STATE UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME A SPECIAL THANKS xiii JOE BURNS DAVE CARL • PLAYED FOUR YEARS WITH THE • MEMBER OF NAIA NATIONAL BUFFALO BILLS CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM • TWO-TIME GEORGIA PLAYER