Recruits need to know what it really takes to compete at the college level. There are hundreds of thousands high school athletes out there, and most are hoping for a chance to get noticed; but when scouts don’t find them, then they need to realize it’s time for a different recruitment approach.
If you think you have what it takes as a high school athlete to make it at the college level, you might be in for a rude awakening when you don’t receive the offers you had hoped for. Getting recruited is much easier said than done. As a recruit, it’s up to you to make contact with college coaches, find out which tournaments and showcases to be at, and also to send out your sports resume. When all of this fails to get you noticed there is always another route you can take.
Try walking-on
Why not give it a try? Most colleges hold walk-on try-outs for non-scholarship athletes. Walk-on athletes may not have the scholarship they always thought they would have coming out of high school, but it should not distract you from playing, especially if you choose to continue playing for the love of the game. If you choose to be a walk-on athlete you still have to get in contact with college coaches to learn if and when try-outs will be held. Walk-ons will have specific days where they can showcase their talent to coaches and if you miss the opportunity you will have to wait until next year to try-out again.
What one walk-on athlete was able to achieve through four years of dedication and hard work.
If you have not seen this moving video clip of football player, Marc Panu being awarded a full scholarship than you need to take a look at it now. Panu, a fourth year fullback for the Vanderbilt Commodores was given something that he greatly deserves. Panu’s handwork and dedication is what athletes should look at when they are not sure how they are going to balance college life and college athletics.
What we can all learn from Marc Panu, a College Walk-on
Panu shows players everywhere, that there is a chance. He is a great example of a role-model other athletes can look to when they are unsure if they want to pursue a career in college sports. Make sure you are ready to give it your all when it comes to getting recruited. If you are able to stick with the challenge of being a walk-on athlete and put all your effort on the field, then coaches will take notice.
If you have further questions about being a walk-on athlete than leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
My son has played junior hockey in the NAHL. This is his final year of junior hockey eligibility. He had five D1 colleges looking at him in the beginning of the year. Suffered an injury in October, and was taken off the ice by the physician. A recent second opinion by a leading physician revealed that my son was misdiagnosed and grossly mismanged in regards to being kept off the ice. He has been fully evaluated and cleared to play ice hockey again, however the roster has been frozen for the year. This makes it impossible for him to return to playing competitively for the remaining of the season. We have heard nothing from colleges. He is interested in playing college hockey, and of course would prefer a D1 school as he is fully capable of that level of play. How do we proceed? Somebody mentioned recruited walk on? Is that the best way for him to go? Does he have any options? ACT=20. HS GPA 2.3-unfortunately he didn’t take college classes these past 2 years as he was hoping to focus on hockey and work towards a D1 commitment. Currently 20 years of age.