The Media – A Great Athletic Scholarship Tool

If you have a child or you have friends who have children athletes from middle school through high school and that child is interested in playing college athletics don’t forget the media such as your local newspaper, sports talk shows and TV sports news as a helpful tool.
Each year thousands of high school senior student athletes who have prepared for years to take their particular sport to another level are disappointed when scholarships are offered and they don’t receive one.
Proper preparation by starting early can prevent this. Starting at the high school freshman level is crucial. The students will need a good balance of academic and sports credentials.
Without the adequate grades, student Athletes may not qualify to enter the school they choose even if they have the athletics ability.
It is very important to start working on a resume early and continue through the senior year.
School officials such as coaches, guidance counselors and administrators can be very helpful but the most help will come from you as a parent.
Since it is extremely rare that any high school student is capable of running an athletic scholarship marketing campaign, the parents are usually the only people who will make that happen.With each year that passes, athletic scholarships become more difficult to acquire. The competition among athletes increases as scholarship availability decreases the most valuable advice a parent can receive in this area is to market your student athlete.
One of the most effective means to do this is through your local media.
Get the attention of your local newspapers. They love to write about the local student athlete who does well. Don’t ever under estimate what is newsworthy. Many times the paper is unaware of the athlete’s accomplishment unless told. Never let an accomplishment go unnoticed. If the media doesn’t voluntarily cover it, go to them. Provide them the facts pictures and whatever other information they need to adequately cover the story.
There are some people who think this is bragging or being boastful. Although it is easy to understand their thinking, the fact is that it just isn’t true. All accomplishments need to be documented so that they can be provided to the coaches of the schools the athlete is interested in. This is a tremendously effective tool.
Sometimes it is a difficult task to get the attention of college coaches. The media is an effective way to do that. When an article runs in your local paper about your athlete, make sure the college coach receives a copy or e-mail them the online version and provide them the website of your newspaper. Always keep in close communication with the coach.
Contact coaches and be visible by visiting them at the college. Reach out to them first.
One of the worst comments I’ve ever heard a parent make was, “If the school is interested in my son, they will find him.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.
That is a pompous attitude which will get very little results. Except for star athletes, most kids are on the bubble. They are good enough to play on the college level, but they are not superstars. Thousands slip through the cracks in this situation. They are very good athletes but they need a little help to get noticed by the right people. That is why the media is so important.
Always let the coaches know how much your child has to offer. They should take an active part in this process also. They have to want this more than anyone or the entire process will not work. Always remember this has to be what they want not anyone else.
The influence of the media is a very powerful tool when used in the proper manner. Never underestimate its value. The local newspaper, radio and TV station is right down the road so pleasure use it.
The media is a powerful resource.