How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

[L268]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

I'm sorry, are you saying that hockey players and their families are "dopes?" I've read this board for over...8 years, probably, and don't once remember reading any advice regarding the cost of attendance vs. the amount of a hockey scholarship. Not saying the topic has never come up, but I'd never read about this issue before our d went off to school.

 

[L268]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

lot o dopes out there. kinda scary

I'm sorry, are you saying that hockey players and their families are "dopes?" I've read this board for over...8 years, probably, and don't once remember reading any advice regarding the cost of attendance vs. the amount of a hockey scholarship. Not saying the topic has never come up, but I'd never read about this issue before our d went off to school.

And, my main point wasn't about football players, it was to encourage other families to ask lots of questions about the financial aspect of their daughter's college scholarship. It was also to reassure some people that a "less than full ride" often pays for much of the cost of school (your actual mileage will vary, of course).

 

[Cali]

I'm sorry, are you saying that hockey players and their families are "dopes?" I've read this board for over...8 years, probably, and don't once remember reading any advice regarding the cost of attendance vs. the amount of a hockey scholarship. Not saying the topic has never come up, but I'd never read about this issue before our d went off to school.

And, my main point wasn't about football players, it was to encourage other families to ask lots of questions about the financial aspect of their daughter's college scholarship. It was also to reassure some people that a "less than full ride" often pays for much of the cost of school (your actual mileage will vary, of course).

Read some of CrossChecks other posts and it will give his comments a bit more perspective.

 

[CrossCheck]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

Read some of CrossChecks other posts and it will give his comments a bit more perspective.

Read some of yours and we'll know what a dope you are.

I was actually responding to some of the coaches quotes in that article...go back and re-read some of that stuff and [unless you're a hockey puck...well so much for that]...you should be able to see what I'm talking about. ooofffaaaa. [if you can't see it, you never will]

 

[Cali]

Read some of yours and we'll know what a dope you are.

Good one.

 

[giwan]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

Read some of yours and we'll know what a dope you are.I was actually responding to some of the coaches quotes in that article...go back and re-read some of that stuff and [unless you're a hockey puck...well so much for that]...you should be able to see what I'm talking about. ooofffaaaa. [if you can't see it, you never will]

I think you should be specific.

 

[Ahockeydad]

Short and simple advice... but over the years this is what I've seen:
Go watch a D1 and D3 college game (a few if you can). Then, ask yourself, which level can my D play in?

If she's really very good and a top/middle D1 player - you would probably know it by now... or at least within the next year as colleges recruit earlier.
But, if she is really that good - get her seen. Any of those showcases other people mentioned should do it. They'll notice.

If she's somewhere in between get her to showcases and camps with lower D1 and higher D3 coaches. They can get to know her better and make recs or pick her up.

If she's on the low-end, but has her sights set on it get her onto the best team she can be on. It's the priciest out of any of the options, but it'll work.
IMO, D3s tend to pick up players from the better programs - even if they're not quite there. Those club coaches will have enough connections to make it happen.

Also, developmentally - camps are more to make relationships with coaches than anything else. You want coaches to say "I had her in camp, she's a GREAT kid."
If you want development - save that money and spend it on a skills coach over a period of time.

Good luck!

Really appreciate the responses. A lot of passion on this board for sure.

 

[CrossCheck]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

I think you should be specific.

Right....As I was saying. LOL

 

[NU FAN]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

I played college football years ago so I know that recruiting process. How my daughter got into Hockey I will never know. I never skated. She is entering HS and has an interest in College hockey. I would love to get some perspective on how the Womens College recruiting process works and what should a dad do to get a daughter noticed if she has some AAA skill?

If you don't live in MN or Massachusetts what should a girl do as far as camps in the summer?
Which camps are money grabs and which camps could help a girl get identified?
Are camps regional to the colleges in the area?
Are there National camps where every school coach goes to?
At what age do college scouts really start watching and identifying girl players?
At what age can they start recruiting girls for college hockey?
What percentage of girls get full ride scholarships compared to 1/2 scholarships?
How many scholarships do D1 schools have to give for a team?
How many full ride scholarships are given to girls at a school each year?
How many girls are on a college hockey team?
Do colleges offer camps in the summer? Is this the best way to get identified?
Is Central Districts something college coaches pay attention to?
Is there Olympic development like in other sports? Is this what central districts is for?

A lot of questions I know. New to the board and have no idea how this will work. Thanks for any comments. Not here to say my girl has great talent. Just interest.

I was not going to respond to this but what the heck, you might get something out of it... A lot of fine advise here btw, some of it gets a little off topic but it seems like you can read between the lines.

My daughter was completely unknown entering high school, and given our location and the high school itself, there was little hope of actual player development, let alone being "seen". Now, keep in mind that this was 2002, when girls hockey was still getting going per say. We quickly discovered that she needed to play more hockey, given her passion for the game, so we got involved with "off season" hockey and yes, spent a lot of bucks over her four years of HS. ( It's why I'm broke today ) When it came time to look for a college to play/pay for, things were really starting to heat up for womens hockey and a lot was going on behind the scenes in that many colleges were beginning to realize the potential of women's hockey as an added draw to their school. Even Plattsburgh's Houle came to see her but was blinded by the stigma of an "unknown".

How did it end? After some hard choices, a few injuries and everything else one can expect from a "parent" prospective, she finished an all american, national champion, best in the league hockey player... and now you know the rest of the story!

The take away here is that it' a crap shoot at best. Good luck and stay calm.

 

[myStuff]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

I played college football years ago so I know that recruiting process. How my daughter got into Hockey I will never know. I never skated. She is entering HS and has an interest in College hockey. I would love to get some perspective on how the Womens College recruiting process works and what should a dad do to get a daughter noticed if she has some AAA skill?

If you don't live in MN or Massachusetts what should a girl do as far as camps in the summer?
Which camps are money grabs and which camps could help a girl get identified?
Are camps regional to the colleges in the area?
Are there National camps where every school coach goes to?
At what age do college scouts really start watching and identifying girl players?
At what age can they start recruiting girls for college hockey?
What percentage of girls get full ride scholarships compared to 1/2 scholarships?
How many scholarships do D1 schools have to give for a team?
How many full ride scholarships are given to girls at a school each year?
How many girls are on a college hockey team?
Do colleges offer camps in the summer? Is this the best way to get identified?
Is Central Districts something college coaches pay attention to?
Is there Olympic development like in other sports? Is this what central districts is for?

A lot of questions I know. New to the board and have no idea how this will work. Thanks for any comments. Not here to say my girl has great talent. Just interest.

Every September the Stoney Creek Sabres (Hamilton, Ontario area) hold a University Showcase tourney. Many coaches go to it
http://www.scgha.com/page/show/1234784-2014-university-showcase

 

[obserbear]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

For those thinking NESCAC, here is a lengthy article on the conference admission process:
http://bowdoinorient.com/article/9151
Sounds like the letters of acceptance for the Classes of 2019 are in the mail. GOOD LUCK to all prospective student athletes!

My bad, article was from March 2014, so I was incorrect about letters of acceptance for the Classes of 2019. Apologies to all of you anxiously checking your mail boxes!

 

[HockeyEast33]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

For those thinking NESCAC, here is a lengthy article on the conference admission process:
http://bowdoinorient.com/article/9151
Sounds like the letters of acceptance for the Classes of 2019 are in the mail. GOOD LUCK to all prospective student athletes!

Nada - letters of acceptance for early admits go out in December and for regular admits in March/April. The B and C Band NESCAC recruits should pretty much all be set by the end of this week (the application deadline for early admission). There are a few NESCAC schools waiting for D1 programs (largely Ivies) to make final decisions on a few players for which they are the backup plan.

 

[Tjames]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

Nada - letters of acceptance for early admits go out in December and for regular admits in March/April. The B and C Band NESCAC recruits should pretty much all be set by the end of this week (the application deadline for early admission). There are a few NESCAC schools waiting for D1 programs (largely Ivies) to make final decisions on a few players for which they are the backup plan.

SAT..SAT..SAT, All the money your thinking about spending on edge work and stickhandling, spend it on SAT prep. I wish I new 8 years ago what I know now. You have your blue chip recruits and then everyone else. Obviously you have to have skill to play D-1. If your a tweener between 1 and 3, don't think for a second your going to dial up the NESCACS and grab a spot without the scores, transcripts and AP's. I think if your not having D-1 conversation's after the season ends of junior year. You need to focus on the best D-3 option and hockey should only be a part of that choice.

 

[Genbeau]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

SAT..SAT..SAT, All the money your thinking about spending on edge work and stickhandling, spend it on SAT prep. I wish I new 8 years ago what I know now. You have your blue chip recruits and then everyone else. Obviously you have to have skill to play D-1. If your a tweener between 1 and 3, don't think for a second your going to dial up the NESCACS and grab a spot without the scores, transcripts and AP's. I think if your not having D-1 conversation's after the season ends of junior year. You need to focus on the best D-3 option and hockey should only be a part of that choice.

Agree. (Don't forget ACT..ACT..ACT). I would add, though, that not all kids are going to be stars in the classroom or the standarized test locations. Even with extra tutoring and spending additional time after class with teachers they still may not be exceptional students/test takers. (heaven forbid!) Just support them the best you can!

 

[Rightnut]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

SAT..SAT..SAT, All the money your thinking about spending on edge work and stickhandling, spend it on SAT prep. I wish I new 8 years ago what I know now. You have your blue chip recruits and then everyone else. Obviously you have to have skill to play D-1. If your a tweener between 1 and 3, don't think for a second your going to dial up the NESCACS and grab a spot without the scores, transcripts and AP's. I think if your not having D-1 conversation's after the season ends of junior year. You need to focus on the best D-3 option and hockey should only be a part of that choice.

From what I have read, mostly on these threads, isnt the end of junior pretty late for most d-1 schools, other than maybe Ivies? Maybe I misread this and you are saying that if you haven't been talking with the D-1s by this point and have some options, you should start looking at D3 by that time?

 

[Trillium]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

[/B]

From what I have read, mostly on these threads, isnt the end of junior pretty late for most d-1 schools, other than maybe Ivies? Maybe I misread this and you are saying that if you haven't been talking with the D-1s by this point and have some options, you should start looking at D3 by that time?

Though there seems to be a growing trend for ridiculously early "commitments", most players are still making their final decisions in the spring of Grade 11 through to September--once they, and the coaches, know they are going to have the grades and scores required to secure admission. As you say, Ivies are often not until the fall of Gr 12 since the Admissions needs to be directly involved in the decision-making.

That means if some D1 schools are still not showing you much interest by the end of Gr 11 (or your scores are still too low), an offer is not likely forthcoming and you should be into heavy duty contingency planning: D3, CIS, or possibly a gap year in some cases.

This is a big part of the reason investing in SAT/ACT prep--early and often-- is so critical. There are far too many cases of players having interest from schools but unable to "pull the trigger" because they didn't have the scores and grades they needed and were forced to keep writing in the fall of Gr 12. That's generally far too late. It's incredible that parents will invest many thousands in off-ice training, skills development, and fancy programs and tournaments and think nothing of all the time their kids miss school for hockey. But they penny-pinch on the academic tutoring and SAT prep programs that end up being the thing that prevents them from accessing their schools of choice. Really dumb.

Often it's actually the so-called Blue Chip players most guilty of this. They tend to miss more school than most due to national camp commitments, and they or their parents seem especially inclined to believe that their hockey talent will trump their lack of scholastic talent/preparation. Often, teams may hold back a scholarship until late in Gr 12, hoping that somehow the scores will materialize or they can pressure admissions to make an exception. For this reason (as well as career-ending injuries), it is not unheard of for players (blue chip or otherwise) to get a D1 opportunity later in Gr 12.

 

[NU FAN]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

I posted an article recently that might help answer a question or two on how it works to get to play college hockey, and if of interest, you can find it here... http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?111064-Norwich-university-cadets-2014-2015

As a teaser, one poster, "shelfit", had this to say about the piece... "Great article. Every young female hockey player that is thinking about what it really takes to play college hockey and/or break into the coaching profession should read this article!"

 

[Hux]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

......if some D1 schools are still not showing you much interest by the end of Gr 11 (or your scores are still too low), an offer is not likely forthcoming and you should be into heavy duty contingency planning: D3, CIS, or possibly a gap year in some cases.

This is a big part of the reason investing in SAT/ACT prep--early and often-- is so critical. There are far too many cases of players having interest from schools but unable to "pull the trigger" because they didn't have the scores and grades they needed and were forced to keep writing in the fall of Gr 12. That's generally far too late. It's incredible that parents will invest many thousands in off-ice training, skills development, and fancy programs and tournaments and think nothing of all the time their kids miss school for hockey. But they penny-pinch on the academic tutoring and SAT prep programs that end up being the thing that prevents them from accessing their schools of choice. Really dumb.

Exactly. A lot of students, and very good students at that, just don't test well. I've seen first hand how weekly test prep can raise the scores of those students by hundreds of points.

 

[dontyelldad]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

This is a big part of the reason investing in SAT/ACT prep--early and often-- is so critical. There are far too many cases of players having interest from schools but unable to "pull the trigger" because they didn't have the scores and grades they needed and were forced to keep writing in the fall of Gr 12. That's generally far too late. It's incredible that parents will invest many thousands in off-ice training, skills development, and fancy programs and tournaments and think nothing of all the time their kids miss school for hockey. But they penny-pinch on the academic tutoring and SAT prep programs that end up being the thing that prevents them from accessing their schools of choice. Really dumb.

Exactly. A lot of students, and very good students at that, just don't test well. I've seen first hand how weekly test prep can raise the scores of those students by hundreds of points.

Not just test prep, though. Have your daughter take the SAT and/or ACT **AS MANY TIMES AS SHE CAN!!** Not only do the scores tend to go up with repeated taking (learning to take the test is part of the explanation), but many schools, including at least some of the NESCACs, do what is called "Super Scoring." That means you can take your best Math and best Verbal from the SAT and submit those scores to admissions. While fewer schools appear to Super Score the ACTs, that's also getting more common. So, if there are 5 sections of the ACT, you get to submit the BEST scores on each section to admissions. And, make sure the coach has the right numbers. A point here or there can make all the difference as the numbers get to Admissions.

 

[HockeyEast33]

Re: How does Recruiting work for Womens College hockey?

Though there seems to be a growing trend for ridiculously early "commitments", most players are still making their final decisions in the spring of Grade 11 through to September--once they, and the coaches, know they are going to have the grades and scores required to secure admission. As you say, Ivies are often not until the fall of Gr 12 since the Admissions needs to be directly involved in the decision-making.

That means if some D1 schools are still not showing you much interest by the end of Gr 11 (or your scores are still too low), an offer is not likely forthcoming and you should be into heavy duty contingency planning: D3, CIS, or possibly a gap year in some cases.

This is a big part of the reason investing in SAT/ACT prep--early and often-- is so critical. There are far too many cases of players having interest from schools but unable to "pull the trigger" because they didn't have the scores and grades they needed and were forced to keep writing in the fall of Gr 12. That's generally far too late. It's incredible that parents will invest many thousands in off-ice training, skills development, and fancy programs and tournaments and think nothing of all the time their kids miss school for hockey. But they penny-pinch on the academic tutoring and SAT prep programs that end up being the thing that prevents them from accessing their schools of choice. Really dumb.

Often it's actually the so-called Blue Chip players most guilty of this. They tend to miss more school than most due to national camp commitments, and they or their parents seem especially inclined to believe that their hockey talent will trump their lack of scholastic talent/preparation. Often, teams may hold back a scholarship until late in Gr 12, hoping that somehow the scores will materialize or they can pressure admissions to make an exception. For this reason (as well as career-ending injuries), it is not unheard of for players (blue chip or otherwise) to get a D1 opportunity later in Gr 12.

Couple of points:
- Highlighted piece above is old school and just not true anymore - Ivies are committing their players earlier (just like everyone else). Princeton was done last winter/spring for this year's seniors, Harvard and Yale even earlier. A later recruit can still show up (and even displace a long committed recruit as has been documented for Harvard), but it is no longer common. The coaches and players are just taking the risk in the earlier commitments that they won't be admitted and a couple fall out in admissions every year (Kendall Coyne was a notable example at Harvard).

- Totally agree on academic and test prep. I have actually had parents effectively say to me "my kid is a really good player and she'll get in anywhere based on her hockey talent regardless of her academics" and then are shocked that her 2.2 GPA from a middling public high school and 20 ACT didn't get her into an Ivy school. It is a combination of ignorance and arrogance usually - in some cases people can be educated on how wrong this is and in others they can't. I'm also shocked by how many parents are convinced that their kid is going to college for free because of hockey - way more than there are scholarships....

- Finally, totally agree on taking tests over and over for superscoring even if you're already committed. Know one girl already committed to a NESCAC school that raised her superscore ACT score 1 point in the fourth attempt on the ACT and that moved her from a C band to a B band recruit and the coach was able to get another C band player as a result. Helps you (if the commitment falls through somehow) and the coach/school.