Emily Fox

Sports Resume: Women’s Basketball

-4 Years at the University of Minnesota

-Drafted by the Minnesota Lynx

-2 years professionally in Athens, Greece

Pre Game Ritual:

-In college I would go on the court before anyone was there and have to make 50 three point shots- also I always listened to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” before I                       ran on the court

Pre Game Meal: 

-Wheat bagel with peanut butter

Best College Memory:

-Beating Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA tournament on their home court my senior year.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

Take time to enjoy the ride!  It can be such an overwhelming and stressful process, but something you only experience once!

Why did you come to NCSA?
I had the opportunity to play Division 1 basketball, compete for team USA, and play professionally overseas. Now that my competitive basketball days are over, I wanted to be able to give back and work with athletes that were once in my position. I think playing sports in college is such an invaluable opportunity, and any student- athlete who has the dream of playing college athletics should be given that opportunity. I believe NCSA is an awesome resource for kids, and it’s something I’m proud to be a part of.

Jeff Schlicht

Sports Resume: Men’s Soccer

-2 Years at Eastern Michigan University

- 2 Years at Western Michigan University

Pre Game Ritual:

-I always listened to rap or rock music before a game.

Pre Game Meal: 

-Anything at Roma’s- My favorite Italian spot on campus

Best College Memory:

-As a defender I never really had opportunities to score, but I did score my only collegiate goal against nationally ranked Notre Dame. I also can’t forget my teammates- they will be my lifelong friends.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

Recruiting is all about developing relationships with college coaches. You have to be proactive and contact them, never wait for them to initiate contact.

Why did you come to NCSA?

I enjoy working at NCSA because I play a significant role in helping young athletes live out their dreams of playing in college. Not many people can say that! The idea of educating and guiding student athletes to navigate through a confusing and time consuming recruiting process is very rewarding.

Tyler Joyce

Sports Resume: Men’s Football

I am from Denver, Colorado where I attended Overland High School. While at Overland I was a 1st team All-State football player as an outside linebacker and was named the “Colorado Defensive Player of the Year” as a senior. After going through the recruiting process I ultimately accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Montana (DIAA or FCS program). At Montana I played as a “true freshman” and lead the team in tackles for 3 of my 4 years, ultimately ending my career second all-time in tackles in school history. More importantly, I was 4 time Academic All-American and earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism. I then pursued graduate school and received a MBA with a specialization in Sports and Entertainment Management from The University of Colorado, Denver. While pursuing my MBA I also had a two year stint coaching linebackers and running backs at the high school level.

Pre Game Ritual

- Cold shower, get taped, headphones on…usually a combination of Tupac, Fabulous and Jay Z.

Pre Game Meal: 

-Omelette Bar

Best College Memory:

-2004-2005 National Championship Game, played as a true-freshman

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

-Focus on what separates you from other student-athletes.  Coaches have a large pool of prospects to choose from so take advantage of all the resources available to make yourself stick out. Ultimately, there is no substitution for hard work!

Why did you come to NCSA?

Sarah Dalrymple

Sports Resume: Field Hockey

While I played field hockey, basketball, and softball in High School, I decided to focus my attention on Field Hockey.  I was originally recruited as a midfielder, but then became a goalkeeper after breaking my ankle in a car accident the day after I signed my NLI.  My collegiate career was played at Temple University, while I was there, I was also a member of the USA National Indoor Team, and the USA Women’s Developmental Squad.

Pre Game Ritual

- The typical- listening to my pregame playlist, but I also showered right before every game in my career.

Pre Game Meal: 

- Jimmy Johns #4 Turkey Tom – No Mayo, Add Mustard and Onion

Best College Memory:

-Beating our biggest conference rival, University of Richmond, for the first time ever in Temple’s history in a must win game to qualify for the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

-Be proactive and broaden your list of potential schools!  While I had a great career and loved the school I chose, I was set on attending it and kept a pretty narrow list of schools!  Less isn’t always more!!

The post Meet some of Your NCSA Recruiting Coach Team appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Dan Nicholson

Evaluates Football Athletes

Sports Resume: Men’s Football

-4 Years Quarterback at Northern Illinois University

-2 time captain

-3rd in NIU history for completion percentage

-4th in NIU history for pass completions

Pre Game Ritual:

-I would talk to my dad every week on the phone before our pre game meal.

Pre Game Meal: 

-Grilled Chicken (with Heinz 57 sauce) pasta & salad.

Best College Memory:

-I am from the South side of Chicago & have been a lifelong Bear fan.  In 2007 we played Iowa at Soldier Field.  I will never forget the feeling driving up to Soldier Field before that game.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

It is on YOU!  YOU have to show coaches how bad YOU want an opportunity to play college football.  Think of football as the tool to get YOUR college education paid for.

Why did you come to NCSA?
Throughout my athletic career I was fortunate to spend time around some great coaches. Because of them I learned that football and sports really are more than just a game. They are avenues for bettering yourself as a person, and teach lessons that can help you for the rest of your life. I was drawn to NCSA because of their passion for helping student athletes achieve the same dream that I once had.

TO SCHEDULE A SCOUTING EVALUATION WITH DAN CLICK HERE

Keith Babb

Evaluates All Athletes-except football

NCSA Why?
I enjoy working at NCSA because all student-athletes and their parents need help with this daunting process and I know how NCSA’s tools and assistance can help!  I’ve personally helped over 3,500 student-athletes change their lives by using their love of sports to earn a meaningful college degree and go on to a rewarding career.  As a parent, I used NCSA’s tools for my own daughter who played four years at the 16th ranked academic school in the country and had over $187,000 in scholarship funding.

TO SCHEDULE A SCOUTING EVALUATION WITH KEITH CLICK HERE

John Corcoran

Evaluates Football Athletes

Sports Resume: Men’s Football

Started with track & football at age 6.  Basketball, baseball, football throughout my life, a little wrestling in high school. Played football at Crespi High School in Encino, Ca, 1986 Nat’l Champs conference champs.  Moorpark JuCo Conference champs, Chico St U Conference champs.

Pre Game Ritual:

Taped my wrists and ankles pregame with other DB’s, and I would be swept with emotion as a football player before games.  I could not wait to get my first collision in when the game started and would always seek and hit somebody the first play of the game to get into the flow of the action!!

Pre Game Meal: 

I always ate pasta before games. With chicken

Best College Memory:

Week 3 of the ’92 season, tied 21-21 to St. Mary’s College in Ca, I intercepted my 2nd pass of the game and returned it 70 yards for TD and the winning score with a minute on the clock.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

GET SOME GUIDANCE and work your tail off- Had I received guidance I would have had many more options. I took a year off football after high school but I started my collegiate clock as a full time student and lost a year of eligibility, which turned big time D 1 schools off because I had no red shirt year out of JuCo.  When I worked hardest on my speed and strength, I got the best results out of my body. Work hard the competition is doing so also!

Why did you come to NCSA?
As a college athlete, I made about every mistake a young man could make. If I had some guidance, I would have played DI football at a school of my choice and would have had options. I saw my nephews make similar mistakes in the recruiting process. Both played D1 football but did so the hard way, and they left a lot of scholarship money on the table. I want to help student-athletes make good decisions.

TO SCHEDULE A SCOUTING EVALUATION WITH JOHN CLICK HERE

Greg Zaskowski

Evaluates All Athletes-except football

Sports Resume: Men’s Football

Played competitive youth soccer in the Chicagoland area. Played at Northern Kentucky University. I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary at NCSA next month. Prior to the at I spent a decade in professional soccer on both the men’s and women’s side

Pre Game Ritual:

No real pre-game ritual. But no matter how warm or cold it was out, I always pants during pre-game warm ups

Pre Game Meal: 

Usually something lite

Best College Memory:

Being nationally ranked freshman year

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

Start early. Remember, it’s more then your athletic ability. College coaches take character, grades, leadership among other things into consideration too.

 TO SCHEDULE A SCOUTING EVALUATION WITH GREG CLICK HERE

The post Get to Know Your NCSA Scouting Team appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

John Moore

Sports Resume: Basketball

5 years at Tri-State University (Currently Trine)

2 years Football at Trine

High School Basketball and Football Coach

Assistant Coach Trine University

Pre Game Ritual:

I would always show up a little early to get some shots up, go over the plays as a PG and talk with my coach for my personal game plan. We would discuss what I needed to do in order for our team to win. It was usually control the game, get everyone involved and don’t force anything. Then I would go sit in the locker room make sure I had everything and listen to music. Would play random songs until about 15-20 minutes before it was time to hit the court then I would play these songs in this order.

• Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight
• P.O.D- Youth of the nation
• Nelly- Number 1
• Michael Jackson – Bad
• Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight (Again)

Drink half of bottle of Pepsi and hit the court. Then finish the Pepsi before the game started and line ups were called.

Pre Game Meal: 

Peanut and Butter sandwich and fruit usually (college budget)

Best College Memory:

hitting the game winner against Adrian after hurting my knee in the first half and coming back as a senior to win the game.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

Enjoy it, these years will never come back and will be the memories you have forever. The people you play with in college will be the friends forever, ENJOY IT!

Why did you come to NCSA?

I came to NCSA because a close friend I coached football with recommended I apply. I knew about NCSA but I didn’t know how much NCSA helps the student athlete. The give back culture is why I coached and is why I am at NCSA. I want athletes to have the opportunities I had and to take sports to empower their lives. Hopefully the athletes I touch in their process, will eventually help others fulfill their dreams.

Kelly Stuntz

Sports Resume: Volleyball

4 Years at the University of Minnesota

-Trained with US National Team

Pre Game Ritual:

Always reviewing the game plan/scout assignment and our team was big in to dance parties in the locker room before game time.

Pre Game Meal: 

Our Team followed the Zone Diet so whatever they served us, we ate. I would always sneak in some Diet Coke though!

Best College Memory:

Playing for the National Championship against Stanford. That whole season was just so unforgettable and to end on such a high note like that is something we all cherish so much.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? It’s okay to look at all of your options! Explore schools you may have never considered and have fun with it. The visits are the best part of the process as long as you put in the work to get there (pick up the phone and call coaches!).

Why did you come to NCSA?

When I went through the recruiting process I felt totally lost and scared. I don’t want anyone to feel like that and being able to help families and stay involved in the sport I love is so amazing. Playing in college is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I feel so fortunate to have done so. I love helping student-athletes be able to have the same opportunity I did!

Jamie Duffek

Sports Resume: softball

4 years at Drake University

Pre Game Ritual:

I was known to shut my phone off from the outside world and pop in my head phones before a game. Always listened to rap or some girly 90’s music in the locker room with the team, too. We were known to have some great dance sessions!

Pre Game Meal: 

A bagel with peanut butter and typically some fruit snacks

Best College Memory:

Going 3-4 in the MVC tournament game against Illinois State, one of our biggest rivals, my senior year. Happened to be my last collegiate game but made the MVC All-Tournament Team.

What advice would you give to an athlete going through the recruiting process? 

Start early. I was the girl who thought because I played for a competitive travel team, I would get discovered. I didn’t understand the importance of reaching out to coaches on my own. Yes, the process can be overwhelming, stressful and downright brutal, but it’s worth every minute. Enjoy it!

Why did you come to NCSA?

I came to NCSA because I wasn’t willing to throw in the towel on a sport I had played for so many years. I knew I wasn’t playing professionally but still wanted to be around the sport. I have stayed at NCSA because I enjoy working with athletes and guiding them through this process. Really makes me wish I had someone helping me along the way when I was younger!

The post Get To Know Some Members of the NCSA Recruiting Coach Team appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

At NCSA, we have an office tradition that’s been years and years in the running – every summer, we hire an ice cream truck for an afternoon, free to all teammates, to take a break and head outside for some good old fashioned frozen treats.  We receive the menu days in advance to start plotting, (and drooling!), over what variety we’ll pick when the truck arrives.  Year-after-year, it’s one of our favorite days to be at NCSA.

A guilty pleasure?  Yes, and also a guilty pleasure of most households across the country, especially during the summer months.  We thought this called for a little research.  What are the best tasting ice cream treats…that don’t pack the guilt?  After some serious taste testing and nutritional comparisons, we present to you, “The Top Seven Frozen Desserts Under 150 Calories” (per 1 cup serving).  You’re welcome.

1.  Turkey Hill Ice Cream in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Light
2. Stony Field Organic Low Fat Frozen Yogurt in Crème Caramel
3. Blue Bunny Frozen Yogurt in White Mint Chocolate Chunk
4. Dreyer’s (Edy’s) Slow Churned Ice Cream in Chocolate
5. Julie’s Organic Low-Fat Frozen Yogurt in Blueberry
6. Breyers Fat Free Ice Cream in Creamy Vanilla
7. Dannon Oikos Greek Forzen Yogurt in Café Latte

New to the recruiting process?  See what college programs you might quality for by creating  your free NCSA Athletic Recruiting profile —> Start here

The post I Scream, You Scream! appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Born: Burlington WI on September 2^nd 1983. I lived in the same house my entire life, located in a little town called Silver Lake WI.

Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan (I grew up watching sports in the 90’s, so what did you expect?)

Greatest Athletic Achievement: My entire high school football career.  I was a 4 year varsity starter and had the chance to play on the same side of the ball as my brother when I was a freshman and he was a senior. I finished my H.S. career never losing a regular season game. Along with many other honors, I was voted to the WI All-State Team and had a chance to play in the WI Shine Bowl (All-State Game). I don’t come from the most athletic family, so I credit all of this to the hard work I put in when others were “hanging out”.

Little Known Fact: I am OCD about brushing my teeth. It takes me around 10-12 minutes each morning. Yeah, it’s as annoying as it sounds, but for some reason I can’t stop. If I don’t get a good brush in that morning, I feel like my breath stinks and will limit my conversations that day.

College: THE Winona State University, Winona MN

Last Meal on Earth:

-          Main Course: My Dad’s marinated venison steak and lobster tail, cooked on the grill

-          Side #1: Asparagus, simmered in butter on the grill

-          Side #2: Butternut Squash, cooked with butter and brown sugar

-          Side #3: My Mom’s “Killer Cheese Bread” (she still won’t give up the recipe…)

-          Desert: S’more Galore Parfait from Dairy Queen

NCSA Career: I have been with NCSA for 4 years.  I started out as a Scout and was a top performer on the East Coast Team; I was then moved to the High School Department. From there, I was brought on to the Partner Programs team where I have been the last 2.5 years.

Earliest NCSA Memory: I joined the NCSA Team the summer of 2010.  2 weeks after I was hired, I found myself partying like a rock star on a yacht just off Navy Pier at our annual NCSA National Meeting (a company-wide meeting over the course of 3 days). Now, my memories from that night are a little blurry, but I do remember waking up in Taco Bell wrappers; knowing that I wanted to be a part of the NCSA Family after they made a 2 week rookie feel like a part of the team.

New to the recruiting process?  See what college programs you might quality for by creating  your free NCSA Athletic Recruiting profile —> Start here

The post GETTING TO KNOW Dane Clark, NCSA Football Account Manager appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

From “Inside NCSA” this month, we bring you Mary Pat Chmiel-Dvorak. Today marks Mary Pat’s 8 Year Anniversary as our Founder and CEO Chris Krause’s Executive Assistant.  MP has been an NCSA teammate since our very first years as a company.  Also our Director of Culture, juggler-extraordinaire, and life of every party – NCSA would not be the same without MP.

10 THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT MARY PAT DVORAK, Director of Culture / Exec. Asst. to the CEO

1. I love hip hop/rap music, and have been known to bust a rhyme or two… opera-style. My rapper name would be MPizzle.
2. I studied and lived in Rome, Italy my sophomore year of college- Ciao, baby!
3. I have a background in gemstones & diamonds – holler at your girl if you need a jeweler recommendation
4. I met my husband Matt playing on a recreational softball league here in Chicago.
5. My dog, Gigi, is a 24 lb. mini Golden Doodle — she might be small, but don’t let her size fool you – she’s a DIVA and runs the show!
6. I am an avid golfer – fore!
7. I went to Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN but do not root for the Irish. I’m actually a huge University of Michigan fan! GO BLUE!
8. I have two younger sisters – Lauraand Clare… they are my best friends.
9. In another life I might have been a race car driver … I tend to get some pretty bad road rage, just ask Stef Wolff.
10. Since I was 15 yrs old, I have always held a job, which is something I’m really proud of- I’ve been at NCSA for 8 yrs this month which is also something I feel very proud of and fortunate to work with all of you!

The post Inside NCSA: Mary Pat Chmiel-Dvorak appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Last Sunday, over 45,000 runners descended upon Chicago to test themselves against the Chicago Marathon.

While a number of NCSA Athletic Recruiting team members pounded the 26.2 miles of pavement through various neighborhoods, some of us chose to help out by volunteering at the marathon in Grant Park, where the race begins and ends.

“Volunteering at the Marathon was a no brainer,” Jaclyn Thomas says. She’s the director of events at NCSA. “Working at events and getting involved around the city is what we’re all about: giving back to the athletes that dedicate their time and passion to sports.”

Time and passion dedicated to sports is something Jaclyn knows well–she successfully ran the marathon in 2013.

Rita Jeptoo, a runner from Kenya who won the race last year, defended her title. She later joked to the Chicago Tribune: “I’m the queen of Chicago.”

And when she was asked about the pack of elite runners who were able to stick close to her until mile 23:

“To break the pack is not easy,” she said. “The beginning nobody tried to push because everyone was looking for me. I was like, let’s wait. If everyone is strong, the race is the race.”

To break the pack is not easy. That’s really stuck with us. Whether it’s in our training, or the recruiting process, or–we flatter ourselves–giving back to the community through volunteer work, how can we break the pack?

We’d love to hear how you do it. Let us know on Twitter @ncsa or leave a comment below.

The post Break the Pack: Inspiration from the Chicago Marathon appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Kat, center, with fellow DePauw fans

This is part of our spotlight series on team members in NCSA Athletic Recruiting. If you’re interested in joining the team, check out our career page for some of our great openings.

• Full Name: Katarina Christine Wilson
• Born: Evanston, IL. I lived there my whole life but moved 3 times. My Parents grew up there and moved home right after graduating college! I recently just moved to the City.
• Family: My mom and dad both still live in Evanston with our two pups, GiGi and Teddy. My brother is a junior at DePauw University. I have a really big, tight-knit extended family, too—we’re Greek after all.
• College: DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. it’s a small school with not a lot around it but I wouldn’t trade my four years there for anything!

Who’s your favorite athlete?

Tough call… but I’ll go with Jonathan Toews. I’m a HUGE Blackhawks fan and have been watching games with my dad since as long as I can remember! We used to “skate” in our kitchen when I was little and I once got kicked out of an indoor soccer game for checking someone into the wall. I was probably about 10.

What do you consider your greatest athletic achievement?

In college, I started every game for four years straight. I missed the record by 1 game because the seasons used to be longer!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

The people who stand in front of the door on the train and don’t move when you have to get out.

Give us the low down. What’s a little-known fact about you?

When I was 7 or 8, my mom entered me in a beauty pageant. I placed, trophy and sash and all. I cried the whole way home and refused to ever do another pageant. I kept the trophy hidden for years—it was my best kept secret until now.

Alright. So it’s your last meal on Earth. (Sorry about that, by the way.) What are you having?

Spicy chicken tacos with endless guac. I’d follow that with some homemade mac and cheese and then probably some deep dish pizza. A few months ago I found out I have a gluten allergy so I miss mac and cheese and pizza the most. Gluten free is just not the same.

How did you get started with NCSA?

I started as the Event Operations intern in November 2013 and was hired full time in Feb. 2014 as the Event Logistics Coordinator.

What’s your first memory with the company?

On my like, 8^th day of work, we had the Turkey Bowl. I remember leaving early and setting up for the event and being told I was being “thrown into the fire.” I remember it was freezing, and muddy, and the big tent was broken. Dane, Jaclyn and Jim fixed it with some string and laughed about it. I was like “hey, everyone here laughs about everything… I think I can do this….”

The post Getting to know… Kat Wilson, Event Operations appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

We were just named one of the top digital companies in Chicago by Built in Chicago, a start-up website.

That’s pretty cool.

Built in Chicago looked at more than 2,100 companies–with just under 50,000 employees among them all–and based its rankings on the total number of employees in Chicagoland per company. You might have heard of some of the companies on the list — like Groupon, cars.com, Google, Orbitz.

“We use a variety of traditional and innovative strategies to grow our talent,” Tasha Jones, team resources director of NCSA, said. “And the most important quality we look for in prospective employees is a shared belief in the transformational power of sport. Everything we do at NCSA comes back to helping student-athletes transform their lives and communities.”

Everything we do at NCSA comes back to helping student-athletes transform their lives and communities.

It’s about the team, Mary Pat Chmiel-Dvorak, executive assistant to the president and director of culture, says. “We’re always looking to make it better, and we do so as a team, and with a spirit of collaboration.”

We’re pretty proud of the people we have working here.

You know, quality and quantity; in addition to having a high total number of employees, we’re pretty proud of the 300+ former college and professional athletes and coaches who come in every day to pay it forward by helping the next generation of student-athletes find roster spots, connect with coaches and commit to play their sport at the next level.

Nakware Howard, a graphic designer who has been with NCSA for over a year and a half, says, “NCSA is all about using technology, but it’s about the motivation behind our tech advancements: we’re building connections for student-athletes. We’re creating opportunities for the youth and I think that’s one of the most powerful and important missions of any digital company.”

And for Dan Green, business development lead, the “secret sauce” at NCSA is that we’re always looking to get better. “It’s knowing that we are never satisfied with our product offer,” he says. “Our teams are working tirelessly to expand on our products for our clients. We are always looking to integrate with other great sport-minded tech companies to strengthen what our user sees and experiences.”

And, hey, if any of that sounds like a cool deal for you or your friends? We’re hiring.

The post Why We Were Named One of the Top Digital Companies in Chicago appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

We have a long-standing tradition of Halloween fun. I mean, a reason to eat candy, get out of the dress code, maybe attend a party or two? Awesome.

Every year we have office parades, costume contests, daughter/son trick-or-treating, department potlucks and candy cauldrons. To say our team gets into the Halloween spirit would be a serious understatement.

Of course, not everyone celebrates Halloween. but if you do, it can also be the source of big spending and last-minute stress.

What about you and your team? Still without costume? Or not thrilled with your current plan? Take a peek at these quick and cheap group costume ideas from Buzzfeed. Many had us chuckling…and making some last minute changes to our costume game plan.

The post 21 Last-Minute Costumes For You And Your Teammates appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

We want to help students through every part of their recruiting journey. And while our technology and people can help student-athletes get in front of college coaches and start conversations, we can only encourage you to be the best athletes you can be. It’s hard to give you personal instruction in your hometown from where we’re working in Chicago.

That’s why we’re partnering with The Packaged Deal.

(We have a formal press release up, too.)

The Packaged Deal are four Division I softball alumnae who are All-American, National Champions and Team USA players:

• Jen Schroeder, lead catching instructor
• Amanda Scarborough, lead pitching instructor
• Katie Schroeder, lead batting instructor
• Morgan Stuart, lead fielding instructor

In an interactive clinic experience, The Packaged Deal instruct girls on softball fundamentals. They travel all over the country to help young women develop confidence, competition, strength, resilience and toughness.

“We want to help girls get a good education and continue to play the game we love,” Jen Schroeder says. “But we also want to give girls the tools they need to take the world head on, and to leave a lasting impact on their communities.”

We want to give girls the tools they need to take the world head on.

We’re really excited about how this partnership will help young softball players take their sport to the next level.

So we invited The Packaged Deal to Chicago for a video shoot.

Back in September we went out to Rosemont–the home of the National Pro Fastpitch team, the Chicago Bandits– and with the directorial help of the incredible Mike Nelesen, we sat down with Jen to hear The Packaged Deal’s story. (You can see her tell it here.)

Jen describes The Packaged Deal’s mission on camera

Amanda, Morgan and Katie all took turns in front of the camera to tell their softball recruiting stories. “They brought so much energy and professionalism,” Jim Broe, head of video productions, says. “You could really see their enthusiasm in wanting to help educate young softball players.”

Amanda talks to Peter, Mike and Jim before her take.

Softball recruiting coach Jaimie Duffek agrees. “It was so great to connect with Jen, Amanda, Katie and Morgan behind the scenes,” she says. “All four girls have such high energy and motivation to give back to young female athletes.”

You can tell Morgan just told Mike something hysterical

Peter Abraham, the senior vice president of brand experience, was the first to approach Jen and talk about the good work that The Packaged Deal does. “When we first met I drove an hour south to PGF,” he says. “And it was maybe five minutes into talking to Jen that she stopped me and said ‘Hold on. Before you go any further I want you to know that we’re all about the mission.’

I want you to know that we’re all about the mission.

“And that was perfect. We connected on values before everything else. We want to find like-minded people who are invested in transforming young athletes’ lives through sports.”

“You can’t help but get excited about the future of softball when you have people like this teaching and leading in the community,” Brittany Pascale, director of training and development, says.

If you want to know when Jen, Katie, Amanda and Morgan are coming to your town, check out this link.

And if you’re ready to take the next step toward playing softball in college, click here to get started with a recruiting profile.

The post A New Partnership To Help Softball Players: The Packaged Deal appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

This is part of our spotlight series on team members in NCSA Athletic Recruiting. If you’re interested in joining the team, check out our career page for some of our great openings.

Those of you who’ve had the chance to speak with Coach Churchward or who have attended one of his virtual Recruiting Classes know he’s a passionate, fun, and energetic guy. You also know he knows a lot about recruiting. Most importantly, however, is his gift for working with student-athletes and helping families get through the recruiting process – he’s an incredible guy to have in your corner. We sat down with Jesse to get the inside scoop on how he came by his recruiting coach skills.

Where were you born?

Ann Arbor, MI

What was your family like growing up?

I’m the middle of 3 boys. Michael’s my older brother, and Drew – my younger. I am the black sheep of the family, being a lacrosse player. Both of my brothers played college baseball.

We are very close in age and relation; we are all separated by 5 years which made for some major competition around the house.

What kind of high school sports did you play?

I went to Ann Arbor Pioneer, literally across the street from The Big House. I played football, hockey and lacrosse at Pioneer.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Barry Sanders. And Steve Yzerman.

What do you consider your greatest athletic achievement?

Being named a captain by my teammates at every level I played.

Tell us a little-known fact about you.

I was a PE teacher in Central London for 13 months right after I graduated college. I coached a U 15 team, bartended, and had the great opportunity to visit Wales, Scotland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Greece & the Greek Islands.

What would be your last meal on Earth?

Oh, definitely Mom’s Hamburger Pie – it’s like a homemade shepherd’s pie.

Tell us about your career at NCSA Athletic Recruiting.

I started off as a football and lacrosse head recruiting coach. I have worked with men’s and women’s ice hockey as well, but now I am just focusing on lacrosse. I like to enjoy my time at work and enjoy the people I work with. Being part of the social committee, setting up talent shows, and you might hear me on the microphone at the dance competition…I try to have a hand in all the fun being had around here.

What’s your earliest memory of NCSA?

The first week I was hired, Chris Krause took all the HRC’s to Gibson’s for a steak dinner. Good timing!

The post Getting To Know… Jesse Churchward, Head Recruiting Coach appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Six Teams. 150 NCSA Athletic Recruiting employees. Two flags around their waists. One bowl.

We get a little intense when it comes to the annual Turkey Bowl. (This year is its 5th!) But can you blame us? We’re helping student-athletes find schools where they can continue to play their sport (and get a great education!) all day. But this afternoon it’s on. Back to the roots.

For someone like former Northwestern offensive lineman Rick McDole, it’s about getting back into the game. Or for Augustana’s Matt Roe, it’s about trying to tie his all-division NCAA record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback. And for coaches and former recruiting coordinators like Bob Chmiel and Randy Taylor or our president and former Yale hockey captain Lisa Strasman, it’s about adding another accolade to their legendary records.

“We spend all day helping young student-athletes connect with college coaches and find schools where they can continue to play their sport and get a good education at the same time,” Jaclyn Thomas, director of events at NCSA, said. “It’s great to spend a day to get back to our roots as an athlete—the reason why many of us started here in the first place.”

We’ll be on the North Ave Field at 3:30 p.m. with professional referees from Chicago Sport and Social officiating. And former Division I college basketball coach Tom Massimino, our executive vice president of scouting, will act as field commissioner.

“This is one of the few times in the year when we have the whole company in one place, and the whole team really gets into the games,” Strasman said. “This event is part of our corporate culture, part of what makes us unique as a company, and gives us the opportunity to celebrate our competitive spirit as athletes.”

You can see the game time trash talk and action shots with the #NCSATurkeyBowl on Twitter or on Instagram.

The post It’s All About That Bowl. Turkey Bowl. appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

In case you missed it in the rush of getting out of school for winter vacation, last week one of our athletes was featured in an article about getting scholarships to play sports in college, written by Joey Kaufman, whom you can follow on Twitter at @joeyrkaufman. Joey describes what the recruiting process is like in-depth, and you definitely shouldn’t miss what he’s discovered:

He grew anxious when his celebrated high school football career had netted but a single college scholarship offer.

On most evenings in early 2012, Chris Streveler, then a 17-year-old junior at Marian Central, followed the same seemingly endless routine. He finished working out, returned home, sat in front of his computer and logged in to his profile with the National Collegiate Scouting Association, an online recruiting network designed to connect high school athletes with college coaches across the country. Think LinkedIn for college sports.

The dual-threat quarterback, who threw and ran for 3,426 total yards and 43 touchdowns the previous fall, believed his production warranted more attention from schools.

Up to that point, Streveler’s one scholarship offer was from South Dakota State, a Football Championship Subdivision program far removed from the bright lights of the Big Ten.

With his dad’s help, Streveler purchased an NCSA membership for $800. That came with an online profile, a highlight reel and a list of his measurables: height, weight, 40-yard dash time, GPA and more. His hope was that when NCSA staffers sent his profile to prospective colleges, inte
rest would perk up.

“It’s just frustrating when you’re trying to get in contact with all these people and you’re kind of getting a lot of fluff and not anything real,” Streveler said.

Eventually, he got a nibble. Minnesota Director of Recruiting Billy Glasscock viewed his profile, and after a few emails back and forth, invited him to attend the Golden Gophers’ Junior Day, akin to an unofficial visit as the prospects must pay their way to campus.

“It probably got the ball rolling,” Streveler said.

A couple visits later, he got his second scholarship offer that June, and committed to coach Jerry Kill’s program on the spot.

“There was just a big weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Streveler, now a redshirt freshman for the Golden Gophers.

You can read the rest of Joey’s article at ChicagoFootball.com.

We can help get you the tools to maximize your recruiting potential.

This part of Joey’s article really struck me:

Streveler learned about NCSA from former Marian lineman Bryan Bulaga, who ended up going to Iowa before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

How responsible was NCSA for Streveler’s scholarship? He was the one who impressed Minnesota coaches, during a workout Marian and later at a one-day camp in Minnesota. But it was a foot in the door.

“In terms of getting exposure and being able to get his name out there and his film out there in front of people, it was easily one of the best investments we made in the whole process,” Erik said.

A lot of us have been in the college recruiting process before. 300+ and rising. And we want to help you–whether you play football or one of the 28 other sports for which we’ve helped athletes find scholarhips and playing opportunities–but at the end of the day, that’s all we can do. We can help.

You’re the one who impresses coaches. You’re the one who has the makings of a superstar. We’re here to give you the tools and support to become one.

The post How We Help Athletes Receive Scholarships To Play Sports In College appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

Jaimie–second from left

This is part of our spotlight series on team members at NCSA Athletic Recruiting. If you’re interested in joining the team, check out our career page for some of our great openings.

This week, we caught up with softball recruiting coach Jaimie Duffek, who came to NCSA to build her career after playing college softball at Drake University.

What’s your birthday?

I’m a fire cracker baby (born on the Fourth of July).

Tell me about an interesting scar you have.

When I was little, I fell and cut the bridge of my nose open (I have a nice scar to prove it)! Lo and behold, my Dad was the EMT who responded to the ambulance call to take me to the hospital.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I was in a beauty pageant when I was 8 years old.

Well, if the glass slipper fits, right?

I wear a size 5 shoe, which means I can potentially wear kids’ shoes.

What kind of accolades did you receive as a high school student-athlete?

As a senior in high school, I was named to the Top 50 Softball Players in Illinois by the Chicago Tribune.

Any other interesting facts about your high school?

My high school (Riverside Brookfield) was literally next to a zoo (Brookfield Zoo).

How did you first hear about NCSA Athletic Recruiting?

My brother was a baseball recruit (2013) and member of NCSA- that is how I found out about NCSA.

But you played sports in college, too.

My senior year of college, I was ranked 23rd “toughest to strikeout” at the NCAA DI level.

What’s your best memory about working at NCSA?

On a recent girl’s trip to Nashville, I randomly befriended a Vanderbilt groundskeeper and my girlfriends and I got a private tour of the entire athletic facilities. We were there for over two hours, late on a Saturday night.

Tell us a little-known fact about you.

My full name is ‘Jaimie Leigh’ and my brother’s name is ‘Curtis’- my mother said she didn’t name us after Jamie Lee Curtis on purpose.

The post Jaimie Duffek Talks About Her Career After Playing College Softball appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

This is part of our spotlight series on team members at NCSA Athletic Recruiting. If you’re interested in joining the team, check out our career page for some of our great openings.

This week we caught up with Ned Colleran, who played hockey at St. Mary’s before coming to NCSA Athletic Recruiting, where he currently works as our scouting director. Check out his answers about playing hockey after college, sick dance moves and where he finds his friends.

When were you born?

April 29, 1980.

What’s your family like?

It’s my Mom, Dad, older sister, Drea, and me. Mom just retired from United Airlines after 52 years.

Where did you go to high school?

St. Patrick’s in Chicago. I graduated in 1998. I know–I’m old.

Who’s your favorite athlete?

Ed Belfour, the Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltender.

What is your greatest athletic achievement?

Winning a dance off on skates during St. Patrick’s Day circa 2013.

These moves helped me win the NCSA dance off in 2014 (Thanks Tasha)

I’m sensing a St. Patrick’s theme, here.

My family has a float in the Northside Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year and I skate backwards for about 1 mile in my hockey gear, defending a hockey net on the back of our float. See you on March 14th this year.

Is there a St. Patrick’s University?

I went to St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

It’s your last meal on earth. What are you eating?

Alaskan King Crab.

How long have you been at NCSA Athletic Recruiting?

It will be three years on March 12th. I started as a scout with the Mid Central team in 2012 and worked my way to the Olympic 1 team by the end of 2013. I was promoted to Team Captain in March of 2014 and promoted to Scout Team Manager in June of 2014.

What’s your earliest NCSA Athletic Recruiting memeory?

Being part of the MC/DC team when I first started and building life-long friends along the way.

Ed. Note: We didn’t pay him to say that. Promise.

The post Ned Colleran: Hockey After College, St. Patrick’s, and Life at NCSA Athletic Recruiting appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

We wrote earlier on this blog about our video shoot with The Packaged Deal.

And we’re pleased to share that after some amazing work from our post-production team, we’ll be sharing a series of videos from all four members of The Packaged Deal about their top tips for softball recruiting over the next few weeks.

Today, Jen and Katie Schroeder, both UCLA alumnae, share their insights on hard work.

Hard work is crucial for college softball recruiting.

“What work are you putting in? You didn’t perform on Saturday. What work are you going to put in this week? Hard work is going to allow you to go wherever you want to go or achieve whatever you want to achieve. To become whatever you want to become. Tweet this!

“I want to give kids the idea that they can have anything they want in life. Whether that comes from sports or not, be passionate about what you’re doing. If you’re passionate about anything you’re doing, you’re going to succeed.” Tweet this!

Check out the video below:

What do you think? How have you overcome obstacles in your recruiting through your hard work? We’d love to hear your stories, and help you play in college.

And stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3.

The post The Packaged Deal Share Their Tips for Softball Recruiting: Part 1 appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

This is part of our series highlighting employees at NCSA Athletic Recruiting. You can see other members of our team talk about their dancing skills on hockey skates or how they’ve pursued opportunities to give back to the college sports they love. If you’re interested in joining the team, check out our career page for some of our great openings.

This week, we caught up with Will Gilhooly, our staff accountant, to talk about his lifelong love of sports, the best job for tennis player types like him and why you should never, never, challenge him to a game of chess.

Let’s get the important stuff out of the way. You’re a Chicago sports fan, right?

I was born on the day that the new Comiskey Park opened (April 18, 1991). I celebrated my 16th birthday watching Mark Buehrle throw a no-hitter against the Rangers!

What’s your family like?

I have 4 siblings. Of my siblings, I am pretty much in the exact middle with respect to age. I am 23. My older brother is 35 (11 years, 6 months older than me), my older sister is 25 (1 year, 5 months older than me), my younger sister is 22 (1 year, 10 months younger than me), and my younger brother is 11 (12 years, 3 months younger than me)

Woah. That’s a lot of kids. So what would you do in the summer, growing up?

I was a lifeguard/manager at an aquatic park for 8 years, and am still certified in life guarding, CPR, AED, Emergency Oxygen, and First Aid by the American Red Cross.

That must take a lot of energy. Do you ever need surges of caffeine? Red Bull? Sugar?

I am not a coffee drinker at all. I also am not a big dessert fan; cookies, cake, brownies, you name it, I probably do not want to eat it.

You contributed to an earlier piece we wrote for Tennis Recruiting about playing tennis.

My senior year of high school at Brother Rice HS in Chicago I qualified for the Illinois State Final Championships in Men’s Tennis.

So you’re a strong swimmer and tennis player. Is there any sport you aren’t a champion at? Monopoly? Checkers?

While tennis is my main sport, I was also quite the chess player, and at one point was rated at 1808 on the ELO rating scale. To put it in perspective, a player with a 2000 ELO rating is considered an Expert by the United States Chess Federation.

Would you consider that your best claim to fame?

My freshman year in college, I made it onto ESPN (albeit briefly) and helped tear down the uprights after Grand Valley State beat Carson-Newman in the Div. II Football National Semifinal.

What were you studying in college?

I actually started my college career as a Computer Science major, not Accounting. I took CS courses my first two semesters before deciding it was not for me.

What’s one of your favorite memories from colleg?

I was featured on Grand Valley’s website as one of the top graduation poses of my graduating class, as I did the Heisman pose immediately after receiving my diploma.

You’re one of the better dressed guys in the office, always wearing some kind of suit. Who’s the lucky calculator you’re trying to impress?

Before I was offered the Jr Staff Accountant position here at NCSA, I had actually already accepted an accountant position at a different company. I ended up working there for just one day before letting them know that I was going to work here. However, the dress code at that company was a little more professional than casual, so when I got that job I had to go out and buy all nice clothes. That is why I always seem to be dressed nicely.

The post This Accountant Swears It’s A Job a Tennis Player Would Love appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

We’re pleased to announce that it’s now easier to share links to your Hudl video in NCSA Athletic Recruiting profiles than ever before.

It’s so easy that we could probably leave it right there and let you go work on connecting with college coaches, but we thought we would take a moment to brainstorm what some of the most common questions would be before we go enjoy a pre-workout energy drink.

How do I share my Hudl video on NCSA?

Just use the share button directly from the video! Seriously, it’s that easy. Any one of the three links listed will work:

Just copy and paste the link address under the Video tab in your profile.

You’ll see a confirmation like this when you’ve uploaded your video:

That’s it. You’re done.

So are you guys, like, the same company?

We’re not the same company as Hudl, and we don’t have an official partnership with them. But this change will make it even easier for student-athletes just like you to upload their Hudl videos to their NCSA Athletic Recruiting profile. Anyone can do it! (Have Hudl videos, but haven’t started your NCSA recruiting profile yet? No problem. Get started today.)

Why do I need both Hudl and NCSA?

We pride ourselves on being the largest and oldest recruiting network–the one coaches go to when they have roster openings they need to be filled.

How can I tell people about my NCSA Athletic Recruiting Profile?

Copy and paste the URL from the search bar at the top of your browser. (It looks especially great as the link in your twitter bio.) Or use the share buttons right from your profile to tweet, post on Facebook or G+, or email your friends about your account.

Now if you’ll excuse us: we’re off to shoot real of some trick shots.

Build a profile and upload videos

The post How to Add Hudl Video In NCSA Athletic Recruiting Profiles: So Easy. So Beautiful. appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.

This is part of a series where our partners, The Packaged Deal, discuss their top tips for softball recruiting, and how to become better softball players, sisters, daughters, people. You can find Part 1, where Jen and Katie Schroeder talked about the role hard work plays in the game, here.

This week, Morgan Stuart, who played for the Washington Huskies and for Team Philippines at the World Cup of Softball IX, talks about how important the mental aspect of the game is, and how every softball player needs confidence.

One of the best tips for softball recruiting is to believe in yourself.

“It’s so mental. It’s all about how you believe in yourself and the confidence you have in yourself.” –Tweet this!

Check out Morgan’s video below:

“Walking like you’re confident. Your body says it. Your eyes say it. Your actions say it.” –Tweet this!

How do you practice your confidence? Or is it something you’re still working on? We’re always here to help you believe in yourself, and figure out what you need to do to play at the next level.

The post Walk Tall: The Packaged Deal’s Tips for Softball Recruiting, Part 2 appeared first on NCSA Athletic Recruiting Blog.