If you are like a lot of people I talk to, you’re probably always on the lookout for good information and resources that can help you get college offers for your student-athlete.

It is no secret that people often have computer bookmarks that are loaded with useful and not so useful sites. 

Some weeks back I was telling someone about my bookmarks, and he said I should share them with other sports parents. It sounded like a good idea in theory. 

However, I have literally dozens – probably hundreds – of resources bookmarked. And the truth is, not all of them are that great. 

So, here is what I did – I just spent the last week pouring through these bookmarks. 

I kicked out the outdated resources, the dead links, and so on. I set aside the average information. And when I was all done, I had 5 of the best resources from around the web. 

These are the best, the cream of the crop, so I know you will enjoy them too.

Read on…

Resource 1: NCAA Eligibility Center

All athletes who want to play sports in college must set up an account with the NCAA which is the first step to becoming a student-athlete. By clicking on the link above, it’s a direct link for you to get started – and it’s a MUST if your student-athlete wants to play at any division. Simply put, clicking on the link above it will save you time from searching online looking for the link.

Resource 2: Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

I’ve noticed that a lot of my colleagues don’t include this particular resource on their Top 10 lists.  However, I always include this link on my list simply because getting your athlete's financial aid in order can play an important factor in their college choices. Not all colleges will provide full-ride scholarships so, preparing for college costs will make the process smooth.

Remember that they will want to create an account and apply for a PIN so that on January 1, they will be able to fill out the FAFSA forms. Money is first come, first serve!

Resource 3: NCAA Recruiting Calendar 

Recruiting timelines are often changing and it is important that you are aware of this impact and how it applies to your athlete’s situation. Resources on the page will be adjusted to reflect any changes adopted by the Division II governance structure when/if those decisions are made. You do not want to miss opportunities due to changing timelines. Check it out and you will see what I mean. 

Resource 4: Creating an online sports profile

Have you ever tried to set up or create an online sport recruiting profile for your athlete, but you just ended up frustrated and not knowing how to do it? If so, then you’ll LOVE how easy TruChampions makes setting up a profile. Our profiles are super easy to update and send out to coaches.

Click on the link above to provide us with more information and to speak with someone from our team.

Resource 5: NLI – National Letter of Intent 

The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution.

While this is the last resource on my list, it is by no means the least. That’s because you want to visit the link above often for signing dates, releases and appeals, and FAQs.  

In summary… 

If you want to get a leg up in the sports recruiting process and for best results you should be using all 5 of these resources regularly. I do, and I credit these resources for a great deal of support and success we provide for student-athletes and their families. 

So, give them a try and see what they can do for you too!