NCAA Recruiting and College Scholarships
For many Top Gun players, volleyball has been the gateway into a major
university. Top Gun takes great pride in our players who have earned
fully and partially funded college scholarships. Our directors and
coaches are eager to help players and their parents in making this
dream come true.
Your understanding of the college recruiting and student-athletic
application processes is essential for success.
The information provided by this website will help you get started; however, this is only the tip
of the iceberg. You should contact your high school counselor and make your collegiate
intentions known immediately to solicit their help too.
Vinh Nguyen
Asst. Coach, Cal Poly Pomona
Executive Director, Top Gun
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You should also become familiar with NCAA academic requirements, including required high school courses, and continually
monitor your compliance. If you have any questions, please don‘t hesitate to ask any Top Gun coach or one of the directors.
The Big Picture - Is Understanding This Stuff Worth Your Time?
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The proudest and scariest words a father can hear, "Daddy. I was accepted at Stanford."
Nationwide, about 2300 standout women volleyball players receive fully or partially funded
scholarships at NCAA Div I & II colleges and universities. So, keep your expectations realistic and
your hopes high.
If a college is seriously interested in
you, they will invite you to make an
official visit where the college pays
travel, room, and board.
Most colleges finish recruiting before
the end of the volleyball season.
That means that interested coaches will also be
watching juniors, sophomores, and standout freshmen
closely during club play.
Always have presentation quality copies of your athletic
resume available (in your equipment bag.)
It is not uncommon to have visiting coaches observing
Top Gun practices.
Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Dept. of Education
1990 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA
http://nces.ed.gov/
Some colleges ask their top recruits to
verbally commit to attending during the
spring or summer before the player’s
senior year.
Core Class Changes for 2008
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A verbal commitment is not binding until the recruit
signs the National Letter of Intent (NLI)/Offer of
Financial Aid.
The first official signing day for volleyball is typically in
early February and extends into August.
Recruits may change their mind about a school
after making a verbal commitment, but not after
signing the NLI.
After signing an NLI, if you do not attend
the school or transfer before one year is
completed, you may lose at least one year
of eligibility.
Players must also understand that
being brought to a campus on an official
visit does not constitute an offer of a
scholarship.
Don't pick a college while wearing a
blindfold. Learn all you can about the
schools you're interested in attending
and only pursue schools that offer the
programs you desire.
Learn all you can about the academic programs,
school demographics, etc. There are several very
helpful links to websites that can assist you in finding
colleges and universities that meet your needs.
Secondly, learn all you can about the volleyball team,
especially who (what positions) are graduating the
same year as you. You want to promote yourself to fill
those openings.
Things You Can Do To Maximize Your Chances
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Get organized. Start a folder that will contain all
important documents and correspondence
between you and the NCAA and prospective
universities.
Visit the NCAA Clearinghouse website at www.
ncaaclearinghouse.net. Familiarize yourself with
the initial eligibility requirements. Download the
brochure, “Guide for the College-Bound Student-
Athlete” and read it.
Make an appointment with your high school
counselor. Notify the high school of your
intention to register with the NCAA
Clearinghouse as a student-athlete. Review
your classes and derive a plan to meet the NCAA
core requirements. Have your high school
counselor complete the High School
Administration requirements for you at www.
ncaaclearinghouse.net – High School
Administration.
Once your NCAA eligibility is determined, register
with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Currently, the
cost is $30. It is never too early to register;
however, it can be too late.
Compose a student-athlete resume and a
freshman letter of introduction. Ask your Top
Gun coach or one of the Top Gun directors to
review your resume and letter of introduction.
Student-Athlete Resume differs from a job hunting resume in that it
provides physical, academic, and athletic information in an outline form.
nevertheless, you should also pursue other college opportunities, just in case. Send each school a letter of introduction and
a copy of your student-athlete resume. Concentrate on a solid curriculum and high GPA, but don’t forget to have fun too. Refine your
athletic skills by participating in camps, high school teams, and club.
Send each school a letter of introduction and a copy of your student-
athlete resume. Access the website for each prospective college or
university and familiarize yourself with the volleyball coach, assistant
coaches, and players - paying special attention to college freshmen.
Standout sophomores are often contacted by college recruiters. If
you are contacted, notify your Top Gun coach who will assist you with
interviews and discussions.
Concentrate on a solid curriculum and high GPA, but don’t forget to
have fun too. Continue to refine your athletic skills by participating in
camps, high school teams, and club.
Your video resume
should sell you as a team player who is eager to work
hard and fit in to the existing college team.
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Visit the NCAA Clearinghouse website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and update your academic status.
Make an appointment with your high school counselor. Review your classes and derive a plan to meet the NCAA core
requirements. Have your high school counselor complete the High School Administration requirements for you at www.
ncaaclearinghouse.net – High School Administration.
Update your student-athlete resume and videotape/DVD and compose a junior letter of introduction. As a junior, it is essential
that you express your desire to be a member of the addressed college's volleyball team and to demonstrate your familiarity
with the volleyball coaching staff and players. Ask your Top Gun coach or one of the Top Gun directors to review your resume
and letter of introduction.
Send each school a letter of introduction and copy of your student-athlete resume. Access the website for each prospective
college or university and familiarize yourself with the volleyball coach, assistant coaches, and players.
Unofficially visit as many of your prospective colleges as possible. Become familiar with campus events. If possible, attend
volleyball matches. Informally introduce yourself to the coaches and players. Always project a positive and enthusiastic
attitude.
Standout juniors are often contacted by college recruiters before their senior
year begins. If you are contacted, notify your Top Gun coach who will assist
you with interviews and discussions. Some colleges ask their top recruits to
verbally commit to attending during the spring or summer before the player’s
senior year. A verbal commitment is not binding until the recruit signs the
National Letter of Intent (NLI)/Offer of Financial Aid. The first official signing day
for volleyball is typically in early February and extends into August. Recruits
may change their mind about a school after making a verbal commitment, but
not after signing the NLI.
Concentrate on a solid curriculum and high GPA, but don’t forget to have fun
too. Continue to refine your athletic skills by participating in camps, high
school teams, and club.
When college coaches recruit new
players, they are looking for someone
to fill a specific need.
Don't be afraid to ask what that need is.
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Visit the NCAA Clearinghouse website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and update
your academic status.
Make an appointment with your high school counselor. Make certain that you meet all
NCAA requirements.
Update your student-athlete resume and videotape/DVD and compose a senior letter
of introduction. It is essential that you express your desire to be a member of the
addressed college's volleyball team and to demonstrate your familiarity with the
volleyball coaching staff and players. You should be aware of vacancies left by
graduating players and express how you can fill that void. Ask your Top Gun coach or
one of the Top Gun directors to review your resume and letter of introduction.
Send each school a letter of introduction and copy of your student-athlete resume.
Access the website for each prospective college or university and familiarize yourself
with the volleyball coach, assistant coaches, and players.
Unofficially visit as many of your prospective colleges as possible. Become familiar
with campus events. If possible, attend volleyball matches. Informally introduce
yourself to the coaches and players. Always project a positive and enthusiastic
attitude. Solicit official visits.
You're not the only one graduating.
Identify vacancies left by
graduating players and then in your
letter of introduction, tell the coach
how well you can fill that void.
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The first official signing day for volleyball is typically in early February and extends into August. If you have not been officially
contacted by a Division I or Division II school by February, the likelihood of you receiving an athletic scholarship for the
following fall is minimal; however, do not give up hope. Contact Top Gun for help, even after club season ends.
OTHER OPTIONS:
Other colleges and universities have ways of helping with costs too and standout community college players are also
recruited by Divisions I and II and NAIA universities.
The information listed above is not intended to replace or supersede information provided by the NCAA. This information is provided for
instructional purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal direction or promise regarding award of college scholarships. The Top Gun
Volleyball Club is not responsible for any player’s success or failure in securing college admission and/or scholarship even when a Top Gun
member or staff gives advice. The user of this information accepts all risk and liability. Student-athletes should contact the NCAA
Clearinghouse directly and work with their high school counselor to ensure eligibility and compliance to NCAA requirements.
COPYRIGHT (C) 2005, 2006, 2007 TOP GUN VOLLEYBALL CLUB, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Practicing at, but not associated with, the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 3801 West Temple Avenue Pomona, California 91768
Contact us at (909) 869-4522 or by email at webmaster@topgunvolleyball.net
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Honored to
Support
Our Troops
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Last updated on November 1, 2006
The NCAA only allows 5 paid visits. Choose wisely.
NCAA Clearinghouse
Prospective Student-Athletes
General Information & Eligibility Rules
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
If you plan to enter a Division I college
in 2008 or after, you will need to present
16 core courses in the following
breakdown:
4 years of English
3 years of mathematics
(Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science
(one must be a lab science)
1 year of additional English, math or
science
2 years of social studies
4 years of additional core courses
(from any area listed above, or from foreign
language, non-doctrinal religion, or
philosophy)
For more information regarding these
changes, contact the NCAA at
academics@ncaa.org.
Doing well in the
16 core classes
lowers the SAT
requirement.
This policy
rewards
students who do
well throughout
the year, but
struggle on the
SAT.
Visit the NCAA Clearinghouse website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.
net and update your academic status.
Make an appointment with your high school counselor. Review your
classes and derive a plan to meet the NCAA core requirements.
Have your high school counselor complete the High School
Administration requirements for you at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net –
High School Administration.
Revise your student-athlete resume, compose a sophomore letter of
introduction, and compose an introductory videotape or DVD. The
introductory video should demonstrate your understanding of
volleyball fundamental techniques and your exceptional play. Ask
your Top Gun coach or one of the Top Gun directors to review your
resume, letter of introduction, and introductory videotape or DVD.
NCAA and the NCAA logo are th copyrighted property of the
National Collegiate Athletic Association
(877) 262-1492
Decide on a minimum of 5 prospective NCAA
Division I and/or Division II universities and 5
other colleges or universities. Only NCAA
Divisions I & II and NAIA universities as well as
some non-California junior colleges can offer
scholarships;
