Despite heightened collegiate competition, high-school athletes can keep playing

By Dan Bisaccio

It’s senior year in high school, and as a student athlete you want to play your sport at the next level.  You’ve succeeded at this level and have worked hard enough, so why not? The question becomes, what is the best option for you?

Making a college decision is tough, and adding the fact that you want to play a sport can make it that much more stressful.

Parents who want to see their son or daughter succeed and play at the next level also want to be sure that he or she is getting the most out of the college experience. They also want to make sure that those large tuition checks are being put to good use.

With three divisions in college sports, each one has a unique aspect that suits different student-athletes. Divisions I and II receive the most glamour, as they can give out scholarships and receive a lot of attention in the media. However, Division-III sports can be just as competitive, with many athletes who could have played at a higher level.

For some kids, sports are more of a hobby – albeit one they would still like to play at the next level. The higher levels and more competitive schools might not be a good option, but a Division-III school could be a great fit.

Other kids aspire to one day receive a scholarship to play the sport they love; it’s their dream to play on the big stage.  It is also a huge commitment and, unfortunately, there are only so many spots available on each team. The harsh reality then becomes that players don’t always reach that goal.

In the small state of Vermont, it’s hard to promote yourself as a potential recruit for the next level. It just isn’t as enticing to recruiters as states like nearby New York, where talent comes from all over and the level of play is always competitive. Coaches want to see how a player will handle his or herself in big games, and that just won’t come from just playing in Vermont anymore.

Jim O’Brien is the current head men’s basketball coach at Emerson College, and the former coach at collegiate powerhouses Boston College and Ohio State. In the latter position, he guided the Buckeyes to an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1999.

O’Brien said that when it comes to recruiting, geography is working against the Green Mountain State.

“There isn’t much opportunity for exposure since [Vermont] is isolated up north,” O’Brien said. “It’s not a destination for coaches to go”.

Sharing borders with New York and Massachusetts – two professional athlete breeding ground states – Vermont and its athletes simply get boxed out when it comes to capturing the attention of top collegiate programs.

With so many exposure camps and all-star teams in the Northeast, high school sporting events have taken the back seat as opportunities to scout. At the latest Rumble in the Bronx tournament played at Fordham University, college coaches from all over the country came to watch basketball players showcase their skills against one another.

“Getting out of Vermont gave me more exposure,” said Kyle Callanan. An oversized point guard by Vermont standards, Callanan served as floor general for Mount Anthony Union High School from 2006-’10, and managed to become the school’s all-time leader in points and assists.

Playing in the summer circuit on the Nike-sponsored Albany City Rocks team, Callanan was not only able to gain exposure, but he elevated his game significantly in the process.

“You play the best people and not just in your region,” he said. “It definitely got me more prepared for college.”

Even though Callanan enjoyed record-breaking success in high school, he didn’t have the right offer from colleges and decided to go to Cushing Academy for a post-graduate year, before committing to Division-II Southern Connecticut University.

Photos by Shane Bufano Though success in collegiate athletics may seem out of reach for Vermont high school student-athletes, there are a wealth of opportunities – including assessment camps – to help pave the way to the many Division-II and III programs where continued play is a very real possibility.

“I don’t think coaches don’t give Vermont enough credit, but there are some good players in all sports here,” said Callanan.

Especially for Divisions I and II, Vermont athletes don’t appear as appealing as potential prospects.  But for a Division-III school, those same athletes could really help a program.

“I like Vermont players. We try to recruit one or two a year,” said Norwich head men’s soccer coach Kyle Dezotell. “Along with their willingness to compete and work hard, they also usually possess a good mental toughness.”

Dezotell also said he likes recruiting “under-the-radar players” who, one or two years down the road, will develop and have the potential to make an impact on the team.

Coaches also say that it’s important for an athlete in Vermont who is looking to play in college to learn what he or she needs to work on to become better. Playing in-state isn’t considered a particularly strong way to do that – but attending exposure camps is.

Constructive criticism is a major benefit to playing at exposure camps.  Coaches working the camp and drills are full of knowledge about the game, and are there to help a player learn what it takes to get better.

Hank Desantis, the girls varsity basketball head coach at Newton (Mass.) North High School, runs an exposure camp called Hoop Mountain that includes an educational aspect that teaches the players more than just the sport itself.

“My job is to show them what their options are after high school,” Desantis said. “This includes what level they should be (looking at), and what questions to ask in the recruiting process.” He said these camps are a good place to see where a player stands in comparison to others.

While a player may not show his or her true potential in only a weeklong camp, the feedback received there can be invaluable in helping to determine what level of collegiate competition best suits that player.

“When it comes to recruiting, it all starts with their ability as a player,” O’Brien said. The coach also considers how much interest a potential recruit shows in the school, and if that player could be classified as an overall “good guy.” Other coaches agree that talent is only part of the package.

“Apart from ability, the biggest thing we look for is a player’s character,” Dezotell said.  “I prefer players who show a strong mental toughness, without going over the top – which can sometimes be a thin line.”

Along with having a great attitude, both coaches stressed the importance of academics, especially at the Division-III level.

“The academic side is huge in D-III,” Dezotell said. “Without scholarships, the best avenue for student-athletes to receive financial assistance is by having great grades.”

O’Brien said potential recruits who have sub-par grades have “already eliminated themselves.”  The better the grades, the more options available a player has when looking at schools. With a low GPA, a player has narrowed down his or her potential schools before even setting foot in a gym or talking to a coach.

Young athletes who have dreams of playing college sports in today’s world need to commit a huge amount of time to get better.  Classic three-sport athletes still exist in Vermont high schools, but  are becoming les common as many of the seasons end up interfering with each other.

“It’s a 12-month proposition nowadays,” Desantis said. “Everyone is looking to get a leg up on other athletes, and set themselves apart.”

For both the parents and aspiring athletes, it is important to understand that any level of college is competitive, and requires a lot of commitment. Anyone who has played at the collegiate level is likely to agree that it is an honor and a privilege to play for your school.  It will also help you make friends with your teammates and coaches that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

There isn’t always a red carpet that will show the way to the right college. Coaches, advisors and friends can give advice on where to go, but in the end it always comes down to what you and your family feel is the right choice.

Did you know?

The exclusivity of collegiate athletics, at every level, is a documented fact. Only about two percent of high school athletes are offered athletic scholarships from Division-I or II colleges in the United States. Yet at the 444 Division III colleges across the country, student-athletes make up an average of only 21 percent of the student body.

Source: National Collegiate Athletic Association