Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 12:32     Subject: Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Don’t use ncsa- it’s a money grab.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 11:51     Subject: Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Anonymous wrote:So this is all new stuff to me.
My ds, class of 2027, is interested in running track in college. He’s short-mid distances, not XC.

Yesterday he announced he created a profile for himself on the NCSA site. within an hour a rep from NCSA called me. I spoke with him and answered basic questions about ds. Rep explained next step is a lengthier call with me, DH, DS and a recruiting specialist - there is no cost to speak with this recruiting specialist initially. Apparently we can opt to pay for recruiting help, above what is offered for free.

I’m unfamiliar with NCSA but sounds like it connects HS athletes with college programs that may be good fits? This sounds extremely helpful, as I don’t think my DS could manage this on his own. Am I missing something, that we don’t have to pay for this?
Does anyone have experience with the recruiting guidance from NCSA that has a fee?

Thanks!




Don't do it. We learned our lesson. Huge waste of money.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 09:49     Subject: Re:Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How about tennis? If kid is doubles, and interested in D3 LAC, good enough or don't even bother? I would think with under 2000 kids, it is like a high school team, and will look at a typical varsity player, don't need to be national or state level?


HA D3 players will be extremely good, USTA 4.5 or so. The top players can even go a bit higher. That said there are plenty of schools who would happily take a 3.5 but they won’t be the top schools.


Those USTA ratings don’t apply to juniors. Colleges are focused on UTRs so look those up and compare your kid’s to players at colleges he or she might be interested in.


I was commenting on skill level but UTR is typically used for recruiting. Someone mentioned a 9.0 which would be low at a top D3 program for a player expected to get match play.


At a school like Wellesley, would they want a great player, or a smart girl that can kind of play?


For top D1 women’s tennis programs, UTR varies between mid/high 9s all the way up to 11.

Ivy League D1: 8-10 UTR (depending on school)
Top D3 (UChicago, WashU): 8-9 UTR
Top D3 LACs (Williams, Amherst, Bowdoin, Swarthmore): 7-8 UTR
Other top LACs (Grinnell, Carleton): 5-6 UTR



Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 09:18     Subject: Re:Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Previous advice is good. Coaches really want to hear from the kid. You can say that your kid "won't be the kid" to make that happen. But you should realize that there are HUNDREDS of other kids who will.

As a kid moves through the recruiting process, the coaches really are building relationships, assessing maturity, etc.

Another vote for avoiding NCSA.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 08:19     Subject: Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Track recruiting is pretty straightforward- it is all based on time and not subjective.

Compare his times to runcruit.com and see what good options could be and then reach out to the coaches- all the info is on the school website

You can also google- (college name) track an field recruiting standards and it will show you th recruit times
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:37     Subject: Re:Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How about tennis? If kid is doubles, and interested in D3 LAC, good enough or don't even bother? I would think with under 2000 kids, it is like a high school team, and will look at a typical varsity player, don't need to be national or state level?


HA D3 players will be extremely good, USTA 4.5 or so. The top players can even go a bit higher. That said there are plenty of schools who would happily take a 3.5 but they won’t be the top schools.


Those USTA ratings don’t apply to juniors. Colleges are focused on UTRs so look those up and compare your kid’s to players at colleges he or she might be interested in.
how important is a verified vs non-verified UTR?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:30     Subject: Starting the athletic recruiting process - NCSA
For those suggesting blocking, it doesnt work. They just call from another number.