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Athletic Recruiting & College Scholarship Book



By Mark Bercik
A former professional and NCAA Division I
athlete, coach, and scout
For Athletes, Parents and Coaches
of All Sports
The high-school athlete’s guide to earning college scholarships
and preparing for playing college and pro sports

This is the only SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE that has interviews with professional and collegiate athletes, coaches, and scouts who give
up-front advice
on high-school, collegiate, and professional sports to help both the student-athletes and their parents/guardians

1.) thoroughly understand the recruiting process that leads to athletic scholarships and/or financial aid, and

2.) prepare for life in college sports if the student-athlete does play sports in college or receive an athletic scholarship.



“I keep the America’s Complete SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE
on my desk to show all of the recruits who come into my office.”

Jim Tressel,
head football coach,
The Ohio State University

“2002 National Champions”


Photo provided by The Ohio State
Department of Athletics
 

Real-life experiences & advice for high school athletes
from 100's of people who've been through the athletic recruiting
& scholarship process

America's Complete SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE
stresses the importance of having a college education to fall back on
once the student-athlete's playing days are over.


Advice from a Professional Softball Pitcher and a member of the USA Olympic Gold Medal 2004 Championship Team

Dream Big!


Jenny Finch (R) with the author Mark Bercik after a pro softball game between the Chicago Bandits and the Akron Racers in Akron, Ohio.
Some advice that I would have for the high-school athletes that want to play at the next level is keep the grades up and hit the books because without the grades you’ll go nowhere.

College coaches definitely do not want to be worrying about your grades while you’re playing for them in college.They want to worry about what you’re doing on the field.

Be a team player, be the best you can be everyday you step on the field, give it 110%, leave everything on the field. Dream Big! Just do it and go for it.

Jenny Finch,
University of Arizona
Chicago Bandits Pro Softball Pitcher
Olympic Softball Gold Medalist
Sports Illustrated cover person--July 2005

Knowledge is Power!

Dick Vitale (L) with the author Mark Bercik on the ESPN "College Basketball Game Day" set at the 2006 NCAA "Final Four" college basketball tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The key to being a well-rounded student athlete is understanding that knowledge is power and that “education plus athletics” makes them the best person and attractive recruit as possible.

When a youngster is fortunate enough to play sports in college by receiving an athletic scholarship or financial aid—he/she should look at attending college as a “ticket to success”—not just as an athlete but also a person. Don’t just go to college to play sports—get your degree while you are there.

The David Robinsons, Grant Hills, and Tim Duncans should be the role models of today’s high-school student athletes. They were motivated to become well-rounded people first and great basketball players second. Michael Jordan went back to college to get his degree after being drafted by the NBA as a junior in college because he was motivated to become a complete person and didn’t want to be perceived as being only a great athlete.

Dick Vitale
Former Head Basketball Coach,
University of Detroit and the NBA Detroit Pistons,

ESPN and ABC Sports College Basketball Analyst


This book should be read by both the student athletes and their parents!

"If you're serious about sports scholarships and understanding how the athletic recruiting process works, you need to read this book."

Michael Zordich,
Penn State All-American defensive back and 12-year NFL veteran for the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles.


Tips on athletic scholarships and how to get noticed and recruited by college coaches
in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, volleyball. etc.

Interviews and Advice from:

Paul Maguire
(ESPN)


The Citadel Univ.
(South Carolina) Tight End, Buffalo Bills Punter
NFL
T.V. Analysts


Solomon Wilcots
(CBS Sports)


University of Colorado, Minnesota Vikings', Pittsburgh Steelers', Cincinnati Bengals' Defensive Back


Mike Barnett,

Ohio University Catcher, Toronto Blue Jays'
Hitting coach

and many other


• College Coaches

• All-Americans

• Professional
Athletes & Scouts

Kelly Holcomb,

Middle Tennessee State University,
Buffalo Bills'
Quarterback


Jeff Faine,

Notre Dame All-American,
Cleveland Browns'
Center

Michael Zordich,

Penn State All-American,
New York Jets',
Arizona Cardinals',
Philadelphia Eagles'
Defensive Back

Matt Wilhelm,

Ohio State All-American,
San Diego Chargers'
Linebacker

who are
"Giving Something Back to the Game
for the Kids"



ESPN's Paul Maguire
pictured with author Mark Bercik


"Today's young athletes should be making sure they acquire a college education first and foremost! Their Plan B should be playing sports at the next level--- NOT their Plan A
."

Paul Maguire
ESPN (Sunday Night) NFL TV Analyst




Lisa Dergan (R) with Mark
Bercik at the filming of the
BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW
PERIOD in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This is the
BEST DAMN SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE PERIOD!

“I would not have the job I have today with Fox Sports if I didn’t participate in sports and attend college to get my education.

“Every female or male junior high-or high school athlete who has dreams and goals of playing sports in college and possibly receiving a sports scholarship should read this book to learn from the valuable advice and real-life experiences that all these special people are sharing for their benefit.

“This book is very similar to our show, the “BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, in that it isn’t completely about the x’s and o’s of sports, but its about real-life stories of people, it’s entertaining, and it’s informative.”

Lisa Dergan
San Diego State University graduate
golfer on Celebrity Players Tour for Callaway Golf

host of Fox Sports reality show ‘SPORTS HUNT’
Fox Sports Net ‘BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD’ sports reporter



This Book will Hit You Harder than a Muhammad Ali Jab or a
Joe Frazier Left Hook!

Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini
World Championship Lightweight Boxer
Parent of a Student Athlete


Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini

 

You learn from real-life experiences and you need to learn from your mistakes.

I was very fortunate to have so many good people to help me during both my high school playing days in sports and during my pro boxing career. As far as learning which people you could trust to give you good advice—it’s just something you have to learn from experience.

Learning how to communicate with people and deciding whether they are going to be good for you and your career is something that you don’t learn in school like you do Math, English, History, etc...—it’s something you learn on the streets and on your own through trial and error.

You learn from real-life experiences and you need to learn from your mistakes. If you make the same mistake twice—then shame on you for not learning from the first time you made that mistake.

Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
Actor and Movie Producer
Former World Championship Lightweight Boxer



Advice from an Olympic Gold Medallist Swimmer


Participating in college athletics is an awesome experience.
College sports are fantastic.


Amanda Beard (L) with the author Mark Bercik at the Disney MGM Studios during the “ESPN the Weekend” in Orlando, Florida.
Q: What advice do you have for the female athlete who wants to play college sports?

A: Participating in high-school and college sports is a wonderful thing to do. College athletics is an awesome experience. College sports are fantastic. My advice for the female student athlete is to work hard at your game but have balance.

You need to be very focused at improving your skills in your sport to increase your chances of getting an athletic scholarship but at the same time enjoy the time you spend in high school. Don’t be so focused that you miss out on the experiences such as attending the prom, homecoming, etc.

Amanda Beard,
University of Arizona
2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model
Olympic Gold Medallist Swimmer

CEO of Amanda Beard, Inc.


Quote from a WNBA All-Star and Three-Time Olympic Basketball Champion


Lisa Leslie
Photo Compliments of Rich Arden / ESPN

It’s not our fault we were born girls—we just want to play sports too.

Lisa Leslie,
University of Southern California All-American
Los Angeles Sparks forward
3-time Olympic basketball champion


To all student athletes:

"Prepare for college and get your education whether you receive an athletic scholarship or not."

Mike Stoops,
Associate Head Football Coach,
University of Oklahoma,

"2000 National Champions"

Current Head Football Coach, University of Arizona
All-American Defensive Back, University of Iowa





$19.95
Great Information for parents and student athletes of all sports (ages 8-18) on. . .

Sports Camps
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The following is a list of some of the Division I colleges where student athletes who have read this book have received athletic scholarships since 2001
Ohio State Michigan Georgia Tech Syracuse
West Virginia Penn State Pittsburgh Missouri
Michigan St. Toledo Kent St. Winthrop (SC)
Indiana Youngstown St. Akron Miami (OH)
Bowling Green Cleveland St. Tennessee Iowa
Minnesota Ball State (IN) Eastern Michigan Louisville (KY)
Ohio Wake Forest Cincinnati Louisiana Tech
Oklahoma Duke Washington St. Texas
Illinois Boston College Arizona Florida
USC UCLA Kentucky Nebraska
Mississippi St. Purdue Elon College Virginia
Athletic scholarships were awarded in football, baseball, wrestling, swimming, basketball, soccer, women's basketball, track, softball, and volleyball


You only get one chance to get an athletic scholarship!!!

"My advice to student-athletes and their parents is to learn as much as you can about how the recruiting process works before it's too late to do anything about it."

"You need to read this book if earning an athletic scholarship and playing at the next level is your goal!"


Mike Barnett (pictured with author Mark Bercik)

Major League Hitting Coach,

"Toronto Blue Jays"


"THIS BOOK TELLS IT LIKE IT IS... The recruiting process which leads to athletic scholarships and financial aid is all about numbers... your GPA, your height, your weight, your speed, how many scholarships each sport has to offer, etc..."

Mark Stoops,
Defensive Backs Coach, University of Miami, Fla.
"2001 National Champions"


Current Defensive Coordinator, University of Arizona
University of Iowa Defensive Back

Do You Know?
  • What all the academic and eligibility requirements are?
  • What questions to ask college coaches?
  • What college coaches look for when evaluating a potential recruit?

First and foremost the student athletes dreams and goals of playing sports in college and
earning a sports scholarship starts with one thing:
Understanding the Recruiting Process!

"The student athlete must understand the recruiting process starts with academics and it begins in their freshmen year. If the student doesn't meet NCAA's Academic and Eligibility Requirements
they will not receive a scholarship regardless of how great an athlete they may be."


Mike Stoops,
Associate Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator,
University of Oklahoma
2000 National Champions


Current Head Football Coach, University of Arizona
All-American Defensive Back, University of Iowa

* This statement is only the tip of the iceberg as far as all of the information the prospective college athlete needs to be aware of. There are nearly 50 pages in one chapter in the NCAA's Manual on eligibility called BYLAW, ARTICLE 14 Eligibility: Academic and General Requirements.






A "Realistic" guidebook that helps parents and coaches teach student athletes the recruiting process and how to promote themselves to college coaches as an attractive recruit.


Once you have read this guide, you will understand all the aspects of the recruiting process and the business of collegiate sports. You will also learn how to get yourself noticed, find valuable contacts, and effectively promote yourself as a knowledgeable and mature student athlete to college recruiters.

The Author, Mark Bercik

Mark Bercik is well respected by college, professional and high school coaches across the U.S. and Canada. A former professional NCAA Division I athlete, coach and scout, he is still among the youngest high school athletes ever to receive a Division I athletic scholarship. He was MVP and captain of his college team before he played professionally. Now he has arrived as a writer, speaker, and consultant who is Giving Something Back to the Game. . .


OUR MISSON | OUR GOAL

What's Being Said About This Book. . .

"Mark Bercik understands the recruiting process. His SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE provides parents and student athletes with valuable information that will help them understand the academic and athletic accountability needed during high school for a young person to be attractive to college coaches. A 'must read' if your goal is to earn a scholarship and play college athletics"

-Perk Weisenburger, athletic director, Illinois State University, and former college baseball player at Central Michigan Univ.

"The SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDE will certainly be helpful to young athletes and parents. It is refreshing to see how Mark Bercik and all the people associated are giving something back to the game for the kids!"

-Joe Carbone, head baseball coach, Ohio University

"America's Complete Sports Scholarship Guide is a high school coaches best friend! Not only does it provide realistic information on the athletic recruiting process for student athletes and parents but it is also an excellent resource guide for high school coaches to refer to."

-Jim Vivo, head football coach, Ursuline High School, Youngstown Ohio, 2000 State Champions

"Reality for players and parents, this guide should be read by all players who aspire to compete at the next level."

-Ed Stacey, associate scout for the New York Yankees, former Texas A&M graduate assistant coach


"About the only thing that an Ohio State Buckeye
and a Michigan Wolverine can agree on is:

"The fact that this book can be very helpful to high school athletes with dreams and goals of playing collegiate or professional sports;

It deals with the "reality of sports" and advises student athletes to have a Plan B— a college education to fall back on when their playing days are over."

-Marcus Marek,
All-Time Tackling Leader and All-American Linebacker
for the Ohio State Buckeyes



"Mark Bercik has a firm grip on the recruiting process. Not only does the Sports Scholarship Guide inform parents and high school athletes about the realities of high school, collegiate, and professional sports. . .it will help young athletes of all ages understand how they need to conduct themselves on and off the field to even be considered a prospect. Everything you need to know about athletic scholarships is in this book."

-Mike Nittoli, San Francisco, California, youth league football/baseball coach and former Chicago White Sox catcher


". . .Ballplayers in youth leagues, potential college prospects, and even the blue chip recruit can benefit from reading this book. This book is a must for information about athletic scholarships."

-Gary Deniro, parent and former starting linebacker for two National Championship teams
at the University of Alabama



". . .It is a great guide to the do's and don'ts regarding academic eligibility, sports scholarships, being recruited, and getting exposure to college coaches and professional scouts."

-Gary Hinkson, head baseball coach, Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pennsylvania


"Mark Bercik's book gives direction with a purpose. Just read it!

Jim Szuch, former assistant football coach, Michigan State University
Click Here for More Reviews and Testimonials


Below is some valuable advice for the benefit of high-school athletes and their parents that was obtained after the publishing of the first edition of this book


Advice from the Major Leaguers

Don't ever underestimate the power of good grades!

Jody Gerut (L) with author, Mark Bercik

"My advice to high-school student athletes is: Don't ever underestimate the power of good grades.

"I would not be where I am at today if I didn't have the good grades necessary in high school to be able to attend college on a baseball scholarship to Stanford University. I grew and developed as an athlete and a person while I was there."

Jody Gerut
Stanford University, California
Cleveland Indians Outfielder



Enjoy playing sports at whatever level you are playing at now because you never know what's going to happen along the way.

Eric Wedge (L) with Mike Florak, head baseball coach, Youngstown State University

"My advice to high-school student athletes is: Enjoy playing sports at whatever level you are playing at now.

"Take everything one step at a time and prepare for attending college to get an education whether you receive an athletic scholarship or not. You need to have something to fall back on when your playing days are over. You never know what's going to happen along the way. Look at my collegiate and professional career: I had to deal with 9 separate surgeries during my playing days, and I'm only 36-years-old."

Eric Wedge
Wichita State University, Kansas
Cleveland Indians Manager



Be realistic about your chances of receiving an athletic scholarship or a professional baseball contract.

Ryan Ludwick (L) with author, Mark Bercik

"My advice to young ball players who have dreams of receiving an athletic scholarship or a professional baseball contract is: Be realistic; you are not the only ball player in the country who has these particular dreams.

"Take a look around you—no matter what part of the country you live in, every parent of every child who has the same dreams as yours is doing whatever they can to make sure their child has the best equipment, the best personal instruction, the best of everything and anything that can help increase their child's chances of obtaining the same goals you do.

"Although I encourage each and every young ball player to have dreams and goals, I want them to know just how difficult it is to play at the next level. The odds are so against them that they would be crazy not to have a "Plan B" to fall back on—and that plan would be to get a college education."

Ryan Ludwick
Nevada Las Vegas University
Cleveland Indians Outfielder



Don't put the cart before the horse; build a foundation.

Lloyd McClendon (L) with author, Mark Bercik
“My advice to young ballplayers who have dreams of playing professional sports is: Don’t put the cart before the horse.

Build a foundation—get good grades in high school, use those good grades to help you attend college on an athletic and/or academic scholarship, play your sport in college, get your college education so you have something to fall back on, and then give professional baseball your best shot.”

Lloyd McClendon
Valparaiso University, Indiana
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager



Use playing sports in college to improve your game
and to mature as a person.

Jack Wilson (L) with author, Mark Bercik
“My advice to high-school student athletes is: Not every ballplayer has to take the conventional route of attending a four-year college after high school. Sometimes a junior college is the best fit for a young baseball player to help him improve his game and mature both mentally and physically at the same time.

“Attending a junior college led to my getting both a Division I scholarship offer to a college in Texas and a pro baseball contract that included a paid college education so I could continue taking classes during the off-season in order to get my degree.”

Jack Wilson
Oxnard Junior College, California
Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Shortstop


I needed to attend college and experience real-life situations with other people who were the same age as I was.

Jason Bay (R) with author, Mark Bercik
“My advice to young ballplayers who have dreams of getting drafted out of high school by a professional baseball team is: Slow down, don’t be in such a hurry, give your body and mind time to develop and mature, go to college, play college ball, polish your game, and enjoy all the life experiences a young man should encounter at that age.

"I didn’t get drafted out of high school because I wasn’t mature enough physically and mentally at that point in my life. I needed to attend college and experience real-life situations with other people who were my age in order to mature into a well-rounded young man. It is not an easy road to go down for a teenager who is competing and playing against ball players several years older and wiser than you."

Jason Bay
Gonzaga University, Washington
Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder

Advice from a three-time
NBA Championship Center

Play the game because you love it!


Bill Wennington (R) with author, Mark Bercik at the ESPN Zone in Chicago, Illinois
"My advice to the junior-high and high-school basketball player who has dreams and goals of obtaining an athletic scholarship and/or perhaps going on to play in the NBA is for them to play the game because they love it and let the chips fall where they may.

The farther you progress in your basketball career, whether it be playing collegiately or professionally, the more the sport becomes a business and the more you’ll need to realize that the only way you will be able to mentally handle all of the demands and pressures that go along with playing basketball at the next level is if you are playing the sport because you love it."

Bill Wennington
St. John's University, New York
Chicago Bulls Center


Advice from a NFL
"Hall of Fame" Coach


Marv Levy, former Buffalo Bills' head football coach (C), at his book signing at the Book Expo in Chicago
Q: What advice do you have for the high-school football player who has dreams and goals of playing collegiate and professional football?

A: If you are going to college just to play football and are not going to take getting your college education seriously, then don’t bother going to college at all!

Marv Levy
Former Buffalo Bills' head football coach


Advice from ESPN Sports Personalities

I wouldn't be where I am at today if I didn't get my college education.


Dan Patrick (R) with author Mark Bercik during the “ESPN the Weekend” at the Disney Yacht Club in Orlando, Florida
Q: How important do you feel it is for today’s high-school athletes to understand that they should have a college education to fall back on once their playing days are over?

A: Very important. I wouldn’t be where I am at today if I didn’t have my college education. As a youngster, I also had the same dreams and goals of one day playing collegiate and pro sports as many of today’s athletes do and even though I did have a few scholarship offers to play basketball at some small colleges, I was realistic enough about my own abilities to know I didn’t have what it would take to make it to the next level. I knew that I needed to make a decision on what classes I should take in college that would lead to me getting an education in the field of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.


Dan Patrick
University of Dayton graduate
ESPN SPORTSCENTER anchor and ESPN Sports Radio talk show host


It is also important to gain maturity, which is something that the responsibility of college brings you.


Howie Schwab, ESPN Sports trivia expert with the author, Mark Bercik at the ESPN Club on the Walt Disney’s Boardwalk during the “ESPN the Weekend” in Orlando, Florida

Q: Since you have worked for ESPN Sports for over 17 years as a head of the research department, how important do you feel it is for the high-school athlete who has dreams and goals of making a living playing professional sports to understand that they should have a college education to fall back on once their playing days are over?

A: I think it is extremely important for kids to have a college education to fall back on if their athletic careers don't work out. For every LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant there is a Lenny Cooke, D'Angelo Collins, or Korleone Young who did not make it after entering the NBA draft out of high-school. What happens to a kid who goes to the pros and then injures his knee? His career is over and then what happens? It is also important to gain maturity, which is something that the responsibility of college brings you. You also see some high school athletes who could develop in college but instead go to the NBA and ride the bench. Look at Ndudi Ebi, Kendrick Perkins and Travis Outlaw recently.

Howie Schwab,
St. John's University class of 1978 graduate
Coordinating producer, ESPN, and costar of ESPN's "Stump the Schwab"


Advice from a Sports Reporter for Fox Sports

I think that when girls play sports it makes them
more well-rounded and attractive.


Lisa Dergan with author Mark Bercik at the filming of the BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD at Hi-Tops Sports Bar in Pittsburgh. PA.
“I encourage every girl in junior high and high school to participate in sports. I began playing golf at the age of 12, and I think it was one of the most, if not the most beneficial decisions I ever made during my junior high-school years.

When girls participate in sports, it helps them gain self-confidence, which is very important to a young girl. I think that when girls in junior high and high school play sports, it makes them more well-rounded and attractive.

I also encourage young ladies to try to play sports in college, regardless of whether they receive an athletic scholarship or not. There are many opportunities for girls to play sports during their college years nowadays. They can try out for the college team or a club sport or even participate on a coed intramural team. Obviously, they want to attend college to get their education first and foremost, but I feel they should get involved in several different activities during their college years so that they can create a balance in their lives and not be a bookworm during their entire college years.

Young ladies need to get involved in various activities so that they can gain valuable life experiences and learn how to communicate with others and make new friends. They will make valuable connections through college friendships that will help them network after college is behind them. It’s not always what you know—sometimes it’s about who you know.

I wouldn’t have the job I have with Fox Sports today if I hadn’t participated in sports at a young age and attended college to get my education and make some very valuable contacts along the way.”

Lisa Dergan
San Diego State University graduate,
golfer on Celebrity Players Tour for Callaway Golf

host of Fox Sports reality show ‘SPORTS HUNT’
Fox Sports Net ‘BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD’ sports reporter


Advice from the three-time All-Pro NFL
Wide Receiver

Learn to play as many positions as possible.


Hines Ward (L) with author Mark Bercik
"My advice to the high-school athlete who has dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship and/or playing professional sports is to always stay positive on the field, practice like you play, learn to play as many positions as possible, and play it cool, go to school—go to college and get your education whether you get a scholarship or not.

Today’s high-school athletes need to understand going to a college to get an education is a "must", it doesn’t matter what college they attend as long as they obtain their degree. They need to understand that their earning power in the “real world” will be significantly much greater if they have a degree than if they don’t."

Hines Ward,
USA Today All-American H.S. Quarterback
University of Georgia halfback / quarterback / wide receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro Wide Receiver



Advice from the 1st Pick in the 2004 NBA Draft

Set goals for yourself; write those goals down and what it will take to achieve them; work on your weaknesses!


Dwight Howard (L) with author Mark Bercik during the “ESPN the Weekend” in Orlando, Florida
"My advice to any high-school athlete who has dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship and/or playing professional sports is 1.) Put God first in your life 2.) Set goals for yourself; write those goals down and what it will take to achieve them, work on your weaknesses!

I set numerous goals for myself during my freshmen year in high school, and I obtained each and every goal I set for myself because I knew how much work it would take for me to achieve those goals. I worked harder than anybody will ever know to reach those goals. If I hadn't been drafted as high as I was in the draft, I would have attended Duke University on a basketball scholarship."


Dwight Howard
Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year
Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Georgia
1st pick in the 2004 NBA draft

Orlando Magic Forward


Advice from an LPGA Golfer

College recruiters want to know about your work ethic
and how much time you spend working on your game.


Leslie Spalding (R) with the author Mark Bercik at the LPGA Classic in Warren-Vienna, Ohio
“My advice to the female high-school athlete who has dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship and/or playing professional golf is to work hard at improving your game, especially your weaknesses.Don’t just work on what you are good at.

College recruiters want to know about your work ethic and how much time you spend working on your game. Some college coaches prefer to recruit high-school athletes from other countries like Korea because they know how hard the Korean high-school golfers work at improving their game and how many hours per day they spend practicing their game.

My advice for any female high-school golfer who has the opportunity to play on the professional tour directly out of high school is go to college for at least a year or two. Go to a college away from your home so that you can gain very valuable life experiences and to develop your social and communications skills so that you can become a well-rounded person. You’re on your own when you become a professional golfer; you don’t have coaches to teach you the game and teammates to give you support."

Leslie Spalding,
Two-time Montana State High School Champion
University of Alabama

LPGA Golfer


Advice from a NFL All-Pro Defensive End

Your “Plan A” should be getting a college education; your “Plan B” should be getting an athletic scholarship or playing professional sports.


Adewale Ogunleye (C) with the author Mark Bercik and Mark Ferrera (R), ESPN Sports Talk Live host at the ESPN Club In Orlando, Florida
“My advice to all high-school football players who have dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship and/or playing professional football:

Your “Plan A” should be getting a college education; Your “Plan B” should be getting an athletic scholarship or playing professional sports. There are so many variables that have to come into play in order for a college athlete to ever make it to the professional level that it would be unwise for young athletes to not have acquired their college education.

I was very fortunate to make it to the NFL; I didn’t just walk into a starting position for the Miami Dolphins and become the AFC sack leader. I wasn’t taken in the NFL draft. I was a free-agent who was lucky enough to have some valuable contacts that helped me get my foot in the door in order to get a pro tryout as a free agent. My story is very unique and I was prepared to put my college education to good use when I found out I wasn’t drafted by an NFL team. I began looking for a good job in the “real world” before my valuable contacts got me a chance to attend a pro tryout."


Adewale Ogunleye,
University of Indiana
Miami Dolphins All-Pro

Chicago Bears Defensive End


Advice from a NHL nine-time Stanley Cup Championship Coach

You will get noticed by college hockey coaches if you are playing on a junior hockey league team.


Scotty Bowman (R) with the author Mark Bercik at the ESPN Club in Orlando, Florida
“My advice to the high-school athlete or college student who has dreams and goals of getting a hockey scholarship and/or playing professional hockey: Work hard at improving your game by playing against the best competition you can and get yourself noticed by as many college coaches as possible by playing in as many tournaments as you can. Do what it takes to get yourself a tryout to play for a junior hockey league team. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Modano are all products of junior hockey.

You will get noticed by college hockey coaches if you are playing on a junior hockey league team. The rest is up to you to perform well on the ice in front of these coaches."


Scotty Bowman,
NHL Hockey Coach, Detroit Red Wings,
Montreal Canadiens, and Pittsburgh Penguins

Nine-Time Stanley Cup Championship Coach


Advice from the Father of an NFL "Hall of Fame" halfback, Barry Sanders

If your son or daughter wants to play college or pro
sports— you need to read this book.


William Sanders (R) with the author Mark Bercik at the Hall of Fame weekend in Canton, Ohio, where Mr. Sanders' son Barry Sanders was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
“My advice to any parent or guardian of a high-school athlete or college student who has dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship and/or playing pro sports is parents need to understand just how difficult it is to get an athletic scholarship let alone make it to the pros. You have the same chances of your son or daughter making it to the pros as you do of hitting the lottery. They need to understand how many thousands of kids have the same dreams and goals of getting an athletic scholarship as their son’s or daughter’s.

I am the father of 11 children, two of which received football scholarships, (Barry, Oklahoma State and Byron, Northwestern University). I made sure each and every one of my children knew the importance of getting a college education. All 11 of my children have graduated from college. Parents need to support their child’s dreams but they also must emphasize to them that they need to have their college education to fall back on.

If your son or daughter wants to play college or pro sports—you need to read this book. You need to understand how the recruiting process works and the reality of sports so that you can help your children increase their chances of getting an athletic scholarship and a college education."

William Sanders,
Father of Barry Sanders
Oklahoma State University All-American
Detroit Lions

NFL “Hall of Fame” Halfback


Advice from the USA Today
High School Basketball “Coach of the Year”

What makes LeBron James so special is that he had the drive to become the best all-around player he could be.


Dru Joyce II (L) with the author prior to an Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school basketball game against Cardinal Mooney in Youngstown, Ohio.