Mark Bercik preparing to tag out runner of Miami of Ohio University

Bobby Jones (Photo by The Topps Company, Inc.)

Paul Maguire (ESPN)

Left to right: Glen Mason (current Head  Coach at Minnesota, Marcus Marek,  Denny Fryzel (Defensive Coordinator,  Ohio State) and Mr. Robert Marek

Solomon Wilcots (CBS Sports)

Michael Zordich (Photo by Cindy Zordich)

Mike Barnett

Mark Bercik - MVP of his Ohio University baseball team, former minor league player and scout

Q: Who were the individuals most instrumental in your recruiting adventure?:

A: Without a doubt, my father was most instrumental-- he had insight to know where I needed to be playing to get noticed. . . My father asked questions of other parents and athletes and found out what a parent should know about the recruiting process, both athletically and academically, well before the time ever came where I was allowed to be recruited.


Bobby Jones - 7 year NFL veteran Wide Receiver (Jets, Browns and Bills)

Q: What advice do you have for student athletes?:

A: My advice to any young people is to believe in themselves. I encourage them to have dreams and goals. They need to understand that others whom they see as being successful in sports are no different than they are. The difference is the desire and willingness to pay the price to achieve one's dream. It's better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all!


Paul Maguire - T.V. Football Analyst ESPN, 11 year AFL veteran, (Chargers, Bills), led the nation in touchdowns while playing in college for The Citadel

Q: What advice can you add to this Scholarship Guide to help get the message across to student athletes that they need a "Plan B" to fall back on (a college education)?:

A: Today's young athletes need to know that their "Plan A" must be getting a college education-- NOT their "Plan B". The chances of getting an athletic scholarship are very slim, and the chances of ever becoming a professional athlete are even many times more difficult.

Marcus Marek - 2-Time All-American Linebacker -  Ohio State University, All-Time Career Tackling Leader at OSU.

Q: What advice do you have for Junior High athletes and their parents?:

A: As a parent of four children myself, I personally do not want my children playing on their computer for more than 45 minutes a day. I tell them to go outside and be active, find something to do or play. Go outside even if you are going to just sit and enjoy the outdoors.


Solomon Wilcots - NFL T.V. Analyst for NFL on CBS, 6 year NFL veteran (Vikings, Bengals, Steelers), University of Colorado graduate

Q: What advice do you have for the student athlete who is fortunate enough to get and athletic scholarship?:

A: Decide what you're going to do with it! Will you use the investment that the college made in you by paying for your education to progress and become a productive member of society, or will you go to school just to play a sport?


Michael Zordich - 12 year NFL veteran (Jets, Cardinals, Eagles), Penn State All-American

Q: Do you have any advice for Junior High athletes who dream of playing sports in college or in the NFL?:

A: Take one step at a time. It's very difficult to keep progressing to the next level. Keep your mind focused on what's at hand; be the best at what you do now.


Mike Barnett - Toronto Blue Jays major league hitting coach, former University of Tennessee baseball coach

Q: As a former college coach, what advice do you have for the parents concerning the recruiting process that leads to athletic scholarships?:

A: You only get one chance to get an athletic scholarship. Learn as much about the recruiting process as you can before it's too late to do anything about it. The longer you take to understand the process, the less likely your chances of ever getting an athletic scholarship.


Ron Stoops - High School Coach from the famous Stoops coaching family

Q: Do you have any advice for high school student athletes on the athletic recruiting process?:

A: Be polite and enthusiastic about all of the schools and coaches. Many times, athletes turn off coaches from smaller schools because they're getting attention from bigger schools. When the larger schools back off, the student athlete has no where to turn. I've seen this happen too many times!

The previous statements are just the beginning of the information and advice offered in the guide from numerous former athletes, coaches, and scouts who are all
Giving Something Back to the Game for the Kids!

There is much more experienced advice offered from the people above as well as the rest of the good people who are listed in the Table of Contents.

Pictured below are the backgrounds of some of the many other good people interviewed who were gracious enough to share their real-life experiences and advice for parents and the young student athletes.