All Things Gymnastics

Summer Tips for the Prospective Student-Athlete By, Tom Kovic

2011-06-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Many believe the summer is a time where college coaches switch to lower gears. The regular season is complete and the student-athletes have headed home for a well-deserved break. Nothing can be further from the truth! Opportunity is eminently knocking and if there is a prime season for recruiting, it is during the summer. Below are some auxiliary tips to consider as you move your college recruiting effort to a higher level.
Define Goals:
Whether you had that “magical season for the books" or one where you hit a brick wall at the end, now is the time to “ferret out” your past season and put it into lucid perspective. The young prospect that has the ability to be introspective in his approach to the past year and pull significant learning points from both positive and negative experiences is well on his way in developing self-awareness and effectively plotting the next target in his college search.
Don't just muddle forward through your summer. Face it as the ultimate challenge in "rising up" to a higher athletic level. Determine the skill set you want to achieve and ask yourself two questions: Are these aims reasonably within my grasp? Am I selling myself short? Once you have done a "reality check," determine your goals and place them at the vanguard of your priority list.
Team Approach:
Include your club and/or high school Coach in reviewing your goals and helping you build your plan of attack. This approach shows respect for Coach and your willingness to reach to him for advice. Second, it demonstrates a mature approach in utilizing a team approach and in this case, with an individual who wants to help!
By including Coach in the mix, he now has a vested interest in the final product and with that interest will grow a willingness to become a key player in the effort.
Updates:
Whether you intend to provide the college coaches with your latest SAT score or with an improved look to your athletic skill set, the rule of thumb here is to give it "grip." Coaches are simply swamped, even during the summer when their travel schedules accelerate. By keeping communication updates simple and crisp, you are assisting Coach and he will appreciate the effort.
As soon as you have compiled your academic progress records (past year grades, standardized testing and academic awards), forward them along in a clean and easy to read format.
Next, re-cap your past season in a bullet format that includes your team record, individual statistics and personal accolades. Let Coach know where you will be attending tournaments and showcases and as these events draw nearer, send a more personal and detailed communication about each event.
Finally, update your personal profile, video stream and share it with the coaches. Keep it clean and crisp and remove any unnecessary and outdated information.
Take a Road Trip:
A good road trip is your “backstage pass” to the college search for athletes and taking unofficial visits to several of your top schools of interest is a great way to get a "look under the hood" to determine if the institution is a potential "match."
The campus visit is extremely important and requires careful planning. Coaches are like hot potatoes during the summer and it can be very difficult to track them down without proactive communication. Contact the office of admissions and determine when campus tours and information sessions are offered, but you also want to make every attempt to schedule a meeting with Coach.
Contact the college coaches 4-6 weeks prior to your planned trip and determine their schedule and availability to meet with you. You should be pleasantly surprised with how these campus visits will jump start your recruiting quest!
Summer vacation provides the prospective student-athlete with a great break from school and a wonderful time to "lighten the schedule." That said, prospects and families who are willing to make proactive efforts in executing key areas of their recruiting plan will position themselves best for great success in the college search.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. He is the author of Reaching for Excellence: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com

Copyright © 2011 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved

Wired for Success: Five Ways You Can Maximize College Recruiting By Tom Kovic

2011-05-04T10:32:00.001-07:00

Wired for Success: Five Ways You Can Maximize College Recruiting

By Tom Kovic

So your top college hasn’t come knocking on your door. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed never to enter its hallowed halls. Prospective student-athletes can wire themselves for success to maximize their chances of gaining admission to their top college choice.

Below are five things you can do to have a shot at attending the school of your dreams.

Begin With a Dream
My mantra for the students and families I have the privilege of advising is “victory begins with a dream.” Every effort requires a starting point, and I believe we should never deny ourselves the opportunity to reach high, especially in the college search.

That said, maintaining a grounded approach when lining up potential college options is equally important. I suggest identifying three groups of colleges for your recruiting plan: Dream, Likely and Back-Up.

Define Long-Term Goals
As an adviser, I like to begin by envisioning “the end game” and working backward to define specific goals. The initial phase of the college search might appear a bit daunting, but the trick is to begin big and then chisel away at a plan to simplify it.

Look long-term when defining your goals. Although the athletic component will be exciting during your four-year college experience, ask: “Where do I see myself in 40 years?” Keep the academic component in the vanguard to position yourself for years of success beyond college.

Use a Team Approach
A team approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes individual pressure and stress. Forming a group of trustworthy individuals who assume specific roles during the process will increase your chances in grabbing the brass ring. The team should include:

• Prospect
• Parents
• Team Coach
• Club Coach
• Guidance Counselor/College Adviser
• Personal Mentor/Adviser

With a team approach, responsibility for effectively executing your recruiting plan is distributed among the various team members. All assignments should be clearly spelled out, and communication among team members should be frequent and consistent. This will help streamline the plan and avoid mistakes and confusion, which can contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.

Establish Time-lines
You have envisioned your dream and defined your goals. Your team is in place, and you are anxious to get started. Not so fast! A key component of the college search is to establish specific time-lines that you will hold yourself to in executing your plan.

Without strict adherence to time-lines, you reduce your chances of hitting your targets. Deadlines can get missed, raising the stress level. Start broad and develop long-term to-do lists with calendar dates up to a year. From there you can break your time-lines into more detailed formats that include weekly and monthly targets.

Express Desire
Unless you are a blue chip athlete whom every college coach wants, you will need a recruiting plan that helps you rise above your competition. Various character components can assist you, but one that stands out above the rest is desire.

When it comes to the recruiting process, most college coaches make comprehensive assessments. Coaches always look beyond athletic and academic achievements at intangible factors that define a great recruit. The successful college recruiter looks for self-aware, independent prospects that bring strong character to the table.

At this point, you have your college recruiting vehicle put together and are ready to take it out for a spin. Desire is the fuel that moves the vehicle forward.

In the final analysis, recruiting success depends on a number of factors, but having a dream, defining your goals, forming a team, establishing time-lines and showing your deep desire to play your sport will push you to the top.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in navigating the college recruiting process. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2011 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Creating Closure to the College Search for Athletes By Tom Kovic

2011-03-04T08:12:00.001-08:00

Creating Closure to the College Search for Athletes

By Tom Kovic

The college search for athletes is an enduring process with a definite starting and ending point and just like a well run race, the successful student-athlete will remain focused until she breaks the tape. Below are some simple tips to consider when heading down the homestretch in the college recruiting process that will assist families in remaining diligent in "closing out" a very important life decision.
Whether a prospect is looking for an athletic scholarship or support in admissions, it is important to remain committed to the relationship you have cultivated with the coaches. By the time you reach this point, you will have likely narrowed your college choices down to a select few and trust me...So have the coaches.
Review Your “to do” list

A key component of your college search organizing system will be a list of your target areas moving through each phase of the recruiting process. Heading into the final turn you want to “sharpen the tool” and review your final target points for clarity and accuracy. By this time, you have devoted yourself completely to a worthy and successful effort and now it’s time to close out the experience.

We have all heard coined phrases such as “dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s,” “polish the effort,” “sharpen the tool,” leave no stone unturned” etc. This is the time to execute. This is the time to begin your final kick to the finish line. Highlight important contacts you plan to make with the coaches and organize any additional information Coach has requested and mark it on your calendar and execute.

Student-Athlete Statement
One of the first things I attempt to get the boys and girls I advise to accomplish is to write a personal statement. This is not only a great way to get a glimpse of how you see the college experience playing out for you, it shows self awareness in the eyes of the college coaches and in the current recruiting climate, trust me…the best recruiters are looking at this component carefully.

It is a difficult concept to wrap your arms around but I suggest taking three simple steps to reach this end. Firstly, take 20 minutes to simply become “introspective.” The first few moments will be turbulent, but when you settle down, try to envision your interpretation of how you would like your college experience to unfold. From this point, simply write down “operatives” that define that experience. Moving forward, polish the statement into no more than a 1 page document you can share with the coaches.

Remember, there are 3 primary attributes college coaches are looking for in prospects: Good students, strong athletes and self-aware, high character kids.

Outside Connections
College coaches attempt to cover every base they can in evaluating every prospect they recruit and if they happen to be in a "grey area" with a grouping of recruits, they will be looking for a "tie breaker" to solidify the rankings.
Your high school and/or club Coach can make a difference here and as long as you have provided the college coaches with the tools he has needed to do a thorough and regular evaluation (updated transcripts, test scores, video etc.) of your talent as a student-athlete, this would be a prime opportunity for your current Coach to connect directly with the college coaches in an effort to support your commitment to a particular program.
Tough Questions
At this point in the process if you do not have a "firm" commitment from Coach to where you stand on his recruit priority list, I suggest you find out. There are several tough questions families and prospects encounter throughout the college search and the well prepared and organized prospect will have the best chance in reaching out to the coaches for straight answers.
If you practiced an honest, truthful and consistent recruiting effort, you can expect the same in return from the college coaches. Whether you’re hoping for that financial aid pre-read or feedback on where your application stands in admissions, do not be anxious about approaching Coach. It is his position and obligation to assist families. That said, coaches and good recruiters are brutally honest and there may be cases where the answer you receive is not the one you were anticipating.
In closing, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with integrity, persistence and an organized approach will build mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best to navigate the college search. And like a great race, game or competition, the best athletes remain focused and committed from start to finish. The brass ring is out there and it is different for every prospect. Focus on the process and remain diligent in your approach… Everything else will take care of itself.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2011 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Muriel Davis Grossfeld Endowed Scholarship at Southern CT State University

2011-02-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Arianna Mallardi!! The first recipient of the prestigious Muriel Davis Grossfeld Endowed Scholarship at Southern CT State Univ - Awarded Feb.12, 2011 - Celebrating Muriel's dedication to Women's Gymnastics!

Arianna Mallardi
Class: Senior
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn.
High School:

As a Sophomore in 2010:
Posted a 9.1 on the floor exercise against Springfield and Brown on 1/16…Scored a 9.225 on the floor exercise against Brown and New Hampshire on 1/24…Registered a 9.475 on the floor exercise against Brockport, Wilson and West Chester on 1/31…Posted a 9.05 on the balance beam and a 9.325 on the floor exercises against Ithaca, Bridgeport, Rhode Island College and Yale on 2/6…Finished 10th on the floor exercise with a 9.425 against Cornell, Bridgeport, Ithaca and Towson on 2/13…Scored a 9.375 on the floor exercise against Yale and Bridgeport on 2/20…Took first on the balance beam with a 9.5 against Springfield on 2/21…Registered a 9.475 on the floor exercises against Rutgers, Bridgeport and William and Mary on 2/27…Posted a 9.375 on the floor exercises against Bridgeport, Temple and Towson on 3/5…Posted a 9.125 on the balance beam against Penn, Temple and Maryland on 3/12…Scored a 9.575 on the floor exercise against Towson and Brown on 3/20…Finished 10th on the floor exercise with a 9.4 at the ECAC’s on 3/27.

College Athletics Recruiting: The Verbal Offer

2011-02-03T11:17:00.001-08:00

College Athletics Recruiting: The Verbal Offer

By Tom Kovic

I recently had 3 athletes I am advising receive verbal athletic scholarship commitments from 3 different college coaches. Obviously the families were thrilled with the opportunity for their children to be recognized and awarded well before the senior year in high school.

As an advisor, I am asked many questions about the college quest and lately the area of verbal commitments seems to top the list. I would like to share my personal thoughts on what has become a popular recruiting strategy that is used by prospects and college coaches alike.

Competition

College coaches have a much different job description compared to 25 years ago when I first became a college Coach. Not only are they expected to run an efficient and successful college athletics program, they need to foster strong relationships with their alumni, grow strong loyalty within the team and regularly recruit and retain “impact” prospects to the program.

If there is one area that creates a trickle down effect that improves each specific area of a Coach’s program it is measured by the annual success of the team. In short, a Coach, no matter the tier of the sport within the department, is expected to win regularly, especially within the conference.

Recruiting Strategy

As the coaches roles have changed over the years, so has recruiting in general. The competition, especially for the blue chip athlete has been raised exponentially among college coaches and although they are restricted by well defined NCAA contact rules, they utilize early evaluations, unofficial visits and proactive communication by the prospects to “advance” their recruiting timelines.

A good college recruiter will begin to build a recruiting base of prospects as early as the 9th grade in an effort to “look further out” at kids that will fill important program gaps. When college coaches evaluate a prospect, they are often not just looking at the primary athlete they drove to see. The are evaluating a “grouping” of kids from a club or team where, in many cases, the college Coach has developed a “pipeline” where prospects from that organization or school have a good chance in getting strong and regular attention.

The Verbal: A Layman’s Definition

Simply put, a verbal commitment is one where a Coach and a prospect agree there is a proper and mutual fit scholastically and athletically with the prospect and the institution. In many cases, there is an offer of athletic aid (scholarship), or in some cases, support by the Coach in admissions. The verbal commitment is a “gentleman’s agreement.” An old fashion handshake where both party’s offer their word to remain committed through either the signing of The National Letter of Intent or offer of admissions.

The verbal offer is "open ended" and a common question that prospects and parents have is “Can we back out of the agreement?” And the answer is yes. That said it is important to realize the flip side of the coin and although it is less likely, college coaches can back out of a verbal commitment, especially if the prospect shows a lack of progress on the field or in the classroom.

Timelines

Coaches will typically give families time to think about the offer, but they will also give them a deadline to make a decision. The prospect, in most cases, is one of several athletes on a short list of kids that the Coach is prepared to offer. If you decide not to accept, Coach will simply work down the list and make an offer to the next prospect in line.

The verbal commitment is a tremendous tool that can assist both the prospect and the college coach in making an early decision during the college recruiting process. If your child is not a blue chip athlete, it is a process that begins much earlier than most families realize and therefore a proactive approach to organizing early for the college search becomes essential in reaching your goals.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in navigating the college recruiting process. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2011 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

College Athletics Recruiting: A Snapshot of Recruiting Rules and Terms By Tom Kovic

2011-01-07T08:20:00.001-08:00

College Athletics Recruiting: A Snapshot of Recruiting Rules and Terms

By Tom Kovic

Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a special talent that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and with financial aid.

The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. Below is a simple snapshot of terms and athletic recruiting rules and procedures you will run into as you navigate the college search for athletes.

Contacts

Recruiting contacts are essential for both college coaches and families to become familiar with each other. Whether contacts are made by phone, e-mail or face to face, the aim of the college coach will be to simply make an effort to cultivate a strong relationship with the prospect and family in an effort to determine the likelihood of a good match.

Parents and prospects should understand the importance of initiating contact with the college coach. Coaches are bound by NCAA rules that prohibit them from contacting prospects and families during certain times. Families, on the other hand, can contact coaches at any time, with rare exceptions.

Evaluations

These are opportunities for college coaches to assess the academic and athletic ability of a prospect. Evaluations typically occur off-campus and coaches are permitted no more than 7 “recruiting opportunities” (contacts and/or evaluations), with no more than 3 opportunities resulting in face-to-face contact. (There are individual sport exceptions).

Evaluation timetables are sport-specific. Recruiting calendars for your sport of interest can be found in the NCAA Manual and are available to view at www.ncaa.org. The evaluation offers the coach a chance to get an early read on future prospects. It is also used as a recruiting tactic by college coaches in order to create visibility. This “celebrity effect” can have a powerful impact on a prospect and the family, especially if the evaluation is timed and communicated properly.

NCAA Eligibility

The NCAA Eligibility Center is an organization that collaborates with the NCAA in the area of student-athlete eligibility. Basically, the job of the Eligibility Center is to determine eligibility for all incoming Division I and Division II freshmen student-athletes. This is achieved through the evaluation of high school academic records. Each division has individual standards for entering freshmen.

Student-athletes can register with the Eligibility Center either at their high school, or online at http://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/. It is suggested to begin this process soon after junior year grades are in. This will provide coaches with preliminary “reads” on eligibility. Final eligibility will be determined after the senior year grades are presented to the Eligibility Center.

Campus Visits

UNOFFICIAL VISIT: The unofficial visit is a great way for prospects and families to begin to become familiar with a number of colleges and universities. It is a visit that is made at the expense of the family and can be taken at any time (with few exceptions), including before July 1 following the junior year in high school. Institutions typically offer information sessions and tours which can be very useful in gathering general information. (Before visiting, contact the Admissions Office to determine times and dates for information sessions and tours).

It is suggested you make unofficial visits to the colleges that are on your radar, beginning as early as the end of the sophomore year in high school. Alert the college coach to your impending visit and attempt to arrange a meeting. This will give families a perfect opportunity to begin cultivating a relationship with the coach and alert the coaching staff to your sincere interest in their institution. These visits impress the college coach, and reinforce the family’s effort to become familiar with the institution and learn more about the coach and his/her program.

OFFICIAL VISIT: The official visit is a wonderful means of narrowing down your college choices by spending quality time with the coaching staff, current student-athletes and college administrators. These visits differ from the unofficial visit in cost, time limitations and the total number permitted by the prospect and to each individual institution.

The official visit is one that is paid in part or in full by the institution, can be taken beginning the first day of classes in the senior year of high school and is typically the “clincher” when a prospect and family are narrowing down their final choices. These visits provide a great opportunity for the family to witness first-hand, how the entire process (social interaction with team, team practice, attending classes, living in the dormitories etc.) operates from a “production” standpoint.

Proactive Tips

• Telephone contact: College coaches are bound by very strict rules to when and how often they are permitted to contact prospects (In most sports beginning July 1 following the junior year in high school). On the other hand, prospects and families have virtually no limitations here. My suggestion is simply this: If you plan to call the Coach, make sure you have a good reason and you are well prepared!
• E-mail: Probably the most effective means of communicating with the college coaches. Coaches can begin initiating e-mail contact beginning September 1st in the prospects junior year in high school. I suggest not waiting until then to determine the volume of e-mail in your inbox…Get on the radar early!
• Face to Face Contact: There is no better way to present oneself than through a face to face meeting. Remember, for this to happen before July 1 following the junior year, the family and prospect must arrange an on campus, unofficial visit.
• Control the Field: As a former college Coach I remember clearly the edge I had over families and their children during the recruiting process. That said, I suggest making a concerted effort to continually grow an educational awareness of NCAA procedures and develop a clear plan to how your personal college search quest will proceed. Remember…This is a major “life decision” our children will make.

I have learned that when prospects and families are choosing between schools, the well-informed individuals reached their decision with relative ease. The decision was based not only on the information they gathered and the commitment to prepare thoroughly, but on a feeling of self-confidence that developed naturally after putting a well-designed plan into action.

This article is only the “tip of the iceberg” of information you should gather before launching your college search effort. An educational approach where we see the brass ring and understand how to bridge the gap between start and finish will not only give families “their” edge in college recruiting, it will make it an enjoyable and a memorable journey.

Tom Kovic is a former 19 year head coach at Penn and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2011 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Effective Communication with College Coaches: The Introduction

2010-12-06T09:09:00.001-08:00

Effective Communication with College Coaches: The Introduction

By Tom Kovic

If there is one area of the college recruiting process that stands above the rest, I believe it is the way prospects effectively communicate with college coaches. Let’s face it, the majority of boy’s and girls in any given active recruiting pool will not be blue chip prospects and a reluctance to proactively communicate with college coaches will oftentimes result in an undertow that will likely drag a prospect and family backward in the college search. Below are simple tips to consider when making an introductory contact with college coaches.

Define Yourself

Before you take the plunge and either pickup the phone or e-mail college coaches I strongly suggest you take the time to define who you are. This may appear on the outside as a daunting task, but once you wrap your arms around it and understand the importance of self awareness in college recruiting the easier it gets…And it’s fun!

Remember, first impressions are always remembered and you want to prepare best for the initial communication with the coaches. The simplest way to define you is by developing a personal profile or resume. Keep it to 1 page and clearly list your academic, athletic and personal accomplishments during the past 2 years. Include an area at the top that lists your contact information and an action photo. Accomplish this task and you’re half way there!

Know Yourself

Now that you have yourself defined on paper, be proud of what you see. Think about it for a moment…You have poured countless hours of sweat, frustration and glory into your training and sometimes it’s nice to smell the roses and give yourself a proverbial pat on the back!

OK, you have yourself neatly defined; you are happy with what you see, but now you need to know it, engrain it and make it a driving part of developing your college quest momentum. Remember, there are 3 qualities that college coaches are looking for in prospects: Fine students, strong athletes and self-aware individuals who bring a strong character component to the table. When you connect with the college coaches you do not want to “hope” to know yourself, you have to be able to express yourself seamlessly and with confidence.

Initial E-mail
Coaches receive hundreds and hundreds of emails from high school prospects and they develop personal filtering systems to root out prospects to place in their active recruiting file. The college search for athletes is tremendously competitive and you will need to prepare your e-mail communication carefully and with the intent to easily assist the college coach in doing an initial evaluation.

I suggest crafting your initial e-mail by using the following rule of thumb: Keep it simple, short and informative. You don’t have much time to make an impression, so make your effort count. Let the Coach know who you are, where you are from, what high school you attend and the year you will graduate. Let Coach know you are excited with the college search and that you have sincere interest in his program. Depending on the year you are currently in high school, I encourage you to let Coach know you will follow-up the e-mail with a phone call in the very near future. But remember…Do what you say you are going to do!

Phone follow-up

Communicating with college coaches by e-mail has a chance in being effective, but unless you are that blue chip kid that many coaches are evaluating, you will need to roll your sleeves up and get busy. Remember, college coaches are receiving hundreds or recruiting correspondences and they simply do not have the time to respond to all of them. Taking a proactive effort in “keeping the ball alive” will give you the best chance in moving forward.

NCAA rules clearly restrict (most coaches) from initiating phone contact with prospects until July after the completion of the junior year. Although this is true, it does not preclude the prospect from calling the Coach and discuss your sincere initial interest in his program. You need to be well prepared for this conversation and don’t just call to say hello! Develop a short bullet list of topics you want to cover and practice your delivery until you reach a comfort level before calling Coach.

Frequency in Communication

Is there a point where a prospect can force too much communication with the college coaches? Yes! You don’t want to ping them incessantly, but you do want to keep them posted with significant updates (academic and athletic) and with specific intentions (unofficial campus visits etc.) without bugging them.

How frequently you communicate with the coaches also depends on what high school year you are in, the sport you play and the season you participate. So, as an example, if it is September and you are a junior in high school and play lacrosse, it would be a good idea to keep the coaches posted every 2-3 weeks regarding your fall tournaments, updated PSAT scores and interest in making a campus visit in October.

Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the decision made by the coach to pursue a prospect. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.

If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

Tom Kovic is the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. He is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. Kovic delivers college recruiting presentations nationwide and he is a regular contributor to several online magazines and professional organizations. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com

Launching the College Athletics Recruiting Effort

2010-10-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Launching the College Athletics Recruiting Effort

By Tom Kovic

The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match students’ desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential.

Whether it happens to be that long awaited home improvement project, saving for a summer vacation or preparing for retirement, I think we can agree that any worthy project will go through a “launch phase.” This phase consists of a time of dreaming, planning and targeting specific time-lines to hit as you begin to “execute” your plan. The same holds true in the college search for athletes and below are snapshots of general suggestions that might just help you along the way.

Gather Information

Gathering information is critical to the successful organization of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Begin by gathering information on the student-athletes colleges of choice including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on these favorite college programs.

Develop your initial college list

This is where the fun begins! You have built an initial knowledge foundation about the college search and you have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for in a college experience. Now it’s time to develop a grouping of institutions that potentially meet that end.

Peterson’s College Search (www.petersons.com/collegesearch) is a great resource where you can input specific information about what you are looking for in a 4 year college experience and up comes a listing of colleges and universities that initially “match.” Investigate both the general and athletic college websites. From there you can begin to put together a more detailed list of coaches and their contact information.

Build your Team

Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor could all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances in navigating the college search with confidence. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.

By selecting the team approach, the responsibilities are equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out and communication between the team members should be frequent and consistent. This will help streamline the college quest and assist in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.

Define Yourself: The Profile

It is important to streamline your portfolio into a comprehensive and efficient format that stands above the rest. Keep your profile simple, neat and professionally formatted. Make the job of initial evaluation easy for the college coach by highlighting pertinent information including:

• Personal and school contact information
• Academic standing, awards, and test results
• Physical characteristics
• Athletic clubs and level, showcase tournaments, and elite camps
• Athletic Statistics, Records, and Awards
• Mission Statement
• Coach’s Comments

Show your Stuff: The Video

A videotape, DVD or web stream are means of developing a first impression and trust me when I say that first impressions are remembered. Typically, a coach will roughly evaluate a recruit within the first 2 minutes of a video. They need to! Along with the hundreds of profiles, they are also being bombarded with hundreds of videos!

Make your video succinct, professional, and yet attention grabbing. Keep in mind that as individual collegiate sports differ, it is important to communicate with the individual college coaches about their requirements for DVD footage.

Develop your Plan

A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.

Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending competitions) and continue with more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as time progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the recruiting process.

Similar to a NASA Space Shuttle launch, the beginning phase of any college recruiting plan will be time consuming, demanding and require the greatest effort. That said, once you break free of that “gravity” and you remain persistent with your plan, you will give yourself the best chance in building and maintaining momentum toward your ultimate goal.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Rising above temporary setbacks in the college search for athletes

2010-10-05T10:19:00.001-07:00

Rising above temporary setbacks in the college search for athletes

By Tom Kovic

The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. In addition, one’s mental approach to the college search, especially when checkered with roadblocks, can make the difference between a fair and a great experience. What follows is a “snapshot” on how prospects and families can proactively prepare for and effectively deal with personal setbacks that will undoubtedly surface along the way.

College recruiting roadblocks come in different shapes and sizes. Whether it is a direct communication from Coach to inform you his athletic scholarships have been exhausted, or a difficult phone call to inform you that you just don’t have what it takes to impact his team, a good college coach will be honest and forthcoming with prospects and families.

If you happen to be that blue chip athlete that most coaches have their sites on, your recruiting effort will likely have fewer barriers. Conversely, if you are the prospect who sits in the “mid-pack” of athletes where recruiting is brutally competitive’ you will need to prepare better and more effectively to rise above the rest.

As a college advisor for athletes I use a number of exercises to help my families organize for the best and prepare for the worst. Presenting yourself as a worthy candidate needs to be at the top of the list and this can be done in many ways. Whether it is by developing an easy to read personal profile, streaming an eye catching highlight clip, or by cultivating a solid relationship with a college coach through regular communication, the manner in which you present yourself will determine the level of “grip” your recruiting effort will have.

Develop Thick Skin

OK. You have brilliantly crafted your recruiting plan and you are regularly providing the coaches with academic, athletic and personal updates and you have made an unofficial visit to campus. You are feeling confident about the effort you have made and you’re confident it will have some impact. Unfortunately, this is 50% of the battle and the next question is simply…How does Coach see me?

There are going to be some tough questions you will eventually present college coaches, especially when it comes to roster availability, admissions support and financial aid. Before you jump in, I suggest you firstly develop some “tough skin.” Compare the recruiting process to a job interview and I think you’ll see my point. If you have lined up 10 job interviews and they all go brilliantly, do you think you will receive 10 offers? Probably not. Just as the company’s you will eventually interview with, the college coaches are looking for specific candidates to fit specific roles.

If a college coach has to communicate bad news to a prospect, it is not because you have a character flaw and you should never take bad news personally. Considering the volume of recruits that coaches are cultivating, they need to develop a filtering system that will help them trim down their list to a more manageable grouping. A good college coach will be upfront with families and offer truthful and honest communication from start to finish.

Letting go and moving forward

If and when (and you most likely will) receive that phone call from Coach explaining politely that you will no longer be part of the active list of recruits, you have to be able to accept it, let go and move forward. There is no doubt that this can be a hurtful moment, but the prospect that has the ability to “take it,” saddle up and get back “in the moment,” will have a greater chance in grabbing that brass ring.

Everything in this world happens for a reason and where one family may see a negative experience as devastating; another family will see it as an opportunity. One prospect might break down from bad news, while another athlete will rise up, a little tougher, with a little more drive and determination to move on.

For most prospects and families, the college search will not be a straight line, nor will it be a downhill run in finding that right college match. In most cases, it will be a struggle and in that struggle will be intangible life lessons to be learned, hurdles to cross and heartaches to suffer, but in the end and with a proper and realistic approach, the right match is out there and waiting for you to snatch.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting (www.victoryrecruiting.com), where he provides advisement and counseling for prospective student-athletes and families in preparing for the college search.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Dynamic Exchange in Communicating with College Athletic Coaches By Tom Kovic

2010-07-15T12:12:00.001-07:00

Dynamic Exchange in Communicating with College Athletic Coaches

By Tom Kovic

Whenever I lecture on college athletics recruiting, a primary area I focus on is using “deliberate” communication with college coaches in an effort to build sincere personal relationships. Although eligibility, financial aid and contacts and evaluations are all very important, I am convinced the area of communication is very important to the likelihood of success in the college search for athletes.

I choose the phrase “dynamic exchange” to help differentiate between normal communication and effective communication with college coaches. The aim is simple: Whenever you communicate with college coaches you want to create “impact” and with the aim of continuing the momentum you have developed in advancing your recruiting effort.

Dynamic and Exchange (Defined)

Dynamic: 1. adj. active, energetic, capable of giving a sense of power and transmitting energy.

Exchange: n. the giving or receiving of one thing in return for something else.

If we view the college recruiting process from its simplistic state, I think we can agree that in the end, both coaches and prospects are looking for the right match. That said, I strongly feel that the prospect and family that are willing to develop a “give and take” and an “ebb and flow” strategy in developing their recruiting tactics will have the best chance in carving out their college search…And with communication as the tool.

Preparation

Remember, college coaches have their sites set on recruiting and retaining the top prospects on their list, but as they move down the list they will be looking for “grey area components” that divide the best from the rest and they need your help.

Whether it is an on campus visit, phone conversation, or e-mail correspondence with the coaches…Make it count. The old adage is true: Measure twice, cut once. The better prepared we are before we communicate with college coaches, the more tangible the results will be. College coaches are grounded, common sense individuals who pick up on the little things that can make a big difference.

Practice

Practicing communication skills is the same as doing your homework or spending 4 hours working drills in the gym or on the playing field. The more diligent and sincere your effort, the better prepared you will be to communicate with confidence. Remember, the manner in which you express yourself, your interests and your intent can have a direct effect on the level of interest college coaches will offer.

Keep accurate contact logs of all phone calls, e-mails and face-to-face contacts you have with college coaches. This will help families organize information that will assist them in future planning. It will also help prepare follow-up communication that will generate fresh “action” items to be discussed in future contacts.

Cultivating relationships

If you want to separate yourself from the rest of the recruiting pack, then I strongly suggest you make it your goal to communicate with college coaches about your sincere interest in their program. If you give the coaches every reason to believe that you are attempting to cultivate a reciprocal relationship with them, it sends a positive signal that will, in most cases, cause Coach to take a second look at your recruiting file.

Remember, there are three key qualities college coaches are looking for in prospects: Quality students, strong athletes and kids that bring a high character component to the table. Never underestimate the character component in your recruiting effort. It could very well be your ace in the hole.

The “scratch your head” syndrome

If you are that “blue chip” kid that most college coaches are pursuing, your recruiting journey will probably be a little less bumpy. On the other hand, if you are grouped into the active recruiting file of prospects that need to compete more aggressively for athletic scholarship, an admissions component or walk-on opportunity, you need to go above and beyond and find a way to rise above the rest.

The “scratch your head syndrome” is a typical crossroads most college recruiters approach each year and with few exception. They are either stumped to how their recruiting list should be ranked, or, for some reason, they are giving a prospect a second and third look for intangible reasons. They are “scratching their head” in a worthy struggle to give a kid every opportunity to fit into the “team puzzle” and it typically happens with prospects and families who have pushed the envelope in their recruiting effort.

I encourage every family and athlete I work with to begin with the end game and work backwards to the beginning of the college search. Just like that magical season, win or lose, you can proudly look back and say you gave it your best shot. The same should hold true in the college search and using dynamic communication with college coaches that has “grip” will open up new and exciting parts of your character that coaches will pick up on and appreciate greatly.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I Head College Coach and President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

College Athletics Recruiting: The Initial Assessment

2010-06-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

College Athletics Recruiting: The Initial Assessment

By Tom Kovic

Organization is an important component in the college search for athletes and completing a college bound assessment for what you would like to achieve is a great way to start! Think of the assessment as the seed you want to plant to grow your recruiting effort. What grows will be determined by how you cultivate it from start to finish.

Looking at the “big picture” can be a tall task for most high school athletes, but if you can begin with the end game in mind and work backwards in developing your personal plan for success, you will most likely run into the college assessment near the beginning of the checklist.

Assessment Defined

I use a generic assessment with each of the prospects I advise and I have to tell you, it works beautifully. The questions may be the same, but the answers are very different for each athlete and exciting for me to read. Simply defined, the assessment is a tool that should provide prospects and families with a broad aim to the direction their college quest will take.

As an advisor for athletes, my assessment questions are equally loaded on the academic and athletic side, with additional emphasis on the social and cultural component. Basically, I’m trying to get a feel about the college experience my boys and girls are currently aiming for based on academic strength, athletic level, geographic location and undergraduate makeup.

Assessment Questions

My initial assessment goal is simple: Get the kids “thinking for themselves.” Not only is this a necessary skill to determine potential college choices for my families, college coaches pick up on kids that have a grasp on the recruiting process. Remember, there are 3 important qualities college coaches are looking for in a recruit…Good students, strong athletes and self aware individuals. Below are 10 questions I feel will “fuel the tank” and kick start the college search:

1. Describe in 2-3 sentences how you envision the college experience best unfolding for you?
2. Are you looking for a school environment that is Urban, Rural, or College Town?
3 How far are you willing to travel from home to attend college?
4 How important is the athletics “component” of the college experience? Are you looking for a true “student-athlete” experience?
5 Are you looking for a college environment that will “push you” or allow you to “explore” independent options?
6 Are you looking for a small, medium or large undergraduate population?
7 What area of educational studies are you leaning toward?
8 What excites you most about the college experience?
9 What worries you most?
10 Are you willing to take personal responsibility for every independent decision you make as part of the college experience?

Direction

The answers to the assessment questions should now provide the prospect and family with a general idea about the type of institution they are aiming toward. Now it’s time to draw up an initial list of colleges!

I use the Naviance network, which is an awesome tool that allows me, based on the assessment information the prospect filled in, to determine an initial grouping of schools that potentially match with the prospect. From here I simply plug pertinent college recruiting information (website, coaches contact information etc.) into an Excel spreadsheet for easy reference. Now the prospect is ready to accomplish 2 tasks: Investigate the college list and communicate directly with the college coaches.

Ebb and Flow

As families navigate the college recruiting process, it is natural to experience highs and lows, moments of exhilaration and frustration and everything in between. You learn to develop tough skin quickly!

As prospects become more familiar with the recruiting process; communicate more effectively with the college coaches and develop a resourceful educational base of information about the college search, the “ships heading” will naturally change. Slightly at first, but it will surely change! A simple “road trip” to a college on your “C” list can become an eye opening experience where you connected strongly with the Coach, with campus and grow a greater appreciation for the overall experience. I believe we need to be open to each new opportunity in the college search and meet that opportunity head on.

Defining a “starting point” in the college search for athletes will not only initiate direction to the project, it gives it purpose and the initial assessment is a great way to assist in creating “lift-off.”

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting and “NCAA Rules Simplified.” For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

USA Project 2012

2010-05-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Project 2012: a Web Event for Coaches, highlighting
the essential techniques for gymnastics success in the next
quadrennium. This web event brings the best coaches in the United
States to your computer screen doing LIVE lectures and demonstrations
on the most important cutting-edge information in our sport.
...
NEW! 2010 Summer Sessions begin June 15! Sign up for for one session at $199 or all four at $699.

TERM 1: June 15 - July 13 •
TERM 2: July 20 - August 17
Terms 1 & 2 will be Tuesday evenings, 6pm PST / 9pm EST

TERM 3: August 24 - September 21 •
TERM 4: September 28 - October 26
Terms 3 & 4 will be Tuesday mornings, 9am PST / 12pm EST

Working the “Grey Areas” in the College Search for Athletes

2010-05-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

Working the “Grey Areas” in the College Search for Athletes

By Tom Kovic

The college search for athletes is a very “individual” quest. A winning strategy for one prospect could be a losing strategy for another. I think we can all agree that when it comes to recruiting, the “blue chip” kids are going to be found…It’s just a matter of when.

That being said, the majority of the prospects looking for a home on a college campus and as part of a varsity team are NOT the blue chip kids. Firstly, this needs to be understood and realized. Secondly, these prospects need to develop and execute a separate plan of attack and begin to tackle what I call the “grey areas” of recruiting.

When I speak of grey areas, I am alluding to alternative tactics that could strongly assist families and their children reach a little higher and with a better chance of success in the college search.

Self Realization
A great way to start the process is to do an objective evaluation as a prospective student-athlete. Based on your current core courses, GPA and standardized testing, take the time to realistically define yourself “in the moment” from an academic standpoint

Use the same exercise and do a critical athletics evaluation. Are you that star on the horizon? That hard working, dedicated athlete who contributes on occasion to the team? Or are you somewhere in between?

Target your schools
Based on this evaluation, it’s time to develop your “rough list” of potential college institutions that match. I suggest sitting down with your guidance counselor, who most likely has access to the Naviance network that allows you to plug specific information (potential major, geographic location, size of undergraduate population, sport information) into the system. In a matter of seconds, up comes a listing of schools that potentially meets your criteria.

Next, begin to develop a listing of college websites (list both the academic and athletic websites) in an effort to “take a look under the hood” and explore a variety of colleges and universities that potentially match.

Gather Specific Information
OK. You have poked around on a number of college websites and have gotten a “feel” for each institution. Now it’s time to divide and conquer! I suggest creating two lists for the schools that have peaked your interest (A file) and for the schools that are still “in the running” (B file) and develop a specific contact list (Coach’s name, e-mail, phone number) for each school.

Communicate
If there is one area of college recruiting that, in my mind, stands above the rest in importance, its effective communication with college coaches. This is a critical “grey area” component that you need to practice and develop over time. Whether it is initiating phone contact with the recruiting coordinator, grammar checks on written or electronic correspondence, or face to face meetings, the prospect that makes a sincere commitment to be at the top of his game will have a better chance in remaining on Coach’s radar.

Organize
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit and the attainment of important goals. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize information regarding this process and execute well-designed plans.

Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending tournaments) and continue to move forward with more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as your search progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.

Persistence
The one common thread that helps weave my college quest plans for the families I work with is the necessity to embrace persistence as a critical tool in the recruiting arsenal from start to finish. Some believe a persistent approach in college recruiting will be viewed by college coaches as a "pushy" attempt to get on the radar and it could come across this way if your approach is not well planned and carefully executed.
The rule of thumb here is simple: Coaches want to hear from prospects and considering the tight latitude they have in communicating with our kids, coaches’ welcome and encourage them to drop an e-mail or pick up the phone and call. That said, it is equally important for prospects to have a realistic view of their potential athletic contribution to a particular program.
You have the drive and the desire to take your athletic talent to the next level. You are confident and dedicated to participate as part of a college program and making your athletic pursuit an important compliment to your overall college experience. You are half way there!
Remember, your college search is a personal quest, where maintaining “momentum” will make the difference between a fair and great college recruiting experience. Don’t be afraid to work the “grey areas” of the recruiting process and leave nothing to chance. Make the commitment to treat the college search as you would treat your goal to experience a championship season and you will give yourself the best chance in grabbing the brass ring.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting and “NCAA Rules Simplified.” For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Avoiding Culture Shock in College Athletics Recruiting By Tom Kovic

2010-04-18T17:06:00.001-07:00

Avoiding Culture Shock in College Athletics Recruiting

By Tom Kovic

Like it or not, we are a society of rapid change and the rate we effectively adapt to that change can make the difference between a good and great experience. The same holds true in college athletics recruiting. The question is: How do we come to grip with this rapidly mounting culture shock in the college quest for athletes?

Today’s college athletic climate is much different than it was 30 years ago. Coaches are under tremendous pressure to achieve two important goals: win and raise money. The one directly affects the other and successful recruitment is the college coach’s key that unlocks the door.

The college search for athletes has accelerated to new heights compared to 30 years ago when I was a 2 sport prospect. It has become a “force” that needs to be understood, accepted and embraced if families and young athletes plan to grab the brass ring and reach their goals.

This new culture has effected the majority of today’s prospects and families largely and simply because it is “new” and for the unprepared visitor, it can be a bewildering and frustrating journey. Gaining a working understanding, for instance, of the current NCAA rules is one thing…An altogether different skill to hone is to understand how each individual college coach “ticks” and where you, as a prospect, register on the radar. Remember, even the slightest “misread” while communicating with college coaches, could derail a prospects recruiting plan.

Is this an exaggeration? I do not think so. Am I trying to drive fear into recruits and their families? No…I am just trying to get your attention! That said, if we embrace the change around us, along with the acceleration that the college recruiting process has reached, we at least get a clearer idea of the “real” landscape and with that, we position ourselves better to develop more accurate plans of attack.

Education

Gathering information is critical to the successful organization and navigation of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Start by gathering information on potential colleges of choice including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on your favorite college programs. Learn the NCAA rules as it applies to recruiting and eligibility (you can access the NCAA college manuals at: www.ncaa.org). Remember, an informed and educated consumer will have the best chance at success.

Communication: The critical link

Effective communication between the family and college coaches is an important component in determining your final college choice. If your mission is clear, the manner in which you communicate becomes the vehicle that drives your plan forward in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

Communication should be initiated early on by the family, and preferably by the prospect. Coaches are bound by very strict contact rules, but a prospect may call or e-mail a coach at any time, with rare exceptions. An initial letter of introduction is a great way to begin, but follow-up by e-mail and by phone is equally important. The point here is simply: Prospects who practices “persistence with respect” when communicating with coaches will have a better chance in grabbing their attention.

Proactive Contacts

I believe many prospects are under the assumption that the college coaches will routinely contact them by phone or by e-mail in an attempt to recruit them. This may be true for some prospects, but for the majority of athletes who are waiting for the phone to ring, it could be a long wait. Coaches are initially recruiting hundreds of prospects and need to utilize a filtering system to organize their list into a manageable and functional grouping.

Whether you communicate by phone, email or face to face, “preparation” is the operative word. When you are well prepared to communicate with the college coaches, your level of self confidence increases, your communication has “grip” and the coaches sense this. Remember, college coaches are certainly looking to attract the best student-athletes, but just as important, they are looking for self aware individuals who bring potential leadership skills to the table.

Getting inside the “Head” Coach’s Head

College coaches are under tremendous pressure to not only manage a successful athletics program, but to win consistently and often. In short, college athletics is big business and the head coach is seen by his AD as the CEO of an organization that must succeed.

That being said, I think it is important for folks to get a glimpse of the head coach from a mental and emotional standpoint and make an effort to get inside their heads!

Coaches and recruiting coordinators work tirelessly to prepare for each new recruiting cycle, sometimes years in advance. They have to. Competition for the top scholar-athletes is fierce. Simply put, the better prepared and persistent the coach is, the greater the chances of matriculating a winning class.

The volume of information that college coaches receive annually is overwhelming and growing. They not only need a system to filter all of this stuff, they need help from the prospects and families. Whether it is submitting your introductory e-mail with profile attachment of initiating phone contact with Coach about a pending tournament, the rule of thumb is simple: Keep it short, sweet and make sure your communication has value.

Gaining an understanding and appreciation of the ever changing college athletics climate is essential to a productive college quest. As daunting as this “culture shock” may appear, there are resources that surround us that will help us understand this accelerated change in college recruiting. By taking a grounded, educational and persistent position in building and executing a well designed plan of attack, we give our boys and girls the best chance at success.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com).

Copyright © 2009 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Successful Independent Search in the College Recruiting Process By Tom Kovic

2010-03-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

Independent navigation in college recruiting can be a daunting effort. Whether it’s investigating NCAA rules and recruiting time-lines or developing and implementing tactics to “get on the radar” of the college coaches on your “A” list of schools, an organized and informed approach to the college quest will give prospects and families the best chance at success.

Gather Information
Gathering information is critical to the successful organization of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Begin by gathering information on the potential colleges of choice, including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic options. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on these favorite college programs.

Set Goals and Develop Your Plan
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of important goals. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.

Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending tournaments) and continue to move forward with more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as your search progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.

Run the Offense (Execute)
OK. Your plans are complete, well constructed and clearly spelled out in a language everyone understands. Your calendar is updated and you have listed everything from the next round of SAT’s to the fall homecoming dance! Now it’s time to take the plunge.

You can have the best organized and most highly detailed approach to the college quest, but it won’t amount to a hill of beans if you lack confidence, the desire, and the ability to “execute the plan.” If your strategy is to wait by the phone for the coach to call, in most cases, it’s going to be a long wait. Top prospects will get their fair share of attention, but the majority of athletes will increase their chances in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches by taking a proactive stance and initiating communication with college coaches.

College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact and evaluation rules that limit them in initiating contact with prospective student-athletes and their families. What few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, prospects may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with very few exceptions

Persistence
The dictionary definition of persistence is: Continuing in spite of opposition; Enduring, lasting or recurrent. In a nutshell, I feel strongly that a persistent effort in every aspect of the college search for athletes will, in the end, give them and their families the greatest chance at success.
The one common thread that helps weave my college quest plans for the families I work with is the necessity to embrace persistence as a critical tool in the recruiting arsenal from start to finish. Some believe a persistent approach in college recruiting will be viewed by college coaches as a "pushy" attempt to get on the radar. It could come across this way if your approach is not well planned and carefully executed.
The rule of thumb here is simple: Coaches want to hear from prospects and considering the tight latitude they have in communicating with prospects, coaches’ welcome and encourage kids to drop them an e-mail or pick up the phone and call. That said, it is equally important for prospects to have a realistic view of their potential athletic contribution to a particular program.
Work as a Team
The team approach during the college athletics recruiting process is suggested to maximize efficiency and minimize individual pressure and stress as families navigate a potentially daunting effort. Forming a trustworthy group of individuals who play specific roles during the recruiting cycle will increase your chances of reaching pre-determined goals.
When working your recruiting plan within a team (prospect, parents, club/high school coach, and college advisor) dynamic, the responsibility in effectively executing your recruiting plan is equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out, and communication between team members should be often and consistent. This will help streamline the complete operation of the project and assist the family in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.

You have the drive and the desire to take your athletic talent to the next level. You are confident and dedicated to participating as part of a college team and making your athletic pursuit an important compliment to your overall college experience. You are half way there. Remember, your college search is a personal quest, where maintaining “momentum” will make the difference between a fair and great college recruiting experience. Leave nothing to chance and make the commitment to treat the college search as you would treat your goal to experience a championship season.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and President of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting and 120 Q and A’s about College Athletics Recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright © 2010 Victory Collegiate Consulting. All Rights Reserved.

Jonathan Horton at NEI 2010

2010-01-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Jonthan Horton, World Champion and Olympic Gymnast, gave out awards at DGS' 2010 NEI in Hartford, CT on Sunday, January 17, 2010.

DGS 2010 NorthEast Invite

2010-01-19T13:19:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of the teams winners of “The Spirit of the Sport Award” in Memory of Joan Hicks.

Also, Congratulations to Alexandria Bishop of Shoreline Gymnastics in Connecticut ...the winner of the free week at the USGTC camp and ticket to Visa Championships!!

Persistence: A Critical Component in College Recruiting

2010-01-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

Persistence: A Critical Component in College Recruiting
By Tom Kovic

The dictionary definition of persistence is: Continuing in spite of opposition; Enduring, lasting or recurrent. In a nutshell, I feel strongly that a persistent effort in every aspect of the college search for athletes will, in the end, give prospects and their families the greatest chance at success.
I work with athletes throughout the country in assisting them in putting their plans together for the college search. From place kickers in Southern California to midfield lacrosse players from Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the one common thread that helps weave my college quest plans for the families I work with is the necessity to embrace persistence as a critical tool in the recruiting arsenal from start to finish.
Competition in the college quest for athletes has increased dramatically during the past 15 years. Whether you are looking for an athletic scholarship or attempting to gain assistance in admission to an academically select, non-scholarship institution, it is important to plan strategically and have the courage to approach this challenge in ways you might think are contrary to your current thinking.
As a former college coach, I valued greatly the importance of effective recruiting in an attempt to grow my program to the next level. I certainly desired a team that could win championships, but I grew to appreciate more, the importance of attracting athletes who brought a high level of personal integrity to the table. I was after potential “strong links” in an already worthy and dedicated team chain.
Some believe a persistent approach in college recruiting will be viewed by college coaches as a "pushy" attempt to get on the radar. It could come across this way if your approach is not well planned and carefully executed. The rule of thumb here is simple: Coaches want to hear from prospects and considering the tight latitude they have in communicating with prospects, coaches’ welcome and encourage kids to drop them an e-mail or pick up the phone and call.
Prospects and families should avoid calling coaches just to say "hello." I always encourage the students I advise to orchestrate their communication with coaches in a way that will advance the relationship and maintain momentum in the recruiting process. It needs to have "grip."
Whether you are sharing information with Coach about a sensational game you had over the weekend, or your math score on the SAT that jumped 30 points, give Coach something that will grab his attention and make your personal profile shine a little brighter.
Maintaining a persistent approach in the college recruiting process is a very broad concept. Below are just a few examples where exercising a persistent approach will assist athletes navigate the college search with more confidence:
• Initiate primary contact with college coaches. For example: Develop a personal profile and attach it to a well constructed introductory e-mail.
• The recruiting process is a journey that requires constant effort where "follow-up” in every communication is essential.
• Coaches are bound to very strict contact rules as it applies to recruiting. Prospects and families on the other hand, have very little restrictions when it comes to initiating contact with coaches. Get the ball rolling.
• If you plan to initiate a phone call to a college coach, it may take you up to 10 try's before you connect. Do not get frustrated!
• If you plan to attend a showcase or tournament where several coaches on your "A" list of schools will be in attendance, don't "hope" they will be evaluating you... Let them know you will be there and encourage them to observe you.
• If you happen to be a senior and you are a bit behind in the college search, cultivate a relationship with the coaches and always be sincere in your interest in their institution. You will position yourself best when you reach the point in asking Coach if you can take take that overnight visit to campus and spend time with the team.
Maintaining a persistent and diligent approach in college recruiting can be both frustrating and daunting. In most cases, it takes courage, mental toughness and the ability to develop thick skin! What seems tremendously unfamiliar in the beginning stages of developing this habit will become more comfortable with practice and time and soon you will realize that coaches are educators, moms, dads and just plain, regular people. They “know the score” and only want the best for prospects as they move forward in the college search.

Tom Kovic is the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. He is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. Kovic delivers college recruiting presentations nationwide and he is a regular contributor to several online magazines and professional organizations. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com

John Deary with Women's World Championships

2009-12-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

John Deary, Pres. of DGS with the Women's World Championship team during their visit to Connecticut.

They were on a promotional tour promoting Visa Championships at the XL Center in Hartford in August 2010 and the Tyson American Cup in March in Worcester, Mass at the DCU Center.

Watch for more info on both of these fantastic events on our website and our facebook fans pages.

Striking the Balance in Communication with College Coaches

2009-12-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

Striking the Balance in Communication with College Coaches

By Tom Kovic

Effective communication between the family and college coaches can be a critical component to the final choice in the college search. If your mission is clear, the manner in which you communicate becomes the vehicle that will move your plan forward in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

Communication should be initiated early on by the family, and preferably by the prospect. For example, a prospect may call or e-mail a coach at any time, with rare exceptions. An initial letter of introduction is a great way to begin, but follow-up by e-mail and by phone is very important. The important point here is simply: Prospects who practices “persistence with respect” when communicating with coaches will have a better chance in grabbing their attention.

If there is a proverbial “red flag” when it comes to communication, I can say with confidence that “calling just for the sake of calling” will not carry much weight with college coaches. Coaches are looking for information that will drive your chances in remaining in the “A” recruiting file. Whether it is news about improved scores on your ACT exam, or an invitation to a select tournament, give the coaches something that has “grip” and you will improve your chances in boosting your ranking on Coach’s recruiting chart.

I use the term “striking a balance” in communicating with college coaches to develop awareness in prospects and families that effective communication with college coaches is important for two reasons. First, by developing well planned information that is pertinent to the college search, the prospect sends a clear message to college coaches that he is well prepared. Secondly, coaches are keen to the importance of time management, and considering the hundreds of potential prospects they work with at any given time; coaches appreciate and will remember the effort prospects make in using communication as an effective recruiting tool.

Communication is critical to cultivating relationships with college coaches, and the better prepared you are; the better you will clearly define yourself and your goals in the eyes of college coaches. This skill will especially help prospects who are in a “gray” area on the coach’s radar and depending on where you rank on the priority chart; well planned communication could make the defining difference between being “in” or “out.”

Practicing communication skills is the same as doing your homework or spending 4 hours working drills in the gym or on the playing field. The more diligent and sincere your effort, the better prepared you will be in effectively sending and receiving information. Remember, the manner in which you express yourself, your interests and your intent can have a direct effect on the level of interest the college coach will offer.

Keep accurate contact logs of all phone calls, e-mails, face-to-face contacts you have with college coaches. This will help families organize information that will assist in future planning. It will also help prepare follow-up communication that will generate fresh “action” items to be discussed during future contacts.

In addition, placing attention on the “little things” like sending personal, handwritten thank-you notes to coaches after a campus visit can make a difference. This personal touch can go a long way, especially if you are on the “bubble” of Coach’s priority list… Small efforts add up in the final analysis.

Remember, the college recruiting process is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It should be an effort that is tactical, well planned and with the aim of cultivating sincere relationships with the college coaches. Prospects who embrace this tool as an important part of their recruiting arsenal will give themselves the greatest chance at success.

Tom Kovic is the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. He is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. Kovic delivers college recruiting presentations nationwide and he is a regular contributor to several online magazines and professional organizations. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com

Greg Stamatov: “Renaissance Man”, By Tom Kovic

2009-11-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

Over the past six months, I have had the privilege to work with a fine young man from Foxboro, Massachusetts as he prepares for the college quest. Greg Stamatov is a sophomore at Foxboro High School where he is a multi-sport athlete excelling at football, ice hockey and lacrosse. As a sophomore, Greg is at a crossroad in his high school athletic career and he feels the need to focus more energy into one sport in an effort to strongly develop the skill needed to play at the division 1 NCAA level.

As a highly touted goal tender (Greg was recently named to the 2009 Inside Lacrosse Rising Sophomore Watch list) with a keen eye in pursuing a true “student-athlete” experience, Greg is beginning to organize his personal college search plan. And with the help of his mom and dad, along with his lacrosse coaches, Greg is aiming high in an effort to attract attention from a number of the top college lacrosse programs.

Considering the level of competitiveness in the college recruiting arena, Greg shows great maturity and keen foresight for a young man. He realizes and accepts the fact that college coaches are looking to recruit strong student-athletes, but what Greg is beginning to equally embrace and appreciate is the fact that he offers even more to lacrosse programs and college coaches and “ups the ante” by just being the young man he is.

Greg recently launched a not for profit organization named LAX General that focuses on providing used and donated lacrosse equipment to communities and potential players who would normally not have the funds or budget to purchase equipment outright, or have the resources to begin a lacrosse program.

Greg’s mission statement is simple but compelling:

“The aim of Lax General will be to entitle anyone to obtain equipment to play lacrosse. Lacrosse is a very expensive sport and it can be difficult to purchase all the necessary equipment to play. Although not everyone can meet the expenses to participate in lacrosse, everyone should have the opportunity to play.

Lax General will collect used and unwanted/unneeded lacrosse equipment for redistribution to those who can’t afford new equipment. This will provide young athletes that want to participate, but can’t afford it, a chance to play a great sport.”

“I have played lacrosse for nine years now and I have received help, advice, and great coaching thanks to the fast growing lacrosse nation. There is an endless list to people I have to thank, but now, it’s time to give back to the lacrosse nation.” Greg continues: “Lax General is a non-profit organization that puts equipment in the hands of those in need of it. Lax General is also how I’m going to “give back” to the lacrosse nation I love the sport and I think that everyone that wants a shot at it deserves one. I can see Lax General being a productive and constructive program reaching out to multiple communities.”

With the help of John Stamatov, Greg’s dad, Greg hopes to plant the seed of his newly formed organization in the surrounding Boston area. Through these contacts, Greg hopes that LAX General will find a greater number of young boys and girls who want to explore the sport of lacrosse and at no additional cost to the families or the community.

“I’m thrilled Greg has found a way to give back to the community and link it to something he is passionate about.” John says. “I believe too many kids get involved in community service projects simply to check a box on a college application. With Lax General, Greg is doing something that he really believes in – he’s already helped several families in town – and he can see how that has made a big difference in their lives!”

The next step may be daunting, but like any other meaningful goal, building momentum is a key component. Greg and his dad will begin soliciting local and regional lacrosse programs to determine their interest in donating used and unwanted equipment to Lax General. Once the foundational inventory is developed, Greg looks forward to begin searching the Boston area for kids who might want to take a whack at lacrosse.

With the anticipated equipment inventory driving upward and the popularity of the program growing, Greg and his dad will also begin to identify inner city high school athletic directors and recreation officials who would be interested in starting community lacrosse programs that will benefit from the generosity of Lax General.

No doubt this project will be a labor of love for Greg Stamatov, but one that will potentially impact many boys and girls who would normally not have the opportunity to play. As daunting a task as it may seem, Greg knows in his heart it’s just plain “right” and he has the courage and determination to add one more building block to the great sport of lacrosse.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in the area of college recruiting. Tom is the author of Reaching for Excellence: An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. In addition, Kovic was recently invited to speak at the 2010 US Lacrosse National Convention in Baltimore. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

The Role of Parents in College Athletics Recruiting

2009-10-06T11:54:00.001-07:00

The Role of Parents in College Athletics Recruiting

By Tom Kovic

The college search for athletes has grown more complicated and increasingly competitive, especially during the past 10 years. There are countless components that require attention in developing and executing a successful plan of action, along with several key “players” who make-up the team that run the offense.

Parents can play a significant role in the recruiting process and in my opinion; they should make an active commitment to enthusiastically assist their children from start to finish in what will be a very important life decision.

What follows is my take on how parents can effectively participate in helping their kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.

Clarity

The best starting point for any dream or goal is to firstly establish clear objectives and time-lines. Begin with the end game in mind and work backwards to the starting point of your plan. As you move backwards through the recruiting process, you will notice “checkpoints” along the way that you will eventually encounter. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”

Parents have the opportunity to not only encourage their children to envision the process, but to take an active role in creating it. Half the battle in reaching any goal is to understand the mission and create an educational, yet fun approach! The more we encourage our kids to take an active role in controlling their destiny, the greater the chance that they will appreciate the level of confidence mom and dad has in them.

Team

I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting and in developing a group of key members who each play a significant role in moving the process forward. Not only can this approach be effective, it will be welcomed by our kids. Student-athletes have a tremendous amount on their “personal plates” and developing a plan that spreads the recruiting assignments out will create a much happy camper!

Parents who have cultivated strong relationships with “typical” team members (guidance counselors, high school and club coach etc.) can begin to lay the groundwork to suggest specific roles that will be played out by each team member. Moms and dads can organize occasional team meetings at the house where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will turn to high school and club coaches, guidance counselors and colleagues in an effort to gather information about the prospects they recruit, but they need to act as a resource for families as well. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad, but when you break it down; college coaches want to see the prospect for who she truly is.

One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be an active and independent player in the college quest. It encourages proactive preparation, the development of communication skills and it fosters the courage to stand alone in a worthy attempt to take the leap of faith into the recruiting arena.

What might seem nearly impossible for some prospects in the beginning, will grow to a more confident approach with more practice and experience. Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong athletic ability, sound academic progress and a personal character that rises above the rest. Let’s give our kids the opportunity to stand alone and with confidence.

Communication with College Coaches

Personally, I encourage parents to play a very active role in communicating with the college coaches. The final college choice our kids make will be an important one and parents should be there every step of the way.

Certain areas of the college search immediately come to mind as “important” for parents to be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.

Equally important for parents to develop is the patience to “yield” in certain areas of the recruiting process, especially when our kids appear to be “stumbling.” Making mistakes, or feeling a level of uncertainty is commonplace for prospects as they navigate the nuances of recruiting, but when the dust settles, our kids will appreciate us more for allowing them to experience the “good struggle.” Remember, college coaches want to see our children “shine,” but they also want to see how they respond when their backs are in the corner.

Red Flags

There are several “red flags” that could go up in the minds of college coaches and below are just a few tips:

• In face to face interviews with college coaches where parents are present, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
• Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to the prospect.
• E-mail is used more than any form of communication in recruiting and although we want our kids to express themselves “grammatically correct,” parents should encourage the final draft to come from the prospect and in their words.
• The “tough” questions should be timed appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship for your son! Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: Plant; cultivate; grow.

The rule of thumb in avoiding red flags is simple. First, develop a positive relationship built on trust, honesty and respect and keep the door of communication clear and always open. Secondly, parents will serve their children best by maintaining their position on the field and allowing their children the opportunity to make the play in the recruiting effort.

Conclusion

Simply stated, we desperately want out children to succeed and make “right” and well thought out choices and the college search should be no different. Many of us though, can’t help ourselves from controlling situations, especially when it appears our kids are struggling. College coaches recruit families as much as they recruit prospects and the old adage is true: “The nut doesn’t fall too far from the tree!”

Parents can play an impactful role in college recruiting and the best gift we can offer our kids is the freedom to spread their wings and fly. Focus on everything that is positive and fun in the college search and even when it appears our kids seem doubtful and frustrated, have the faith in their resiliency to rebound and to advance the quest with confidence and self reliance.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families in college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Copyright 2009 Victory Collegiate Consulting

DGS Great Customer Service

2009-09-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

realname: Sandra Barrios
gymname:
address: 70189 10th St.
city: Covington
state: LA
zip: 70433
select: Customer Service
textarea: Two weeks ago I ordered a pair of grips and two pair of neoprene wrist guards. After UPS apparently delivered my package to the wrong address (it has never turned up), I was very upset. I wanted to tell you how PLEASED I was to deal with your Customer Service. Everyone my husband or I spoke with (I only have Julie's name) was courteous and polite, and another set of grips and wrist guards were sent immediately (and this time UPS delivered them correctly). I have bought from your company in the past and will continue to buy from you in the future. In addition, I have told everyone I know at my daughter's gym about the wonderful Customer Service I received from you guys. Thank you for providing excellent products AND service! Sincerely, Sandra Barrios

College Athletics Recruiting: Tips for the Late Starters

2009-07-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

I was a 2 sport athlete in high school and I was pretty good. Not that I was the blue chip kid all the coaches were drooling after, but I was a New York State Champion Gymnast and State runner up in Track and Field. I really did not know much of anything regarding skillful tactics in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches and quite honestly, did not begin the recruiting process until well into my senior year of high school. I’m thankful that both the Track and Field and Gymnastics coaches at Temple were paying attention late in the process and I was very fortunate to receive a full athletics scholarship.

My brief story is a valuable one and for only one reason. Don’t do what I did! What follows are suggested strategies for athletes and families who feel they might be a bit behind in the college quest.

What you shouldn’t do

If you happen to feel a little disoriented with the college search and that feeling of frustration is creeping in, don’t’ panic! When faced with any obstacle where time is a crucial factor, we tend to think firstly of everything that could go wrong in an attempt to size up the situation. This only complicates the matter further and creates a potentially negative approach to the issue.

Additionally, late starters typically react by flooding the college coaches with information and communication in an attempt to at least “connect with someone.” This will immediately be picked up by the college coaches as an act of desperation and I strongly discourage prospects from taking this approach.

Another reaction many families might feel compelled to execute is to take the first good offer that comes along. Whether it is an offer to tryout for a team or be invited as a walk-on, I will admit there is a feeling of comfort when a coach shows sincere interest in a prospect, especially late in the game.

What you should do

With every important decision we make, it is important to maintain clarity in thinking. No matter how overwhelming the current moment may appear, take the time to sit down as a family and adequately size up the situation. Do everything you can to keep negative thoughts at bay and maintain a positive approach to what may seem like a difficult journey. Remember the old saying: “Think you can, think you can’t, either way you’re right.”

Just like a good coach and a worthy team who is behind a goal or two with just a few minutes left in the game, approach your personal situation with the end game in mind and work yourself slowly back to present time. An organized and well thought out plan of action will give families and their children the best chance at success. Whether it is effective communication with coaches or planning that mid-August road trip to a half dozen schools, take a “team effort” in developing a step by step approach with targets and time-lines that will most likely be demanding, but doable.

The best laid plans are only as good as the manner in which they are executed and this is where your persistence and determination come into play. If your target for the day is to contact 5 college coaches by phone and communicate your family’s plans to make a visit to campus in 3 weeks, you have to do it. It might take 25 attempts to connect with each of the 5 college coaches, but you must remain diligent and stay the course. Like hurdles in a race, you want to clear one at a time with unyielding focus on each individual hurdle. Let the result of the race take care of itself!

Tips to jumpstart your late start

One of your first steps should be is to either create of edit your personal resume. By developing an easy to read, 1 page personal profile you not only inform the college coach to who you are and what you have accomplished; it will allow the coach in doing a quick and efficient initial evaluation. Keep this document to no longer than one page and include your academic and athletic highlights, along with any extracurricular leadership initiatives you have participated in.

On that note, you need to provide the coach with a simple, but effective way to evaluate your skill as a player. Round up your recent season game footage and pick out 5-6 minutes of your best stuff. Save it to your laptop and burn as many DVD’s necessary, to send to your consolidated list of schools… That’s next!

Streamline your list of colleges and universities that potentially fit your academic and athletic profile. I suggest a well balanced list of Division 1, 2 and 3 schools that meet your immediate needs (geographic region, size of undergraduate student body etc.). Develop a detailed contact list of the schools, coach’s names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses and save it to your recruiting folder. Add a separate list of “hard addresses” for the coaches in case they request a portfolio or when you are getting ready to ship your DVD.

Consolidate and communicate

Now that you are moving the boulder forward, it will be important to maintain the momentum you have created. Getting information in the hands of the college coaches is one thing… following up is another matter altogether! Remember, the college recruiting process is not about flooding the college coaches with information, it is about developing relationships and the best approach in this situation is to take a proactive effort in connecting with the coaches. Coaches are being bombarded with hundreds of inquiries of interest from high school prospects and do not have the time to personally respond to every athlete. YOU have to take hold of the baton and run the race and the best way to determine where you stand in the eyes of the coaches is to contact them directly.

Plan a road trip

If you reach this point in the recruiting process and I hope you do, there will be a lot of action happening and your recruiting plan will begin to get some legs. Taking a road trip should be a top priority for families and unofficial campus visits are a great way to take a look under the hood in an attempt to determine potential matches for their sons and daughters. Make every attempt not to just “show up.” Communicate with the coaches in an effort to coordinate a face to face meeting with your campus visit. Personal visits can make a big difference for certain prospects and I strongly suggest making the best of your road trip.

If you sense you are either late in executing your plans for the college recruiting process, or feel the need to jumpstart your plan of attack, avoid any negative energy that will contribute to a loss of focus in the process. Maintain a positive approach and use a team effort in reorganizing your quest with clarity and direction and you will give yourself the greatest chance at success.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Recruiting Strategies for Freshman Prospective Student-Athletes

2009-06-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

While attending the T-99 Lacrosse Showcase in Dallas last weekend I was impressed with the interest from many parents in “tactics” high school freshman can employ in preparing for the college recruiting process. My response was “plenty” and what follows are some suggestions and tips to jumpstart the college search for freshmen.

Build Your Information Base

Information is power and I suggest freshmen athletes and their families launch their college search by building a strong information base. Whether it means becoming familiar with NCAA rules and contact and evaluation time-lines, or understanding the important role of the NCAA Eligibility Center, this effort will become a fun family project that will grow more detailed and streamlined as the sophomore year approaches. A great place to begin your search is with the NCAA. Go to www.ncaa.org and become familiar in navigating this site, especially in the areas of eligibility and recruiting.

Measure your Self Awareness

When I begin advising prospects and their families, I always begin with an initial assessment to determine what their goals and dreams are and how the prospects “tick.” I developed 10 questions that have become very helpful in defining a prospects current position, while providing me with a general idea on how he sees the college experience potentially unfolding. I include questions in areas such as geographic location, size of school, level of play and social demographics just to name a few. My goal here is simple. I want these kids to begin thinking for themselves.

Look at a Diverse Grouping of Colleges and Universities

This assignment will be both educational and fun. It will provide families and their kids with an appreciation for different levels of athletic programs, while growing an appreciation and “gut feel” that will be specific to each institution. Try choosing 15 programs that are equally spread out between Division 1, 2 and 3. Do your best to stay impartial and this exercise will help you become a comparative shopper and an educated consumer. It will help you begin to develop that “gut feel” for doing an initial evaluation of a wide range of programs.

There is no “wrong” grouping of schools in this exercise. What’s important here is to allow our kids to dream and reach for the stars in an effort to begin creating passion and enthusiasm for what will be a very important life decision.

Attend a Few College Games or Practices

This might seem like a tough task considering the college and high school seasons typically overlap, but if you can break away from a practice or two or find a couple of weekend college games to attend, do it! This not only gives our sons and daughters a chance to see college programs in action, it grows awareness about college play that will help them begin to “size up” the level of skill that college athletes bring to the table, while providing prospects with a benchmark to reach toward in the future.

The college search for high school athletes is beginning earlier and the best prepared and better informed family will increase their chances in navigating the college quest with greater success and a higher level of confidence. That being said, I believe 9th grade prospects should be encouraged to jump start the recruiting process with an informed and educational approach that will begin to build a solid foundation for the future. Remember, bringing an educated, fun and enthusiastic approach to the college recruiting process is half the battle.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence”, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

NCAA Eligibility Center

2009-02-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

NCAA Eligibility Center

By Tom Kovic

The NCAA Eligibility Center is an organization that collaborates with the NCAA and is “charged” with the job to determine eligibility for all incoming Division I and Division II freshmen student-athletes. This is achieved through the evaluation of high school academic records and by calculating the core course GPA with standardized testing.

Each division has individual standards for entering freshmen and below is a brief description of how eligibility is determined:

IN DIVISION 1, freshmen athletes must meet minimum eligibility standards that are based on 3 factors: 1) core course grade point average, 2) standardized test score and 3) minimum academic requirement (16 core courses). The grade point average and standardized testing are calculated on a sliding scale. In addition, the grade point average must be determined by pre-approved core courses.

Division II eligibility standards work similarly to Division I, but utilize a simpler formula. All entering freshmen who wish to practice and compete must demonstrate 1) at least a 2.0 core course grade point average and 2) either a minimum SAT score of 820 (verbal and math), or a minimum score of 68 on the ACT. In addition, the grade point average must be determined by 14 pre-approved core courses.

Eligibility requirements to compete at the Division III level are determined differently and decided “internally.” Basically, once a student has been admitted to a Division III school he/she will be eligible to practice and compete.

The “core course requirement may seem a little confusing, but what the Eligibility Center is trying to accomplish is to be sure that prospects are taking the “meat and potato” high school academic coursework. Therefore, grades in courses such as art, music and physical education are NOT calculated in the core course GPA.

REGISTRATION

Registration with the Eligibility Center is a 2 step process and I encourage prospects and families to begin registration soon after junior year grades are in. The first step is painless and families can register online at www.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter. All you need is a credit card to pay the annual fee ($50.00) and it takes about 15 minutes to fill in your contact information. Final eligibility will be determined after the senior year grades are presented to the Eligibility Center.

ADVISORS

Step 2 requires the prospect to work closely with the guidance counselor and/or college advisor in assisting the prospect through this process. The advisor will submit a form (Form 48H) to the NCAA Eligibility Center for the core course evaluation. (Only courses offered in the disciplines of English, math, social science and natural/physical science will be considered, along with additional academic courses. Final eligibility will be determined after the senior year grades are presented to the Eligibility Center.

Do not wait for your advisor to contact you to assist you with the Eligibility Center registration! Each student must complete and file an application to the NCAA EC. This application, along with current high school transcripts will be sent from the guidance office at the high school to the Eligibility Center. Show the advisor you are a willing team member and will assist in any way to facilitate the process.

Freshman eligibility is very important and should not be treated lightly. Considering the tremendous effort exerted by the prospect, family, college coach and high school administrators during this process, it would be in the best interest of the prospect to approach registration with the Eligibility Center with enthusiasm and care. The bottom line is that you cannot contribute to the team if you cannot practice and compete!

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting (www.victoryrecruiting.com), where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom recently launched www.collegerecruiting.tv which is an educational content website that will assist families and prospects in building their plans for the college quest.

Children Activity Center

2009-02-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Children's Activity Center Industry
Dear Club Owner:

These are very interesting times for the Children's Activity Center Industry. I am hearing very good news from friends and customers around the country since the Olympics. Many are telling me that their enrollments are higher than any time in history. At the same time, I am seeing the devastating effects the economy is having on other industry members and their businesses. Don't you want to see the true picture and to be able to forecast based on real numbers? Don't you want to know what is really happening in the industry? If you are in agreement with me, that knowledge is key to our future success then complete this survey at once. It is in all of our interests to have a huge response to this survey this year. The survey work of Frank Sahlein and 3rd Level Consulting over the past few years has made a huge impact on our understanding of our industry. Be part of the success.

Good luck and keep flipping.

John Deary
President
DGS

Take this Survey:
2009 Children's Activity Centers - Critical Business Trends Survey

Non-Scholarship Options for the Prospective Student-Athlete By Tom Kovic

2009-01-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

As a former 19 year head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, I was blessed with a successful career and many fond memories. Considering the selectivity in Admissions and the high price tag of one of the nation’s premier institutions, I had strong success in recruiting and I learned some valuable lessons about prospective student-athletes and the benefits they may receive in the admissions process.

Ivy League and other select, non athletic scholarship awarding institutions can, in many cases, offer significant assistance in Admissions that can potentially lend strong support for prospective student-athletes. It is important that prospects, families and high school advisors clearly understand the role the college coach plays in this process and make every effort to develop a sincere and strong working relationship with them throughout the college search.

Admissions Pre-Reads

Early academic evaluations are an effective means of determining the potential admissibility of a candidate. Typically, coaches work with an athletic department “Admissions liaison” that can assist them in requesting “early reads” for prospects. If families have cultivated a strong relationship with the coach, this request will likely be honored and could be a real time saver by providing recruits with an accurate idea of their chances in admissions. Below are some important points to consider regarding pre-reads:

· Provides the family with a strong idea of the likelihood of admission.
· Requires current and accurate standardized test scores, updated transcripts and high school profile.
· Gives the coach a strong indication of the prospects Admissions Index and the level of potential support in Admissions.
· Coach-family collaboration develops trust and confidence.
· Shows the coach “strong interest” from family and prospect.
· Will avoid “spinning of wheels” for the family, prospect and the college coach, especially if admissions seem unlikely.
· Turnaround time is generally 2-3 weeks

Likely Letters

The likely letter is a tremendous tool typically used by Ivy League coaches that offer “near guarantees” of admissions and these letters can be sent to prospective student-athletes well before the regular population of applicants is reviewed. This becomes a tremendous bargaining chip for college coaches who are competing with scholarship institutions for the same prospect, or “overlap” prospects who are applying to other Ivy League and select academic institutions. It is fair to point out that likely letters are not abundantly available and only a certain percentage of “impact” prospects will receive them.

Likely letters will provide recruits and their families with a sense of confidence, especially when they are presented with athletic scholarship deadlines from other college coaches, or feeling pressure from non-scholarship college coaches to “move in their direction.” Likely letters are issued directly from the admissions office and will offer families with relative assurance that, barring any unusual circumstances, their children will be admitted.

Priority Applications

Priority applications are becoming more popular in the recruiting process and are typically used by Division 3 programs as a means of providing families with an early “look” from admissions well before the majority of regular applicants are read.

When you break it down, the priority application is a win-win for both the college coaches and the families. Firstly, the priority application is a simplified version of the regular application that offers the prospect with a streamlined and time saving approach to admissions and turnaround time from the office of admissions can be as early as 30 days. Likewise, college coach’s benefit by offering their top candidates with a priority admissions read that can rival both the national letter of intent, as well as many of the early decision/action admissions programs.

It is fair to say that priority applications are not offered to the majority of prospects, but are distributed to athletes who show significant interest in his program and are part of the coach’s “A” recruiting file. Either way, the priority application can provide families with early and exact information in admissions and serve as a handy tool that will assist them strongly in the decision making process.

Tips for Advisors, Parents and Prospects

Below are a few pointers that will be helpful in navigating the college quest for prospective student-athletes who are interested in applying to Ivy League and select, non athletic scholarship schools:

· Cultivate an honest and truthful relationship with the college coach.
· Provide the college coach with accurate and timely information that will assist him in making a fair and timely evaluation of both academic strength and athletic talent.
· Be honest with the college coach about the schools you are seriously considering.
· Let the college coach know where you stand with his/her school, and give the coach a chance to recruit you further.
· Avoid using the coach as a springboard in Admissions with the intent of not participating on the team. This will potentially backfire down the road for high school teammates and your sports program. Remember, you are representing yourself, your coach, your school and your family. Maintain a high level of integrity.
· Include community service and leadership activities in your personal profile. This could add some weigh that creates further support for your application by the college coach.

Especially in today’s tough economic climate, the non scholarship option for prospective student-athletes and families may seem daunting, but considering the long term benefits one can receive from such a potentially rewarding experience, makes this option very worthy. Additionally, it is fair to point out that athletes, although identified in Admissions as having a special talent, are treated as any other candidate and will be admitted only if the applicant’s academic credentials are in an acceptable range and he/she is deemed capable of succeeding. That being said, student-athletes who bring solid academic credentials to the table and have the ability to strongly impact an athletics program could bring a very strong “chip” to the game of college recruiting that could give them a leg up on the competition.

Tom Kovic is a former 19 year head coach at Penn and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting and he has lectured on the topic of college recruiting at several national and regional conventions. For additional information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

College Athletics Recruiting: “Getting Out Of The Gates”

2008-11-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

College Athletics Recruiting: “Getting Out Of The Gates”

Parents, prospects and coaches often ask me to identify the ideal time a prospect should launch his or her college quest. Although each prospect initiates their recruiting plans at different times, I would say a good date to “get out of the gates” is January 1 of the junior year. But before you hit the pavement running, let’s run through a simple checklist of pre-launch tasks that will assist you in organizing for an important life decision.

Organization

Creating a user friendly organizing system for the college recruiting process will serve as a helpful tool, especially when information begins to pile in from different college coaches. Not only will this system assist you in keeping track of the steady stream of paper and e-traffic, it will act as a great resource for future contacts and important coach-prospect communications. Trust me, coaches will be requesting information (transcripts, high school profile, standardize test results, tax information for financial pre-reads etc.) at about the same time, and the family who develops an efficient access system to this information will navigate the process with more success and with greater confidence.

Create a filing system that provides you with easy access to pertinent information. I suggest storing the following information in your individual college program folders:

· Updated contact information for coach, assistant coach, financial aid representative etc. Include name, address, e-mail, phone number etc.).
· Materials the coach has sent (brochures, articles, etc.).
· Team competition schedule. You should add important events to your calendar and stay updated on the team’s accomplishments, especially before any correspondence with the coach.
· College catalogs, applications and/or other marketing materials.
· Updated notes from your phone conversations and meetings with representatives from the school.
· A list of pertinent questions or follow-up items you need to address for the program. Set aside regular time to review outstanding tasks you have for each college program and list these items on your calendar.
· Copies of all the information you have provided to the school – your application, the data sheet you may have to fill out for the coach, the last resume you provided etc. By keeping these copies handy, you can easily reproduce them if they are misplaced.

The aim in this stage of college recruiting is to develop a well organized and efficient system that you understand and can work effectively. “Lift off” is the most demanding part of any worthy project and requires the most energy. Prepare well here by developing solid plans and executing them with vigor and you will be well positioned and confident moving forward. Beware of the flip side of the coin!

Executing the Plan

OK. Your plans are complete, well constructed and clearly spelled out in a language everyone understands. Your calendar is updated and you are proud that you have listed everything from the next round of SAT’s to the fall homecoming dance! Now it’s time to take the plunge.

You can have the best organized and most highly detailed approach to the college quest, but it won’t amount to a hill of beans if you lack confidence and the desire and the ability to “execute the plan.” If your strategy is to wait by the phone for the coach to call, in most cases, it’s going to be a long wait. Top prospects will get their fair share of attention, but the majority of athletes will increase their chances in getting on the radar screen of the college coaches by taking a proactive stance and initiating communication with college coaches.

College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact and evaluation rules that limit them in initiating contact with prospective student-athletes and their families. What few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, prospects may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with very few exceptions.

Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive in the recruiting process. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or provide that extra “push” in the admission process. If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparing for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with an organized and proactive effort, will have the best chances in building mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence” An educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

MIGS Program/CGA Activity and Call to Action

2008-11-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

MIGS Program/CGA Activity and Call to Action

The Men's Intercollegiate Gymnastics Support Program (MIGS Program) in conjunction with the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) has been working hard to preserve, protect and expand collegiate gymnastics opportunities for our young gymnasts. It is our goal to have at least one men's varsity college gymnastics team in every State. With all of our junior gymnasts in mind, we work toward that end.

The overriding questions regarding this effort are: "What can you realistically do?" and "What have you done?"

In answer to the first question, here's what we can do and what needs to be done:

1. Call the question Nationally
2. Educate the Gymnastics Community about the situation
3. Build positive relationships with College/University AD’s and Administrators
4. Marketing
5. Fundraising
6. Investing the Endowment to ensure an annual growth rate of 5%
7. Negotiate with colleges/universities to bring programs on line
8. Revenue Distribution (athlete scholarships, training of coaches, and creating self-sufficient team programs)
9. Build coalitions with other organizations and entities
10. And more and more and more...

With regard to the second Question;

The MIGS Program has engaged in an effort to inform the gymnastics community of the need to expand opportunities for young male gymnasts through the retention and expansion of collegiate programs. Bob Wuornos & Mike Burns have set out on a mission to present information at Regional Congresses throughout the country. Bob has attended Region 1 (Santa Clara, CA), Region 2 (Portland, OR), Region 4 (Iowa City, IA), Region 6 (Boston, MA) and GAT (Gymnastics Association of Texas in Austin, TX). Mike attended Region 5 (Indianapolis, IN) as well as making a presentation at the ECAC Convention in late September in Albany, NY. The purpose of these efforts was to inform and generate support for this effort.

Bob's effort have included a significant amount of travel to large meets around the country to make presentations and encourage the gymnastics community to get involved in this effort. He has also engaged in a dialog with the College Sports Council (www.collegesportscouncil.org) and has been appointed to the Board of Directors of this organization. Furthermore, his efforts have created an Endowment Fund that had accumulated $50,000+ by the end of 2007.

Distributions to date include:

· $2500 to the University of Minnesota "Save Gopher Sports" fund with was instrumental in keeping the University of Minnesota as a viable varsity college gymnastics program

· $15,000 to the College Sports Council to help this organization continue the battle for equity in sports

· $500 donation to the College Gymnastics Foundation for the Nissen-Emery Award Endowment

Near term goals include channeling resources to some viable college club teams that are coached but not recognized as varsity programs. The intent is to help these coaches elevate their respective programs to varsity status.

The MIGS Program/CGA is also actively pursuing the re-establishment of programs at some major universities with real potential (sorry, names of institution cannot be revealed at this time).

These are all major efforts requiring money. It is the intent of the MIGS Program and the CGA to ensure that at least 80% of funds donated go into and stay in the endowment fund. For operations costs, however, the MIGS Program sells t-shirts and host a National Invitational and National Open Optional (L-10 rules) in March at the University of Minnesota. All meet information is posted on the opening page of the MIGS Program website (www.migsp.org).

FUND RAISER

The MIGS Program is currently engaged in a fund raising effort through t-shirt sales. For this purpose, "J O Dynamo" was created. J O Dynamo is a Junior gymnast aged 16-18. He has been training for ten years in hopes of competing in college. J O asks that you help him reach his goal. He asks that you and every gymnast, judge, coach, and parent buy a "College Gymnastics...tuned in" t-shirt for this purpose (www.migsp.org/shop/). His goal is to sell 12,000 t-shirts by Thanksgiving. he asks that every coach of every team have his/her gymnasts buy a t-shirt and each parent buy a t-shirt. So, please consider this request and act on it promptly.

Please order these t-shirt by November 25. Orders received by November 25 will be processed in time for the Holidays. Wear the t-shirts to practice, meets (for warm-ups) and especially, find a college meet to attend and wear it there in support of the men's collegiate gymnastics program.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. The fact of the matter is, we need your active support of this effort. Please "tune in". The future of men's college gymnastics depends on YOU. You can make a difference.

Bob Wuornos
MIGS Program
612-270-9507
www.migsp.org

Mike Burns
CGA
President
612-419-7922

College Athletics Recruiting 101 By Tom Kovic

2008-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match students’ desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential. Today more than ever, high school athletes are strategically marketing themselves to college coaches not just for scholarships, but in hopes of gaining entry into their top college choices in a highly competitive arena. And it’s working. By realizing the potential leverage families of prospective student-athletes have in the college admissions process, especially as it pertains to non-scholarship schools and for student-athletes who may not qualify for athletics aid, should develop increased confidence and hope as families begin the college quest. Then, knowing how to close on this opportunity is, without question, essential.

Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a special talent that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.

The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As a coach of a Division I team for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my former student-athletes gained entry to the university because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows are insights on how to maximize the student athlete’s best chances in gaining admission to their top college choice.

Gather Information
Gathering information is critical to the successful organization of any worthy project. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Begin by gathering information on the student-athletes colleges of choice including team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on these favorite college programs.

Build your Team
Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor should all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.

Team members will need to oversee the following:
· Financial aid/scholarships
· Admissions
· Development of target calendar
· Research (schools, majors, athletic programs, rankings)
· Video and profile development
· Planned communication and contact log
· Campus visits
· Scheduling standardized testing
· Organizing communication “role play”
· Researching college profiles and determining potential compatibility

By selecting the team approach, the responsibilities are equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out and communication between the team members should be frequent and consistent. This will help streamline the college quest and assist in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.

Develop and Execute your Plan
A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.

Develop timelines that will target general events in the beginning of the college search (making unofficial visits, maintaining your data base, and attending competitions) and continue through more specific events (compiling a video and player profile, communicating with coaches, and making official visits, etc.) as time progresses. This will increase the chances of “hitting targets” throughout the process.

Communication
Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the decision made by the coach. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.

If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

Communication should be initiated early on by the family and by the prospect. Although college coaches have clear restrictions as to when and where they may contact prospects, a prospect may call or e-mail a coach early, with few exceptions.

An initial letter of introduction accompanied by a profile is a great way to begin, but it is very important to follow this up by e-mail and by phone. The prospect that practices persistence with respect, will grab the college coach’s attention.

Provide the college coach with everything he or she requests (profile, DVD, transcripts etc.) in a timely manner. This will make the evaluation of athletic talent and academic credentials an easy task for the coach, and they will develop a level of appreciation that could be the “tie breaker” when it comes down to support for the prospect. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity, is critical to building trusting relationships.

Player Profile
As one can imagine, college coaches receive hundreds of personal profiles annually from prospects, and they will begin to prioritize their recruiting file based on the initial cover letter and profile. These documents will usually be placed in one of three files of importance:

“A” file: blue chip, top-tier recruits
“B” file: second-tier recruits; still have excellent opportunity
“C” file: little chance of impact; admissions risks

It is important to streamline your portfolio into a comprehensive and efficient format that stands above the rest. Keep your profile simple, neat and professionally formatted. Make the job of initial evaluation easy for the college coach by highlighting pertinent information including:
Personal and school contact information
Academic standing, awards, and test results
Physical characteristics
Athletic clubs and level, showcase tournaments, and elite camps
Athletic Statistics, Records, and Awards
Mission Statement
Coach’s Comments

Maintain a copy of your generic player profile to send to the majority of schools and then personalize 5-10 profiles to be sent to your top schools with additional information that will help you gain admission and/or scholarship attention, such as family legacy or a connection to the coach indirectly through your club coach, for example. Commit to making a strong impression with a professional approach in all written correspondence. Remember, your goal is to move your profile to the “A” contact folder.

Videos
A video is another means of developing a first impression and trust me when I say that first impressions are remembered. Typically, a coach will roughly evaluate a recruit within the first 2 minutes of the video. They need to! Along with the hundreds of profiles, they are being bombarded with hundreds of videos.

Make your video succinct, professional, and yet attention grabbing. Follow these guidelines:

· Introduction: Tell coaches who you are, where you are from and what your specific goals are. Show confidence and project a mature image (20 seconds).
· Video footage: The coach will have a good indication of your talent within the first 2 minutes of your video. Highlight outstanding moments and technical mastery of your talent, which will grab the coach’s attention.
· Show 5-7 minutes of your finest game clips, along with training highlights.
· Finish your video with 15 seconds of direct contact information for you, your club and/or high school coach.

Keep in mind that as individual collegiate sports differ, it is important to communicate with the college coaches about their requirements for DVD footage.

The profile and video will initially define you in the eyes of the college coach. These tools should be crisp, clean and to the point. Give the coach every reason to filter your information into the active recruit file.

Be sure to continue with timely communications to the coaches. Inform them of new awards, accolades, records, or landmark achievements. Don’t call after every big competition; keep your communications succinct and focused. Remember: cultivating a strong and genuine relationship with coaches, based on honesty and sincerity is critical to building trusting relationships.

The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing plans are crucial to the success, no different from preparation for a championship competition! Communication (both offering and receiving) is vital, and the working participants should build a mutually strong and respectful relationship in order to maximize results.

The bottom line is that through a systematic college recruiting process, you and your child can identify, work toward, and hopefully secure admission to the college of his or her choice – one that is an ideal academic and athletic “fit”. It will be well worth your efforts knowing that you were part of a team that guided your child as he or she embarks an important and meaningful process that will have great effect on their future careers and personal growth.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

PureSport Protein Sports Drink

2008-10-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Bob Bowman

PureSport
October 9, 2008
Puresport is a new sports and recovery drink developed by some of swimming's top coaches and swimmers. I think anything that invests this much in our sport is at least worth looking into.

Visit Floswimming For More Videos

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BORROW MONEY

2008-05-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

Written by Ken Wood, Published in Technique, May 2008.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BORROW MONEY

THE FIVE C’s OF LENDING AND LEASING:

We all know that money and our ability to manage it is what keeps our facilities running smoothly. Usually how we handle our cash flow needs can be the primary factor in whether the business runs smoothly and in some cases whether we, as owners, get paid. In the course of arranging financing for businesses all over the country, including some Children’s Activity Centers (CACs), I have found that many gym owners have not prepared themselves and their businesses for borrowing money when the time comes to expand, consolidate debtor make purchases. The process of borrowing money for financing a building, equipment, or refinancing existing debt is similar in that all can be time consuming for the CAC owner, and even more so when the owner is busy with teaching classes or coaching competitive programs.
In an attempt to help CAC’s be better prepared when it comes time to borrow money, I have developed a five-step checklist for the borrower to refer to before the search for funding. All five are equally important and must be addressed ahead of time. Deficiency in any one category can sink the borrower’s ability to get financing. By addressing these five specific areas early, the CAC owner can make the financing process go much more smoothly and greatly enhance their ability to get funding.

CREDIT

Credit is probably the single most problematic area that I have seen. While all of us know we have a credit score and that it is important, I have found that many don’t realize just how important it is, or how to protect and enhance it. First, there are two different types of credit ratings you need to be concerned with, your personal credit and your business credit. Personal credit is what we are most familiar with. Unfortunately, it is widely misunderstood by the very consumers who depend on it. Even when you are applying for a business loan or lease, your personal credit is just as important as your business credit. While I have to stress to you that I am not a licensed credit counselor, there are a few pointers I can share with you. First, in many cases the rate charged to you for borrowing is a direct reflection of your credit score. The better the score, the lower the rate. In order to get the best rates your credit score must be in the mid 700’s.

1. Credit cards with high balances hurt your score, but so do not having any revolving credit. Try to keep all credit card balances between 25%-50% of the credit limit to maximize your score. Even if you have to carry a lot of revolving debt, it is better to have four cards at 50% of the high credit limit rather than two cards that are maxed out.
2. Late payments kill your credit score. In addition, you will have to write a detailed explanation justifying every late payment on your credit report, even those dating back several years. Avoid rolling lates, which happens once you get behind by more than 30 days and it rolls over to the next month. As you make the payment, you are actually paying last month’s bill and this recurs over several months, thus creating several sequential 30 day late notices on your credit report.
3. Collections and judgments, especially within the last two years, drop your score dramatically. That medical bill that you disputed and refused to pay can end up in collections and will show up on your report. Avoid this at all costs. When paying off collections (or any debt for that matter) be sure to get a receipt or written letter showing the balance is paid and in good standing, or closed. Collection agencies are notorious for reporting negative but not positive credit activity.
4. A lack of diversity in types of credit will hurt your credit score. Having only one type of credit is not going to build your score. You need to have revolving (credit cards), installment (car loans, etc) and mortgage lines all in good standing for at least 24 months in order to create the best possible credit file.
5. Too many lines of credit and/or too many inquiries. If you have too many open lines, even though you may not be using them, can also trigger a reduction in score. But even more important is the number of inquiries on your credit file. Whenever you apply for a credit card, get an insurance quote, shop for a mortgage refinance, get a new cell phone, rent a car using a debit card, or sometimes even apply for a job, there will be a coinciding inquiry to your credit status. Too many inquiries in a ninety day period can be detrimental to your credit score. In general, a score will go down approximately five points for thirty days with each inquiry. Additionally, when applying for credit, recent inquiries may have to be explained in a letter to the lender.

CREDIBILITY

Credibility is all about the amount of experience you have in your industry. While it is always more difficult to finance a new business, the amount of time you have worked in the industry and what management positions you have held will be crucial to your ability to borrow money. A strong personal resume will go a long way in convincing a lender that you are worthy of their risk. If you are an existing facility, your time in business, the strength of your financial statements, community involvement, and business accomplishments all combine to create a type of resume for the business. Whether you are a start-up or an existing business, your personal resume is equally important in creating credibility for the company. Here are some things you can do to best present yourself and your company to potential lenders:

1. Make sure your personal resume shows roles in management, even if outside of the industry.
2. A well thought out business plan for both start-ups and existing businesses will speak towards your credibility. Beware of software programs designed to help you put together a business plan. Most are not for service-oriented businesses and will create a business plan with a cookie-cutter look to them. Many will include chapter and section headings that have little or nothing to do with a CAC. Unfortunately, instead of just deleting these sections, borrowers usually try to fill these sections in with irrelevant information that can confuse, distract or even bore a potential lender.
3. For existing businesses, make sure your business plan has a history of the business included. This history should note competitive accomplishments but also community involvement such as awards. If your gym feeds the homeless on Thanksgiving Day or sponsors community events, these things should be included. Include copies of news articles, brochures, and marketing materials.
4. Make sure your personal financial statement and all company financials are in good shape. When your house is in order, it speaks to your level of responsibility. The single biggest mistake CAC owners make is to wait too long to get financial assistance when things are tough. While breaking even or just showing a slight loss on your P&L’s will not completely kill your chances of getting funded, the stronger your financial position on paper, the better your chances.
5. What’s good for your tax return is not necessarily beneficial to your quest for new funding options. As small business owners, we want as much return from our business as possible, while showing the smallest net profit line possible. The reason for this is clear. If your net profit is low, you will have a lot less in taxes to pay. If you are an LLC or an S-corp, this profit shows up on your personal tax return. However, lenders look at the profitability of your company as an indication of the relative health of the business. So having a high net profit better ensures your viability to the lender as a good risk. By the way, a low net profit can also limit your return when you decide to sell the business.
6. Keeping your financials accurate and up to date on in-house accounting software will make your life much easier in the long run. When a lender asks for current or historical profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports or even asset lists (equipment lists), having them essentially at your fingertips can save you time and money. Also, having up-to-date spreadsheets tracking all aspects of your business can help paint a fuller picture than can just your tax returns. There are spreadsheet templates out there for you to track different revenue and expense categories and allow you to compare them to the industry standards.

CAPITAL

Every lender wants to be comfortable knowing that you have the ability to pay back the loan or lease. And even though you need their money to buy the building or equipment, the lender will want you to contribute a portion of the purchase price. Even when restructuring debt where nothing new is being purchased, and even if you are getting loan proceeds for working capital, you will still have to provide some funds for a down payment. What’s interesting here is that the more money you have available (thus the less need you have for financing), the better chance you have of getting financed. In a variation of an old adage, ‘It takes money to borrow money’.
The amount of money you will need varies according to the type of transaction. For example, any loan that does not include real estate you can expect a requirement of at least 10% down payment and usually a 20% down payment. However, an equipment lease can require as little as a security deposit equaling one or two payments and will usually demand significantly less upfront cash than what is required for a loan. The down payment requirement for real estate loans can vary as well. Traditional commercial real estate lenders generally look for 20% down payment or more, depending on the type of property. But SBA programs can lower the down payment requirements to 10%. There are also some other, more aggressive programs out there where you can get as little as 3% required down payment, but those programs are at a higher interest rate and are difficult to qualify for. So no matter what you need money for, be prepared to provide some of your own funds, no matter the amount of collateral you may have.

CAPACITY

Your Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and business tax returns will all speak to the business’s ability to pay back any new debt. If these financial documents are not strong enough to demonstrate the business’s CAPACITY for repayment, then in order to give a level of comfort to the lender, the company will have to demonstrate new revenue in the form of projections or a Pro Forma. If the borrower is using the money to purchase equipment, he/she will have to demonstrate how the added equipment will generate more revenue for the company. The same holds true when adding on to your building or moving to a larger facility. But what if you are restructuring existing debt? In this case you are not adding new revenue, yet have to demonstrate the ability to pay back the loan. If your existing financial documents are not strong enough to carry the new debt load, the Pro Forma becomes critical once again. In every industry there are natural business cycles, usually based on the calendar year. But in the CAC industry, specifically gymnastics, there is a four year cycle as well. Currently we are a few months away from the Olympics and most clubs can expect a boost in revenues in the year following the Olympics. A Pro Forma showing the increased business, backed up by historical financial documents showing similar increases for past Olympic years might be enough to satisfy a lender, even if your financial documents do not show the company has the current ability to repay the loan and no new revenue streams are expected from the use of the loan proceeds. This scenario would be strengthened by a strong credit score for both the business and the borrower, as well as healthy reserves. In any case, even if your Credit and Credibility are perfect and you have healthy reserves, you will still have to prove your ability to pay back all funds borrowed.

COLLATERAL

For any loan request you have, the first question from the lender is always about your credit and the second is about COLLATERAL. Obviously if you are buying a building for your company then the building is your collateral. Similarly, equipment is the collateral for loans or leases used for that purpose. But what if you want to buy a building and need money for the build out? Most buildings are not suited for CAC use without renovations. And if there is not enough equity in the building for you to borrow more than the purchase price, then there could be some potential problems in getting the financing you want. On equipment loans and leases you may need as much as a two to one ratio of collateral to debt in some cases, especially if the borrower is weak in the other areas. In almost every situation other than some SBA loans, 100% collateralization is the minimum. Therefore in order to satisfy the lender, additional sources of collateral must be available. In fact, even on loans backed with an SBA guarantee you can expect the lender to ask to attach to all assets of the business (equipment, etc) and will in many situations put a lien on your home for even more protection. This lien should not alarm you, but you definitely need to be aware of it. It can prevent you from getting home equity loans or otherwise use your home’s equity. SBA loans may be easier to qualify for, but are not right for every borrower. The process is very time consuming and can easily tie up all of your business and personal assets (collateral) for the foreseeable future. However, SBA loans often have a longer term making the debt more manageable for the cash flow of a business, especially in the early years.

Almost every business will have opportunity or need for financing at some point. If you are not prepared for this possibility you could find yourself either not able to get financing or not prepared, which could lead to a tremendous amount of work and stress, ultimately affecting your desired timeline. Borrowing money for your business should be thoroughly thought out and planned for well in advance. By having a plan to borrow, you can help make the process proceed more smoothly. If you pay attention to the five areas I have outlined, you will be contributing to the overall health and success of your business. And when the time comes for financing, you will be prepared.

Ken Wood is the lending specialist for DGS Financing and the owner of Paragon Training Center, a Children’s Activity Center in Fredericksburg, VA. DGS Financing is a broker for dozens of funding sources across the country including leasing companies, commercial mortgage companies,and SBA lenders. He can be reached through the DGS website (www.gymsupply.com) or by emailing kwood@gymsupply.com.

East Meets Midwest

2008-05-09T14:56:00.001-07:00

A Chinese coach at an Iowa gym has helped build smart, spirited 16-year-old Shawn Johnson into the world all-around champion and the gold medal favorite. Now she wants to bring him glory in his homeland.

By E.M. Swift, Website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/04/29/johnson0505/)

Shawn Johnson should have been able to relax. She is, after all, the 16-year-old poster child for the world champion U.S. women's gymnastics team, the winner of three golds, including the all-around title, in Stuttgart, Germany, last September. With her big brown eyes and guileless smile, she's a hometown hero in Des Moines, where a local car dealer gave her the keys to a new Land Rover for her birthday in January. Not that Johnson needed the handout -- she has endorsement contracts with Adidas, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Hy-Vee supermarkets, among others. An A student at Valley High in West Des Moines, the sophomore has her sights set on someday attending an Ivy League college. And if that isn't enough, the diminutive (4' 9", 94 pounds) Johnson has already been cast in bronze, with the life-sized statue to be displayed in the Iowa Hall of Pride in Des Moines, opposite the black-and-white photos of Mamie Eisenhower, Herbert Hoover and Andy Williams. All this comes before the Beijing Olympics, at which Johnson hopes to become the third American woman, after Mary Lou Retton and Carly Patterson, to win an Olympic all-around gold. The world, it would seem, is the young lady's oyster.

But Johnson didn't see it that way on this February night. With Beijing approaching and 2007 behind her, that old devil Doubt had wheedled its way into her psyche. She was at the well-known "ranch" -- Bela and Martha Karolyi's national-team training center 90 minutes north of Houston -- along with dozens of other Olympic hopefuls who are brought there monthly to show off routines and sharpen their skills under the critical eye of Martha, the team coordinator. No one is guaranteed a ticket to Beijing, not even a world champion.

So Johnson couldn't sleep. In 2007 she'd won every competition she had entered: the American Cup, the American Classic, the Pan Am Games, the national and the world championships. But now it was a new year. At 12:30 a.m. she sat up in her bed, grabbed her cellphone and typed out a poem. This is how she relieves stress: with creative spurts of writing, drawing or painting. "There are no guidelines to writing," she says. "It lets me be free and do whatever I want. I let it all out."

The activity is her escape from gymnastics, with its demands of precision and the pursuit of perfection, its exhaustively rehearsed and regimented routines. That night Johnson cranked out 33 lines of rhyming couplets in 10 minutes, spilling her doubts onto the tiny screen. The poem dealt with the fear of losing and the occasional impulse to give up the sport.

When behind the scenes you crumbled and prayed
For it all to simply just go away.
The doubt and regrets of what you went through
Sometimes just made you want to give it to
The next girl in line.....

She texted the poem to her mother, Teri, an accounting clerk for the West Des Moines school system, before going to sleep. Teri is frequently surprised and moved by what Shawn writes. "I don't know where her artistic side comes from," Teri says. "She's got a good little soul."

You remember the times when you thought to give up
But could never find a reason to disrupt
Anything and everything you had given to the sport
The heart's desire and all the support.

"Every day before practice, I reread it," Shawn says. "Writing that poem released a lot of the pressure. World champion is such a huge title to live up to."

Teri and Doug Johnson, an independent contractor specializing in interior trim work, didn't push Shawn up the gymnastics ladder. Quite the opposite. Every time Shawn's coach, Liang Chow, told Teri he wanted to advance Shawn a level, Teri asked him to reconsider. "Chow has told me I'm the only mom who asked him to hold her daughter back," Teri says. "I thought she'd be better off competing against kids her own age."

Chow knew better. He grew up in Beijing, which is why Teri believes destiny has been at work. "I have a gut feeling they were supposed to meet and do this thing," she says. "It's just been too easy. We haven't done anything to make this happen."

DGS 9.9's European style scarf featured in TV Movie

2007-04-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Shiloh Fernandez above seen modeling the DGS 9.9's Gymnastics USA Scarf

The DGS 9.9's Gymnastics USA European style soccer scarf was recently featured in a Hallmark Hall of Fame production of Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness featuring former Superman Dean Cain.

Z. Champ, the designer of the scarf commented on the discovery, "product placement like this shows that DGS 9.9's has a keen awareness of the pulse of Hollywood," Champ said. "While we are proud to be placed in a scene with the likes of Shiloh Fernandez, we would much rather be featured with a high profile 'A list' celebrity like Chuck Norris, Stephen Colbert or Rosie O'Donnell," Champ continued. "I wouldn't be surprised if our "No Parking" sign were to show up either," Champ mused, citing an internal company feud. That kind of hunger for improvement is typical of a company known nationwide for its restlessness and want of success.

For those unfamiliar with DGS 9.9's it should be noted that this is not the company's sole brush with the glitz and glamor of celebrity. The company was previously featured in episodes of NBC's The Apprentice, Discovery Channel's Trading Spaces: Kid's Edition, as well as providing stunt mats to lesser cast members of SNL and morning show exercise and fitness personalities.

Dean Cain was unavailable for comment at the time of publishing.

Five U.S. athletes advance to final round of Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup Final

2007-04-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

PUURS, Belgium, April 8, 2007—The mixed pair of Andre Solodar of San Jose, Calif., and Xiau-Ling Wee of Sereno, Calif., and the women’s group of Mariah Henninger of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ally Kidd of Livermore, Calif., and Tisa Penny of San Leandro, Calif., qualified for the final round of the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup Final in Puurs, Belgium. Tomorrow’s final round features the top four finishers in each event from the preliminary round.

Solodar and Wee placed third in the mixed pair competition after earning a balance score of 28.100 and dynamic score of 28.603, totaling 56.703. The trio of Henninger, Kidd and Penny claimed the fourth and final qualifying spot in women’s group with a routine that included a balance score of 27.690 and a dynamic score of 27.551 for a 55.241 total.

The top finishers in each discipline were: Alexei Dudchenko and Konstantin Pilipchuk of Russia, men’s pair; Natalia Kakhntuk and Kristina Maraziuk of Belarus, women’s pair; Revaz Gurgenidze and Tatiana Okulova of Russia, mixed pair; Maaike Croket, Soen Geirnaert and Corinne Van Hombeeck of Belgium, women’s group.

For complete preliminary round results, visit http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/LOB/media/MEDIA14777.pdf.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.

Mazeika named head coach for the 2007 U.S. Men’s World Championships Team

2007-04-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 5, 2007 – 2004 U.S. Olympic Coach Kevin Mazeika of Houston was named head coach for the U.S. Men's Team that will compete in the 2007 World Championships, Sept. 1-9, in Stuttgart, Germany. Mazeika, who also led the men’s squad for the 2001 and 2003 World Championships, guided the U.S. Men’s Team to the team silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Mazeika was chosen by the Men’s Program Committee.

“Kevin has distinguished himself in this role at previous Olympic Games and the World Championships, earning him the respect and confidence of his peers and the athletes,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “This experience will surely play a role in creating a successful effort this fall in Stuttgart.”

Mazeika coached the U.S. Team to three of its most successful performances in recent history. The men’s silver team medal at the 2004 Olympics was the men’s best finish since they won the team gold medal in 1984, as well as the first team medal in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1932. The U.S. Men's Team also earned the team silver medal at both the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Prior to the 2001, the men had not won a world team medal since 1979.

"I'm honored, grateful and very excited to serve as head coach for this year’s World Championships Team," said Mazeika. "We achieved our success in 2001, 2003 and 2004 via detailed planning and a total team effort, and we expect this same process to help us earn a berth to the 2008 Olympic Games and win medals in Stuttgart."

Currently, Mazeika is the head coach at the Houston Gymnastics Academy. Among the athletes he coaches are U.S. senior national team members Sean Golden, a member of the 2005 World Championships Team; Sean Townsend, 2001 parallel bars world champion and a member of the 2001 silver-medal World Championships Team; and Raj Bhavsar, 2004 U.S. Olympic Team alternate and a member of the 2001 and 2003 silver-medal World Championships Team. Mazeika began coaching men's gymnastics in 1984 and has served on the National Team Coaching Staff since 1988.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

Ludvigson and Johnson win bronze medals at Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup

2007-04-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y., April 2, 2007—2006 U.S. tumbling champion Kalon Ludvigson of Cedar Lake, Ind., and 2007 Winter Classic tumbling champion Susannah Johnson of Roanoke, Va., both won their first World Cup medals when they claimed bronze medals in men’s and women’s tumbling, respectively, at today’s Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. Canadian trampolinists set two world records for degree of difficulty at the World Cup. Canada’s Jason Burnett set the mark in men’s trampoline at 17.5, while Rosannagh MacLennan and Karen Cockburn of Canada set a world record at 14.2 in their women’s synchronized trampoline win.

“I definitely did a lot better today than I did in prelims,” said Ludvigson, who finished behind China’s Wang Jiexu, who won the gold medal, and Tagir Murtazaev of Russia. “In the finals, I did everything I planned to do. I was a lot more confident today and training went a lot better.”

“It’s definitely exciting,” said Johnson, who placed behind Russians Anna Korobenikova and Alina Yarullova. “It’s terrifying being with all of these girls who have done it for so long because they’re so good. I did not expect to place at all, so I’m really excited.”

In addition to Wang, Korobenikova, MacLennan and Cockburn, the other event champions were: 2000 Olympic trampoline champion Irina Karavaeva of Russia, women’s trampoline; 2004 Olympic trampoline champion Yuriy Nikitin of the Ukraine, men’s trampoline; and Tetsuya Sotomura and Yasuhiro Ueyama of Japan, men’s synchronized trampoline.

In men’s tumbling, Wang won the gold with a score of 77.20, followed by Murtazaev at 76.10. Ludvigson was third with a score of 74.40 points. Also competing for the United States in men’s tumbling was Chris Adair of Lubbock, Texas, who finished eighth at 65.50.

Russia went 1-2 in women’s tumbling with Korobenikova, the reigning tumbling world champion, in first with a score of 69.80, followed by Yarullova at 67.90. Johnson scored a 64.80 to place third in women’s tumbling.

In women’s synchronized trampoline, Erin Blanchard of Lafayette, La., and Brittany Dircks of Orland Park, Ill., placed fifth with a total score of 44.80. The pair of MacLennan and Cockburn won the gold medal with a score of 47.90, while Karavaeva and Natalia Chernova took second at 47.00. Maryna Kyiko and Yulia Domchevska of the Ukraine claimed the bronze medal with a 46.50.

Ueyama and Sotomura won men’s synchronized trampoline with a 49.90, followed by Vladimir Kakorko and Nikolai Kazak of Belarus in second at 49.30. Alexander Leven and German Khnychev of Russia placed third at 48.00.

Karavaeva won women’s trampoline gold medal with her 38.60. Cockburn was second with a 37.90, followed by Zhong Xinping of China in third at 37.60. Blanchard placed seventh at 35.60.

In men’s trampoline, Nikitin’s 40.70 put him in first. Burnett and Shunsuke Nagasaki of Japan were second and third, respectively, with just a tenth of a point separating them. Burnett scored a 40.00 and Nagasaki scored a 39.90.

A world record can only be set in an official International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) competition.

The majority of these athletes will compete in the second World Cup event of the season, April 6-7, in Quebec City, Quebec.

About the Olympic Regional Development Authority

ORDA, headquartered in Lake Placid, N.Y., was created by the New York State legislature in 1981. It manages, promotes, maintains and updates the venues that were used in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. ORDA and Lake Placid offer venues that are used by the best winter athletes for training and competition, as well as for the enjoyment of recreational users. The sites offer the activities of skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snow shoeing, bobsled, luge, skeleton, hockey, figure skating, speed skating, ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, aerials skiing, mogul skiing and mountain biking.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.

Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup

U.S. Olympic Training Center

Lake Placid, N.Y.

April 2, 2007

Final round

Men’s Trampoline

1. Yuriy Nikitin, Ukraine, 40.70

2. Jason Burnett, Canada, 40.00

3. Shunsuke Nagasaki, Japan, 39.90

Women’s Trampoline

1. Irina Karavaeva, Russia, 38.60

2. Karen Cockburn, Canada, 37.90

3. Zhong Xingping, China, 37.60

Other U.S. Finish

7. Erin Blanchard, USA, 35.60

Men’s Synchronized Trampoline

1. Yasuhiro Ueyama and Tetsuya Sotomura, Japan, 49.90

2. Vladimir Kakorko and Nikolai Kazak, Belarus, 49.30

3. Alexander Leven and German Khnychev, Russia, 48.00

Women’s Synchronized Trampoline

1. Rosannagh MacLennan and Karen Cockburn, Canada, 47.90

2. Irina Karavaeva and Natalia Chernova, Russia, 47.00

3. Maryna Kyiko and Yuliia Domchevska, Ukraine, 46.50

Other U.S. Finish

5. Erin Blanchard and Brittany Dircks, USA, 44.80

Men’s Tumbling

1. Wang Jiexu, China, 77.20

2. Tagir Murtazaev, Russia, 76.10

3. Kalon Ludvigson, USA, 74.40

Other U.S. Finish

8. Chris Adair, USA, 65.50

Women’s Tumbling

1. Anna Korobenikova, Russia, 69.80

2. Alina Yarullova, Russia, 67.90

3. Susannah Johnson, USA, 64.80

Back Handsprings: The Secret Techniques

2007-04-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Click for an excerpt!

Rik Feeney, the author of Cheerleading: Conditioning for Back Handspring & Tumbling Success! offers a brief excerpt from his new book Back Handsprings: The Secret Techniques.

Description:
What single tumbling skill do 3.5 million gymnasts and 6.8 million cheerleaders want to learn?

A Back Handspring!

To make the gymnastics team or the cheerleading squad you must have a back handspring.

Crowds will cheer when you tumble across the floor with high-speed, explosive back handsprings!

This book contains valuable resources, techniques, and illustrations gathered from master coaches over the past thirty years including suggestions for improvement, that lead to more advanced tumbling skills.

Gymnastics coach and author, Rik Feeney, teaches you the secret techniques with easy-to-learn drills that will have you flipping over backwards in no time at all SAFELY!

Imagine walking the halls of your school representing your cheer squad or standing on the winning platform at a gymnastics meet. It can happen to you, and sooner than you think.

It's your turn to shine. Get your copy now before your competition does!

The book may be purchased directly from Gymsupply.com

Ten Steps to More Profit Through Better Relationships

2007-04-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

By Ken Wood: DGS 9.9's Consulting Partner

It is a given that our companies are only as good as our employees. It is problematic for us to do the multitudes of jobs required in a gymnastics business or multi-sport facility ourselves. So we must rely on others, our employees, to get the work done and get it done right. The single biggest problem in most gyms is hiring good employees who are beneficial to the bottom line. For many years, hiring the right person was hit or miss for us. Clearly, something had to change and that change had to come from me. After several attempts my company, Paragon Training Centers in Fredericksburg, Virginia has been able to put together a strong group of managers who are able to understand the importance of increasing the bottom line as one of our company’s goals. However, what may interest you the most is how we have achieved this end.

We have for some time followed the commonly accepted practice of hiring high-quality people with good attitudes who fit the attributes we are looking for and then training them for the position. Unfortunately many less successful companies often hire new employees for skills already possessed and do not recognize the importance of how an applicant’s attitude and work ethic would support the business’s ultimate goal of the bottom-line and profit. Here are ten steps you can take to improve your relationship with your partners (employees) and, if you choose to make these changes, you will see improved relationships, increased profits and a happier staff.

1. Admit your mistakes - Nothing will improve your relationships faster than admitting your mistakes before they are presented to you, or become a larger issue. Show evidence of both correction and learning from it. You can disarm any conflict by admitting your mistake first.

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff - The ability to overlook the daily issues and rise above pettiness goes a long way to giving employees the sense of freedom necessary to do their jobs well.

3. Accept what (and who) you can’t change - The ability to accept an individual as they are is the single most important aspect of showing respect to another individual. It is also sometimes the most difficult.

4. Put people where they belong - Everyone is different and have differing abilities or gifts. The biggest mistake managers make is to look at others through their own gifts and expectations they have of themselves. Doing this marginalizes the individual, making it impossible to utilize the employee effectively, creating an inefficient situation. When this happens the manager has made his own strengths into weaknesses not just for himself, but for the company as well.

5. Appreciate what you have - An employee is motivated more by management showing appreciation for a job well done than any other factor. Study after study shows this. Make sure you show your employees individually what they mean to you as well as the company in tangible, heartfelt ways. Sometimes this only needs to be a word of encouragement.

6. Offer to help - Show a willingness to do any job, any time. Pitch in at parties when understaffed; cover a shift or two when necessary (on top of your own work). Be generally helpful to your staff (no ivory towers!).

7. A positive attitude is a choice - This is infectious, just like a bad attitude. Make sure you set a good example.

8. Change is good - A methodical use of your prerogative to change your mind shows your ability to adjust to new stimuli. If used correctly and at the right time, you will show your staff that you are open to new ideas and ways of doing business. Eventually, your staff will feel comfortable about bringing their own ideas forward, which gives your company more options for improving profitability.

9. OK, what’s next? - Show your staff that working hard to anticipate problems or opportunities can minimize failures or possibly lead to larger profits. For example, changing a policy or tweaking the operating schedule to maximize efficiency during times of peak square footage utilization have the potential to do both, create new problems or make your business more efficient. Encourage your staff to anticipate what these may be and use them in your planning.

10. Require excellence, not perfection - Perfection is impossible. Plan on errors, knowing that everyone is going to make mistakes. By requiring excellence you are telling your staff that mistakes are acceptable but only if they learn from those mistakes and continue to improve both as an employee and a person.

As business owners and managers we are certainly not perfect by any means. Yet, in order to create a healthy work environment where all employees have a vested interest in the viability of the company’s long-term success, we have begun the long path to partnership outlined above. Eventually, if you practice these steps with your department leaders (managers), you will in turn see evidence of your upper level staff enlisting these practices with the employees they are responsible for supervising. The ultimate achievement is a cohesive unit working toward one goal: a team.

Ken Wood is the owner of a multi-sport facility in Fredericksburg, VA and CEO of Paragon Business Consulting Services, an affiliate of DGS 9.9’s. More information on Ken’s services can be found at http://www.gymsupply.com

Creating a Buzz About your Business

2007-04-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

HOW TO GAIN MORE CLIENTS THROUGH ADVERTISING, BRANDING AND MARKETING
By Ken Wood: DGS 9.9's Business Consulting Partner

We all know the days are gone when we could open the doors to our gyms and the kids just walk right in. In today’s market, it is important to reach out to our customers in ever increasing ways. But how? Each market is different and therefore each gym must design a plan for its unique environment and mission. One thing that is common to all gyms is that everyone should be using principles of advertising, marketing and branding to maximize return on effort. The purpose of this article is to teach you how to read the map, not what route you should take.

Let’s start with definitions. Most of us don’t know the difference between marketing and advertising and even the most savvy club owner will hesitate when asked to define branding. But all three are crucial to creating the right atmosphere for growth.

First, advertising. Advertising is the most commonly used term for what gyms commonly do. Essentially, advertising is any effort you make to communicate with customers or potential customers where you have no direct, personal contact and therefore little control of the outcome. Many media are used to deliver these messages: television, radio, movies, magazines, newspapers, the internet, and billboards.

Marketing is anything you do to attract customers or to maintain current clients that is not considered advertising. For example, putting an ad in your local newspaper about a schedule change is considered advertising. But if your front desk speaks to your clients concerning the virtues of the new schedule, then that is marketing. The distinction from advertising is relationship development and the potential to close the sale. Additionally, there is a managerial aspect to marketing. If the schedule change is in response to research conducted into the schedules of educational preschools in your area, then this is an example of the managerial aspect of marketing. 95% of what gyms do is actually marketing, and the rest is branding.

Unlike advertising or marketing, branding is very possibly a foreign concept to many. Branding is an application of marketing techniques to increase the perceived value of a product. By developing your brand as the quality alternative in the marketplace, you increase the possibility of both new sales and repeat business. For instance, Jello brand flavored gelatin was branded so well that we commonly identify the product category as jello. If you are successful in creating a strong brand for your product, you are then capable of charging more for your product than your competitors based on the increase in perceived value. Notice the word perceived. Actual value is important for retention but perceived value is what counts for attracting new customers.

* How do these three interrelated concepts pertain to the gymnastics business? How can the gym owner know when and how to use each? Unfortunately the answer to these questions is unique to the demographics and mission statement of each individual club and depends upon the types of programs offered. Hopefully, the mission statement for each club and the programs offered stem from research done concerning the demographic characteristics of the area. However, there are a few specific concepts that hold true in every market. One very important principle is to understand that there are three types of customers. The customer you do not yet have, the customer currently in your program and the customer who has left your program. In order to maintain your client base and grow, you must market to all three. To make an impact on any of these types of customers you must make an ‘impression’ an average of five times on each unique subject. A few other ‘basics’ for you to keep in mind:

Branding

* A brand name must be easy to pronounce, easy to remember and easy to recognize.

Marketing

* Corporate Level Marketing is done before the business opens and focuses on the type of business to be pursued.

* Business Level Marketing creates business models to develop long term market growth and strategies for competing in the marketplace.

* Functional Level Marketing is the act of attracting and retaining customers.

* ‘Marketing 101’ is all about the four P’s:

* Product - pertains to how you design your programs to satisfy the desires of the customer.

* Pricing - what you decide to charge for your programs and how you arrive at those prices.

* Promotion - decisions concerning advertising, public relations, sales promotion and how you will promote your club or brand, or even a particular program.

* Placement - since our industry is not retail in nature, this refers mainly to the location you choose for your facility.

* Now that you have all of this information, how do you use it? Relating to all three types of customers, you first must decide what kind of business you are going to be and define your mission statement (corporate level marketing). Second, you must decide how you can compete in the marketplace by creating unique, quality programs designed specifically for the type of client you want to attract (business level marketing). Finally, design advertising and marketing campaigns to strengthen your brand, attract new clients and retain the clients you already have (functional level marketing). Use the Four P’s to help you design your business level and functional level marketing programs and remember, your customers need to hear the message five times or more on any given topic to maximize your chances that it will sink in.

* Using this roadmap you can create a buzz about your business and therefore attract new customers, retain current clients and entice former customers to return.

Ken Wood is the president of Paragon Training Center in Fredericksburg, VA and Paragon Business Consulting Services. Paragon Business Consulting Services is affiliated with DGS/9.9’s and provides consulting and commercial lending services to DGS clients. He can be reached by visiting the DGS website at www.gymsupply.com.

Top male gymnasts to compete at 2007 Winter Cup Challenge

2007-04-04T15:48:00.002-07:00

Winter Cup’s final round available via free Web cast at usa-gymnastics.org

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 6, 2007 – 2006 pommel horse world bronze-medalist Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron, and 2005-06 Winter Cup Challenge all-around champion David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron, are among the 13 members of the current U.S. Men’s Senior National Team who will compete at the 2007 Winter Cup Challenge, Feb. 8 and 10, at the Las Vegas Sports Center in Las Vegas. Fans across the country can enjoy the action from the final day of the Winter Cup Challenge via a free, live Web cast at usa-gymnastics.org on Feb. 10 from 7-10 p.m. Pacific Time.

Seventeen athletes from the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team also will participate in the event. Based on performances at the Winter Cup Challenge, seven gymnasts will be added to the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team.

“This field includes the United States’ top male gymnasts who will provide exciting and close competition,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The Winter Cup Challenge promises to be a great preview for 2007 as the senior athletes have their sights set on making the U.S. team for the 2007 World Championships.”

U.S. Olympians Steve McCain (2000) and Mihai Bagiu (1996) will serve as commentators for the free Web cast, which will be available live through a link on USA Gymnastics Web site, usa-gymnastics.org. Saturday’s competition features an all-around format, with medalists determined in both the all-around and individual events.

In addition to his world bronze medal, Artemev won the all-around, pommel horse and parallel bars titles at the 2006 Visa Championships, which is USA Gymnastics’ national championships. In 2006, Durante placed sixth in the all-around at the Visa Championships, finished third at the Tyson American Cup and tied for third on the parallel bars at the Pacific Alliance Championships.

Four of the 13 U.S. Men’s Senior National Team members competing in the Winter Cup Challenge are 2006 U.S. champions. Other members of the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team slated to compete in Las Vegas are listed below.

* Guillermo Alvarez of Denver/Team Chevron finished third in the all-around at the 2006 Visa Championships and 2006 Winter Cup Challenge. He was a member of the U.S. Men’s Team at the 2006 World Championships.
* Raj Bhavsar of Houston/HGA/Team Chevron placed third in the parallel bars at the 2006 Visa Championships and was an alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. He was a member of the U.S. Men’s Team that won the silver medal at the 2001 and 2003 World Championships.
* Sean Golden of Camden, N.J./HGA/GymMasters, placed second on the still rings at the 2006 Visa Championships and 2006 Winter Cup Challenge. He also was on the 2005 World Championships Team.
* Joseph Hagerty of Albuquerque, N.M./Team Chevron, finished second on the parallel bars and fourth in the all-around at the 2005 Visa Championships.
* Jonathan Horton of Houston/University of Oklahoma won the 2006 Tyson American Cup, as well as the 2006 U.S. floor exercise title. He also won the 2006 NCAA all-around, still rings and floor exercise crowns and was a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team.
* Tim McNeill of Falls Church, Va./UC Berkeley, placed second on the pommel horse at the 2006 Visa Championships and third in the same event at the 2006 Winter Cup Challenge.
* David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill./Stanford University, was the 2006 U.S. and NCAA vault champion and a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team. He tied for second in the floor exercise at the 2006 Visa Championships and placed third in the vault at the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships.
* Clay Strother of Jasper, Texas/Team Chevron, tied for second on the floor exercise and placed second in the vault at the 2006 Visa Championships. He also was a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team.
* Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron, was the 2006 U.S. still rings champion and was captain of the U.S. Men’s Team at the 2006 World Championships. He was third in the still rings at last year’s World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, and fourth in the same event at last year’s World Cup in Lyon, France.
* Yewki Tomita of Tucson, Ariz./Team Chevron, was the high bar champion at the 2006 Winter Cup Challenge and pommel horse champion at the 2005 Visa Championships. In 2006, he won the horizontal bar at the World Cup in Lyon, France. This will be his first competition since shoulder surgery last year.

* Sean Townsend of Dickinson, Texas/HGA/GymMasters, finished second in the parallel bars competition at the 2006 Visa Championships and fourth on the vault at the 2005 Visa Championships. He also placed third on the parallel bars at the 2006 Glasgow Grand Prix. Townsend, who was a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, was the parallel bars world champion in 2001.

All five members of the U.S. Team that won the team gold medal at the 2006 Junior Pan Am Championships are competing: Tim Gentry of Plano, Texas/WOGA; Ryan Lieberman of Lake Forest, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics; Philip Onorato of Plano, Texas/WOGA; Miguel Pineda of Galloway, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics; and Mel Anton Santander of Southborough, Mass./University of Michigan.

In addition to U.S. junior all-around champions Danell Leyva of Miami/Universal Gymnastics and Timothy Pittman of Houston/Cypress Academy, the other members of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team are competing in this year’s Winter Cup Challenge. Members of the 14-15 year-old team are: Alexy Bilozertchev of Hilliard, Ohio/OSU Boys Team; Kyle Bunthuwong of El Cerrito, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics; Josh Dixon of San Jose, Calif./Champions Academy; Edward Mesa of Cooper City, Fla./Universal Gymnastics; and Neal Thompson of Woodside,Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics. Members of the 16-18 year-old team are: Chris Cameron of Winter Haven, Fla./Florida Flips; Thomas Kelley of Libertyville, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics; Paul Ruggeri III of Manlius, N.Y./CNY Gymnastics Center; Cole Storer of Plano, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics; and Andrew Stover of Fullerton, Calif./University of Illinois-Chicago.

The Winter Cup Challenge has two days of competition. Scores from both days of competition count toward the final rankings for the all-around and individual events. The qualification round on Feb. 8 consists of two sessions, each with approximately 42 athletes, beginning at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. The top 36 gymnasts, based on the points ranking system approved by the Men’s Program Committee, will advance to the finals, which begin at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Tickets go on sale on the afternoon of Feb. 7 at the Las Vegas Sports Center. One-day admission for the qualification sessions is $20 per adult and $12 per child, while the final round is $20 per person. An all-event pass with admission to all sessions may be purchased for $40 per adult and $30 per child. There is no reserved seating.

Seven gymnasts will be added to the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team following the Winter Cup Challenge. Three athletes will be added to the team based on the national team points system rank order, while the final four gymnasts will be selected from the Winter Cup Challenge participants and petitioned athletes by the Men’s Program Committee. These seven, along with the seven members of the 2006 World Championships Team who already qualified for the team, will comprise the Senior Men’s National Team until the 2007 Visa Championships in August.

About USA Gymnastics
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

#

2007 Winter Cup Challenge participants

By state, information shows name, hometown/club

Arizona
Yewki Tomita, Tucson, Ariz./Team Chevron

California
Tyler Block, Kensington, Calif./UC Berkeley
Kyle Bunthuwong, El Cerrito, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics
Matt Cohen, Agoura Hills, Calif./Penn State University
Josh Dixon, San Jose, Calif./Champions Academy
Glen Ishino, Santa Ana, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics
Willie Ito, Huntington Beach, Calif./Ohio State University
Brian Lee, Fremont, Calif./Army Gymnastics
Andrew Stover, Fullerton, Calif./University of Illinois-Chicago
Kevin Tan, Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron/Penn State University
Neal Thompson, Woodside, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics

Colorado
Guillermo Alvarez, Denver/Team Chevron
Alexander Artemev, Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron
Geoffrey Corrigan, Colorado Springs, Colo./Team Chevron
Grant Osborne, Ft. Collins, Colo./Ohio State University

Florida
Jon Buese, Gainesville, Fla./University of Iowa
Chris Cameron, Winter Haven, Fla./Florida Flips
Derek Helsby, Orlando, Fla./Penn State University
Vladi Klurman, N. Miami Beach, Fla./Penn State University
Seung tai Lee, Sorrento, Fla./Ohio State University
Danell Leyva, Miami/Universal Gymnastics
Edward Mesa, Cooper City, Fla./Universal Gymnastics
Michael Reavis, Tallahassee, Fla./HGA/GymMasters

Georgia
Justin Laury, Marietta, Ga./University of Michigan

Illinois
Wesley Haagensen, Belleville, Ill./University of Illinois
Thomas Kelley, Libertyville, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics
Ryan Lieberman, Lake Forest, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics
Geoffrey Reins, Buffalo Grove, Ill./University of Iowa
David Sender, Arlington Heights, Ill./Stanford University

Kansas
Bryant Hadden, Wichita, Kan./Stanford University

Louisiana
Matt Hicks, Baton Rouge, La./HGA/GymMasters

Maryland
John Vogtman, Baltimore, Md./Temple University

Massachusetts
Dylan Carney, Dartmouth, Mass./Stanford University
R.J. Heflin, Storeham, Mass./Gymnastics & More
Chris Lung, Lexington, Mass./University of Illinois
Mel Anton Santander, Southborough, Mass./University of Michigan

Mississippi
Jimmy Wickham, Gulfport, Miss./Ohio State University

Nebraska
Timothy Schmidt, Blair, Neb./University of Nebraska
Stephen T�trault, Lincoln, Neb./University of Nebraska
Jason Wassung, Lincoln, Neb./University of Nebraska

North Carolina
Colin Christ, Charlotte, N.C./UC Berkeley
Nyika White, Williamston, N.C./Temple University

New Jersey
Joe Catrambone, Deptford, N.J./University of Michigan
David Durante, Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron
Andrew Elkind, Cherry Hill, N.J./University of Michigan
Sean Golden, Camden, N.J./HGA/GymMasters
Curtis Kleffman, Washington, N.J./University of Iowa
Sterling Kramer, Garwood, N.J./Temple University
Ralph Rosso, Morganville, N.J./University of Michigan

New Mexico
Jacques Bouchard, Rio Rancho, N.M./University of Iowa
Joseph Hagerty, Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron
Edward Umphrey, Albuquerque, N.M./University of Michigan

New York
Alex Gorski, Cicero, N.Y./Temple University
Paul Ruggeri III, Manlius, N.Y./CNY Gymnastics Center

Ohio
Alexy Bilozertchev, Hilliard, Ohio/OSU Boys Team
DJ Bucher, Mason, Ohio/Ohio State University
Ben Ketelsen, Lancaster, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics
Kristopher Kline, Westerville, Ohio/Ohio State University
Miguel Pineda, Galloway, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics
Nicholaus Searcy, Dublin, Ohio/Ohio State University
Blaine Wilson, Worthington, Ohio/Ohio State University

Pennsylvania
Taqiy Abdullah, Philadelphia/University of Oklahoma
Cody Carnahan, East Brady, Pa./Penn State University
Eddie Hay, Butler, Pa./Ohio State University
Randy Monahan, Elizabethtown, Pa./Ohio State University
Adam Pummer, Allentown, Pa./University of Illinois
Nick Virbitsky, Harrisburg, Pa./Penn State University

Tennessee
Jake Bateman, Kingsport, Tenn./Ohio State University

Texas
Andre Berry, Hempstead, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics
Raj Bhavsar, Houston/HGA/Team Chevron
Tim Gentry, Plano, Texas/WOGA
Jamie Henderson, Crosby, Texas/University of Oklahoma
Jonathan Horton, Houston/University of Oklahoma
Steven Legendre, Flower Mound, Texas/WOGA
Philip Onorato, Plano, Texas/WOGA
Tim Pittman, Houston/Cypress Academy
Cole Storer, Plano, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics
Clay Strother, Jasper, Texas/Team Chevron
Todd Thornton, Houston/Team Chevron/USOTC
Sean Townsend, Dickinson, Texas/HGA/GymMasters
Tyler Yamauchi, Sugarland, Texas/University of Illinois

Utah
Jake Lee, Saratoga Springs, Utah/Minnesota Gymnastics

Virginia
Tim McNeill, Falls Church, Va./UC Berkeley
Viorel Popescu, Glen Allen, Va./RRMG

Washington
Kevin Perkins, Lake Forest Park, Wash./University of Washington

DGS 9.9's - Northeast Invite - Hartford CT

2007-04-04T15:48:00.001-07:00

Liukin is featured in Newsweek’s “Who’s next?”

2007-04-04T15:43:00.001-07:00

NOTE: To see the Newsweek article, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16240605/site/newsweek/.

Liukin is featured in Newsweek’s “Who’s next?”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 17, 2006 – 2006 U.S. all-around champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, is one of 20 identified as ones to watch in 2007 in Newsweek’s “Who’s Next?” feature in the Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2007, issue that is available at newsstands Monday, Dec. 18. Liukin, who was the 2005 uneven bars and balance beam world champion, is the first gymnast to be included in the annual feature.

“I am really excited to be included as one of the top people to watch,” said Liukin, 17, who is coached by her father, Valeri, a two-time Olympic champion. “It is a great honor to be chosen and recognized as the only female athlete.”

“Nastia is one of the best gymnasts in the world and the recognition is well deserved,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “In competition, Nastia is known for her style and grace, as well as her competitive fire and team spirit. Out of the gym, Nastia is an outstanding high school student and typical teenager. She is an excellent ambassador for our sport, and we are thrilled that more people will get to know Nastia through Newsweek’s feature.”

The photo in the piece shows Liukin on the balance beam in front of a barbecue restaurant and was taken on a day when the temperature was in the 40s.

“I had so much fun at the photo shoot”, said Liukin “It was cold, but I consider this an honor that deserved my best. I hope my fans like the picture and story.”

"Nastia's talent and grace in competition are only surpassed by her poise and presence as an ambassador for Visa and USA Gymnastics," said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. "We are so proud to have her in the Visa family, and we look forward to watching her represent America in Beijing."

In 2006, Liukin won her second straight U.S. senior all-around title at the Visa Championships, where she also was first in both the uneven bars and balance beam. Despite an injured ankle, Liukin helped her team win the team silver medal at the 2006 World Championships, where she also claimed the uneven bars silver medal. Earlier in the year, she won the all-around title at the Tyson American Cup, one of the most prestigious invitationals in the world. At the Pacific Alliance Championships, she was a member of the gold-medal-winning team, as well as won the uneven bars title and tied for first in the all-around. At the 2005 World Championships, she won the gold medal for both the uneven bars and balance beam and the silver medal for the all-around and floor exercise. In the all-around, she finished just .001 behind teammate Chellsie Memmel, posting the closest margin of victory in the event’s history except for a tie.

She is a senior at Spring Creek Academy and trains at WOGA, where both of her parents are coaches. Her father won four medals at the 1988 Olympic Games, including two gold, and her mother, Anna, was a 1987 rhythmic gymnastics world champion.

“Who’s next?” has been a feature in Newsweek for six years and focuses on individuals and groups who are expected to be newsmakers in the coming year. Liukin is one of two athletes featured in the issue. The other is Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox.

Based in Indianapolis,

USA

Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the

United States

. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

14 countries set to compete in USA Gymnastics' Tyson American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla.

2007-04-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Jan. 16, 2007 - Fourteen countries will send gymnasts to compete at the 2007 Tyson American Cup, one of the world's most prestigious gymnastics competitions, on March 3 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The participating countries accounted for 31 medals at the recent World Championships.

In addition to China and the United States, the Tyson American Cup field includes world-class gymnasts from Australia, Belarus, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Switzerland and Ukraine.

The USA has already named two athletes to its team: Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., who won three silver medals (all-around, floor exercise and team competition) at the 2006 World Championships, the most by a U.S. athlete; and Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo., the reigning U.S. all-around champion and the world pommel horse bronze medalist, the USA's first medal in that event since 1979. The international athletes competing in the event and the balance of the U.S. Team will be named at a later date.

On sale now, tickets are $50, $35 and $19.50 and are subject to applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster and its outlets; by phone at (904) 353-3309; online at www.ticketmaster.com; at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office; or through participating gymnastics clubs in the Jacksonville area.

Some of the sport's biggest names are former American Cup all-around gold medalists, including: men -- Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women -- Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania). At last year's event, Americans Jonathan Horton of Houston and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, each earned the title of 2006 American Cup champion.

The city of Jacksonville is no stranger to the sport of gymnastics. The old Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena hosted the 1985 U.S. Championships and the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials.

The American Cup was first held in 1976. Past sites include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); and Philadelphia (2006).

In addition to its sponsorship of the Tyson American Cup, Tyson is powering gymnasts by providing high-quality chicken, beef and pork to the USA Gymnastics National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. Tyson's protein-filled products help these talented athletes to develop and maintain the strength and endurance they need to perform at elite events, such as the Tyson American Cup and the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.

About JEDC Sports & Entertainment

The JEDC Sports & Entertainment office enhances the region's economy by attracting special events and sports organizations to the First Coast. The sports office helps develop and coordinate sporting and entertainment events and actively promotes the facilities owned by the City of Jacksonville and serves as an in-house event production, marketing and advertising agency for regional sporting events, bringing millions of dollars to the region each year. For more information, please visit www.jaxdevelopment.org.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark., is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries.

The company has approximately 110,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

USA wins four medals at British Open Tournament

2007-04-04T15:41:00.002-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 13, 2006 – The U.S. acrobatic gymnastics delegation to the 2006 British Open Tournament in Stoke-on-Trent, Great Britain, won one gold, two silver and one bronze medal in the international competition that featured teams from clubs and federations from the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Wales, London, Scotland, West Midlands, United States and Yorkshire.

The men’s pair of Julian Amaro of Pleasanton, Calif., and Tyler Spray of Livermore, Calif., won the gold medal with their score of 28.140 for their combined routine, which was the routine that determined the final results in the junior and senior competition. They train at West Coast Acrobatics.

\n\n

The USA’s silver medals went to\nthe senior mixed pair of Brian Kincher of Ft.\n Collins, Colo.,\nand Kristin Allen of Livermore,\nwho also train at West Coast Acrobatics; and the junior women’s pair of Mallory\nHenthorn and Savannah Shields, both of Kearney, Mo./Acro\nExplosion. Kincher and Allen’s score of 25.140, put them behind Horsham’s\nmixed pair of Matt Bennett and Isis Clegg-Vinell, who won the gold medal with\n26.170. Henthorn\nand Shields competed against a strong field, finishing second with 26.900\nbehind Debra Owen and Kelly Mannion of Harefield, who won the gold medal with\n27.650.

\n\n

The 11-16 women’s group of Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid and Mariah Spray, all of whom\nare from Livermore\nand train at West Coast Acrobatics, won a bronze medal in the\n11-16 division for their dynamic routine with a score of 28.150.

\n\n

The balance of the U.S.\ndelegation included\nthese 11-16 age-group pairs/groups: \nMegan Clemons and Maranda\nKing, both of ",1] ); //-->They train at West Coast Acrobatics.

The USA’s silver medals went to the senior mixed pair of Brian Kincher of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Kristin Allen of Livermore, who also train at West Coast Acrobatics; and the junior women’s pair of Mallory Henthorn and Savannah Shields, both of Kearney, Mo./Acro Explosion. Kincher and Allen’s score of 25.140, put them behind Horsham’s mixed pair of Matt Bennett and Isis Clegg-Vinell, who won the gold medal with 26.170. Henthorn and Shields competed against a strong field, finishing second with 26.900 behind Debra Owen and Kelly Mannion of Harefield, who won the gold medal with 27.650.

The 11-16 women’s group of Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid and Mariah Spray, all of whom are from Livermore and train at West Coast Acrobatics, won a bronze medal in the 11-16 division for their dynamic routine with a score of 28.150.

The balance of the U.S. delegation included these 11-16 age-group pairs/groups: Megan Clemons and Maranda King, both of Blue Springs, Mo./Mid-America Acro Tumbling & Trampoline, women’s pair; Hannah Vires of Brookesville, Md., and Maren Rey of Rockville, Md./ Xtreme Acro, women’s pair; Madison Lamey, Brooke Sassin and Audrey Palmer, all of San Antonio, Texas/Brown’s, women’s group; Courntey Harms, Emily Lingo and Mackenzie Porter, all of Kearney, Mo./Rising Star Acrobatics Club, women’s group; and Chelcea Reigel, Ashley Hargis and Kristin Weidmaier, all of Kearney/Rising Star Acrobatics Club, women’s group.

Eight of the nine U.S. pair/groups qualified to finals.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more complete information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

2006 British Open Tournament Results

Senior men's pair

1. Julian Amaro, Tyler Spray, USA, 28.140

Senior mixed pair

1. Matt Bennett, Isis Clegg-Vinell, Horsham, 26.170

2. Brian Kincher, Kristin Allen, USA, 25.140

Senior women’s group

1. Hayley Buckman, Hannah Pompa, Charlotte Frankline, Southampton, 25.310

2. Elke Knaepkens, Kim Delose, Caro Annaert, APG-Art Gym, 24.300

3. Kirsty Warren, Abigail Marsh, Molly Bailey, Southhampton, 23.750

Junior women's pair

1. Deborah Owen, Kelly Mannion, Harefield, 27.750

2. Mallory Henthorn, Savannah Shields, USA, 26.900

3. Anita Jones, Cet Williams, Moelwyn, 25.900

Junior women’s group

1. Katherine Smith, Ciara McGrath, Jessica Dangerfield, Harefield, 28.700

2. Natasha Johnston, Emma Storey, Amber Webster, Wakefield, 28.450

3. Josie Rees, Amy Bowditch, Sophie Whitehurst, Bromley Valley, 27.450

Women's group (11-16)

1. Joanne White, Amber Ballantyne-Styles Rosie Burr, Oxford, 28.900

2. Catherine Aitchison, Rosie Green, Ellie Newitt, Oxford, 28.450

3. Hannah Busha, Steffani Scheid, Mariah Spray, USA, 28.150

U.S. finish

4. Mackenzie Porter, Emily Lingo, Courtney Harms, USA, 28.000

6. Audrey Palmer, Brooke Sassin, Madison Lamey, USA, 27.550

Mixed pair (11-16)

1. Christopher Rogers, Abby McArdle, Monarchs, 27.050

2. Jamie Pugh, Nicole Sander, West Street, 26.950

3. Christopher Collins, Lauren Jarrett, Monarchs, 26.100

Men's pair (11-16)

1. Matthew Short, Sean McKenna, Monarchs, 26.250

2. Tim Shaw, Harry Ruddlesden, Rotherham, 25.950

Women's pair (11-16)

1. Beth Ledger, Beth Sykes, Wakefield, 28.150

2. Louise Lee, Hannah Johnstone, South Tyneside, 27.800

3. Alison Hayes, Louise Kelly, Ballincollig, 27.650

U.S. finishes

4. Megan Clemons, Maranda King, USA, 27.600

5. Maren (Focke) Rey, Hannah Vires, USA, 27.250

Grade 4 Women’s Pair

1. Poppy Spalding, Rachael Prest, Harefield, 48.490

Grade 4 Men’s Pair

1. Lee Baker, Keiran Baker, Horsham, 49.300

Grade 4 Mixed Pair

1. Chris Carnfield, Ellie Stewart-Croker, Horsham, 49.600

2. Carl Denham, Fiona Cowley, Falcon, 39.500

Grade 4 Women’s Group

1. Tsveti Genov, Tashi Goldring, Josie Russell, Richmond, 51.800

2. Jessica Vurlton, Carly Robinson, Emma Strachen, South Staffs, 51.150

3. Ellya Thomas, Erin Jameson, Laura Noone, Harefield, 50.950

Grade 4 Men’s Group

\nNo virus found in this outgoing message.",1] ); //-->1. Matthew Gregory, Matthew Porter, James Auger, Elijah King, Southampton, 43.000

Out of Age Women’s Group

1. Hannah Feeney, Grace Blacklock, Claire Thompson, Harefield, 52.240

2. Sue Baylet, Christie Vincent, Ashleight Lavender, Saltney, 49.687

3. Naomi Baskwill, Rachael Brown, Georgia Green, Monarchs, 49.683

Out of Age Mixed Pair:

1. Leon Fagbemi, India Bigg, Bromley Valley, 47.883

2. Nathan Lewerthy, Mia Surplice, Southhampton, 41.733

Out of Age Women's Pair

1. Zoe Hitchen, Ellie Pearce, Checkers, 40.817

2006 world medalists Bieger, Artemev compete in '07 Tyson American Cup

2007-04-04T15:41:00.001-07:00

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 6, 2006 - 2006 all-around world silver-medalist Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., and 2006 pommel horse bronze-medalist Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo., have accepted invitations to represent the United States in the 2007 Tyson American Cup, one of the world's most prestigious gymnastics events, on March 3 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

"Jana and Alex are the USA's top medal winners from the recent 2006 World Championships and two important members of the current group of athletes preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "These two will lead the USA's team of talented men and women against the world's top gymnasts at the 2007 Tyson American Cup."

Bieger had a very successful October. At the 2006 World Championships, she won more medals than any other U.S. gymnast. In addition to her all-around medal, Bieger also took the silver in the floor exercise and team. One week later, she won the gold medal in both the uneven bars and floor exercise at the 2006 DTB-Pokal World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany. She is coached by her mother, Andrea, who was a three-time Olympian for West Germany. Her gym is Bieger International Gymnastics. Bieger, who is home-schooled, is a senior in high school.

Artemev, who is a member of Team Chevron, won the USA's first pommel horse world medal since Kurt Thomas in 1979. His bronze-medal performance was the best finish for the U.S. men at the 2006 World Championships. At the 2006 Visa Championships, Artemev won the all-around title, as well as the pommel horse and parallel bars titles. At the 2005 American Cup, he won the pommel horse title and was second in the floor exercise. Artemev, who trains at 5280 Gymnastics, is coached by his father, Vladimir, who is a former member of the Soviet national gymnastics team.

The 2007 Tyson American Cup, which features an all-around competition, begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are on sale now for $50, $35 and $19.50 and subject to applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster and its outlets; by phone at (904) 353-3309; online at www.ticketmaster.com; at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office; or through participating gymnastics clubs in the Jacksonville area. The competition on March 3 will be televised live on NBC Sports at 1 p.m. ET.

The old Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena was the site for the 1985 U.S. Championships and the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials.

The international gymnasts, representing the top gymnastics countries in the world, will be announced in January. The rest of the U.S. squad will also be determined closer to the event.

The list of former American Cup all-around gold medalists includes many of the best-known and loved names in gymnastics: men -- Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women -- Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania). In 2005, the American Cup was a World Cup event and its format named individual event champions; the USA's Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel, Nastia Liukin and Artemev won gold medals.

The American Cup was first held in 1976. Past sites include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); and Philadelphia (2006).

In addition to its sponsorship of the Tyson American Cup, Tyson is powering gymnasts by providing high-quality chicken, beef and pork to the USA Gymnastics National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. Tyson's protein-filled products help these talented athletes to develop and maintain the strength and endurance they need to perform at elite events, such as the Tyson American Cup and the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.

About JEDC Sports & Entertainment

The JEDC Sports & Entertainment office enhances the region's economy by attracting special events and sports organizations to the First Coast. The sports office helps develop and coordinate sporting and entertainment events and actively promotes the facilities owned by the City of Jacksonville, and serves as an in-house event production, marketing and advertising agency for regional sporting events, bringing millions of dollars to the region each year. For more information, please visit www.jaxdevelopment.org.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries.

The company has approximately 110,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

USA wins gold, bronze medals at 2006 DTB-Pokal World Cup

2007-04-04T15:40:00.002-07:00

STUTTGART, Germany, Oct. 28, 2006 – 2006 all-around world silver-medalist Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., won the uneven bars and 2006 U.S. World Championships Team member Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif., finished third in the still rings at the 2006 DTB-Pokal, a World Cup event held in Stuttgart, Germany. Bieger will compete in two more event finals on Oct. 29.

Bieger, who competes for Bieger International Gymnastics, scored a 15.425 to win the uneven bars title. Russia’s Polina Miller was second at 15.375, and Germany’s Oksana Chusovitina was third with a 15.325. Bieger, who also was a silver medalist on floor at the 2006 World Championships, will compete in the finals for balance beam and floor exercise.

Tan, who is a member of Team Chevron, posted a 16.075 to earn the bronze medal in the still rings. He finished behind Yuri Van Geldern of the Netherlands, who was first at 16.525, and Regulo Carmona of Venezuela, who was second at 16.175. David Durante of Garfield, N.J., who also is a member of Team Chevron, finished seventh in the pommel horse, which was won by Hungary’s Krisztian Berki.

Germany’s Fabian Hambuechen won the other men’s final, the floor exercise. Russia’s Anna Pavlova won the women’s vault.

The final day of competition features the finals for balance beam and women’s floor exercise, along with men’s vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar.

World Championships Sports Network (WCSN) is carrying the final two days of the 2006 DTB-Pokal on WCSN.com. In addition to seeing it when it airs, fans can also watch the competition at a time most convenient for them through WCSN’s on-demand archive. The webcast is 2-5 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 29. For more information, go to wcsn.com.

2006 DTB-Pokal results

Women’s event finals

Vault

1. Anna Pavlova, Russia, 15.100

2. Oksana Chusovitina, Germany, 14.937

3. Elena Zamolodchikova, Russia, 14.900

4. Jana Komrskova, Czechoslovakia, 14.500

5. Theresa Sporer, Germany, 14.475

6. Olga Shcherbatykh, Ukraine, 14.375

7. Maryna Kostiuchenko, Ukraine, 13.962

8. Aagje Vanwalleghem, Belgium, 13.675

Uneven Bars

1. Jana Bieger, USA, 15.425

2. Polina Miller, Russia, 15.375

3. Oksana Chusovitina, Germany, 15.325

4. Jana Sikulova, Czechoslovakia, 15.175

5. Daria Joura, Australia, 15.125

6. Hollie Dykes, Australia, 14.950

7. Kim Bui, Germany, 14.750

8. Dariya Zgoba, Ukraine, 13.900

Men’s event finals

Floor Exercise

1. Fabian Hambuechen, Germany, 15.600

2. Brandon O´Neill, Canada, 15.450

3. Wajdi Bouallegue, Tunesia, 15.250

4. David Vyoral, Spain, 15.225

5. Evgeni Bogonosyuk, Ukraine, 14.925

6. Filip Ude, Croatia, 14.850

7. Eiichi Sekiguchi, Japan, 14.225

8. Zhe Feng, China, 13.900

Pommel Horse

1. Krisztian Berki, Hungary, 15.750

2. Nikolai Kryukov, Russia, 15.600

3. Louis Smith, Great Britain, 15.450

4. Hiroyuki Tomita, Japan, 15.325

5. Vid Hidvegi, Hungary, 15.150

6. Luis Rivera, Puerto Rico, 15.025

7. David Durante, USA, 14.950

8. Takehito Mori, Japan, 14.225

Still Rings

1. Yuri Van Geldern, Netherlands, 16.525

2. Regulo Carmona, Venezuela, 16.175

3. Kevin Tan, USA, 16.075

4. Thomas Andergassen, Germany, 15.900

5. Hiroyuki Tomita, Japan, 15.825

6. Irodotos Georgallas, Cyprus, 15.550

7. Alexandr Balandin, Russia, 14.725

8. Robert Gal,

Hungary

, 14.700

Townsend claims bronze medal at Glasgow Grand Prix and World Cup

2007-04-04T15:40:00.001-07:00

GLASGOW,

Scotland

, Nov. 11, 2006 – Houston’s Sean Townsend won the bronze medal in the parallel bars at the 10^th Glasgow Grand Prix and World Cup at Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena. Joseph Hagerty of Albuquerque, N.M., also competed in the event finals.

Townsend, who is a member of Team Chevron, earned a 14.700 for his parallel bars routine to finish in third place. France’s Yann Cucherat won the event title with a 15.350, followed by Poland’s Roman Kulesza with 14.925.

Hagerty, also a member of Team Chevron, competed in the finals for both the floor exercise and horizontal bar. In the floor exercise, Hagerty posted a 14.775 to place sixth. Germany’s Matthias Fahrig was first at 15.325. France’s Cucherat also won the gold medal on the high bar, scoring a 15.500. Hagerty’s 14.650 put him in sixth place.

Other men’s champions at the event include: Louis Smith, Great Britain, pommel horse; Alexander Safoshkin, Russia, still rings; and Matthias Fahrig, Germany, vault. For the women, the champions are: Anna Pavlova, Russia, vault; Beth Tweddle, Great Britain, uneven bars; Steliana Nistor, Romania, balance beam; and Sandra Izbasa, Romania, floor exercise.

2006 Glasgow Grand Prix and World Cup results

Men’s events

Floor exercise

1. Matthias Fahrig, Germany, 15.325

2. Wajdi Bouallegue, Tunisia, 15.125

3. Gael Da Silva, France, 15.050

U.S. finish

6. Joseph Hagerty, Albuquerque, N.M./Team Chevron, 14.775

Pommel horse

1. Louis Smith, Great Britain, 15.375

2. Vid Hidvegi, Hungary, 15.15

3. Robert Seligman, Croatia, 15.05

Still rings

1. Alexander Safoshkin, Russia, 15.775

2. Oleksandr Vorobyou, Ukraine, 15.650

3. Olli Torkkel, Finland, 14.875

Vault

1. Matthias Fahrig, Germany, 15.800

2. Eleftherios Kosmidis, Greece, 15.562

3. Anton Golotsutskov, Russia, 15.112

Parallel bars

1. Yann Cucherat, France, 15.350

2. Roman Kulesza, Poland, 14.925

3. Sean Townsend, Houston/Team Chevron, 14.700

Horizontal Bar

1. Yann Cucherat, France, 15.500

2. Epke Zonderland, Netherlands, 15.275

3. David Eaton, Great Britain, 14.875

U.S. finish

6. Joseph Hagerty, Albuquerque, N.M./Team Chevron, 14.650

Philadelphia chosen to host 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics

2007-04-04T15:39:00.002-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 10, 2006 – USA Gymnastics has awarded the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics to Philadelphia, which will hold the event at the Wachovia Center, June 19-22. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show will be staged at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics.

“The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics is going to be a tremendous showcase for the Olympic movement prior to the Beijing Olympic Games,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We are proud to partner with Philadelphia and the Wachovia Center to bring this prestigious event to the City of Brotherly Love. We know the enthusiasm of the people, the renewed vibrancy of the city, and the deep spirit of patriotism will be a perfect backdrop for the selection of our U.S. team. Philadelphia has proven to be a strong supporter of gymnastics events in the past, and we are confident this will be a successful event.”

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Governing Bodies and the Local Organizing Committees.

“The USOC is committed to working in partnership with USA Gymnastics and the city of Philadelphia to provide a world-class Olympic Trials event that will be the next step towards our common goal of competitive excellence in Beijing," said Steve Roush, the USOC's Chief of Sport Performance.

Premier gymnastics is not new to Philadelphia. Most recently, the city has hosted the 2001 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and the 2006 Tyson American Cup, as well as stops on the 2003-04 T.J. Maxx Tour of Gymnastics Champions.

The Wachovia Center, one of the nation's most premier facilities, has already hosted the l996 World Cup of Hockey, the l997 Stanley Cup Finals, the 1998 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, l999 American Hockey League All-Star Game, the 2000 NCAA Women's Final Four, the 2000 Republican National Convention, the 2001 NBA Finals, the 2001 NCAA Men's East Regionals, the 2002 X Games, the 2002 NBA All-Star Game and the 2006 NCAA Men's First and Second Round Games, as well as will host the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Past venues for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics are: 2004, Anaheim, Calif.; 1996 and 2000, Boston; and 1992, Baltimore, Md.

Based in Indianapolis,

USA

Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the

United States

Hall finishes fourth in World Cup Final

2007-04-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

BIRMINGHAM,

Great Britain

– Yuliya Hall of Idaho Falls, Idaho, just missed tumbling’s medal podium at the 2006 World Cup Final for trampoline and tumbling in Birmingham,

Great Britain

. Hall finished fourth with a total score of 63.20.

Great Britain’s Samantha Palmer won the women’s tumbling competition with a 68.80, followed by Russia’s Anna Korobeynikova at 66.80 and Belarus’ Anna Terrenia at 63.80. Tumbling’s final included two tumbling runs. Hall scored a 31.90 on her first pass, followed by a 31.30.

The World Cup Final also had competition in men’s and women’s trampoline and synchronized trampoline, as well as men’s tumbling. The remaining champions are: men’s trampoline, Yasuhiro Ueyama of Japan; men’s tumbling, Jiexu Wang of China; men’s synchro, Germany; women’s trampoline, Karen Cockburn of Canada,; and women’s synchro, Canada.

2006 World Cup Final – trampoline and tumbling

Men’s events

Trampoline

1. Yasuhiro Ueyama, Japan, 40.80

2. Alexander Rusakov, Russia, 40.60

3. Tetsuya Sotomura, Japan, 40.50

Tumbling

1. Jiexu Wang, China, 77.50

2. Tagir Murtazaev, Russia, 73.60

3. Jozef Wadecki, Poland, 70.30

Synchronized trampoline

1. Germany (Serth, Michael; Stehlik, Henrik), 49.80

2. Japan (Sotomura, Tetsuya; Ueyama, Yasuhir), 49.30

3. Switzerland (Boillet, Michel; Martin, Ludovic), 49.10

Women’s events

Trampoline

1. Karen Cockburn, Canada, 37.40

2. Anna Dogonadze, Germany, 37

3. Claire Wright, Great Britain, 37

Tumbling

1. Samantha Palmer, Great Britain, 68.80

2. Anna Korobeynikova, Russia, 66.80

3. Anna Terrenia, Belarus, 63.80

U.S. finish

4. Yuliya Hall, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 63.20

Synchronized trampoline

1. Canada (Cockburn, Karen; Maclennan, R.), 47.80

2. Germany (Dogonadze, Anna; Simon, Jesica), 47.30

Ukraine

(Domchevska, Yulia; Movchan, Olena), 45.20

Gymnastics community’s total contributions to Children’s Miracle Network top $640,000

2007-04-04T15:38:00.001-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 7, 2006 – Through the efforts of clubs and gymnasts across the country, the USA Gymnastics family has raised more than $645,500 in donations to Children’s Miracle Network in just six years as part of National Gymnastics Day, which promotes physical fitness and gymnastics in communities throughout the country. In 2006, National Gymnastics Day was “a celebration of fitness,” and the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a combined effort by USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods to get kids active, was the main vehicle for clubs and gymnasts to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. August 4 is the date for National Gymnastics Day in 2007.

“For 2006, we expanded the activities of National Gymnastics Day to include the Tyson Fitness Challenge,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, “and focused on how gymnastics provides a great way for today’s youngsters of all ages and sizes to become more physically active and fit. This is our most successful fundraising effort to date.

“This year, our clubs raised more than $134,000, the most ever, and donations are still coming in. We could not be more proud of our membership, and again, we have demonstrated what the gymnastics community can achieve by working together. To raise more than $645,500 in just six years is outstanding, especially when you know the funds are helping children in the communities of those clubs.”

This year, the three clubs with the highest number of participants in the Tyson Fitness Challenge will be featured in USA Gymnastics publications and on usa-gymnastics.org, as well as receive gift packages from Tyson Foods, the world’s largest provider of chicken, beef and pork. Through the Tyson Fitness Challenge, participants raised money through pledges for the number of fitness-related skills, cartwheels, back flips or handstands they could perform. The top three individual fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network won a trip to the 2007 Tyson American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla.

Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Boston raised $18,305 for Children’s Miracle Network, the most by any club, and will be featured on the National Gymnastics Day poster. The American Institute of Gymnastics in Aurora, Ill, was second. with Gymnastics World of Broadview Heights, Ohio, third.

Andrew Wise, 11, from Sonshine Gymnastics Academy in Conway, Ark., raised $2,578, the most money by an individual. His photo will be included on the 2007 National Gymnastics Day poster. Michelle Moock, 11, from Gymnastics World raised $1,126 and Gaby McCarty, 5, from The Flip Zone in Plainfield, Ind., raised $834 to finish second and third, respectively. For their efforts, Wise, Moock and McCarty each earned a trip for two to the 2007 Tyson American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla.

Since National Gymnastics Day debuted in 1999, clubs have hosted a variety of different activities and celebrations to mark the annual day of recognition, ranging from gymnastics celebrations to open houses to the Tyson Fitness Challenge. National Gymnastics Day is recognized in all 50 states through a governor proclamation.

Some of the special activities included the following.

Ø To celebrate National Gymnastics Day and promote the 2006 Visa Championships, 932 people set the world record for the most cartwheels performed at one time at the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul, Minn.

Ø Central Coast Gymnastics Sports Center Inc., in San Luis Obispo, Calif., hosted a barbecue and a kids’ overnight, in addition to fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network.

Ø Gold Medal Gymnastics, Inc., in Smyrna, Del., hosted a fitness-a-thon, where the participants did as many different skills as possible within a specified time limit.

Ø World of Gymnastics in Woodstock, Ga., held an open house that featured performances by Ashley Phillips from Nickelodeon's Romeo Show and Bad Boy recording artists B5, along with the Tyson Fitness Challenge and gymnastics performances.

Ø Arising Stars Gymnastics in St. Joseph, Mo., held a 5K and 10K run in conjunction with its open house that included a Children's Miracle Network Cartwheel-a-thon, class exhibitions, a cookout and radio remote.

Ø Go For It USA in North Las Vegas hosted its 18^th annual mini-triathlon. (1/4-mile swim, 12-mile bike, 3-mile run) at Nellis Air Force Base. Ranging in age from 6-17, 62 gymnasts participated and completed the triathlon, raising $1,152.

Ø Mpact Martial Arts & Gymnastics in Brentwood, Tenn., held a Cartwheels & Kicks for Kids, with visits from Titans football players and a grand prize giveaway.

Ø Paramount Gymnastics in Hillsborough, N.J., celebrated National Gymnastics Day with an open house and raised more than $1,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand for Pediatric Cancer Research. Their theme was “Kids Helping Kids,” and more than 500 individuals were involved throughout the day.

Ø Gymnastics Beat of Fresno, Calif., sponsored an open house celebration and invited George the giraffe of the local Children’s Hospital. The Tyson Fitness Challenge included five categories: cartwheels, push ups, sit ups, pull ups, and handstand holds. The club raised $1,000.

National Gymnastics Day was the culmination of the Tyson Fitness Challenge, an eight-session program created by USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods that incorporates exercises and activities in four fundamentals of fitness: cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility and nutrition. During the summer, USA Gymnastics clubs across the country participated in the Tyson Fitness Challenge by tailoring the program to fit into their clubs’ programs and schedules. Created with guidance from fitness and nutrition experts, the Tyson Fitness Challenge is a combined effort by USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods to help get today’s youngsters off the couch and in the gym.

About Children’s Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network—the alliance of premier hospitals for children—is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals across North America. Each year the 170 Children's Miracle Network hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of kids overcome diseases and injuries of every kind. For more information on Children’s Miracle Network visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the “Powered by Tyson™” strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 114,000 team members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and team members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis,

USA

Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the

United States

Bieger wins second gold medal at DTB-Pokal World Cup

2007-04-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

STUTTGART, Germany, Oct. 29, 2006 – 2006 all-around world silver-medalist Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., won her second gold medal at the 2006 DTB-Pokal, a World Cup event held in Stuttgart, Germany.

In addition to her uneven bars gold medal, Bieger, who competes for Bieger International Gymnastics, scored a 15.150 to win the floor exercise title. Australia’s Daria Joura was second at 14.875, followed by Russia’s Anna Pavlova at 14.675. Australia’s Hollie Dykes won the balance beam title, where Bieger placed sixth.

The champions in the men’s finals were: vault, Andrei Isayev, Ukraine; parallel bars, Xiaoping Li, China; and horizontal bar, Aljaz Pegan, Slovakia. This was the second of two days of individual event finals. Yesterday, the USA’s Kevin Tan claimed the bronze medal in the still rings.

Based in Indianapolis,

USA

Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the

United States

U.S. women train on podium at 2006 World Championships

2007-04-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

AARHUS, Denmark, Oct. 12, 2006 - The U.S. Women's Team had its first crack at the competition equipment during podium training as part of their preparations for the 2006 World Championships, Oct. 14-21, in Aarhus, Denmark. The women compete in the preliminary round on Monday, Oct. 16.

The women were pleased with their training and routines in today's practice.

"We had an outstanding day on podium today," said Kathy Kelly, vice president of USA Gymnastics. "The team is bonding well and has adjusted to our training in Denmark. Each of the girls did a great job today."

The U.S. Women's Team is led by three defending world champions, Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, and Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, Mass., and also includes 2005 World Team member Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla.; Jacquelyn Johnson of West Chester, Ohio; Natasha Kelley of Katy, Texas; and Ashley Priess of Hamilton, Ohio. Liukin, who is the 2006 U.S. all-around champion, is recovering from an ankle injury but expects to compete in the team competition.

"We are pleased with Nastia's progress," said Kelly. "She is being very smart and very careful, but she very much wants to help the team. After podium today, we are very confident that will happen in true Nastia form."

Liukin, who is the 2005 balance beam and uneven bars world champion, said, "(My ankle's) getting better, and today went really well. The whole team did a great job and it is great to see our team's spirit."

"Podium went really well," said Memmel, the 2005 all-around world champion. "It is always a little different to be on the podium (than in the training hall) because you have more adrenaline going. I liked the equipment, and I hit what I wanted to do."

"We all had a really good workout, and it is a good confidence booster for Monday," said Sacramone, the 2005 floor exercise world champion. "I am pretty pleased with my routines, but you always see something you want to clean up. Today was definitely a good stepping stone for the team."

"Everyone hit their routines today," said Bieger, who was a member of the 2005 World Championships Team. "We had a great day today and had a lot of fun cheering each other on."

Johnson said, "It went really well. It was very helpful to come and work out on the podium, and my routines came naturally.

"The podium helped with our confidence," said Kelley. "We all were confident and aggressive (on the equipment), and we went out and did our thing. I think we are ready for the team competition."

"We did an incredible job and showed everyone that we are prepared to go," said Priess. "It was easier and more exciting being on the competition floor. Everything feels really good, and we're ready for the competition."

The 2006 World Championships features men's and women's competition in the team, all-around and individual apparatus (men-floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar; women - vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise). The format for the team competitions is: preliminaries, five gymnasts on each apparatus and top four scores count; and finals, three gymnasts compete and all three scores count. The top eight countries after the prelims advance to the team finals. For the all-around, the top 24 gymnasts (maximum of two per country) in the prelims advance to the finals. For individual event finals, the top eight from the preliminary rounds (maximum of two per country) advance to the finals.

The women are competing in Subdivision 5 in the preliminary rounds on Oct. 16. The women's team finals are Oct. 18, with the women's all-around finals on Oct. 19. The U.S. Men's Team competes in the preliminaries on Oct. 14, with the men's team finals on Oct. 17 and the all-around on Oct. 19. The individual event finals for both men and women are Oct. 20-21.

WCSN is carrying the finals of the 2006 World Championships live on WCSN.com. For just $4.95, fans get a front row seat at gymnastics' premier international championships for the finals for the team, all-around and individual event competitions. In addition to seeing it live, fans can also watch the competition at a time most convenient for them through WCSN's on-demand archive. The live webcast schedule is (all times are Eastern): Oct. 17, 1-4:05 p.m., men's team finals; Oct. 18, 1-3:15 p.m., women's team finals; Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m.-3:35 p.m., men's and women's all-around finals; Oct. 20, 1-4:15 p.m., individual event finals (men-floor exercise, pommel horse and still rings; women--vault and uneven bars); and Oct. 21, 8:30-11:45 a.m., individual event finals (men-vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar; women-balance beam and floor exercise). For more information, go to wcsn.com.