Process for recruited athletes

mom3boys
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:49:08 +0000

Here is what I learned last year: depends. It depends on several factors. First, what sport? A recruited crew member is different than a recruited football player. Is the student highly recruited (i.e. blue chip)? Did Navy fly him there for an official NCAA visit on their nickel? Highly recruited athletes for revenue generating sports often find a “back entrance.” That is to say, the admissions office has a few nominations just in case the athlete cannot secure one on his/her own. It is better that he/she try first to get one in the traditional route. If the school wants him/her bad enough, a nomination will be found.
Last year, my son received a letter from the coach asking for photocopies of the letters he sent to his MOC’s asking for their nom. The coach wanted to be sure son did his part. Athletes that can secure their own nom free up the academy nom for someone who cannot (or enters the process too late to get one from a MOC).
On a side note, unlike playing sports at a traditional college, if your student gets to Navy and decides he/she does not want to play the sport (or if he/she is injured), the “scholarship” is not lost…many SA students find sports and academics are just too much.