<p>River… here’s an article from yesterday’s Boston Globe that only touches the surface of how a prep school coach (men’s hockey @ St. Mark’s) can and will woo his desired recrutis, to develop them, and to help them realize success by advocating with college coaches later on. It doesn’t address FA… but it gives you a glimpse of how the prep school recruiting process can mirror that of the college recruiting process:</p>
<p>The other three leagues in the NEPSAC are the Eastern Independent League (EIL), The Lakes Region LEague (LRL), and the Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL). All four leagues ROLL UP to the NEPSAC, which is the overseeing/governing body: </p>
<p>It’s the nature of the beast for these student athletes to be older before heading to college …as a result of the ages-old PG year phenomenon. The newer twist, is the trend for reclassification of transfer students, repeating their junior year. </p>
<p>Individual athletes who are 19 years old, or younger, on September 1 of each school year are eligible to participate in all NEPSAC competition.</p>
<p>So while a NEPSAC student can begin a PG year, or a reclassified 5th year of HS at age 19, many do, in fact, turn 20 while competing for their teams throughout the academic year, and before they graduate the following spring.</p>
<p>These student athletes receive, and always have received, a leg up in the recruiting process to top tier schools based on having an extra year (or more…depending on whether they also repeated a year in K-8 for whatever reason) to mature in the classroom and on the field. </p>
<p>Lucky is the teenager who has a parent or guardian that encourages him or her to pursue this kind of path of challenge and success.</p>
<p>This is a world we know nothing about. I won’t go into specifics, but in our distant, low-population state, there is ONE basketball club and no prep school. Which begs the question: is there any charm to a boy with talent and drive, and no pedigree?</p>
<p>riverrunner–you do not need to be on the exclusive club teams/prep school teams to get noticed. It certainly helps because it’s a smaller pool for coaches to observe vs the 1000’s of high school teams across the nation but you can contact coaches yourself, make unofficial tours and get his name out there. I know plenty of kids that don’t do club sports/prep schools that get recruited.</p>
<p>“Is there any charm to a boy with talent and drive, and no pedigree?” </p>
<p>There is absolutley appeal ^there^… I was simply offering up another option for this family to explore, as a means for more direct exposure to the circles of influence. </p>
<p>Prep schools are no longer exclusively for families with a pedigree. Many of the student athletes are actively recruited from many diverse cohorts for their talents and abilities in and out of the classroom… much like what happens at the college level.</p>
<p>Ivy coaches recruit far and cast their net wide as they work to craft a class that can both help be successful on the court and can gain acceptance from the Admissions Office no mean feat. The 1000+ they start with in the 9th-10th grade year becomes 25 give of take by June before the senior year.
Prep schools are not the only path, but they are a proven path with a very high record of success. Its all about the odds.
Northfield Mt Hermon School is an example. Note the link to a recent article on their basketball program and second link showing photos of the coaches who came to their gym to recruit since this past September.
[What's</a> So Special About NMH Basketball? | Northfield Mount Hermon](<a href=“http://www.nmhschool.org/forget-goals-what-are-your-dreams]What’s”>http://www.nmhschool.org/forget-goals-what-are-your-dreams)
[College</a> coaches at NMH, 2011-2012 | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150302451769033.334936.96250774032&type=3]College”>http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150302451769033.334936.96250774032&type=3)
How do they increase their student/players odds of success. A focus on the specific dreams and goals of the players. An environment that supports these dreams, broadens the players world view, and enhances their academic and athletic abilities. Multi-year relationships with Ivy coaches and admission offices. Reclassification that offers another year of academic and athletic development. A transition period in boarding school away from home that eases the transition into college. A high level of competition and visibility from the boarding school game schedule that increases the athletes profile and exposure. Numerous alums that have been successful in an Ivy and D1 environment.
These players are easy for Ivy coaches to identify, follow and validate their game. They are easy to extend offers to. And they are easy for Ivy admissions officers to admit.
NMH is not the only such school. Phillips Exeter, Worcester Academy, the Peddie School and several others have credible programs.
Prep is not the only path. Many athletes find their way to Ivy programs from other places. But its about the odds. Ivy basketball program admit 40 odd players a year. Look at Ivy basketball rosters and the penetration of prep players. There is meaningful financial aid available. If your athlete has this dream and the ability, its worth a look.</p>