book601

SoCalHoops College Recruiting News

New Book: "How To Play
The Sports Recruiting Game. . . "--(June 1, 1998)

We haven't seen this book, and therefore really can't endorse it, but it is newsworthy when a nationally respected writer comes out with a book which might be of benefit to young prospective student-athletes, including most of the young players who check in with SoCalHoops frequently. Rodney J. McKissic, the national college basketball writer for the News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington, has written a book entitled "How to Play the Sports Recruiting Game and Get an Athletic Scholarship," which is published by Amber Books. It is designed for student-athletes and parents who want to know more about the recruiting game.

Apparently the inspiration for the book came while McKissic was serving as a graduate assistant coach for women's basketball at Grambling State University during the 1991-'92 season. If the players didn't produce immediately, their scholarships were snatched. "I felt the young ladies were treated unfairly," said McKissic, a University of Cincinnati graduate who started his journalism career at the Rochester Times-Union. "I felt there had to be a way for student-athletes to weigh their options and know what needed to be done for them to pick the right school for them."

Of a highly ranked national recruit, McKissic offered this advice:

"He has to weigh all of his options and he really needs to have a potential major in mind," McKissic said. "He has to make sure that the program fits his style. More importantly, he must be comfortable with not only the head coach, but the assistant coaches and his prospective teammates. This is a decision that will affect the next four years of his life and have a huge impact on his future."

The 124-page books lists the core courses student-athletes should be taking in Chapter 3, Academic Eligibility Requirements. McKissic figures that Proposition 16, which sets minimum standards for student-athletes to receive athletic scholarships, isn't going away. "The freshmen should start preparing right now," McKissic said. "They have to buckle down academically and get the standardized test scores."

For more information you can call Amber Books at (602) 460-1660.

We're certain that much of the information in this book can be gathered by searching the net, and a good deal of it will be found on the NCAA site, but it's the anecdotal evidence and practical advice which McKissic has to offer which only experience can provide. It's probably worth checking it out if you're interested at all in the process of recruiting, especially if you are thinking about playing at the next level.