Every student-athlete at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School and their parents should mark their calendars right now and set aside the time to participate in a Zoom virtual workshop on the college recruiting process this Thursday night at 7 p.m. It will be the best 60 minutes you’ve spent in a long time.
To participate in the Zoom presentation on Thursday night click on this link: https://E2CCB-GST.zoom.us/j/6491340614. The workshop is sponsored by the Huntington Booster Club.
Are you a student interested in playing sports in college, but finding yourself in limbo due to COVID-19? Are you the parent, grandparent, coach or mentor of a middle or high school student? Are you an underclassman not sure if you want to participate in college athletics, but wanting to cover all bases just in case?
If so, join the Huntington UFSD Athletic Department for Character Matters, an intense educational one-hour workshop addressing important daily issues like the dangers of social media, the need for students to volunteer in their community and the importance of anti-bullying.
The presentation will be led by Mark Leinweaver of Perfect Playcement, He’s a Major League Baseball player agent who educates parents, students and coaches on how to best approach the college selection and recruiting process beginning with a simple, realistic and logical plan in trying to play at the next level.
Mr. Leinweaver has spent 20 years working in sports as a baseball agent, media relations director, TV and radio broadcaster, author, television writer and producer and coaching convention director.
The one hour workshop will feature Mr. Leinweaver discussing his philosophy, which begins with student-athletes actively participating on their varsity high school and summer teams and wanting to play at the college level, but needing to identify and pursue that “perfect” college first and the sport second.
Important decision-making factors that are too often overlooked, include finding a school that is right in student body size; a comfortable proximity from home; has the desired areas of study; offers extracurricular activities; has the proper level of competition.
Once those factors are identified, it is the role of the student to contact those colleges directly and communicate with the coaching staff. It is not the job of the coach to do so. Statistics suggest that between 95-99 percent of players are a better fit for NCAA Division II and III college. Thus, before and during the college selection process, every family should also consider:
- Financially investing in academic (class/tutor vs. showcase/club teams)
- Achieving academic/merit scholarships vs. athletic scholarships (all money is created equal
- Getting cut doesn’t mean a collegiate athletic career is over (volunteer for the program)
Mr. Leinweaver will also discuss how a player can maximize the downtime brought on by the pandemic to achieve their goals.
Mr. Leinweaver has made the presentation at high schools and colleges across the country and it has earned rave reviews. A nearby Suffolk high school recently hosted it for their student-athletes.
“We encourage the whole family to join us for this special presentation,” said Georgia D. McCarthy, Huntington’s director of physical education, health and interscholastic athletics. “This is about more than just being prepared for college athletics. It’s about being prepared for life.”