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Recruitment process worth it for Columbine athlete

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Contributed by: Christine DeLashmutt on 2/12/2007

I started my search for a college to play soccer at late in my freshman year, after I had received my first recruitment letter. It is never too early to investigate schools you are interested in.

I started with a very large pool of about thirty colleges I was interested in playing for. I researched about each school and its academics FIRST to make sure the
academic side was a good fit for me. Grades were always emphasized by my parents, club and high school coaches, as well as being important to myself. I then moved to the soccer program only after believing I could make it academically at the institution.

It was very important to me to chose a college with a good academic reputation as playing professional women's soccer is not even an option. Sometimes, athletes choose a school because of the soccer reputation before considering their playing time. I wanted to go somewhere I could hopefullymake animpact as a freshman.

At the beginning of sophomore year, I started e-mailing coaches to ask them to watch me play at tournaments my team was attending. After getting positive feed back from a number of universities, I narrowed my pool of thirty down to about fifteen.

After my first offer I was anxious to commit because I wanted to pick somewhere just to get the stressful process over with; some make the decision too early
and later regret it. My parents and brothers were tremendously supportive. My dad and I took a visit to six of my top selections, from L.A. to Pittsburgh, my
dad was with me every trip. I found things I liked and disliked on each campus.

Before I had a chance to get any further into the process I tore my ACL. This was devastating because I did not believe it was probable for me to have a collegiate career in soccer since I would be missing my entire junior recruiting season, which is the ideal time to be looked at by coaches. I was exceptionally determined through rehab and was back in time for one last tournament in Houston, Texas.

This was my one shot to get the attention of coaches, who had been watching other goalkeepers all season, and to impress them enough so they would want to make me apart of their program. Since it was my only tournament my club, Real Colorado, helped me out and allowed me to play with the two top teams allowing me to get maximum exposure.

After the conclusion of the tournament, I was contacted by Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. (more commonly known as LIU) The coach, Tracey Bartholomew, was very positive and wanted me to get to New York and visit the school. I was elated because I had never been to New York. Two weeks later my dad and I were in the Big Apple. I loved every aspect of the campus and city. When I was there it was different from the six prior visits. I could just feel it was the right place for me. After watching tapes of winning ways, the possessive style of play, the coaches and administrative dedication to players, and the facilities I was almost sold.

The three most important criteria I was told to look for were easily met: getting along with the coaches, loving the atmosphere of campus, and agreeing with the style of play. The only thing keeping me from wanting to commit on the spot was the financial question.

Since LIU is an expensive, private, university, making it affordable was a definite factor. When Tracey told me she would give me an offer, after seeing me play at
only one tournament, I was shocked. Many coaches like to watch players over a period of time to make sure they are consistent. Tracey, being a goalkeeper
herself, must have seen enough to be confident in me. After they gave me an offer I could not refuse, I jumped at the opportunity.

I committed July 18, between my junior and senior year. I know I made the right decision because I took the time to explore other options and chose the one
that fit me the best. GO BLACKBIRDS!!!

Christine DeLashmutt is a senior at Columbine High School.

To read about all three Columbine High School athletes who committed to colleges, go to http://denver.yourhub.com/Columbine/Stories/Sports/High-Schools/Story~180259.aspx

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Showing 1 of 1 comments

Submitted By: Rebecca Zimmerman

posted on 2/12/2007 @ 9:33:19 AM

Rated Story

Sounds like you picked the right place for you! Good luck in New York!

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