The dream of playing sports at the college level is fresh on the minds of many high school athletes today. However, only a select few can fulfill their dream and compete in a collegiate environment.
According to the National Collegiate Scouting Association, of the seven million high school athletes nationwide, only two percent will receive offers and eventually sign with their respective schools. In particular, only one percent of the student athletes are signed by a Division I institution.
Posted proudly right outside the door of Athletic Director Steve Sell’s office is a map depicting many of the recent Aragon alumni who have reached the next level in their respective sports. Along the road, they will face an abundance of challenges and obstacles, including the difficulty of balancing the life between a student and an athlete. But for most, the opportunity of fulfilling a lifelong dream is enough motivation to stick through the process.
Junior basketball player Nevan Samadhana says, “It has been a hard and frustrating process. I started seriously thinking about playing college ball towards the end of my freshman year. To get exposure, I’ve been playing [in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)] and going to as many showcases as possible. I [recently] finished my first [highlight] video and have been sending them to coaches. It’s only been two weeks since I reached out and only two have gotten back to me. The contact is pretty minimal.”
For senior football player Curran Brandt, the key is being proactive. ”I started sending my highlight tapes to various programs around my sophomore year,” says Brandt, “I’ve called and emailed random coaches in the past and just introduced myself and told them a little about myself. It’s all about trying to generate interest around you.”
For football head coach Sell, his role in the recruiting process often varies. “Guys in the past like Manase [Tonga], Matangi [Tonga], and Maurice Bates, everyone already knew them. I didn’t really have to do much. There [have] been cases for other kids where my role is mostly just being available for aid when needed,” says Sell. “Giving advice and just trying to get kids academically eligible and able to qualify for the NCAA standards is the main thing.”
In senior football player James Fononga’s case, Sell has played an active role in his recruiting process. “[Sell has] helped me a lot along the way. He cares about me, and he also has lots of connections. He’s always reminding me to focus on school and the rest will work itself out.”
Aside from the considerable amount of hype associated with Division I athletics, there are also many other options for athletes to pursue. “Division I athletics [are] not the only athletics to play in college,” says Sell. “The vast majority of our kids are playing Division III sports. There [are] a lot of benefits both financial and otherwise that kids get playing Division III sports.”
For three-year varsity basketball player and class of 2014 alumn Alex Manu, who was voted to the First Team all-league in the PAL and played an integral role in the 2014 CCS Championship team, the Division I offers were simply not appealing enough. Eventually, Manu signed a letter of intent to attend Cal State East Bay University on a basketball scholarship. “For me, it was a journey to get recruited and I definitely wanted to go [Division I], but I’m blessed to go [Division II],” says Manu.
Nonetheless, maintaining a measurable amount of emphasis on school as a student-athlete is a lot easier said than done. Fononga admits that life as a student-athlete is very overwhelming. “To be honest, my grades are not good right now, but I know I’m capable. Your work ethic has to be on point. Sometimes you [have to] sacrifice social time.”
“The key is time management,” says Brandt. “I’ll get home from practice and immediately hit the books. There’s no time to sit on your phone for an hour.”
“Every athlete dreams of playing in college,” says Manu. “It takes more than just dreaming — it takes your action and your willingness to get up everyday and work harder than you did before. It is just about trying to get better everyday.”
