SportsGist Rules!

Myth 1 // A DIVISION 1 SCHOLARSHIP IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE?

REALITY// Only 0.8% of High School Student-Athletes receive a fully funded Division 1 scholarship. These are hundreds of outstanding Division II and III colleges around the country that provide scholarships, grant money and an outstanding education.

Myth 2 // THE ONLY COLLEGE TO CONSIDER ARE BIG NAME SCHOOLS OR UNIVERSITIES?

REALITY// Don’t get caught up in the name game. According to US News and World Report, over 50% of the tip-rated college and universities do not have Division 1A football programs. This is about getting your education and going someplace where they care about your future…and believe in you.

Myth 3 // MY HIGH SCHOOL COACH WILL TAKE CARE OFMY RECRUITING RESPONSIBILITIES?

REALITY// They are a great resource for college recruiters, but it is your responsibility to market your talents and get your name front of college coaches. The average high school coach has personal relationships with less than 5% of the collegiate opportunities across the country.

Myth 4// ONCE A STUDENT – ATHLETE IS A SENION, IT’S PROBABLY TOO LATE TO BE RECRUITED?

REALITY// Other than the big time schools, a major portion of athletic recruitment takes place during your senior year. Eighty percent of college programs make their final recruiting decision after January 1^st of the student-athletes senior year.

Myth 5// PARENTS KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR THEIR OWN STUDENT-ATHLETE’S SCHOLARSHIP CHANCES AND, THEREFORE, MUST MAKE SURE THE COACH IS PROVIDING SUCH OPPORTUNITIES?

REALITY// High school sports are supposed to be fun. If parent meddle with their school coach and put pressure on their kids, the joy of competition will be lessened.

Myth 6// BETTER TO WALK-ON AT A NAME SCHOOL WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF PLAYING RATHER THAN A SMALLER COLLEGE WHERE YOU’RE SURE TO PLAY?

REALITY// One of the most important choices a student-athlete makes is finding the idea school, not just the biggest or most familiar. If you love your sport, you’ll want to play regardless of size or location.

Myth 7/ IF YOU RECEVIE A CALL FROM A COLLEGE COACH YOU ARE SURE TO BE A SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATE?

REALITY// Just because you’re getting calls from college does not mean you are one of their top recruits. Ask the coach directly, “Are you offering an official paid visit, and will you be making a home visit?” Their answers will signal their true interest in you.

Myth 8// IF YOU RECEVIE A CALL FROM A COLLEGE COACH YOU ARE SURE TO BE A SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATE?

REALITY// The more options you have available, the better your chances to not only find the best financial package, but also the right college for you. Put yourself in a position to negotiate by being involved with as many schools as possible.

Myth 9// UTILIZING A RECRUITING SERVICE IS THE BEST WAY TO GET A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP?

REALITY// College coaches rarely use recruiting services. However, most college coaches do use collegiate scouting organizations. We would only recommend an organization that has established coach relationships, works with qualified student-athletes and offers a money back guarantee.

Myth 10// THE BEST WAY TO GET DISCOVERED IS TO GO TO THE COLLEGE CAMPS OR PARTICIPATE IN CLUB SPORTS BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE A STUDENT-ATHLETE GAINS ?

REALITY// College coaches and/or pro scouts primarily attend to evaluate student-athletes already on their lists. Your high school coaches are knowledgeable are care about your future so take their recommendation when it comes to participating in these events.

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It would be to your benefit to take advantage of the month you have off during your winter break to stay fit and ready to go for the spring season.  A great way to do this, is to stay active for at least 4-5 days a week for 40-90 minutes at a time.  These activities can vary from soccer drills to leisurely activities such as biking, swimming, running, or playing basketball.  If you have access to a gym, engaging in light weight activities can give you a competitive advantage, but if not, doing the body weight activities (listed below), you can remain in shape. 

An average week might consist of 2 days of weight training or body weight circuits/conditioning and the other 2 days longer aerobic activities with soccer sprints in between (interval running).

It is very important to run at least 3 times a week, whether it be to work on sprints (10’s to 100’s) or longer endurance runs (1.5 miles, 1 mile, 800’s, 400’s, 200’s)

Circuit:

Always conduct a warm up before beginning any workout and a cool down after.

Body Weight Squat- 20 times

Single Leg Squat- 15 times each leg

Pull Up/ Reverse Pull Up- 10/15 time

Walk Out Push Ups- 10 times

Dips- 10 times

Single Leg RDL (body weight)- 15 each leg

Sit Ups- 20

Alternate Arm to Alternate Straight Leg (Ab work)- 20

Sit Ups- 20

Body Weight Squat- 20

Reach Crunch- 20

Move through the circuit three times with a good tempo and correct form

Overall, the emphasis of the winter workout is not on what you specifically do, but making sure you are staying active 4-5 days.  By this point, you should know your body and know how to take care of it.  Make sure you allow the needed recovery time, but at the same time continuously push yourself to become a top notch Division 1 athlete.

 

*LIFT US TO GREATNESS, RUN TO GLORY!*

Technorati Tags: 2 days, ab work, abs, active, activities, Add new tag, aerobic, avantage, Basketball, biking, body weight circuits, coditioning, competition, cool down, D 1 athlete, dips, Division 1, drills, gym, interval running, leg squat, leisure, pull up, push ups, reverse pull up, running, sit up, Soccer, SportsGist, spring season, sprints, swimming, week, weight, weight training, winter break

Tony Hills is a 6’6” 305LB honorable mention all Big 12 offensive tackle from the University of Texas. He was also ranked as one of the nations top 10 offensive tackles by The Sporting news. He was named to ESPN’s All- Mayday Team for being one of college football’s “Toughest of the Tough”

Talk about overcoming adversity, Tony broke his leg this past season and is still expected to be a 3^rd or 4^th round draft pick in the NFL Draft this weekend. And during his senior year of high school Tony tore ligaments in his knee; jeopardizing the chances of him playing at the college level. All schools stopped recruiting him with the exception of the Longhorns, even though he was the top prospect in the state of Texas. Tony worked hard and dedicated himself to getting back to the sport he loves.

Listen to Tony as he discusses his preparation for the NFL draft and how he has overcome two serious injuries.

Link to full Podcast with Tony Hills

Technorati Tags: Football, NFL, NFL Draft 2008, SportsGist, Tony Hills

Former NBA veteran of 16 years Johnny Newman talks to SportsGist.com about the life of a professional basketball player. The hard work and dedication are the characters that separate the good players from the average ones. Listen to Johnny talk about his pre game routine and how the game of basketball has changed.

Technorati Tags: Add new tag, Basketball, NBA, podcasts, SportsGist

The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League announced that former Bluefish outfielder Bobby Malek has been signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.Malek joined the Bluefish at the beginning of the 2007 season where he played 122 games and finished with a .280 batting average, 81 runs, and 19 stolen bases. His most memorable game as a Bluefish came during the Atlantic League All-Star game and took home the All-Star game MVP award. Malek finished four-for-four with two singles, two home runs, and two stolen bases. He also scored three times in the game.

Bobby left his imprint in the Bluefish and Atlantic League record books in his one season. He tied the Bluefish record for most runs in a game with four and broke the Bluefish record and tied the Atlantic League record for most hits in a single game with six.

“Playing in Bridgeport last season gave me an opportunity to keep my career alive,” said Malek. “After having a successful 2007 season I look forward to the next step in achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a Major Leaguer.”

Malek was the Mets 2nd pick (4th round) of the 2002 June draft. Drafted out of Michigan, he was ranked as having the Best Outfield Arm in the system according to Baseball America for the 2004 season. In his 122 games in the outfield for the Bluefish he only recorded one error.The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League announced that former Bluefish outfielder Bobby Malek has been signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Malek joined the Bluefish at the beginning of the 2007 season where he played 122 games and finished with a .280 batting average, 81 runs, and 19 stolen bases. His most memorable game as a Bluefish came during the Atlantic League All-Star game and took home the All-Star game MVP award. Malek finished four-for-four with two singles, two home runs, and two stolen bases. He also scored three times in the game.

Bobby left his imprint in the Bluefish and Atlantic League record books in his one season. He tied the Bluefish record for most runs in a game with four and broke the Bluefish record and tied the Atlantic League record for most hits in a single game with six.

“Playing in Bridgeport last season gave me an opportunity to keep my career alive,” said Malek. “After having a successful 2007 season I look forward to the next step in achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a Major Leaguer.”

Malek was the Mets 2nd pick (4th round) of the 2002 June draft. Drafted out of Michigan, he was ranked as having the Best Outfield Arm in the system according to Baseball America for the 2004 season. In his 122 games in the outfield for the Bluefish he only recorded one error.

Mary-Jane Foster, CEO of the Bluefish said, “Bobby was a real asset for us last season. On the field Bobby gave his all every inning, every game. Off the field, he led by example and was a pleasure to work with and know. We wish him every success. He certainly deserves it.”

Technorati Tags: Atlantic League, Baseball, Bobby Malek, Bridgeport Bluefish, Los Angeles Dodgers, SportsGist