Athlete Recruiting

The Recruiting Process

The college recruiting process is how schools get to know student-athletes and decide if they’re a good fit, both on the field and in the classroom. It takes preparation, communication, exposure, and timing and it is different for every athlete and sport.

Many Caribbean athletes have talent but we have witnessed many who aren’t sure where to turn, or who to listen to and as a result, after a while, some get fed up or discouraged and walk away from their sport. In addition, we often encounter parents and guardians who become frustrated and doubtful that their athlete will ever get an opportunity.

In many countries, athletes start the recruiting process while they’re still in high school. However, in the Caribbean, a lot of athletes begin after high school or 6th form and because of deadlines and school requirements, this often leads to missed opportunities—not due to lack of ability, but because things started too late. Furthermore, we have realized that many athletes focus only on pursuing an NCAA Division I scholarship and are often unaware that many other opportunities exist at other levels. As a result, if they are unsuccessful in earning a Division I scholarship, they become discouraged and walk away.

FITCAMP Recruits exists to help athletes and families move forward with the right guidance at the right time and educate them on opportunities that they might not be aware of. 

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are financial awards offered by schools to student-athletes who they believe can help them make it to and win championships. These scholarships help reduce the cost of tuition, room and board (housing and meals), books, and other school expenses. In some schools, not all, a full scholarship covers the cost of tuition, room & board, books and other related expenses. A partial scholarship on the other hand covers one or more of the expenses just mentioned or a portion of one of them. 

Athletic scholarships are earned, not guaranteed, and are usually based on a combination of:

• Athletic ability

• Academic performance

• Character and coachability

• Team needs at the time

We help athletes find athletic scholarships at different levels - NCAA Division I (D1), NCAA Division II (D2), the NAIA and Junior College (JUCO). NCAA Division III (D3) schools do not offer athletic scholarships but instead more focus on academic scholarships. We always encourage athletes to keep an open mind when seeking a school. Many athletes ultimately commit to schools they've either never considered or heard of before and in the end, they fall in love with the program. 

It is important to note the following:

• Not all scholarships are full scholarships. Many are partial and may be combined with academic or other financial aid.

• Different schools offer different amounts. The level of the school, division, and sport all matter.

• Scholarships are very competitive. Coaches look for athletes who can perform, fit the team culture, and handle academics.

For now, we're assisting athletes in the areas of track and field, basketball and football (soccer).

The Right Steps

The recruiting process is different for every athlete, and as a result, some athletes receive opportunities more quickly than others. On average, the process takes about 1.5 years from the time an athlete begins recruiting to the moment they depart to start their collegiate journey.

We help athletes understand:

• The level at which they realistically fit

• What coaches actually look for

• How academics, attitude, and performance all matter

• When it is the right time to pursue opportunities

In addition, for athletes born in the Caribbean, we help prepare U.S. student visa applications. For Caribbean athletes who were born in the United States, we assist with FAFSA applications. FAFSA is U.S. federal financial aid for students and can provide additional funding for U.S.-born Caribbean athletes.

Costs

Begin your FITCAMP Recruits journey for $120 XCD per year. This covers:

• Your athlete profile

• An initial evaluation

• Having your information shared with coaches

After a coach expresses interest in an athlete, additional costs will be incurred to complete the process. We have different plans to meet an athlete's needs. We believe every serious athlete deserves a fair chance, regardless of their financial situation. 

Showcases also incur additional costs.