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Academics
College Counseling

College Athletic Recruiting

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

THE ADMIRAL WAY
Severn School has a strong national reputation for academic excellence and a proud tradition of athletic accomplishment. Severn is dedicated to providing an exceptional and balanced experience for student-athletes that emphasizes both academic rigor and athletic opportunity.

In the past 10 years, Severn has placed over 250 scholar-athletes in 20+ different sports at over 100 colleges and universities nationwide, competing across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. This remarkable achievement reflects Severn's enduring commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

THE COLLEGE ATHLETIC RECRUITING PROCESS - BY GRADE

List of 4 items.

  • NINTH GRADE

    • Work hard to achieve the best grades possible
    • All classes at Severn are NCAA-approved courses but look at important links above
    • Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center (Severn School Code: 210945)
    • Get involved in community service opportunities.
    • Participate in summer camps and athletic clinics to continue developing your skills.
    • Begin researching college websites to learn more about schools and athletic programs that interest you.

  • TENTH GRADE

    • Work hard to get the best grades possible
    • At the beginning of the year, complete the online registration for a PROFILE ACCOUNT with the NCAA Eligibility Center. You will be charged a one-time fee of $90.00 for a CERTIFIED ACCOUNT (Division I & II) that can be done at any time.
    •  Email your head coach and our Athletic Director, Mr. Julian Domenech (j.domenech@severnschool.com)
      • Assess talent level
      • Access game video and begin compiling highlight video for future use.
        • Start out by including a slide with the following information:
          • Your Name
          • A Head-Shot Picture
          • Severn School and Graduation Year
          • Position(s) played
          • Jersey #
          • Sport specific measurements, such as height and weight
          • Contact Information including your phone number and email address
        • Initial Video should be 3-5 minutes of game footage that highlights the full range of skills. Highlight videos get coaches interested.
        • Follow-up Video should be 1 full game.  Full game videos get athletes signed. 
        • Continue to attend clinics and summer camps
        • Continue to research websites of schools that interest you
        • Email college coaches
        • Meet with a college counselor (Please email the office: collegecounseling@severnschool.com)
          • Discuss the level of college athletics 
          • Discuss academic goals for colleges
          • Check course choices 
          • Continue with completing community service obligations
          • Discuss ACT and SAT testing timeline


  • ELEVENTH GRADE

    • Work hard to get the best grades possible
    • Retake ACT or SAT if necessary
    • Get copy of your transcript from college counseling office
    • Ask the College Counseling office (Please email the office: collegecounseling@severnschool.com) to upload your transcript to the NCAA or NAIA center
    • Update highlight film
    • Email coaches
    • Inquire on “Pre-read” admission programs at schools
    • Plan college visits

  • TWELFTH GRADE

    • Work hard to get the best grades possible
    • Register for the ACT or SAT if necessary
    • Finalize visits
    • Remember everyone’s process is different depending on the sport, skill set you bring and school’s priorities

NAVIGATING THE NCAA

List of 3 items.

  • DIVISIONS

    • NCAA Division I - Highest level of competition at the collegiate level. Most Athletic Powers, Most Athletic Scholarships, Most Rules, Athletes sign an NLI (except for Service Academies and the Ivy League). Must be Certified with the NCAA.
    • NCAA Division II - Smaller budgets, Less Athletic Scholarships, Fewer Rules, Athletes sign an NLI. Must be Certified with the NCAA.
    • NCAA Division III - Academics is a priority, No Athletic Scholarships, No Recruiting Calendars, Athletes do not sign an NLI. Athletes do NOT need to be certified with the NCAA.

  • THE SERVICE ACADEMIES

    Army, Navy, and Air Force Division I Athletes do not receive athletic scholarships and they do not sign a NLI, but they usually do receive a “likely” letter. Coast Guard and Marine Academy are Division III.

    Contact Mr. David Brunk, d.brunk@severnschool.com for more materials on the Service Academies process. 

     

  • RELEVANT TERMS

    Preferred Walk-On
    A student-athlete is guaranteed a spot on the team. The student-athlete does not receive financial assistance for one year. Preferred walk-ons can earn a scholarship in the second year.

    Recruited Walk-On
    A recruited walk-on offer means there is interest from the coach but no financial assistance and you must still earn a spot on the team through additional tryouts or summer training camp.

    Unrecruited Walk-On
    Unrecruited walk-ons decide to attend a school, despite not receiving any recruiting interest from the team’s coach. Once on campus, they are responsible for contacting the coach and attending an open tryout or training camp.

    Redshirts (Grayshirt/Blueshirt/Greenshirt)
    What a "redshirt" season refers to is a year in which a student-athlete does not compete at all against outside competition. During a year in which the student-athlete does not compete, a student can practice with his or her team and receive financial aid.

    Verbal Commitments
    According to the NCAA, “A verbal commitment happens when a college-bound student-athlete verbally agrees to play sports for a college before he or she signs or is eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent. The commitment is not binding on the student-athlete or the school and can be made at any time.

RECRUITING CORRESPONDENCE - SAMPLE QUESTIONS

List of 3 items.

  • COLLEGE RECRUITING COACH

    • Specific Questions for the College Recruiting Coach:  

      What is your coaching philosophy, both on and off the field?  
    • Can you describe a typical practice session and how you balance skill development, conditioning, and strategy?  
    • What are your expectations for your athletes academically, athletically, and personally?  
    • Does your program have a dedicated academic advisor or support staff for student-athletes?  
    • How do you and your staff support athletes in maintaining eligibility and academic success?  
    • What percentage of your players typically graduate in four years?  
    • Am I currently under consideration for an athletic scholarship or roster spot?  
    • What types of academic or merit-based scholarships are available? Are there additional grants or need-based aid options?  
    • Do I need to apply for admission before a scholarship or roster offer can be made?  
    • How do you and your program handle injuries—both from a playing time and support perspective?  
    • What are the next steps in the recruiting and evaluation process?  
    • Is there anything I can provide—like additional film, references, or evaluations—that would help you assess me further?  

  • PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE

    Questions you should be able to answer when meeting a coach or school representative:
    • What are my strengths as a player, and how do they align with this program’s needs?  
    • Which areas of my game am I currently focusing on to improve?  
    • What are my personal and athletic goals for the upcoming season?  
    • Am I realistically capable of competing at this level athletically and academically?  
    • How have I improved as a player and student over the past few years?  
    • What type of scholarships or financial aid am I hoping to receive?  
    • Who is guiding me in the college decision-making process?  
    • Which other schools or programs have expressed interest in me?  

  • PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE TO STUDENT-ATHLETE

    Questions to ask current student-athletes during a campus visit:  
    • What made you choose this program over others that recruited you?  
    • How would you describe the team culture and dynamic among players?  
    • What is your relationship like with the coaching staff?  
    • How do you balance athletic commitments with academics and social life?  
    • What kind of academic support or tutoring is available to athletes here?  
    • How manageable is the travel and practice schedule during the season?  
    • What does a typical day look like for you during the season versus the offseason?  
    • How does the coaching staff handle playing time, feedback, and communication?  
    • What’s the team’s approach to injuries, recovery, and mental health support?  
    • What do you wish you had known before committing to this program?  
    • How would you describe campus life and the community outside of athletics?  
    • Do most players stay close after graduation, or move to another region or a certain career paths?  

ADMIRAL ATHLETICS NEWS

Lower School

Chesapeake Campus—PS-Grade 5
1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd
Arnold, MD  21012
410-647-7700

Upper School

Teel Campus—Grade 6-12
201 Water Street
Severna Park, MD  21146
410-647-7700