Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.

Skip to content

Civilian Marksmanship Program

  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • MeWe
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos
  • Home
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • RETURNING NM SUPPORT TEAM FORM
    • Privacy Policy
    End of Navigation Section
  • About
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Director Emeritus
    • Director of Civilian Marksmanship
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
    End of Navigation Section
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Matches
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Junior Air Rifle Camp Counselors
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • Junior Rifle Camp Counselor Resources
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
    End of Navigation Section
  • Clubs
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU's
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
    End of Navigation Section
  • Compete
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
    • CMP National Records
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
    • CMP League Matches
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
      • CMP Bianchi Cup
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Travel Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • CMP Rifle Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • National Matches
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • CMP Industry Day
    • National Smallbore Matches
    • National Air Gun Matches
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • National Matches Support Team
    • Long Range Matches
    • National Trophy Pistol Matches
    • Awards & Trophies
      • Vintage Sniper Match
      • CMP Game Events Awards
      • Long Range Awards
      • Individual Pistol Awards
      • National Trophies
      • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
      • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
    • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
    • National Matches Air Gun Events
    • National Matches Welcome Center Information
    • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
    • National Matches Spectator Events
    • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
    • National Trophy Rifle Matches
    • Directions to Camp Perry
    • Area Lodging Info
    • CMP National Championship Matches
    • National CMP Games Events
    • National Matches Archive project
    • Commercial Row Information
    End of Navigation Section
  • Education
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Basic Archery Course
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSMM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer's Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE - CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
      • CMP State Director News Submission Form
      • CMP State Director Application
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Training
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
    End of Navigation Section
  • News & Media
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • CMP Podcasts
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
    End of Navigation Section
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Ordering Information
    • CMP Program & Sales Specials
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos - M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • Ranges
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • Anniston, Alabama Lodging
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • 3D Archery Range
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    End of Navigation Section

Official and Unofficial College Recruiting Visits

October 31, 2020

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸College Connection▸Official and Unofficial College Recruiting Visits

By Brad Donoho, CMP Smallbore Manager

School is back in session and seniors are narrowing their list of prospective colleges. By now, you should be registering for the NCAA Eligibility Center to make yourself eligible to compete in college.

In the last addition of College Connection, I discussed the steps you need to take to grab a coach’s attention. In this fourth and final installment, I will discuss the difference between Official and Unofficial college visits.

OFFICIAL VISIT
If a coach is intrigued by your shooting performances, he or she may invite you on a recuiting trip with all expenses paid. Before we get into the specifics, it is important to note the steps you have to take to be eligible for one of these trips. Step one is to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, formerly known as the NCAA Clearinghouse. Step two is to take, or be scheduled to take, the ACT or SAT. Step three is to provide the school with a copy of your high school transcripts. Only then can you go on a recruiting trip.

An official visit to a college is a trip with all expenses paid by the school. This includes a plane ticket, housing and meals. Prospective athletes are allowed a maximum of five official visits during their recruiting phase. If you take a sixth, you or the school could be penalized. While on your recruiting trip, you can spend a total of 48 hours on campus. Before you and the coach schedule a trip, be sure to tell the coach if you have any kind of academic scholarships because that may determine if you should go on an official or unofficial visit. Your academic scholarship money could count against the rifle team.

From the moment you arrive on campus, to the moment you leave, every minute of your trip is going to be scheduled. The coach’s job is to “wow” you by showing you everything their school has to offer. At the start of your trip you can expect to be in meetings with the coach and athletic department. This is the business portion of your trip. The head coach will probably present a four year plan that includes where you will fit in on the team and what to expect with your studies. Your next meeting will probably involve the compliance office. Their job is to run through all of the rules that pertain to your trip. This meeting is particularly important because you can learn the basics of being a student athlete.

When the meetings are over, the fun part of the trip begins. One of the first things you will do is tour the campus. Some of the team members may accompany you to give you a chance to get to know them. The team will take you out to dinner and possibly to a football or basketball game.

It is very important that you keep an open mind during the
trip. It is your recruiting trip, but you are also being evaluated by the coach and shooters. If you don’t make a positive impression with them, then there is a good chance they will not offer you a spot on the team.

UNOFFICIAL VISIT
Unofficial visits are freebies for a coach. If you decide to to visit a school at your expense, coaches will not hesitate to show you around and answer questions. Unlike official visits, there are no limits to how long you can stay on campus. The only time you cannot take an unofficial visit is during a “dead period.” Dead periods are the couple of days before a signing period, this prevents coaches from contacting you while you and your family make a final decision on which school you will attend.

Unofficial visits give you the opportunity to make your own schedule for the trip. Below, is a list of things to do:

  1. Meet the coach and team – The most important factor of whether or not you want to shoot on a college rifle team is to determine if you will fit in with the team.
  2. Tour the Campus -It is very important to determine whether or not you like the campus. Visit the rifle range, library, dormitories, athletic department, etc.
  3. Meet with College Advisors – If you know what you want to major in, schedule a meeting with an advisor who can go over your course work and better prepare you for the years ahead.
  4. Sample the campus cuisine – Be sure you know what the food is like. This can be a big determining factor in how much money you invest into campus meal plans.
  5. Look into joining a club– Everyone needs a way to escape from their day to day life and joining a club is a good way to do that. It is also a great way to meet new people.

When your visits are all said and done, you and your family should sit down and determine where you want enroll. Academics should be your number one priority. There is a saying about student athletes, “The student comes before the athlete,” and you cannot be an athlete without the grades. Only then should you consider the other factors. By prioritizing your needs, there is a good chance you will choose the school that is right for you.

Brad Donoho is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he shot for the Wildcats Varsity Rifle Team for four years. He was a Team Captain his junior year. Subsequent to his graduation, he also served as Assistant Rifle Team Coach.

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Mission – Promote marksmanship through firearms training, safety, competitions and youth programs.
Vision – To lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.

If you need assistance accessing any of our content or would like it in an alternative format you can contact us via our contact form, click here.

  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • MeWe
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
  • Clubs
  • Compete
  • National Matches
  • Education
  • News & Media
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
  • Ranges
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program. All rights reserved.
Site by West Edge Collective.