An Athlete’s Journey
By Michael Selecky Contributing Writer While playing college volleyball may very well be exactly where most high-school-aged players would like to eventually see themselves, the difference between dreams and reality is as harsh as it is real. Even for the…
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Continue ReadingBy Michael Selecky
Contributing Writer
While playing college volleyball may very well be exactly where most high-school-aged players would like to eventually see themselves, the difference between dreams and reality is as harsh as it is real.
Even for the top athletes that path can be incredibly wrought with a myriad of different perils, and one person who truly understands the ins-and-outs of that process is Michael Saier of Crank It Volleyball in Clinton Township. Having spent five years coaching with the American Athletic Union School, Saier has been up-close-and personal for every step of all the trials and tribulations that tend to arise in these situations.
Not only is he well-versed on what the individual athletes are experiencing, but Saier also is no stranger to the colleges’ side of things. That’s why the thoughts of this current Junior Varsity coach at Chippewa Valley High School are so incredibly valid when it comes to understanding everything as a whole.
“College recruiters generally reach out to the athlete. Hence the importance of marketing yourself and competing in many states,” said Saier. “Colleges will invite the athletes to open houses, camps, practices etc. usually a scholarship with some benefit is negotiated and then the athlete will sign. The future for all athletes is what they make of it. The college level is an enormous talent jump and will require hard work and arduous dedication.”
As for the specifics of the athletes’ side of this scenario, according to Saier that includes:
Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse, as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Create a video: Include skills and unedited game footage and identify yourself in the game footage.
Market yourself and be proactive: Fill out questionnaires, Email coaches at schools you are interested in, send your video and consistently check in with coaches.
When it comes to the class of 2020 athletes from Crank It who are moving on to play college volleyball, among them are Libero Ally Rissman, who signed her National Letter of Intent to take the court for Spring Arbor University in December. Libero Kelsey Starnes committed to play at Illinois Tech recently, as well.
Outside Hitter Madison Gregoire was also fortunate enough to be able to put her name on the dotted line with the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Crank-It has been preparing athletes for and sending them on to play at the college level for years now according to Crankitvolleyball.com. This includes Hailey Link of Lutheran North Hig School (HS) and Tori Barney of Bishop Foley HS from the class of 2019 with Macomb Community College (MCC).
Livia Noble of L’Anse Creuse North HS and Lindsay McBride of Anchor Bay HS from the class of 2017 also signed with MCC and Kira Baade of the class of 2018 and New Haven HS now plays for Tiffin University.
“To be a part of a collegiate sport will benefit the athlete their entire life,” said Saier. “It is an honor to be a part of such an experience.”
Details: https://www.facebook.com/pg/crankitvolleyball/posts/