In my decade-plus covering the athletic recruiting business, I’ve probably spent 90 percent of my time focused on Division I.

But there are actually way more opportunities for your kid to play at lower NCAA levels. And Division II, with more than 300 schools, is an increasingly appealing option.

Today’s guest, Lisa Wilson, has coached at just about every imaginable level: From travel ball to two-year colleges to the Power 5.

She is currently the head coach for women’s basketball at a successful Division II program, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Florida.

On today’s show, Coach Lisa will explain:

➨ What she learned from working as a travel coach and what she encouraged her players and families to do to appeal to college coaches
➨ Why flexibility is one of the most valuable attributes you can offer a college coach, being willing to set aside your ego to do what’s best for the team, even if it means not getting the playing time you’re looking for right away
➨ The differences between Division I and II players and the importance of getting an honest assessment of your abilities to know what level you’ll be most successful at
➨ How competitive the chase for sports scholarships has become, with coaches having the option of choosing from international players, junior college kids, Division I and II transfers, prep school players — in addition to elite high school athletes
➨ And how you should be thinking about developing as an athlete at various ages, from middle school all the way through college, and what are the best ways to show improvement

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LINKS:

Coach Lisa on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/CoachLisa42

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My best stories on athletic recruiting:

The Myth of the Sports Scholarship

https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-myth-of-the-sports-scholarship/

The Courting of Marvin Clark

https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-courting-of-marvin-clark/

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Know someone I should interview? Have an idea for a show topic? Hit me up on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/bradwolverton

Thanks for listening!