Boston Regional Recap

Boston, MA Regional Event

Kraft Field

July 24, 2009

Sunny / 80 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

Some of New England’s top kicking prospects came through in the clutch at the National Kicking Combine Series Boston Regional Event. Special Teams Solutions, headed by former Rutgers University and Arena Football kicker Lee McDonald, ran the event at Kraft Field (named after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft who donated the field) in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Luke Faust of Roxbury Latin School (MA) showed a big leg on field goals among the class of 2010 kickers. Faust hit 7 of 10 kicks with a long of 52 yards off the ground and proved to be the best overall performer of the day after averaging 59 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time on kickoffs and 37 yards / 3.6 seconds hang time on punts. Erich Perfetti of Shrewsbury (MA) High School finished second by connecting on 6 of 10 field goals off the ground with a long of 39 yards. Brad Prasky of Groton High School (MA) displayed a strong leg on kickoffs by averaging nearly 58 yards and 3.4 seconds of hang time per kickoff. John Gardner of Darien High School (CT) was right there with a near 55 yard and 3.4 seconds hang time kickoff average. Among punters, Prasky averaged 38 yards and nearly 3.7 seconds hang time and Perfetti nearly 37 yards with 3.7 seconds hang time per punt. Arthur Azatyants of Brookline High School proved to be a solid punter as well by posting 35 yards and 3.8 seconds hang time per punt.

Among the class of 2011, Tim Weinclaw of Kellenberg High School (NY) proved consistent by hitting 8 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards off a two inch block. He also averaged 53 yards with 3.4 seconds hang time per kickoff. Joe Uglietto of the Governors Academy School (MA) turned over several punts and averaged 35 yards and 3.7 seconds hang time per kick. Class of 2012 kicker James Lincoln of Ocala High School (FL), a summer visitor to New England, was perfect on the day by hitting all ten field goals with a long of 42 yards. Lincoln also averaged 54 yards and 3.3 seconds hang time per kickoff.

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409

Pittsburgh Regional Recap

Pittsburgh, PA Regional Event

McKeesport High School

July 16, 2009

Overcast / 60 Degrees / 5 mph Wind

Surface: Field Turf

The weather as tough as steel at the National Kicking Combine Series Pittsburgh Regional. Special Teams Solutions, with the assistance former Rutgers punter Charlie Titus and former University of Buffalo kicker Gerry McGroarty, ran the event which was plagued by cool temperatures and rainy conditions. Despite a rain delay, severe thunder storms held up long enough for several local kickers to show they have what it takes to compete at the next level.

Among the class of 2010, Matt Maczura of Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA) High School was almost perfect after hitting 9 of 10 field goals with a long of 52 yards from a one inch block! Anthony Chiappetta of North Hills (PA) High School, Patrick Donoughe of Forest Hills (PA) High School and Sean Zippie of Hickory (PA) High School each finished a respectable 7 of 10 on field goals off a one inch block. On kickoffs, Zach Christensen of Bishop Hoban (OH) HS lead the way after averaging 54 yards and 3.7 seconds hang time per kickoff from a one inch tee. Without a doubt the top punter was Levi Reihart of Tyrone Area (PA) High School who turned over numerous spirals and averaged 38 yards a punt with 3.5 seconds hang time. Reihart’s best punt was a 49 yard / 4.22 seconds hang time effort. Kevin Wood of Knoch (PA) High School was a close second after averaging nearly 35 yards and 3.5 seconds hang time per punt. Among the underclassmen, class of 2012 kicker of Beaver Falls (PA) High School stood out after connecting on 8 of 10 field goals with a long of 42 yards and averaging 51 yards and 3.6 hang time per kickoff with both skills off a 2 inch tee.

Lee McDonald, Special Teams Solutions

lee@specialteamssolutions.com

732-406-6409

Recruiting Tip #2: Finding the Right College

Choosing the right college to attend is something that will take some
time. You will want to find a school that fits you both academically
and athletically.

The first step is to make a list of 12-15 schools
that you, initially, would like to attend.

I would categorize them in this way:

• Dream schools
• Realistic schools
• Fall back schools

Of course, there could be some overlap between the Dream and Realistic
schools. Having simple categories will help to organize your choices as
you start this process.

Your Dream schools could be a big time college athletic program, like UCLA, Notre Dame, Texas or Florida. Maybe you have grown up watching that program, members of your family have attended that school or you simply like their mascot and colors. There are many colleges that offer both big time athletics as well as incredible academics, Virginia, Cal Berkley, Boston College, etc. Therefore, attending one of these programs would appear to be ideal.

However, you need to be "realistic" with your athletic abilities and decide if you would get significant playing time by attending one of these programs. If so, great. If not, then you will need to decide if just being on the roster is good enough for you. Otherwise, finding a
program, athletically, that will allow you to get a lot of playing time might be at a "Realistic" School.

Being a "Big fish in a small pond," is something that will provide for a great college experience. There are dozens of incredible academic institutions that play at smaller divisions, Amherst, William and Mary and all of the Ivy league schools.

You have heard or you will hear that "College is one of the best times of your life." The great thing is that you can do many things to ensure that you have an incredible experience.

Finally, have your "Fall Back" Schools. These are schools that you would still enjoy attending, but they are not necessarily the first ones that pop up in your head. They still combine the academics and athletics and offer the expected experience.

Do your initial research on these schools, their location (Do you want to stay close to home or leave the state?), student size, academic offering, players at your postition (How many? When are they graduating?),etc. Your list and rankings may move around after your research. Some schools may drop out and some new ones may be added.

Two sites where you can begin your research are:

CollegeBoard.com

NCAA.com

You have to work just as hard off the field, to find the right school, as you do on
the field.

One of the most important questions that you should ask
yourself when trying to select the right college is "If something were to happen that prevented me from playing my sport in college, would I still want to be at that school?"

Leveraging your sport to go to college is a great way to be a starter, get an education and have an incredible experience that will set the foundation for the rest of your life.

Once you have narrowed down your school options, the next step is letting them know that you are out there. The most efficient way is to create an online video profile with www.activerecruiting.com

Good luck!

College Recruiting Tip #1: NCAA Eligibility

So you want to play sports in college? Whether you’re an All-American, All- State, All- District or just a starter because you were left off those lists by mistake, in order to play at the next level there are mandatory procedures.

The NCAA considers a Prospective Student-Athlete as “someone who is looking to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution in the future.” To play in college ALL Prospective Student-Athletes must sign up with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

As of August 1, 2008, NCAA Division I will require 16 core courses. Division II requires 14 core courses, but will increase to 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013. View the NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards Quick Reference Sheet for more information on these requirements.

This important step allows for college coaches to verify that you are eligible and provides them academic information on the student-athlete. You are encouraged to submit transcripts and test scores (SAT/ACT) for their review. You will be assigned a pin number that they can use to confirm this information.

Just like there are rules to follow in games, the NCAA is all about rules and guidelines to better serve student-athletes and their parents.

Once you have registered, it is time to let them know that you are out there. The internet is a great way to create exposure. Creating an online interactive video profile is a solid way to make that all important introduction to college coaches.

If you haven’t registered with the eligibility center, do so ASAP.