Rodeo Life

Author: CJ Aragon

  • Our success depends on the success of our students.

    Our success depends on the success of our students.

    Coaching students that want to get better is fun and for the most part it is easy. Students that are eager to improve show up to practice ready to learn and ready to work. If you have any doubts, go watch a practice of a college team.  I’m not talking about rodeo practice, go watch a good college football or basketball team practice. Within a few minutes you will be able to see the student athletes that are different from the rest.

    For coaches it’s easy to spot.  Athletes separate themselves by what they do and how detailed they do their work. It’s noticeable and they are coachable. Coaching is fun and exciting when you have students that are willing to embrace practice. Coaching is exciting to see students reach their full potential.

    Believe it or not—after a few practices every year I can tell you the students that have a chance to make the CNFR. I’ll repeat that, coaches can tell very early in you have what it takes to take your abilities to the next level. For everyone wondering what I am talking about, championships are won by the work you do in the practice pen. How coachable you are in the practice pen. Your attitude and effort that you bring.

    Coaching is easy when students listen to improve. That is becoming more and more rare. Now many students are only listening to reply. Instead of hearing what the coach has to say, they are just waiting to reply with an excuse or an explanation. As a coach—this is when coaching becomes difficult. How do you help someone improve when they can justify excuses to themselves and to coaches? Student athletes that have this attitude become very difficult to coach and honestly take the fun out of coaching.

    To be an elite athlete, students need to embrace being coached.  Hearing the things that are uncomfortable to hear. Making changes that are not easy to make. The old cliché to be different than everyone else to have to do things that others are not willing to do. Coaches want to see you do well.  Trust me.

    What most students don’t understand about coaching is that as a coach our success depends on the success of our students. For us to be successful we need our students to be successful. We need our students to be coachable. Coaching is fun and rewarding when we see our students be successful.

    For all the athletes out there remember your coach wants to see you be successful. Don’t take it personal when they hold you to a higher standard—they know what you are capable of.

  • A Higher Standard – Recruitment Advice

    A Higher Standard – Recruitment Advice

    I get asked every year for advice on the recruitment process.  Here is some of the advice I share every year with students:

    Finish your senior year strong, keep your grades up. The NIRA has very strict rules when it comes to grades and if you are taking dual credit classes in high school those will count as college classes.  This means that if your dual credit GPA doesn’t meet the NIRA standards you will start off ineligible. Your grades matter, take care of them through your entire high school career. Another huge step is making sure you qualify academically. It’s important to know what qualifications your specific school requires so you know if you’re even eligible to apply. If your academics aren’t up to par, you can’t qualify for a scholarship, which is another important reason to do your research early.

    Create a highlight video and resume.  Show all of the best moments you have had over the past few seasons.  However, keep your video short and to the point.  Coaches are busy and we want to see your highlights, but we don’t have time to watch a 30-minute video on every student.  Also pick appropriate music for your video.  I’ve had videos that I couldn’t watch with the volume on in my office because of the language.  Your video is a great opportunity to make a first impression, Take advantage of it.

    Communicate with coaches.  Learn how to contact and communicate with coaches throughout the recruitment process. YOU should communicate directly with the coach. Reach out to coaches early in the process to get on their radar.  Recruiting is very competitive so start planning early and reach out to programs that you are interested in.  Once you have committed to a school, let the other coaches know, trust me, coaches appreciate it when you tell us that you have committed.

    It’s important to know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses and where you will be the most successful.   This is true for the classroom and in the arena.  Not everyone will do well at a University with 20,000 students and not everyone will do well at a community college with 1500 students.  Pick a school where you can be successful in the classroom and in the arena. You have to be honest with yourself and pick programs that suit your talents and abilities. If you’re having trouble assessing your abilities, ask someone that you trust and will be honest with you. You don’t want to waste your time contacting schools that aren’t for you.

    Make sure your social media content is professional and appropriate. It may come as a shock, but a lot of coaches will look to social media to see who you are and what you’re about. You want to make the right impression. Make sure things like pictures, voicemail, email, and Twitter handles are appropriate, because at the end of the day, they represent you and your future program.

    Never be afraid to ask for help. College recruiting can be a very confusing and tedious process. Use your resources, whether that’s your parents, coaches, guidance counselors or students who have already been through the process. Always ask for help if you don’t know, because there’s no such thing as a dumb question. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you were unsure about something or you were afraid to ask for help.

  • Recruitment Advice

    Recruitment Advice

    I get asked every year for advice on the recruitment process. Here is some of the advice I share every year with students:
    Finish your senior year strong, keep your grades up. The NIRA has very strict rules when it comes to grades and if you are taking dual credit classes in high school those will count as college classes. This means that if your dual credit GPA doesn’t meet the NIRA standards you will start off ineligible. Your grades matter, take care of them through your entire high school career. Another huge step is making sure you qualify academically. It’s important to know what qualifications your specific school requires so you know if you’re even eligible to apply. If your academics aren’t up to par, you can’t qualify for a scholarship, which is another important reason to do your research early.
    Create a highlight video and resume. Show all of the best moments you have had over the past few seasons. However, keep your video short and to the point. Coaches are busy and we want to see your highlights, but we don’t have time to watch a 30-minute video on every student. Also pick appropriate music for your video. I’ve had videos that I couldn’t watch with the volume on in my office because of the language. Your video is a great opportunity to make a first impression, Take advantage of it.
    Communicate with coaches. Learn how to contact and communicate with coaches throughout the recruitment process. YOU should communicate directly with the coach. Reach out to coaches early in the process to get on their radar. Recruiting is very competitive so start planning early and reach out to programs that you are interested in. Once you have committed to a school, let the other coaches know, trust me, coaches appreciate it when you tell us that you have committed.
    It’s important to know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses and where you will be the most successful. This is true for the classroom and in the arena. Not everyone will do well at a University with 20,000 students and not everyone will do well at a community college with 1500 students. Pick a school where you can be successful in the classroom and in the arena. You have to be honest with yourself and pick programs that suit your talents and abilities. If you’re having trouble assessing your abilities, ask someone that you trust and will be honest with you. You don’t want to waste your time contacting schools that aren’t for you.
    Make sure your social media content is professional and appropriate. It may come as a shock, but a lot of coaches will look to social media to see who you are and what you’re about. You want to make the right impression. Make sure things like pictures, voicemail, email, and Twitter handles are appropriate, because at the end of the day, they represent you and your future program.
    Never be afraid to ask for help. College recruiting can be a very confusing and tedious process. Use your resources, whether that’s your parents, coaches, guidance counselors or students who have already been through the process. Always ask for help if you don’t know, because there’s no such thing as a dumb question. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you were unsure about something or you were afraid to ask for help.