Expert: Vic Winnek - 5/5/2011

Question
My son is 24 years old and had a trial with an Australian gridiron 'scout' named Nathan Chapman. He is a prodigious kick of the Aussie Rules ball and it appears he was quite good with the grid iron ball. He has been instructed to join a training program in Melbourne, which he has to pay for, with the possibility of gaining a scholarship in US College football later this year or next year, obviously depending on his development. While I appreciate this is just early days is there an NCAA contact I get advice from regarding the legitimacy of such programs or what my son can expect.

Answer
Dear Shane
Thank you for your question.  This is an excellent question and I am always happy to see parents get involved in their child's education.  Make sure you contact the colleges yourself to be assured there are scholarships available.  With that said please know as an expert, I remain objective and independent and I do not endorse any camps or products.  You must know I that I know John Smith and consider him a friend so I need to disclose that to you before I go on with answering your question.  It always makes me nervous to answer questions about people I know  because there can be a perception of bias and it is my intent not to respond with a bias.

I am not personally familiar with Nathan Chapman [but know of him].  I am familiar with a kicking camp/training program in Melbourne (Pro Kick Australia) run by Former NFL kickers John Smith and Nathan Chapman.  I believe it is affiliated with Ray Guy's kicking camp ProKicker.com.  Both of these camp are legitimate camps with good instruction. To the extent of their legitimacy they are for profit kicking camps and they offer outstanding instruction with respect to the mechanics of kicking and punting for American Football.  They have experience and have assisted getting several Australian kickers into college football in the US.  However, it is your son who will have to get himself into college by showing he is academically eligible and that he is capable of handling the college course load.  Over the years I have spoken with John Smith about his efforts and know him to actively try to place his student athletes. I also know him to be a very fine kicking coach.  Again I am not endorsing any camp or product but know John and the two kicking camps to be legitimate.

The next part of your question is excellent as to whether there is a place or person you can contact in the NCAA to determine if they are legitimate and to answer that truthfully - I don't know of any one at the NCAA or if they will advise you.  However I am attaching 3 links to the NCAA to assist you.

I do causation you don't let anyone at a camp or for profit recruiting bureau tell you that a scholarship is a guarantee - they are difficult to get.  The better your son's grades and SAT test scores the easier it is to qualify for a scholarship especially if he is as skilled as you say.  You indicate "he has to pay for [the kicking training program], with the possibility of gaining a scholarship".  Just remember there are no guarantees.  The possibility of getting a scholarship is just that a possibility.  I would recommend that you and your son contact the US college football programs [athletic departments/football offices] directly and advise of his interest in attending the college playing football.  Specifically express an interest in a scholarship.  Follow up with: a copy of your son's academic transcripts, film of him kicking and playing, with a cover letter giving his vital statistics, distance of kicks, percentage of accuracy,hang time, etc.  I am sure John Smith would supplement these efforts, but you have to be the primary effort and your son must fill out applications for admissions.

NCAA Website http://ncaa.org/
NCAA registration for student athletes  http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html
http://ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/issues/recruiting+overview

Best of luck.  Please follow up to this and keep me informed.  John Smith periodically keeps me informed of his prospects from Down Under.

There is another issue you need to consider and I recommend you contact the NCAA eligibility office directly about it - your son's age.  The NCAA has bylaws or rules for each of its divisions (Div. 1 BCS; Div. FCS, Div. II, Div. III) and some of the divisions have age restrictions.  Your sone is a foreign student and that may created other issues or exceptions.  I wanted to make sure you were aware of that as well.  The NCAA should be helpful, if not keep calling until you find someone who will help.