About Dede Allen
Dede Allen is a world-renowned college recruiting expert who is intimately
familiar with both college and junior tennis. Allen was head coach of the
Wake Forest University women's tennis team for seven years, and she was
named ACC Coach of the Year in 1987. Since her college coaching days, Allen
served the USTA for over 14 years as Administrator for USA Tennis Junior
Competition and liaison to the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA. Allen is the author
of three books on recruiting, including the
USTA Guide for Prospective
College Athletes, the recently-revised
Collegiate Guide for High School Tennis Players,
and
the
Collegiate Guide for High School Athletes. Today, Allen presents
seminars throughout the country to prospective college tennis players.
Allen writes a periodic column at TennisRecruiting.net where she provides
advice and answers your questions. You can
submit a question to Dede for her
to answer directly - or in a future column.
Products and services from Dede Allen are
available online.
12-Feb-2010
NCAA Rule Change - Enrolling After Graduation
The NCAA recently passed bylaws that are relevant to college-bound
junior tennis players. These bylaws specify new rules: how long a
high school graduate can wait before enrolling in college - and the
kinds of competition in which the student-athlete can engage. Dede
Allen discusses these new bylaws.
13-Jul-2009
What if I Don't get a Scholarship Offer from my First Choice?
Dede Allen addresses the question: "I'm afraid that I might not get a
scholarship offer from my first choice - what should I do?" Allen
stresses the importance of researching multiple options and alternatives -
and encourages players to be proactive.
29-Jun-2009
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2009-10
July 1st marks the beginning of another recruiting year. Recruiting
expert Dede Allen reviews important dates on the calendar for all ages
- and she also has a primer on basic recruiting terms.
8-Jun-2009
The Recruiting Process - Is It Ever Too Early?
Dede Allen takes on the question: "I'm a junior in high school, is it
too early to start the recruiting process?" She advises kids to take
care of business in the classroom - and to start organizing their
options.
2-May-2009
Help! I'm at the Wrong School
Your collegiate experience should be rewarding both athletically and
academically. It should be exciting, challenging, and successful.
However, sometimes players - or coaches - make the wrong decision.
What can be done about it? In one word: transfer. It sounds simple,
but it can be confusing.
30-Jun-2008
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2008-09
Tomorrow - July 1st - marks the beginning of another recruiting
year. Once again, recruiting expert Dede Allen reviews important
dates on the recruiting calendar for all ages - and she also has a
primer on basic recruiting terms.
24-Sep-2007
Just One Thing to Think About?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If you had to tell a player just one
thing to think about during the recruiting process, what would it be?"
6-Aug-2007
Campus Visits and Interviews
With the school year about to begin, rising seniors and their
families are about to start taking official campus visits. Rising
juniors might also be planning college visits with their families -
stealing away for a weekend to check out a school and take in a
football game. Dede Allen talks about the importance of the visit in
the college decision process - and how to make the most of one.
26-Feb-2007
Where Can I Find a Scholarship?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If there is so much money in college
athletics, why can't I get a full scholarship?"
23-Oct-2006
College Tennis for Middle School?
Dede Allen answers the question:
"I'm in middle school and I keep hearing my sister and her friends
talk about college tennis. It sounds like something I'd like to do,
but is it too early for me to start thinking about it?"
31-Aug-2006
Early Action, Early Decision, and Rolling Admission
"I keep hearing about early decision, early application and rolling
admission. I'm getting confused - can you explain the difference?
How does signing early for athletic scholarships play into the
scenario?"
20-Jul-2006
College Freshman Orientation
With freshman year only a month away for the Class of 2006, this is
the time of year when I frequently hear the question: "Is it important
to attend freshman orientation?" I highly recommend it.
27-Apr-2006
New for 2006-07: NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse
If you are a junior or college tennis fan, you have probably read one of the many recent articles about "professionals" participating in college sports. While you may not be following the discussion, you do need to be aware of the new NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse. Today's article looks at the NCAA's newest clearinghouse.
27-Feb-2006
What Should I Tell a Coach at a Tournament?
During the summer and fall, many coaches attend national and sectional events to evaluate recruits. Dede Allen addresses the question: "Coaches keep trying to talk to me at tournaments. I just want to concentrate on my play. What should I do?"
30-Jan-2006
Taking a Year Off After High School
Resident recruiting expert Dede Allen answers the question, "Is there
an NCAA rule about taking time off after high school graduation?"
12-Dec-2005
Recruiting Vocabulary Test
Dede answers the question: When I'm at tournaments or talking to my friends, I keep hearing terms that I think I should probably be familiar with. Can you help me out here?
31-Oct-2005
How Can I Get a Coach to "Find" Me?
In a perfect world, every college coach would know who you are, and
many coaches would pursue you diligently. Unfortunately, that is NOT
the case for the majority of tennis players. However, there are many
opportunities available. So how can you come into focus on the
coaches' recruiting radar? For starters, you have to let them
know that you are out there. Be proactive - communication is the key!
21-Jul-2005
Advice on Seeking Sponsorship
Many junior tennis players have questions about sponsorship opportunities – a topic that can be very confusing. There are a variety of levels of sponsorships from a wide variety of companies. Here are some things to think about when looking into sponsorship.
