Grind and Grades

In this episode, hosts explain the best times to email college coaches, what makes a strong introductory recruiting message, and why timing matters less than message quality.They cover how to follow up professionally, how to respond gracefully to rejections, and give a 10-step action plan for building a balanced recruiting strategy, tracking contacts, and staying confident throughout the process.

Canadian student-athletes can lose valuable time before they ever step onto a college campus. In the first episode of Grind and Grades, presented by Collegiate Goals, we break down the NCAA eligibility timeline, core-course planning, the 10/7 rule, and why waiting until Grade 12 can leave families with fewer options.

What happens if you take the wrong course, have a low GPA, or fall behind on NCAA academic eligibility?
In this episode of Grind and Grades, Michael and Shannon break down what “missing the mark” really means and what student-athletes can do at every stage, from Grade 9 through Grade 12.
You will learn:
• How NCAA academic eligibility actually works for Canadian athletes• What to do if you took the wrong course• How timing and GPA affect your options• When a fifth year, NAIA, Division III, or junior college makes sense• Why the NCAA Eligibility Center is the only final authority• How to avoid bad advice that can cost you opportunities
Most importantly, you will hear this message clearly:
Missing the mark does not end your journey. It changes your direction.
If you are feeling unsure, behind, or overwhelmed, this episode will give you clarity and a real plan forward.
Visit www.collegiategoals.com to access free tools and resources for Canadian student-athletes and families.

Most families believe NCAA recruiting starts with exposure.Camps, showcases, highlight videos, emails to coaches.
But that’s not where recruiting actually begins.
In this episode of Grind and Grades, we break down why so many NCAA opportunities disappear before recruiting even really starts, and why eligibility, not exposure, is the true gatekeeper.
We talk through:
Why exposure feels like progress, even when it isn’t
How NCAA eligibility quietly filters athletes out early
What families should be doing at each stage, from middle school to senior year
What coaches are actually looking at before recruiting moves forward
Why eligibility issues don’t mean the journey is over, and when a pivot can make sense
The real story behind why Collegiate Goals focuses on eligibility first
If you’re a parent trying to support your athlete and want clarity before spending time and money in the wrong places, this episode will help you understand where to start and why order matters.
To help families take that first step, we’ve also created a free NCAA Ready Checklist.It’s a simple way to check eligibility readiness and identify gaps early.
You can access it at CollegiateGoals.com.

Canadian athletes can do everything right and still lose NCAA eligibility. In this episode of Grind and Grades, we explain why this happens, when families usually find out, and what can be done early to avoid eligibility surprises.

Kyle, the founder of Collegiate Goals, shares the real story behind the platform and how guiding his son through the NCAA journey inspired him to help Canadian families. From eligibility struggles to the moment his son stepped onto campus, Kyle explains why he created tools that make the path clearer for parents and athletes. A heartfelt episode for anyone chasing the NCAA dream.

Your first goal isn’t on the field, it’s in the classroom. Learn why NCAA eligibility starts in Grade 9, how a 2.3 core GPA can shape your future.
Learn more at www.collegiategoals.com