Helping high school athletes navigate the college recruitment process requires some extra steps. This article assists school counselors in the athletic identification process with support provided for both the student and parents. Also covered is how the recruitment criteria for a college and team works. The role of counselor places them on the front line as the individual most familiar with the student's academic eligibility and current course schedule. They are more often be the main contact for a transcript request from the college coach. In many instances, the only reason a student athlete makes it to a collegiate team isn't because of talent but because of the guidance from coaches, administrators and school counselors along the way. [This paper published in the "ASCA School Counselor," p10-13 May-Jun 2014.]