What is the best piece of advice you can give to parents and players regarding the recruiting process?

The best piece of advice that I could give parents is to help their child stay open to all available options and try to find the best fit for them.  Another piece of advice is to focus on the list of colleges and visit them on a regular day, if possible, in addition to a recruiting trip. Attend classes and speak to professors and administrators about the school.  Get a true feel for what academic life will be like as a student at that school.

What advice would you give parents and players when they visit college campuses?

 The first thing that I would advise players and parents to do would be to research all aspects of the school before setting foot on a campus. Parents and students can research the schools website as well as reviews from other college websites.  Compose a list of questions that you would like to ask and present them to different representatives on campus.  The views of admissions may or may not differ from the view of the coaching staff.  I find that the parents and players that are the most satisfied with our program are the ones that do the most research.  They are informed on what they are getting into and understand the expectation of the school.

What are the qualities that coaches are looking for in a potential student athlete?

As we are exposed to students through the recruiting process it is important for us to identify certain values in them.  First as we look at a player on film or in a live game we see what type of work ethic they have. Next we see the level of accountability of the student.  We feel that this will lead to success in the classroom. We really look to bring character guys into our program. As coaches we invest time into recruiting a player as a result it is important for us to have student/athlete in our program for four years. Finding players with a great set of values is at the top of our list.

Tell us about SUNY Maritime and the Privateer football?

Maritime College Privateer football was introduced in the winter of 2005.  In our first season we played a club schedule before starting our first NCAA Division III season in 2006 as an Independent team. Our 2007 season was highlighted by a 10-6 victory in the first ever Chowder Bowl between SUNY and Massachusetts Maritime in Cape Cod.  Last season we traveled as far North as Maine and South as Alabama. As we enter our 2008 season we look to capitalize off of a solid 2007 coupled with a strong recruiting class. Our 2008 schedule includes Massachusetts Maritime, Salve Regina, Norwich University, Gallaudet University, Husson College, Catholic University, Randolph Macon, Becker College and Mount Ida College.  Looking ahead in 2009 Maritime College will become part of the North Atlantic Conference.

What academic programs are offered at SUNY MARITIME?
SUNY-Maritime College is the only school in the Maritime industry to actually be labeled as a college.  This is unique because a student can earn a Bachelors degree as well as a Coast Guard license. We currently offer degrees in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Environmental Science and International Business. 

Why should a player choose SUNY Maritime over other colleges?

Any player in the Long Island area that is not being offered a scholarship should take a look at what we have to offer.  Maritime football presents a great opportunity for student/athletes to have a great college experience and obtain a top education.  Maritime College has 100% career placement with graduates earning top salaries in excess of $50K a year upon graduation.  At this young stage our football program has made tremendous strides and we look to be even more competitive on a national level in the coming years.  Maritime is an extremely diverse school, in that students are able to choose the path that they will take. Maritime College has a regimental program along with a civilian program. 

Can you describe regiment life?

Maritime is often confused as a military school.  Though we have a regiment there is no actual military duty after graduation.  Maritime College is actually an industry school. The advantage of a student participating in the regimental program is that they are able to acquire a Coast Guard license.