The New Jersey Football Coaches Association (NJFCA) will hold their NATS Test on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at the New York Giants Practice Bubble in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New Jersey is one of the 15 states that will run NATS Tests during the 2007 testing campaign.

New Jersey state Test Director and member of NATS Board of Review (BOR), Coach Shawn Poppe, has been a teacher of Health and Physical Education since at West Milford High School since 1979 and has been the Head Football Coach since 1995. He is also a past President of the NJFCA, as well as a National Field Consultant (NFC) for NATS. He comments, "By testing players in speed, strength and agility drills, NATS assists college recruiters with player evaluations, enables players to gauge their true baseline athletic ability and helps both players and parents navigate the recruiting process".

Further, "Student-athletes participating in NATS also receive valuable NATS Test preparation videos and special interactive tools assisting them of the correct high school core course schedule necessary to meet NCAA academic standards." Coach Poppe added, "NATS benefits student-athletes not only here in New Jersey, but all players who wish to have an accurate baseline measurement with which to compare themselves to their contemporaries locally, regionally, and nationally". "College coaches have told me that 'It has been a long time coming' and pleased they are to have NATS provide them with results they can trust."

Coach Poppe annually tests, in excess, of 300 student-athletes at the NJFCA NATS Test.

Here are some tips from Coach Poppe on preparing for a successful NATS Test:

Operating a successful NATS Test

1. Send a monthly reminder letter (start in early March) to all Head Football Coaches in the state and made sure it was always in the minutes from monthly NJFCA meetings.
2. Contact all high schools that were running clinics and ask if I could say a few words about the program. Some did not allow me to speak, however, I went anyway and handed out a flyer, which had a copy of our poster on one side and a related newspaper article on the other side. If I could not make it, I faxed a copy of the poster and asked to hand it out at the "door" when people registered.
3. I had a large poster made and sent it with a cover letter, which explained the program and asked the coach to display it in their weight room or gym bulletin board.
4. I used our county reps to help get the word out. I had them contact the schools in their county and ask the Head Football Coach (HFC) to get their kids involved. I also sent them a copy of the NATS DVD to preview and learn about the program. I also attempted to follow it up with a phone call.
5. Wrote a letter to all the Head College Coaches in New Jersey. I asked them to look into and support NATS and our association in its effort to get this going. I also encouraged them to use their college access code to look on the website. I provide the site and their code -- which I got from NATS -- in the letter.
6. Spoke at all of our monthly NJFCA meetings and gave updates.
7. Spoke on local TV cable stations that cover high school sports. I hope to get on the MSG Network this spring.
8. The GIANTS posted the program, with a link to NATS on their website.
9. The GIANTS, through me, sent a letter to all the HFC's in the state, lending their support for the program and letting them know what their involvment would be. They had a player and representative from The Princeton Review Program speak to all the parents and players about academics, colleges and SATS.
10. Had a sit-down meeting with the Recruiting Coordinator at Rutgers to explain the program and gain support.
11. This year, the GIANTS will have a Youth Football Database, which I have been told that was can use to get the word out.
12. The NJFCA has an email list which helped share information.
13. I sent a copy of our NJ high school directory to NATS. They copied all the email addresses of the Athletic Directors and were able to send NATS newsletters, updates, etc... and asked the AD's to forward it to the HFC.
14. Recruited workers at our monthly meetings.
15. Spoke at our Football Booster Club meetings and showed the NATS DVD.
16. Spoke at our town Football Clinic and showed the NATS DVD.
17. Utilized our Special Needs students to assist in getting all the mailings stuffed and labeled. They were eager to participate and this was part of some of the tasks they do in their program. In appreciation, at the end of the year, I paid for 3 seniors' prom bids.
18. Grant Teaff, from AFCA, also sent a letter (with a DVD) to all high schools in New Jersey about the program.
19. Posted and updated on the NJFCA website.
20. Attempted to contact bordering FCA's and asked them to put it on their website.

Chargers to Host NATS Test for the 1st Year

The San Diego Chargers will, for the first time, provide the team facility to assist the Southern California Interscholastic Football Coaches Association (SCIFCA) in conducting this years San Diego NATS test.

Kimberley Layton, Director of Corporate & Community Relations, commented: "The Chargers are proud to be involved with SCIFCA and NATS in this valuable AFCA program. "The deadline to register for the SCIFCA NATS Test at the Chargers Park is Wednesday, May 9. High school players from graduating classes 2008-2011 may register online at www.nats.us. No walk-ups are permitted. The NATS Test will be conducted on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

The NATS Test will provide participants with access to college football programs on the NCAA Division I, II, III, JUCO and NAIA level they otherwise would not have had. Nationwide, 431 colleges from 49 states are already using the NATS database for initial player evaluations. The NATS program is unique, in that it's not just a one day event. It is a year round support system which provides not only athletic, but academic, support for young football players.

The San Diego test will also feature an educational seminar by the Princeton Review, which will focus on college entrance exam preparations and requirements for matriculation into institutions of higher learning.

AFCA Executive Director, Grant Teaff says, "NATS brings together the high school and college coaching communities to better serve high school players who strive to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level."

SCIFCA NATS State Director and NATS Board of Review member, Bob Burt said, "I think our Association's NATS program will greatly assist our young kids in finding opportunities to play college football that they otherwise would not have had."

Colorado NATS Test a Big Hit with Players and Parents

The Colorado National Strength & Conditioning Association (CNSCA) held their annual NATS Test on Saturday, April 14th, at the Denver Broncos practice facility. Colorado is one of the 15 states which has activated AFCA's NATS program nationally.

By testing players in speed, strength and agility drills, NATS assists college recruiters with player evaluations, enables players to gauge their true baseline athletic ability and helps both players and parents navigate the recruiting process. Student-athletes participating in NATS also receive valuable NATS Test preparation videos and special interactive tools, assuring them of correct high school course schedule to meet NCAA academic standards.

Here are what some of the coaches, participants and their family members had to say about the CNSCA NATS Program.

Coach Kevin Uhlig, Head Football Coach at Westminster High School
"I had the privilege of working the 2007 NATS Combine at Dove Valley. I was amazed with how well organized the combine was run. This is a great opportunity for student-athletes to gauge themselves versus similar competition, track their individual growth and compete. This test is a great chance for the NCAA-IAA, NCAA-DII and NAIA student-athletes fto get noticed from college football programs across the country. The National Athletic Testing System (NATS) is good for student athletes!"

Coach Shawn Mitchell, Social Studies Instructor & Head Football Coach at Harrison High School

"I am completely sold on the National Athletic Testing System (NATS) high school combine. Through the years, I've sent my players to other high school combines, but none of them were as comprehensive and standardized as the NATS combine. Qualified NATS representatives and local high school coaches ran the combine professionally and efficiently, with the safety and success of the athletes as their number one priority. Next year, I will recommend that my entire team attend the NATS high school combine."

Nick Zeman, Ponderosa High School

"I think it [NATS] was handled very well, it seems really good. It was very well put together. I love the fact that it's standardized across the nation and I can compare myself to kids across the nation. The results analysis is really cool. NATS is a good idea. It's an inexpensive way to get your name out there. The preparation video NATS has online was very helpful in getting ready for the combine. It's a great year-round program."

Denice Stecklein, Parent

"My son [Gary] was really happy with the program. I go into the NATS website quite regularly. I've read about the different divisions of college and the rules for each division. It's something we have been involved with for the past two years. I would tell any parent that NATS is great. The more you use the various components, the better it gets. It's a great way to get your name out there."

Dolphins to Host NATS Test for the 1st Year

"The Miami Dolphins are very pleased to be able to welcome these tremendous student-athletes, coaches and administrators to our training facility. We are proud to be involved with FACA [Florida Athletic Coaches Association] and NATS in this valuable AFCA program. This is another event showing how the Miami Dolphins continually support youth football and the South Florida community.", Twan Russell, Director of Youth and Community Programs commented.

The deadline to register for the FACA NATS Test at the Miami Dolphins Indoor Training Facility is Wednesday, June 12. High school players from graduating classes 2008-2011 may register online at www.nats.us. No walk-ups are permitted. The NATS Test will be conducted on Friday, June 15, 2007.

The NATS Test will provide participants with access to college football programs on the NCAA Division I, II, III, JUCO and NAIA level they otherwise would not have had. Nationwide, 450 colleges from 49 states are already using the NATS database for initial player evaluations. The NATS program is unique, in that it's not just a one day event. It is a year round support system which provides not only athletic, but academic, support for young football players.

AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff says, "NATS brings together the high school and college coaching communities to better serve high school players who strive to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level."

FACA NATS State Director and NATS Board of Review member, Wink Barnette said, "I think our Association's NATS program will greatly assist our young kids in finding opportunities to play college football that they otherwise would not have had."

FACA NATS Test Director, Carol Clein added, "What makes the NATS program unique is that it's not just a one day event. It is a year-round support system -- providing student-athletes not only athletic, but academic support as well."

Bucs to Host NATS Test for the 1st Year

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will, for the first time, provide the team facility to assist the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) in conducting this years Tampa Bay NATS test. Bruce Allen, Buccaneers General Manager, commented, "The Bucs are proud to be involved with FACA and NATS in this valuable AFCA program."

The deadline to register for the FACA NATS Test at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Practice Facility is Wednesday, June 27. High school players from graduating classes 2008-2011 may register online at www.nats.us. No walk-ups are permitted. The NATS Test will be conducted on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

"The NATS Test will provide participants with access to college football programs on the NCAA Division I, II, III, JUCO and NAIA level they otherwise would not have had. Nationwide, 450 colleges from 49 states are already using the NATS database for initial player evaluations. The NATS program is unique, in that it's not just a one day event. It is a year round support system which provides not only athletic, but academic, support for young football players.

AFCA Executive Director, Grant Teaff says, "NATS brings together the high school and college coaching communities to better serve high school players who strive to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level."

FACA NATS State Director and NATS Board of Review member, Wink Barnette said, "I think our Association's NATS program will greatly assist our young kids in finding opportunities to play college football that they otherwise would not have had."

FACA NATS Test Director, Coach Greg Meyers added, "What makes the NATS program unique is that it's not just a one day event. It is a year-round support system -- providing student-athletes not only athletic, but academic support as well."