NATS Returns to South Florida

The National Athletic Testing System (NATS) will return to South Florida on April 11, 2009 at American Heritage High School for the 8th Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) NATS Combine.

The deadline to register for the FACA NATS Combine at American Heritage High School is Wednesday, April 8th. High school players from graduating classes 2009-2013 may register online at www.nats.us. No walk-ups are permitted. The NATS Combine will be conducted on Saturday, April 11, 2009.

The NATS Combine 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, more than 600 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, Mike Smith 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."

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 interactive tools assuring them of the correct high school course schedule to meet NCAA academic standards (TeamMate Core Course Calculator).