St. Louis Rams and NATS continue for 5th Year

"The St. Louis Rams will once again provide the team facility to assist the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) in conducting this years St. Louis NATS test. Michael Yarbrough, Manager of Community Outreach, commented, "The Rams are proud to be involved with IHSFCA and NATS in this valuable AFCA program."

The deadline to register for the IHSFCA NATS Test at the Russell Training Center (Home of the St. Louis Rams) is Wednesday, May 20. High school players from graduating classes 2009-2013 may register online at www.nats.us. An academic seminar will take place between combine sessions, in which parents are encouraged to attend with their student-athletes. The NATS Test will be conducted on Sunday, May 24, 2009.

The NATS Test will provide participants with access to college football programs on the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA levels that they otherwise would not have had. Nationwide, over 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."

IHSFCA NATS State Director and NATS Board of Review member Tim Dougherty 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."

IHSFCA NATS Test Director, Tim Kane, 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, such as the TeamMate Core Course Calculator, to assure them of the correct high school course schedule to meet NCAA academic standards.