In practical terms, your sophomore year is probably the optimal time to really start getting focused.  However, it’s never too early to start collecting digital images including video and biographical content for your student athlete portfolio.

If you’ve not done that over the years, you may be able to find some photos or video from other teammates and acquaintances.  Those pictures can then be cropped to make you the focus of the photo.   Document season stats, academic achievements and community service activities in an organized fashion.  Also, a minimum one-paragraph bio should be written in a common format such as an MS Word (.doc) file.  This, to-the-point paragraph, in a common document format, can be reused and inserted (copied and pasted) into the multiple promotional venues that are available.  Old, non-digital pictures can be scanned.  Action and group photographs are great for telling stories and in-uniform portrait style photos are useful for profiles.  Again, .JPG or .GIF digital file formats are best as they can easily be dropped into resumes, individual websites or posted to other online venues. 

Colleges are selective and are especially selective with student athletes due to the limited pool of available sports scholarship funds.  Subsequently, your student’s academic and community service activities should be emphasized and documented in resume format.  The point is to build a complete biographical of who you are that is not solely based upon your athletic prowess. 

Simply put - don’t procrastinate - Start Young!