The BCAA and Coral Springs High are giving the Class of 2010 football players one more chance to impress and attract a college scholarship.

While high school football players across the state looked forward to Feb. 3, National Signing Day, there was even a larger group that pointed toward the second week of February, when most would have yet another opportunity to secure a college scholarship.

At a time when the economy has put a serious crimp into plans many had to attend college, there are a number of football players who are finding that Division 1 is not the only way to get to the next level, compete on the football field and receive a quality education.

For the past eight years, Coral Springs High Athletic Director Dianne Sanzari has opened the doors to her school to Division 2, 3, NAIA, Community Colleges and Prep Schools, who are looking for student athletes. After all, when it comes to talented athletes, Florida has no rival.

For two days, Feb. 20-21, high school coaches, athletes, parents and college coaches from all over the nation meet in the gym at Coral Springs to work out scholarships.

“This is by far the best event we are part of putting on,” said Sanzari. “It is a win/win across the board for everyone involved.”

Before the recruiting event came to Coral Springs, it was at Deerfield Beach, and over the years, has gained momentum, where college coaches come down for a full week, stopping at Lake Wales (Feb. 15-16), John I. Leonard in Lake Worth (Feb. 17-18) and then onto Coral Springs, where nearly 500 athletes are expected to grab the attention of coaches from schools such as D2 New Haven, D3 power Mount Union, NAIA Florida-based program Webber International, community college programs such as Dean and Prep Schools like Bridgeton Academy and West Virginia Tech.

The schedule for Coral Springs High (7201 W. Sample Rd.) begins on Saturday, Feb. 21 when small college coaches meet with over 40 high school coaches to review film and identify player needs. A profile book of all eligible players is provided to each college coach.

"The first day, which runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. has the high school coaches selling themselves and their players to some 40 colleges," Sanzari pointed out. "The next day from 12-3 p.m., colleges begin to sell themselves to parents and athletes."

Just like a job interview, that first impression that an athlete makes could be the difference in getting to play at the next level or working hard to afford tuition and books.

If you look at all the student/athletes who have used this event to receive a college education and a chance to play football, it will show you how very important this recruiting fair is.

Among the other schools expected to be in the area for the week will be Averett University, Avila University, Belhaven College, Castleton, Catholic University, Cheyney University, Cornell College, Concordia University, Elmhurst College, Hanover College, Husson University, Ithaca College, John Carroll University, Knox College, Lake Forest, Marion College, Mount Ida, North Central College, Northwood University, Ohio Northern University, Saint Anselm College, Salve Regina, St. Lawrence, St. Norbert College, St. Vincent College, The College of Wooster, Valley City State and West Virginia Wesleyan.

“For us, this event has been able to help a number of players get some recognition,” said South Broward head coach Allen Held. “It is something that is really one of the best things that this area holds, which benefit’s the players, parents and coaches at the high school and collegiate level as well.”

For more information on the Small College Recruiting Fair, call Dianne Sanzari  at 754-322-0571 to register. The event is open to all schools in South Florida!

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).