It is a good time for kids who didn't get offers in June to hit the road with their parents with a purpose in mind. If you haven't receive an offer from a Big Ten school, go to MAC schools or Illinois State or Eastern Illinois or Western Illinois.

There still is a chance that you can obtain financial aid. There are a lot of good high school players who haven't received any offers. They need to make the colleges familiar with them. The fact they haven't been offered isn't necessarily because they aren't as good as they think they are. It is a matter of finding the right fit.

Remember, in 1986, a record 141 kids got offers. But there are fewer now because fewer colleges come into recruit in Illinois because of the large number of early commitments.

Don't get discouraged. Have a goal. Form a game plan for the rest of the summer. Make unofficial visits, let them see film, go to a school and let them see you in person. It takes time but it is worthwhile. Like Clint Eastwood said: "A man has to know his limitations." What are your limitations?

It is OK to think you can go big-time, that you can play in the Big Ten, but have a Plan B where you also can have a good career. If a big school didn't come after you before July 1, the chances are good that they won't. They have conducted their own camps and they know who they want. So you have to look elsewhere.

The trick is to choose a school where you fit in, where you can play, get a good education and enjoy your college experience.