I grew up the son of a college football coach, played football at Dartmouth College, and spent the last 28 years coaching and recruiting at both the Division I and III levels. For me, playing sports in college was an unbelievably rewarding experience. As a student athlete, I learned valuable lessons and forged friendships that have impacted the rest of my life. The chance to participate in college athletics is a dream for many high school athletes, but how to navigate the recruiting process is a source of anxiety for both athletes and their parents. These are a few facts and underlying truths to keep in mind throughout the journey.
Competitive Landscape
Playing sports in college at any level is a major accomplishment, however, it is incredibly competitive to gain a spot on a college team. According to the NCAA, of the 7.3 million high school athletes, only 6% go on to play college sports at any level. NCAA Recruiting Fact Sheet
MAKE THE 40 YEAR DECISION
Collegiate athletics is a multi-billion-dollar business that is results oriented. The quickest way for a coach to see results on the field or court is by attracting top level talent. The other side of that coin is that coaches will be fired quickly if they aren’t successful. The turnover rate for collegiate head coaches is eye opening, and the average term for assistant coaches is even shorter. If the current trends continue in Division I, more than 50 percent of this year’s graduating high school seniors who go on to play in college will endure a coaching change before they graduate. I make this point, not to scare anyone, but to remind athletes and parents that they are committing to a school – not a coach. This is not a four-year decision, it is a forty-year decision.
Getting Noticed
Recruiting rules and timelines vary in different sports. If you are truly an elite athlete, the type of player who has dominated every sport and competition that you have entered from a young age, this is easy. The top one percent of athletes have offers as freshmen and sophomores and sometimes even as middle schoolers. The other ninety-nine percent have to take an active role in promoting themselves to college coaches. There are several simple steps to follow regardless of your sport. You can pay a recruiting service to complete these for you, but there is usually very little value added for the money.
- Athletic Evaluation: participate in a camp, combine or showcase that will allow you to compare yourself to your peers as well as athletes competing at the schools you are interested in. Ask Tabor coach and outside coaches for honest evaluations of your ability to play at the next level.
- Complete an Athletic Resume: For clear information on what to include and how to format an athletic resume, please stop in to see me in the College Counseling Office.
- Highlight Film: Create a highlight film. You can share the link from Hudl or post it on YouTube or Vimeo. It should be 3-5 minutes in length. Special effects such as slow motion are a distraction and college coaches fast forward when they see it. Also, music is totally unnecessary; coaches will mute it. Include an introductory slide listing your contact information, jersey color and number. Make sure all the plays are actually highlights. If your teammate steals the ball and passes it to you for an uncontested layup - it is their highlight not yours. Your best highlights should come first. If you don’t put them at the beginning, you risk having coaches turn it off before they get to them. You may choose to add an entire game video after the highlight.
- Introductory Email: It should be personal and from the athlete. You may choose to include your resume, transcripts, and test scores as attachments. Make sure you demonstrate specific knowledge of the school and the program.
- Possible Outcomes After you Reach Out to a Coach:
- No response.
- Coach views the film and sends you an email letting you know they are not interested.
- Coach emails you and invites you to camp.
- Coach either calls you or asks you to call him. YOU ARE NOW BEING RECRUITED!
- If the coach is not contacting you regularly, you are not a priority for the program.
- Calling a Coach:
- Manage Expectations. This is a two-way street. You want to sell yourself and the coach wants to sell his/her program. If you trip over your words a little, it’s not a deal breaker. Remember, he/she wants to make a good impression just like you.
- Be Prepared. Make a few notes prior to making the call. Note any PR’s or special honors you’ve received recently; any big meets, tournaments or showcases that you’ll be attending in the future. The conversation will probably start with the Coach asking you, “So how has your season / summer been going?” Be prepared to touch on a few high points to start the ball rolling.
- Demonstrate Interest. Coaches want to find great athletes who are genuinely interested in their program. What is it about their school / program that interests you? Do your homework and be ready to answer this question!
- Have 1 or 2 Questions Ready. At some point, he/she will ask if you have any questions. Have something prepared: Housing for student athletes? Off-season work outs? Internship opportunities?
- Social Media:
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – Great ways to communicate with a coach and follow a program.
- If you have something ignorant or offensive on social media it will adversely affect your recruitment!
- Coaches don’t want to recruit problem athletes – it could get them fired.
- Summer Camps:
- Choosing which summer camps you are going to attend is important. Ask yourself if you a good fit athletically and academically?
- Camps are money makers for the coaches. The more campers that attend the more money they make.
- Remember, if the coach is not calling, texting, or direct messaging you personally – you are not being recruited.
- Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, you need to register for a Certification Account with the NCAA Eligibility Center. College-bound student-athletes in Division III can also create a Profile Page to receive important updates about being a student-athlete and preparing for college. Students who are not sure which division they want to compete in can create a Profile Page and transition to a Certification Account if they decide to play Division I or II sports.
Follow this link to register: Register for Eligibility Center.
- NCAA Initial Eligibility: If you have questions regarding Initial Eligibility requirements please stop in to see me in the College Counseling Office.
