Get Organized
If you think the life of a recruit is time consuming, think of what a college coach will have to endure year after year. A new recruiting class is just around the corner, which is why a serious recruit will have to be on top of their game when reaching out to college coaches for the first time.
How to Prepare
First start off by listing out your top colleges. Find colleges that you think will be a good match for you. Colleges have a lot to offer so make sure that the ones you are interested in are going to be a good fit. How far away do you want to be from home, what type of athletic program are you looking for, and what you will be studying? These are all questions you’ll have to ask in order to find suitable colleges.
The Power of Email
Lucky for you, email is easy to create and easy to send. Email is one of the easiest ways to get in contact with college coaches. Most coaches prefer learning about recruits through the ease of email, especially during the beginning of the recruiting process.
Getting Your Foot in the Door
Get your name out there. Begin to email college coaches early. Start by emailing coaches your basic academic and athletic information. Explain in detail, why you are interested in their program and university. Coaches can quickly spot poor quality emails. They also are not going to be impressed with receiving mass emails. It’s important for recruits to be original and sincere–you only have one chance to make a first impression so make sure that you’re sending a good one.
What to Say in Your Email to College Coaches
If possible ask if you can meet with the coach or a team representative during an unofficial visit.
Taking time and spending your own money to visit the campus and meeting with the coach will show them that you are serious about their program and that you are extremely interested in learning more.
Ask about possible camps and tournaments the coach will be attending or hosting. This will give recruits the opportunity to sign-up early and for them to be evaluated by college coaches they want to play for.
Always Reply
Recruits, who are busy emailing coaches, will need to stay on top of their correspondence. Even if you receive an email back with little to no information, you must send a follow-up email thanking the coach for his time and explain that you will keep him informed of your progress as a student and as an athlete.
If you have more questions on emailing college coaches leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
I coundn’t the college coach email,ho can i get it.
Abubeker, Finding college coaches email can be tricky. Log on to college athletic websites and look for “staff directory” or “team roster” If you continue to have trouble, than send us your questions on Facebook or Twitter so we can get back to you quickly.
If a college coach contacts me through Facebook of one of their athletes that I am friends with, can this be considered a violation. Also, if I email a coach is it ok for them to email me back. I am just confused because if I can call them and leave a message, they can’t call me back until I am a junior.
A college coach will be able to contact you through Facebook if its during the contact period for your sport. The different division levels have different rules; what level and sport do you play? Have you reached out to college coaches yet?
They can contact me if I am a freshman soon to be sophomore through Facebook? I thought I had to be a junior. Division 1 equestrian is what I am interested in. I haven’t emailed any coaches yet because I am afraid of jeopardizing my eligibility.
Athletes are allowed to contact college coaches at anytime during the recruiting process. Coaches are only allowed to contact you during certain times. The reason we tell students to contact coaches is so you can begin to build relationships with them and get your name out there. Coaches are able to message you through Facebook, but cannot write on your wall or make comments on your page.
Hi, im ashleigh. I just graduated and im trying to get out of michigan as soon as I can, to better myself and family. Im not very picky about where I want to go or what division. Although I was contacted by a D2 college and I wouldn’t mind going there or somewherebetter. You can contact me through facebook or by email or even my phone number. Im not the best player nor am I the worst, I need to work on things. I almost forgot to say I am a catcher, I have played out field, 2nd base and 3rd base, but I love to catch. Please get back with me.
I forgot to say, I play softball.
Hi Ashleigh,
Thanks for your questions. Are you still in contact with a the DII coach? coaches who have taken the time to reach out to you first mean they are interested, if you want to play for the team you need to let the coach know and move forward in the process. Did you just graduate HS? Have you applied to any colleges? If so you can start to contact the coach at those colleges and learn about possible opportunities they have still available.
Right now you will need to get your name out to coaches. DO you have video footage, and have you already registered with the NCAA eligibility center?
We would be happy to help you learn about getting in contact with coaches. Which colleges are you interested in? Have you reached out to them in any way?
i’m a junior and i have many schools i am interested in but i dont know what to say in the email, and by the way i play basketball. What should i say?
Hi Rashaan, It is great that you want to be prepared for this process. As a basketball player you will need to tell the coaches all about you. They will want to know your stats, awards, video footage and grades/ACT or SAT test scores. Here is our guide of writing a sports resume, this will give you an idea of how to start your emails to college coaches: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/How_to_Create_a_College_Recruiting_ResumeE-Book.pdf
Have you started researching colleges and finding the coaches contact information? Let us know if you have any recruiting questions along the way we will be here to help.
seems like i got a late start for my son. he is a senior and plays varsity football. i did have someone helping me but it seems he didn’t do all that was needed to get us to this point. i want to know how can we start now or is it too late to reach coaches?
Hi Laura,
It’s getting down to the wire, but your son can still get recruited if he’s dedicated-the final signing day for Football is April 1. He will need to start reaching out to coaches immediately. He needs to create a sports resume and start sending it out. Here is our guide on creating a resume: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/How_to_Create_a_College_Recruiting_ResumeE-Book.pdf
Our coaches database will also be the best thing for him as far as searching for colleges and locating the contact information for coaches. Here is the link to open a free account: http://www2.athleticscholarships.net/athletic/
Please let us know if you or your son needs any help in getting started, we will be here to help answer any questions.
Hi, im a freshman in high school and I love softball and I pitch. I want to be recruited by a college, and I know this sounds impossible but I want a full ride. And I didn’t know where to start. And I didn’t know if there even were full rides anymore. Im an amazing player and I just want to know where to begin in this whole recruiting process.
Hi Samantha, You have come to the right place. All our information will get you started in your recruitment. You are right there are no full-rides, athletic scholarships are 1-year contracts. DI and DII along with NAIA colleges are able to grant athletes scholarships. Here is what your can expect from your softball recruitment: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/softballscholarships.htm You are starting to think about your recruitment at the right time. Read over this information and let us know if you have any other questions. Next you will be creating a sports resume and researching colleges. This guide will also give you and your family more advice: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Preparing-for-the-Recruiting-Process-Guide.pdf
We look forward to hearing your progress.
I come from a little 1a school and ill be playing my Sr year only .. Would i beable to play gor UTSA or Texas Tech or even university of houson
If you are ready to find the right college and connect with college coaches then you will be able to find an opportunity. Since you are a senior have you applied to any colleges? Here is a link where you can find your sport and learn what else you will need to do to get recruited- http://www.athleticscholarships.net/sports-scholarships.htm Review this and let us know if you have any more questions.
I saw above that there are certain times a coach can contact recruits. Do you happen to know when these times are for Cross Country and Track. D1 is more towards my question. Also I am a sophomore does that have anything to do with the times they can contact me?
As a sophomore coaches aren’t able to contact you directly until the summer after your Junior Year. However, many coaches are already talking to freshman and sophomore recruits by having the the athlete (you) call them directly. Here is what you should do; email the coaches you want to be recruited by and in your email include your coaches contact information. If the college coach is interested in talking to you, they will contact your coach and tell them to tell you when to call them so they can make sure and pick up the phone. Good luck!