According to the Mayan calendar, today might have been the “end of the world”. Now, since that obviously isn’t happening, it gives us a chance to reflect on what we are doing and what our goals are. The goal of many high school athletes is to get recruited to play college sports. Being a collegiate athlete is an incredible opportunity that few high school athletes get to achieve (comparatively speaking).
So here’s a question for you: if this was your absolute last day of recruitment, would you have met your goal? If college coaches had to be left with the information and impressions already made onto them about your athletic skills, and you could not give them any more insight, would you have been selected over other recruits?
Check Your Recruiting Progress
If you don’t know where you stand with college coaches today, chances are you may not get recruited. NCAA deadlines and recruiting dates come up all the time. If you couldn’t contact coaches again tomorrow, you need to know what you should do today in order to improve your chances.
In order to be considered as a potential student-athlete by college coaches, you need to do the work yourself. Much like a doomsday emergency kit, you’ll need to prepare, activate, and respond to your recruiting process.
Prepare Your Recruiting Kit
Before you start sending coaches your information, you need to research the schools that would be the best fit for you. Consider the division level, location, and cost of attendance (not everyone earns a full scholarship). Once you have a target list of schools, put together your recruiting resume, including the link to your highlight video. Your resume should include a cover letter, your athletic stats, high school and club team information, your academic scores, a link to your highlight video and recruiting profile. Make sure to personally address the cover letter to each coach.
Activate Your Recruiting Status
Once you have put all of that together, then you should start sending them out to college coaches. Make sure your letter explains your interest in their school as well as their team. Another great way to get exposure to college coaches is to use online profiles and recruiting questionnaires. Remember, once you are considered a recruit by the NCAA, then your process changes; coaches are restricted in their communication during certain times on the recruiting calendar. You should be aware that if coaches don’t respond right away, you have to follow up with them and make sure they see your profile.
Respond to College Coaches
Once you start receiving emails or calls from college coaches, it is crucial that you keep in contact with them. You need to stay organized and on top of any requirements set by the NCAA. If coaches request additional information, you need to respond to them as soon as possible. Make sure to keep them updated on your progress and use the opportunity to ask them questions and see if their school is right for you. If you stop responding to their contacts, they will think you have lost interest and move on to another recruit. The recruiting process is about keeping your goal alive!
If you have further questions about the recruiting process, then leave your comment below for a quick response and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.