The Process of College Recruitment

Sports

Olivia Prather, Sports Editor|February 23, 2016

  1. Self Evaluate. Playing a sport at the next level is very time consuming, it’s definitely a full time job. You’ll be expected to put in all the hard work and you should want to if you want to play and don’t want to waste your time. Making that decision can be very difficult. If you know its what you want you need to be committed 100% because you will have to do most of the work by yourself.                                                                                                     
  2. To start be persistent and email coaches and schools that you are interested in, and be sure that you let them know you are very interested. College coaches get thousands of emails everyday so don’t be afraid to call!! Call them and tell them about yourself and your interest in their school. In your email/call you should include things that will make you stand out, show characteristics that a coach wants in a player passion, confidence, teamwork, coach ability and a good worth ethic.  Time frame – Freshman-Senior year                                                                                                     
  3. As a softball player I went to many camps, it’s a good place to get coaches to notice you and a great chance for you to talk to them and show them your interest. I would be going to camps from 8th grade until Junior year, by your senior year I would start looking at committing if you have options.                                                                                                     
  4. Schedule visits and try to get in to workout with the team. Time frame – Sophomore-Senior year                                                                                                    
  5. Academic side – Be sure when you are looking at schools your high school transcript and ACT score match their requirements                                                                                                                                                                                                         
  6. When you’re looking at a school visit a few times and really get a feel for the town and the campus, when you know which school you want to be at it will feel right. You want the town to feel like home. Of course academics, money, and scholarship opportunities will play into your decision but you want to find the best place for you. 
  7. Committing is the fun part, the feelings is really great.                                                                                                                                                                                                         
  8. But signing is even better, a little scary but overall a pretty great feelings. It’s your whole future on one piece of paper, almost like you’re signing your life away. 🙂