Recruiting Tips - Part II

March 5, 2009

A number of excellent suggestions regarding advice on preparing for and getting through the recruiting process for the average high school student-athlete are provided in an article penned by Fielding Kidd, a lacrosse player at Yale University.

Among the ideas listed as advantageous to the success of student athletes in midst of the recruiting process, Kidd identifies the following:

Starting early – once the decision has been made to pursue playing athletics at the college level, the student athlete should start researching various programs of interest, making sure that he/she takes into consideration factors such as student body, location, class size, courses offered, and the type of – if any – financial aid that may be available in order to help pay the expense of attending an university of choice.

Creating a database – the student athlete should create a computerized listing of all colleges of interest, along with the name and email of coaches, mascot, and other pertinent information which will help the recruit in personalizing communications which may be exchanged between him/her and a school to which contact is initiated.

Beginning contact – Once a database of contacts has been created, the student athlete can develop an electronic form letter which can be sent via email to the head coach of each respective program of interest. The recruit sending the letter should make sure into include in such a document, Kidd adds, “information including who you are, where you go to school, individual stats and honors” received in the sport to which he/she intends to play once arriving upon campus.

Remaining in contact – One of the most difficult things that a student athlete will face throughout the recruiting process is ensuring that he/she is keeping up with the lines of communication which may open after initial contact with a program of interest – particular if a return response to the student athlete in question is not immediately forthcoming.

Always remaining honest - As a student athlete representative of the recruiting process as a whole, it is key to remain honest at all times; Kidd points out that it is okay to tell a university their particular program “does not seem like the right fit,” if, in fact, the student athlete feels that is the case.

Making sure to ask questions - Coaching staffs are used to being asked nearly every question a potential recruit can conjure up, so don’t be afraid to put something on the table if it is a matter of importance. At the same time, developing a list of inquiries that seek a deeper understanding of the coaches and the systems they use in both recruiting and instructing their players can and will provide a valuable tool to the student-athlete and give the impression to prospective coaches that you have a significant interest in the school and the team.

Taking every available visit – If the student athlete receives an offer to visit a particular program, Kidd advises that the individual take it, if at all possible; after all, travel generally is covered by the host university and the student athlete will get a better look at the campus, program, and facilities which would be made available during such a trip.

Applying for early admission - Kidd makes an excellent point in regard to the benefits of applying to a school of interest early on: the applicant school is smaller, and, as not all programs will be able to ensure a scholarship, having access to the greatest amount of assistance in the form of financial aid can be crucial in ensuring a student athlete has the possibility to play collegiate sports for one school as opposed to another.