So, is your child a rock star on the field, court, track, or…?College recruiting often begins by their sophomore year of high school. This means that student-athletes must maintain strong academic and athletic performance from their freshman year onwards and engage strategically with recruiters.
As Command Education's Senior Sports Recruitment Mentor, Jesse McDonough has witnessed firsthand how dramatically sports recruitment has evolved over the years.
Communication between players and coaches used to be primarily via email and phone calls, but now it also happens via text. Additionally, she said name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities, where third parties compensate players for the use of their names, images, and likenesses, are an important element in the college sports recruiting process. said.
“Given how rapid these changes are, it is essential to stay informed and understand the latest rules and guidelines as the situation is constantly changing,” McDonough said.
Winning the race: What the college recruiting process entails.
“Athlete recruitment involves communication between student-athletes and coaches regarding the possibility of continuing their athletic careers at a particular university. If both parties express mutual interest, the process , we will proceed with unofficial and official visits to campus,” McDonough said. NCAA regulations vary by sport and division and determine when coaches can begin contacting athletes.
For most Division I sports, formal recruiting begins on June 15th of the sophomore year, and coaches can call or email players, but players themselves are encouraged to proactively contact coaches earlier than that. Show interest and get attention, McDonough said (coaches simply don't respond).
“As a leader, I constantly remind our recruits that maintaining high academic performance throughout this process is important, especially in the Ivy League, where students prioritize grades and test scores along with athletic ability. Especially if you're aiming for an academically rigorous school like ,” she added. Athletic scholarships vary by league and sometimes by school. For example, Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
Remember, student-athletes must balance academics and athleticism. McDonough said students should be able to participate in tournaments and showcases early on throughout their high school careers where coaches can observe their skills. “These opportunities vary by sport, but are critical to increasing visibility among college coaches.”
think about your goals
McDonough always begins the process by asking the student-athletes their goals. “Do you want to get a top-notch education?” Do you want to play for a top program? Do you want to continue playing professionally? Would you like to enjoy a balanced university life?
The answers to these questions will help McDonough guide you through the hiring process and “clarify what you want out of the hiring process.” Students may also consider whether to secretly withdraw from training as they pursue higher education pathways. “If you want to do well at the college level, you will have to make sacrifices in the process, such as missing social events and time with friends,” McDonough said.
Philippa Portnoy, co-founder of LaunchBreak, a New York City-based networking community for female athletes, emphasizes the importance of establishing from the beginning the level of commitment you want your child to have in sports at the college level. (i.e. D1 where you spend a lot of time or another department with less time commitment).
“Coaches want players who play through college and work hard to improve,” Portnoy said.
“It's so important to know and remember your 'why,'” McDonough added. “So make your purpose clear!”
focus on schoolwork early
Some players may come later, but recruiting can begin almost as soon as a student-athlete is identified as a ninth-grader, said the former Penn State recruiting coordinator and coach, based in State College, Pa. said Jay Paterno, son of Penn State legend. state coach Joe Paterno;
Paterno and colleagues told students that academic performance in their first and second years may be more important than their senior year because “recruitments are typically determined and completed by the beginning of the senior year.” Ta.
Additionally, he emphasized that when looking at a group of comparable athletes, educational background makes a big difference. The stability of match times cannot be overlooked either. “It's also important to have consistent performance from game to game,” said Paterno, author of Blitzed!. The full pressure of a new era of college football. “You never know if a college recruiter will talk to the opposing coach who saw you play.''
Paterno cautioned that it's important for student-athletes to explore a variety of school options, given the continued uncertainty about what happens next pending legislative changes.
“This is relevant to potential roster size and budget pressures due to revenue sharing and scholarship increases, given the challenges coaches face in shaping future teams from current squads. It’s more pronounced,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is supposed to be about academics, so finding a school with a major you're interested in and a school you'd like to attend even if you're not going there to play sports is a good start. .”
Give your child the power to decide
McDonough preaches independence. She encourages students to take ownership in the hiring process. “Coaches value motivated, independent athletes who demonstrate that they can grow on their own,” she said. “Giving your child agency will not only increase their confidence, but it will also show them that they are ready to navigate college and athletics without the constant supervision of their parents.”
“Coaches want to get to know their student-athletes and feel secure that they will be a good fit within their team culture,” Paterno agreed.
“Coaches can easily spot emails written by parents that seem inauthentic. By composing and following up on their own emails, students demonstrate independence and maturity, and coaches prioritize them. “These are the qualities to do,” McDonough said.
Don't forget to continue cultivating bonds with coaches and mentors you already know from high school. “They're going to be your advocate,” Portnoy said.
Parents can handle some of the administrative paperwork in the background. “It's still too early to know what athletic level your child will reach, but find out about the differences between all athletic departments, roster limits, your family's financial needs, whether NIL money is important, etc. ” Portnoy said. “Talk to coaches and other parents who have been through this process.”
Streamline communication
Your job is to make the recruiter's job as easy as possible. Paterno recommends keeping all videos, transcripts, contact information, and scheduled visits organized.
He also advised them to ask all kinds of questions when contacting recruiters and coaches. “Have a strategy, know what you want to learn from the interaction, and have questions prepared. Coaches often mistake a lack of questions for a lack of interest,” Paterno said. .
Portnoy said there is a need to understand who the key players in the school are. “The assistant coach is often the first point of contact,” she said. “When you visit, pay attention to details from coaches and other players. Ask questions of the players. It's important to understand the culture of the team.”
No matter who the point person is, make sure you and your offspring display proper etiquette (and student-athletes, make sure they display good sportsmanship). “Sports recruiting is a small world,” Portnoy said.
Improve written communication
A common mistake McDonough sees students make is using a generic email template to contact multiple coaches. This can lead to mistakes like talking to the wrong coach or mentioning the wrong school. “I guide students through the process and encourage them to take the time to customize each email. I also support them in researching the program and showing genuine interest in both the team and the school.” she said. McDonough emphasized that coaches receive a large amount of email, so it is the students' responsibility to remain organized and consistent throughout their communications.
Pursuing satisfaction beyond the scoreboard
Less than 10% of high school athletes participate in varsity sports in college, and less than 2% play at NCAA Division I schools. “Even if things don’t work out, the university has a lot of great opportunities for club teams and intramural teams,” Portnoy said.
“Choose a school that makes you happy on and off the field,” McDonough said. “Loving your school as much as your team and coaches will ensure you have a fulfilling college experience, no matter where your athletic journey takes you.”
