Parents play a significant role in the recruiting process that should be supportive, enthusiastic, but “indirect,” especially when it comes to communicating with college coaches.

Clarity

Begin by establishing clear recruiting goals, objectives, and timelines. Identify the final college goal and work backward to the starting point of your plan.

You will notice “checkpoints” along the way that will eventually resurface as you navigate the college quest. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”

The responsibilities parents play in college recruiting should be simple but impactful. Parents can help their children envision the process and understand their role. Half the battle in reaching any goal is understanding the mission. Create an educational yet fun approach to the process.

The more parents encourage their children to take an active role in controlling their destiny and executing the plan, the higher the chance they have in reaching their goals.

Team

Develop a group of contributing players who offer significant strength in specific areas of the recruiting process. Prospective student-athletes will likely embrace the team approach. It demonstrates helpful assistance while distributing recruiting assignments out to the area experts.

Parents who have identified and cultivated strong relationships with team members (college advisor, high school, and club coach, etc.) will heighten their role in college recruiting. It lays the groundwork to specific roles that will be played out by each team member.

Parents should organize occasional team meetings where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will contact high school and club coaches to gather information about the prospects they recruit. In addition, they need to act as a resource for families. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad. More importantly, college coaches want to see the prospect for who he or she truly is.

Specifically, parents should encourage their children to be active and independent in their college quest. It drives proactive preparation, and the development of communication skills, and fosters a will to step up and own the college recruiting process.

Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong students, impact athletes, and a personal character that demonstrates self-confidence and leadership. A crucial role of parents in college recruiting is to empower their children and encourage them to control their communication playing field.

Communication with College Coaches

Prospects should assume direct responsibility for most of the interaction with college coaches. Parents should be actively involved as well. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary evaluation in admissions, or asking questions concerning campus safety, parents should not hesitate to inquire on behalf of their children respectfully.

However, parents should yield in some areas of the college recruiting process, especially when their kids appear to stumble. At times prospects will struggle with recruiting. However, college coaches are not looking at the stumble as much as they are looking at the recovery. Parents need to believe their kids will regroup and realign. Subsequently, allowing them to experience the “good struggle” will give prospects a greater appreciation of the role of parents in the recruiting process.

Red Flags

There are several red flags parents should avoid:

• In
  face-to-face interviews with college coaches, avoid answering questions
  that college coaches ask your children.
• Refrain
  from responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches and
  directed to the prospect.
• Parents
  should review e-mails for proper grammar and sentence structure before
  being sent to college coaches.
• “Tough
  questions” should be timed appropriately. You do not want to approach the
  first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship! Develop
  sincere relationships with college coaches. Executing a slow and steady plan
  will win the race.

Parents play an important role in college recruiting and many parents try to control the recruiting process. Consequently, the best gift we can offer our children is the freedom to control their playing field. Focus on everything positive and fun in the college search. When our children seem doubtful or frustrated, have faith in their resiliency to rebound and advance the quest with confidence and self-reliance.

Select, non-athletic scholarship awarding institutions can, in many cases, offer significant assistance in Admissions and Financial Aid that can potentially lend strong support for prospective student-athletes. It is important that prospects, families, and high school advisors clearly understand the role the college coach plays in this process and make every effort to develop a sincere and strong working relationship throughout the college search.

Accelerating The Recruting Process

College recruiting is accelerating at a terrific pace, especially with scholarship athletes. Verbal commitments have become more popular with “blue chip” prospects. College coaches are aggressively recruiting a larger number of prospects on a highly accelerated timetable. Consequently, this accelerated recruiting effort is growing equally popular with the non-scholarship colleges and universities as well.

Prospects are required to meet the minimum academic eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA. At the same time, prospects who are considering non-athletic scholarship institutions need to meet even higher academic standards to reach their admission goals. Coaches from these institutions use different recruiting tactics. Recruit and retain prospects that bring a strong, well-balanced true student-athlete profile to the table.

College Admissions Pre-Reads

Early academic evaluations are effective tools college coaches use to determine the potential admissibility of a candidate. Furthermore, coaches work with an athletic department “Admissions Liaison” that can assist them in requesting an “early admissions read” for potential “impact prospects.” As the recruiting process has accelerated, so too has the need for prospects to “get their academic house in order.”

Depending on the institution, coaches who want to get an early academic read on a prospect will require specific information.

1. An updated high school transcript through the sophomore year (and in some cases through the 5th semester)
2. Standardized test results (SAT/ACT)
3. Updated high school profile. The admissions pre-read is a powerful tool that college coaches use in the recruiting process. It adds pieces to the puzzle that creates clarity to where a prospect truly stands.

Likely Letter

The likely letter is a tremendous tool coaches use to offer prospects “near guarantees” of admissions. These letters are generated from the admissions office and sent to prospective student-athletes well before the regular population of applicants is reviewed. This becomes a tremendous bargaining chip for college coaches competing with scholarship institutions for the same prospect. Institutions that use likely letters will require updated high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and the school profile before the letters can be generated.

Financial Aid

A financial aid pre-read will provide prospects and families with a “ballpark” figure for the family contribution in the first year. Financial aid pre-reads must be requested prior to applying. Pre-reads are handled directly by the financial aid office and take approximately 7-10 days to complete.

Be advised that college coaches can be “stingy” in determining which prospects and families receive financial aid pre-reads. You give yourself the best chance to cross this hurdle by convincing Coach that you 1) have the academic and athletic credentials to successfully impact the institution and 2) show sincerity in your interest in the program.

The non-scholarship option for prospects may appear daunting, but the long-term benefits can be viable. Although identified in Admissions as having a special talent, athletes are treated like any other candidate. They will be expected to maintain excellence in the classroom. In addition, college coaches can do a lot of the heavy lifting with financial aid pre-reads, but only with potential impact prospects and that demonstrate sincere interest. Consequently, the families who embrace the big picture in the college search give themselves the best chance in finding the right college choice.

Club coaches are not only wizards in the gym and on the field; they have an uncanny ability to read core personalities of every boy and girl they teach. A successful coach is a great educator first. They know their student’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential leadership capabilities.

Testimonials

College coaches will do a thorough academic and athletic evaluation of a prospect to determine where they fit in their recruit priority chart. Moving forward, a diligent college recruiter will reach out to the club coach to learn about the inner makeup of the prospect.

Given a choice between a blue-chip prospect who may be a potential “loose cannon” on the inside of the team and a solidly skilled prospect who brings a strong character component to the table, college coaches will likely lean toward the latter. Consequently, a strong testimonial from the candidate’s current coach can go a long way in closing the loop in the college evaluation. Below is an example of an impact coach testimonial:

Coach Testimonial: “Rarely in my time at PDA have we added a player directly from a tryout onto our top team, but I was so impressed with Ian during our tryout process that we immediately offered him a place on our top team that plays in the MLSNEXT league. As a player, Ian is most comfortable in central midfield but can also play wide. His best qualities are his comfort with the ball, his passing ability, and his creativity. As a person, Ian would be an outstanding addition to any locker room, university, or team culture. He has been a pleasure to coach, has taken instruction very well, and applied it during matches, and his training habits are exemplary. Ian is an excellent, positive, and supportive teammate. I have no hesitations at all in recommending Ian to any college program and would be happy to discuss him further at any time.” –Tyler S.

The Coach Testimonial should touch on 3 critical areas. 1) Athletic ability, 2) Ability to coach and teach the prospect and 3) The potential leadership qualities he or she brings to a program.

Player Profile

Prospects should create a starting point for their college search by defining themselves. Creating and sharing a 1-page player profile with college coaches is an excellent first step. Not only should the profile let college coaches know who you are, but it should also include a powerful coach testimonial.

The testimonial serves as a soft recommendation where a coach can identify the skill of an athlete but also convey their core character and inherent leadership qualities. In addition, club coaches can utilize powerful networking skills and cultivate robust relationships with college coaches.

Leadership

College coaches are grounded, common-sense individuals who rely on their gut when making most of their program decisions, including recruiting. Whether you are the captain of your team or a member of the student government, embrace these leadership roles to build your character foundation.

College coaches have an uncanny ability to size up prospects quickly. They can pinpoint a real leader as opposed to a “resume leader” in a heartbeat. And who better than your private coach to convey your leadership skills to college coaches?

The coach testimonial, as part of the player profile, forms the recruiting foundation. Picking up the phone and calling college coaches gives club coaches the opportunity to convey personal information about the prospect further. This drives the recruiting process to the next level.

The club coach can be many things to prospective student-athletes, A mentor, sounding board, and even a sport psychologist! In addition, he or she can be a powerful ally who can offer valuable information to college coaches. Perhaps just enough to tip the scales for the prospect in the right direction.

Typically, there are two reasons you might be behind schedule with the college recruiting process. You either 1) began organizing your recruiting process late in your high school career, or 2) you are likely not a 5-star prospect, and the communications you are sending to the college coaches are not receiving the responses you anticipated.

Timing

College coaches value economy of effort. Whether this is practiced on the playing field or in the recruiting process, college coaches have perfected this art.

Over the next eight weeks, coaches will be targeting their top prospects. Whether these recruits are signing the National Letter of Intent or committing to apply for Early Decision, the majority of 2023 recruiting will be wrapped up by mid-November.

November 1, 2022, is the first application deadline for most early admissions candidates. November 9, 2022, is the initial date of the National Letter of Intent for sports other than football and basketball. College coaches want to complete most of their recruiting by December.

Outline and Execute Your Plan of Attack

Identify targets and checkpoints you will encounter as you navigate the early admission college quest. Whether it is signing the national letter of intent, the official visit, or a phone call placed to the coach, you want to have a clear checklist of “things to do.”

In addition, include a sequential calendar of events between now and November 1. Keep this in plain sight, and you will increase the chances of hitting targets throughout the process.

Putting your plan into action is critical to the success of the college search. You have created a long checklist of actionable items. Now it is time to carve your list up into mini assignments that are impactful yet manageable.

Bold Tactics

Target unofficial and official college visits through the end of October, but also consider making “cold visits” with some of the coaches. If you are low on the radar screen of the college coaches, you need to consider bold tactics that will get you in front of the coaches.

Begin by identifying 3-4 colleges and line up information sessions and tours through the office of admissions. After the tour, simply walk over to the coach’s office, knock on his door, and introduce yourself and your parents. This may appear rude, but depending on the coach, it could be a sign of tenacity and strength.

Remain true to your weekly assignments. If you accomplish every item on your checklist, your self-confidence will grow. You will realize your college plan is not only working; it is gaining momentum. Maintain high expectations for yourself and remain dedicated to your assignments.

Team Approach

The team approach during the college athletic recruiting process can maximize efficiency and minimize individual pressure and stress as families navigate a potentially daunting effort. Forming a trustworthy group of individuals who play specific roles during the recruiting cycle will increase your chances of reaching pre-set goals.

Encourage your club or high school coach to speak directly with a select number of college coaches on your behalf. To date, you have likely provided the college coaches with academic and athletic tools to evaluate you best. Your personal coach can speak to your “core” and the potential leadership qualities you bring to the team.

Building momentum late in the recruiting process can be a daunting task. Prospects who develop a positive sense of urgency will navigate with greater success. “Fortune favors the bold,” and prospective student-athletes who are willing to take calculated risks will position themselves best in a competitive environment.

Tournaments and camps give college coaches a firsthand look at prospects and offer a more genuine evaluation. These events are abundant. They offer athletes the opportunity to unveil their talent against competition they would normally not see. Choosing the most “strategic” venues is important, especially if the athlete is trying to get some “good looks” from college coaches.

College coaches focus on the evaluation of raw talent of prospects. They begin with initial hard data and build their information base further with specific student-athlete evaluations.

Determining the events to participate

Firstly, you want to determine which events are most popular and attract a higher volume of athletes from a diverse geographic region. Secondly, you want to get a historical perspective of the event and determine the past attendance of college coaches.

Coaches will make every effort to attend recruiting showcases, but they cannot attend them all. Consequently, if the coach is recruiting 50 prospects and can view 15 prospects at 1 tournament, there is a good chance he or she will be there. College coaches strongly value “economy of time and effort” and will look to attend tournaments where their “active prospects” will be in attendance.

Once you have determined the events you plan to participate in, contact the college coaches and share your showcase schedule. Remain upbeat, and confident, and encourage them to evaluate you.

College Camps

On-campus sports camps are becoming more popular each year and for good reason. Not only do college coaches benefit from bringing talented student-athletes to the university, but they also have the opportunity to evaluate “on-site.” Subsequently, each camp participant makes a “pseudo” unofficial visit.

Prospects benefit from this on-campus experience as well. It provides the prospect with direct access to the coach and with very few restrictions. Not only will the athlete have the ability to take part in an exciting camp experience, but she can also form the foundation of what can potentially become a mutually beneficial relationship.

It gives prospects a chance to “probe” the coach about his program, philosophy, and where he possibly sees the prospect as a future member of his team. This approach will only assist the prospect and his family as they navigate the college quest further.

Communicating with the coaches

College coaches are bound by strict contact rules, but prospects are permitted to contact coaches with little restriction. Make the effort to contact coaches well before the scheduled event and let them know that you have a strong interest in their institution and would strongly value their evaluation.

Participation in sport-specific camps, showcases, and tournaments will offer prospective student-athletes the chance to unveil their athletic skill. In addition, it provides prospects with a chance at grabbing the attention of coaches and further strengthens their position as they navigate the college search

The National Letter of Intent is a legal document a high school athlete signs to signify an athletic scholarship award to an NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 college. Where a verbal commitment (beginning August 1 following the sophomore year) is non-binding, a National Letter of Intent is an obligatory agreement between the student-athlete and a National Letter of Intent institution.

Prospective student-athletes signing the National Letter of Intent in 2021-2022 for 2022-2023 enrollment may officially sign between November 10, 2021 (early period) and August 1, 2022 (regular period).

The Basics

Prospective student-athletes who are committing to a college or university and plan to sign the NLI must sign within seven days of the issue date. Below are some important points to remember when making the commitment to sign:

• The student-athlete’s parent or legal guardian must also sign the document.
• College coaches cannot be present during the signing.
• When you sign an NLI, you agree to attend the institution listed on the NLI for one academic year in exchange for that institution awarding athletics financial aid for one academic year.
• An institution is strictly prohibited from allowing you to sign an NLI if you are a non-scholarship walk-on.
• Once you have signed the NLI, make a copy for your files and send the other copy back to the institution.

The National Letter of Intent signing period has recently gone through some changes. Except for football and men’s and women’s D1 basketball, prospects can begin signing the NLI as of November 10, 2021, and continue to sign anytime through August 1, 2022.

Division 3 and certain D-1AA colleges (The Ivy League for example), that do not offer athletic scholarships are not bound by the NLI timelines. The recruiting calendar for these institutions is tied closely with specific admission application deadlines.

Therefore, communication with coaches at these institutions remains critical, and clear knowledge of specific recruiting procedures and application deadlines is vital to creating a seamless path in closing out the college search

The Agreement

It is important the prospective student-athlete understands his/her obligation to the offering institution. When signing the NLI, a prospect agrees to attend the offering institution for one academic year. The institution agrees to provide the prospect with an athletics scholarship for one academic year. (Note: the athletic aid agreement may be awarded for more than one academic year in Division I per NCAA rules).

A prospective student-athlete satisfies the terms of the National Letter of Intent by attending the offering institution for at least one academic year (i.e., two semesters or three quarters) as a full-time student or by graduating from a two-year college.

The Signing

The prospect who will be entering the offering four-year institution as full-time students is permitted to sign the NLI. The prospective student-athlete must be qualified to enroll at the offering institution for the upcoming fall term.

The NLI can be sent by regular mail, or by electronic correspondence (email, fax, mobile app, etc.). Beginning the first day that the NLI is issued, a student-athlete and their legal guardian have seven days to sign and return the contract. While athletes may receive their NLI before the initial signing date, they are not permitted to sign the document until the start of National Signing Day.

After year one, the offering institution is required to inform student-athletes if their scholarship is being renewed and the terms of the award.

The National Letter of Intent signing period represents an endpoint to the college recruiting process. With the help of their parents, coaches, and teammates, prospective student-athletes have created their own personal roadmap to their college choice.

Identifying and committing to your college of choice is an important life decision. Reaching that decision involves a clear plan of action and a dedicated commitment to executing every recruiting assignment from start to finish.

A walk-on prospect is a recruit who either lacks the athletic skill to attract a scholarship offer or who wants to attend a college that does not offer athletic scholarships (e.g., Division III programs and Ivy League schools cannot offer athletic scholarships).

At face value, this may appear to spell failure, but when you dig deeper into the potential gains, it becomes increasingly appealing.

D-I and D-II programs have a cap on the number of athletic scholarships they can offer and the number of aggregate scholarship athletes permitted on a squad in any given year. For example, in women’s lacrosse, the maximum number of scholarships is 12, but a typical D-I women’s lacrosse squad has around 35 athletes. This means that roughly two-thirds of the squad are walk-ons.

Honestly, college coaches draw little or no tangible distinction between a scholarship recipient and a walk-on student-athlete. They both have the same opportunity to impact the team. When the dust settles, a coach’s job is to win, and he or she will simply put the best team on the field to achieve that end.

Walk-on Scenarios

There are three possible walk-on situations:

• Colleges where athletic scholarships are exhausted
• Colleges that do not offer athletic scholarships
• College coaches who have a clear tryout policy.

Verbal offers for athletic scholarships are becoming more popular, so there’s a chance that coaches from top-tier schools have committed their upper limit early. This may appear disappointing at first, but always look at the bigger picture. An athlete who might not qualify for a scholarship in his or her freshman year could very well qualify during subsequent years.

A small group of colleges and universities hold to a strict “non-athletic grant” policy for all student-athletes. In many cases, these programs are at brilliant academic institutions. Not only can coaches offer potential assistance with financial aid and non-athletic grants, they may, in many cases, offer robust influence in assisting prospects through the admissions process.

Many college coaches offer a fall tryout period when student-athletes have the opportunity to make a good impression and land spots on the team.

The Pitch

Grabbing the attention of college coaches, especially for walk-on candidates, takes a lot of convincing and grunt work.

First, the athlete and his or her family members must develop a “thick skin.” Feedback from coaches could be predominantly negative, so you need to prepare for the best and expect the worst when it’s decision time.

Second, it is critical to take a bold, “stick your foot in the door” approach in presenting your case. Remember, coaches are looking at three key attributes prospects: Strong academics, potentially impact athletes and strong character. Your recruiting approach should be vigorous, but polite.

Third, this should be a “prospect effort,” and not a mom-and-dad approach. Students need to buck up and confidently push the walk-on agenda with college coaches themselves, building a strong and convincing case.

In the past 10 years, the college recruiting process has grown more complicated and competitive for high school athletes hoping to play at the next level. Parents can be a supportive and enthusiastic force in all this, without being overbearing.

Here are some tips to help your kids confidently navigate a potentially daunting process, while avoiding red flags along the way.

Clarity

It’s important for the athlete to have clear goals, objectives and timelines. Encourage your child to develop a checklist of important tasks such as calling the coach, visiting campus and signing the national letter of intent.

Teamwork

I am a big believer in the team approach to college recruiting. Parents who have identified and cultivated strong relationships with “typical” team members (college advisor, high school and/or club coach, etc.) can organize occasional team meetings to review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum going.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will field questions from Mom and Dad, but they want to get to know the athlete. One of the best choices parents can make is to encourage their children to be active and independent players in the recruiting process, so they develop communication skills and learn to think (and stand up) for themselves. Remember, college coaches are looking for three key ingredients in a prospect: Strong academics, impactful athletic ability and a personal character that demonstrates self-confidence and leadership.

Communicate with College Coaches

Although it is critical for prospects to assume direct responsibility for the majority of communication with college coaches, there are times during the process when parents must be actively involved. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary read in admissions or asking questions concerning on-campus safety, parents should not hesitate to respectfully inquire on behalf of their children.

That said, moms and dads should develop the patience to yield in certain areas of the recruiting process, even when their kids appear to stumble. As excruciating as it is to watch your kid struggle, college coaches are not looking at the stumble as much as they are looking for the recovery. Have faith in your kids to re-group and move back to center. Prospects appreciate parents more for allowing them to experience the “good struggle.”

Red Flags

There are several “parental red flags” that could worry college coaches. Here are a few tips to avoid them:

• In face-to-face interviews with college coaches, avoid answering questions that are directed to your children.
• Avoid responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches that are specifically directed to your child. However, when e-mail is the primary communication vehicle, it’s OK to review your child’s grammar and sentence structure before he or she sends the final draft.
• Time the tough questions appropriately. You do not want to go into the first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship.

Remember, this is about developing sincere relationships with the coaches: Plant, cultivate, grow.

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• Parents’ Behavior Can Affect an Athlete’s Chance of Being Recruited
• How to Create a Recruiting Video That Coaches Will Watch
• Recruiting Advice From 8 Former NCAA Division I Athletes

Dedicated athletes always meet challenges head-on. There is no better time than now to re-charge your college recruiting plan, put it into action, and build momentum. A year ago, the recruiting landscape looked bleak. There was a lack of showcases and competitions to attend and lost opportunities to help college coaches evaluate. Prospects now face a new and exciting opportunity to reengage college coaches.

Positive Attitude

No one can ever doubt that the past year worldwide was unique and daunting, especially for our teenage boys and girls. Dwelling on the past and focusing on anything remotely negative will only cloud your recruiting vision. Remove the clutter.

Conversely, control your playing field and maintain a positive plan of action with your college recruiting effort. Remember, maintaining a streamlined mental and organizational approach with college recruiting will serve you best.

Recruiting Team

If you have not done so already, surround yourself with a small group of individuals you trust. These should be people who know you and are close to you. The goal of the recruiting team is to help the prospect maintain a steady course throughout the recruiting process.

In addition, team members are personal advisors who typically see things a prospect might miss. Like auto mechanics, team members keep the recruiting machine well-tuned and operating efficiently.

100 Days

The summer presents prospects with opportunities to maximize the college search. Develop a positive “sense of urgency” in your effort to plan and organize best to grow your skill as an athlete and share your accomplishments with the college coaches on your list. 100 days may seem like a lot of time to maximize college recruiting. However, unless this time is managed efficiently, it will evaporate quickly.

• Identify your summer training goals and share them with college coaches.
• Share regular highlight video updates with the college coaches.
• Disclose your comprehensive academic information with the college coaches (transcripts, test scores, and school profile).
• Separate yourself from the pack and engage the college coaches regularly with information that will help them evaluate you best.

Engage Your Club/High School Coach

Every sports community in America has a tight-knit group of coaches, athletes, and alumni connected by 1 degree of separation. Consequently, the club/HS coach can act as an excellent reference for prospective student-athletes.

College coaches will do a thorough academic and athletic evaluation of a prospect to determine where they fit in their recruit priority chart. Moving forward, a diligent college recruiter will reach out to the club coach to learn the inner make-up of the prospect.

College coaches measure prospects on three levels. Strong students, impact athletes, and potential inside team leaders. Beyond the parents, no one knows the prospective student-athlete better than the high school/club coach. Encourage your coach to engage a handful of college coaches and speak to them on your behalf. It can be a game-changer.

We may be in unchartered waters, but we are nearly out of the woods with the pandemic. Remain positive in your approach to your everyday life and surround yourself with people who care about you and believe in you.

You have two choices ahead of you.

1. Allow everything remotely negative to fill your minds and crush your hopes and dreams.
2. Accept that you are confronted with a steep mountain to climb. Clean the slate and face the challenge head-on and with confidence.

Read more:

• Parent Behavior Can Affect an Athlete’s Chance of Being Recruited by College Programs
• How to Prepare High School Athletes for College

Coaches constantly look for accurate and honest information from prospective student-athletes and in the case of the injured prospect, the manner they effectively communicate their status with college coaches is crucial.

Sports injuries occur on various levels, and like it or not, it comes with the territory. Acute injuries occur suddenly when training. Chronic injuries on the other hand, result after prolonged training over many years. If an athlete aspires to compete at the highest level, sprains, strains, bangs and dings will unfortunately factor into the athletic quest equation.

A lot of families see injury as a potential roadblock and something they do not feel comfortable sharing with college coaches. They fear the injury could be interpreted as a red flag that could jeopardize their son’s or daughter’s position on the active recruiting chart. This, in most cases, is far from accurate.

College coaches are charged by their sports administration to drive their programs to high levels, year in and year out. Their path to success is a simple formula of combining sound planning with the right athletes, while engaging in effective, high level training. A team is as strong as its weakest link, and each year college coaches must run their team at the highest level while sidestepping major injury.

This is a daunting task, and families who realize that the injury rate for college athletes typically occurs at a higher rate compared to high school and club sports participants, will soon reach a comfort level when taking an honest and proactive approach to communicating their position.

3 Prospects Levels

An important objective in the college recruiting process is to offer coaches every opportunity to evaluate the prospect. Basically, college coaches build an information base with prospects on 3 levels:

• Athleticism
• Academic Performance
• Character.

Utilizing unique tools in your recruiting arsenal to separate yourself from the rest of the pack sometimes takes courage. Injury is something none of us wants to experience but sharing this information with the coaches gives you the opportunity to present yourself as an honest broker and gives you a chance to tell your distinctive story.

Personal Filters

Prospects and families should always look for “personal filters” when navigating the college search. Unique characteristics that help distinguish one prospect from the next is a critical evaluation tactic every coach practices, and assisting in the process will help you garner respect. Injury is a natural consequence of high intensity physical activity and coaches desperately want to help their athletes recover and return to active participation safely and quickly. They look to one’s “call to action” and the dedicated effort to return to full strength as a measure to their character.

You can attempt to hide your injury and make every effort to deflect communication to different areas of recruiting, or you can take the high road and make an honest effort in being candid about your true physical readiness.

Coaches have an innate ability to get to what is “real” about every student-athlete they recruit and determine how they are doing (academically, athletically and personally). Eventually, they will find a way to extract information; you can bet the farm on it.

The prospects who present themselves at face value to college coaches accomplish two important tasks. 1) They convince coaches that they embrace an honest approach and 2) uncover grey areas of evaluation that could be a game-changer at the conclusion of the recruiting process.

College recruiting is both exciting and daunting. It requires a disciplined, dedicated and honest approach, especially when it pertains to the physical health of the prospect. Practicing clear, honest and accurate communication to the nature of your injury and the treatment you are pursuing will reap respect and help build mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches to identify and secure the ideal college match.

READ MORE:

• Recruiting Advice From 8 Former NCAA Division I Athletes
• What is a Parent’s Role in Recruiting?
• Tennis Recruiting: 6 Tips for Getting Attention from Colleges