The summer offers prospective student-athletes a chance to organize and utilize specific recruiting tactics to build momentum with college recruiting. Consequently, student-athletes who look at the next 100 days as an opportunity to maximize college recruiting will position themselves best.
Showcases/Camps
Identify a short list of camps and showcases you plan to attend. As these events draw nearer, provide the coaches with detailed information about your playing schedule. Encourage the coaches to evaluate your talent as a potential impact player on the team.
Moreover, if you are a rising junior or senior prospect and you have identified a clear A+ list of top college options, consider attending 2-3 on campus prospect camps. Not only will you get a direct evaluation from the host coaches, you will also take an un-official visit to some of your top schools. A win-win all-around.
Updates
Share regular highlight video updates with the college coaches. 100 days to Maximize College Recruiting may seem like a lot of time, but it passes quickly!
Prospects should target 3-4 highlight video updates throughout the summer. Although the first update will likely be a little rough around the edges, college coaches are aware of this, so do not hesitate to share imperfect highlights! The first update is only the start point. Each subsequent video should continue to help you build a strong argument to your ability to impact college programs on a high level.
Academic Goals
Progress in the classroom is equally important to progress in the gym. Share your school transcripts with the college coaches after the academic year. If you have recently taken standardized testing, share test results with the coaches as well.
In addition, share your fall academic schedule with the college coaches, and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Campus Visits
If you are serious about a specific group of colleges on your list, there is no better time for a casual visit to campus than the summer. These visits might not have the same feel and energy as a fall college visit, but you will likely walk away from these visits feeling well-informed and more confident.
Summertime is an ideal time to connect with college coaches on campus, but do not just show up! E-mail coach two weeks before your visit and convey your tentative visit plans and let her know you and your family would be excited to meet and learn more about the program.
Let the coach know you will follow-up by phone to confirm the office visit. Remember, there are new NCAA recruiting contact rules in effect. You are now permitted to interview with coaches beginning June 15 after the sophomore year in high school!
Communication
I am a firm believer that practical communications skills can position a prospect best in the eyes of college coaches. The recruiting process is extremely competitive, and you need to separate yourself from the pack. It just requires a little courage and effort.
Communication is a broad term, but when whittled down to its essential components, it becomes less complicated. Remember to:
- Be proactive in every area of communication, and remember that for the most part, coaches are bound to strict NCAA contact rules.
- Remain clear and crisp with your updates and re-caps. Continue to be persistent. The coaches want you to initiate contact!
- If your communication requires either a voice to voice or face to face element, prepare well, practice to a fault, and leave nothing to chance.
The summer presents us with the opportunity to use every day to maximize the college search for athletes. Therefore, develop a positive “sense of urgency” in your effort to plan and organize for the college search. 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, but as we all know, time flies when you are having a good time!
Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and Founder/Principal Advisor at Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he advises prospects and families on college recruiting. For more information, visit www.victoryrecruiting.com.
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