Effective Networking With a College Coach
Effective communication with a college coach is a critical component of the recruiting process and one that can make or break a scholarship offer. Maximize your potential by using these networking strategies.
Phone call
Follow up with coaches after you’ve sent them an initial letter of interest. High school athletes are permitted to call a coach any time, as long as it’s not collect or toll-free.
The key to a meaningful and engaging recruiting conversation is to be prepared with questions to ask a coach and solid answers to his or her likely questions. When the opportunity presents itself, prepare a Q&A list (see below), so you can carry on a conversation and avoid awkward exchanges.
Take calls with confidence. Be polite, energetic and always respond with “yes, sir” and “no, m ‘am.” At the end of the conversation, thank coach for his/her time.
Face-to-face contact
Nothing beats face-to-face communication. Often, it’s not what you say, but how you express yourself—through body language, gestures, facial expressions or actions, which really do speak louder than words.
Handshake
A handshake is an opportunity to make a positive first impression. Snugly grasp the coach’s hand, palm to palm, and wrap your hand all the way around his or her hand. Use a firm grip—but not a bone-crusher—pump three times, and release.
Eye contact
Make eye contact from the start. Coaches want athletes who display character, confidence and maturity. Frequent, direct eye contact signifies these traits.
Posture
Stand up straight and don’t slouch, because good posture shows a coach that you’re truly interested in his or her program. Observe the coach’s posture, too. Is s/he engaged, does s/he make eye contact, or is s/he withdrawn? Evaluating body language can help you gauge whether or not s/he really wants to speak with you.
Questions for coach
Ask the following questions during your next recruiting conversation, or use as inspiration to create your own discussion points with a coach:
ACADEMICS
Expressing interest in academics is a great way to kick off the convo and display your commitment to being a student-athlete.
• What are the admission requirements?
• What are the more popular majors for athletes?
• Is there a full-time team academic adviser ?
• What’s the team graduation rate?
RECRUITING PLAN
A coach’s responses to these questions will keep you informed on where you stand on the recruiting board. Ask them if you feel they’re appropriate to your situation.
• Have you seen me play? If not, should I send my highlight video?
• How many players will you recruit for my position?
• Have you offered scholarships to other players at my position?
• Have any athletes accepted scholarship offers?
• Where do I fi t on your recruiting board?
• Is there a good time for me to visit the school and meet the coaching staff?
SCHOLARSHIP
Don’t ask a coach if you’ll receive a scholarship, unless the coach introduces the topic.
• How many scholarships are available?
• What types of academic scholarships are available?
• Are there other fi nancial aid opportunities for athletes?
CLOSING QUESTIONS
• May I schedule a time to reconnect with you by phone?
• Do you have any questions for me, or is there anything else I may provide to help with my evaluation?
SOCIAL NETWORKS
Use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter as vehicles for connecting with college coaches. Just don’t disgrace your name in 140 symbols or less.
These online platforms allow coaches to catch a glimpse of your personal life and to contact you directly. They also allow recruiters to keep tabs on you and gauge your behavior, so exercise good judgment about what you post to your profi le or your friends’ pages.
Don’t use bad language. Slang can convey a poor impression. Avoid posting photos that portray you in a negative manner—e.g., in inappropriate dress, or using alcohol.
Think of social networks as additional components of your recruiting game plan. Use them to send updates about recent games; inform coaches about notable achievements in the classroom; and alert them to a pending shipment of your highlight tape or a campus visit.
NCAA rules permit D-I and D-II coaches to follow recruits and contact them through the direct-message function on Facebook and Twitter. However, publicly stating a recruit’s name, sending an “@reply” message via Twitter or writing on a recruit’s wall violate NCAA rules. Direct messages sent through either platform must comply with NCAA contact period regulations.
The NCAA prohibits D-III coaches from using Facebook and Twitter as recruiting tools.
Remember to conduct yourself appropriately and use these tools responsibly. If you play the game right, you could end up reading a coach’s post announcing your commitment on signing day.
Related Links:
Antonio Gates: A Recruiting Story Like No Other
Academics
Recruiting Support Network
Financial Aid
Self-Marketing
Researching Colleges
Campus Visits
Gauging Interest
Standardized Tests
NCAA Rules & Regs
Recruiting Checklist
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Effective Networking With a College Coach
Effective communication with a college coach is a critical component of the recruiting process and one that can make or break a scholarship offer. Maximize your potential by using these networking strategies.
Phone call
Follow up with coaches after you’ve sent them an initial letter of interest. High school athletes are permitted to call a coach any time, as long as it’s not collect or toll-free.
The key to a meaningful and engaging recruiting conversation is to be prepared with questions to ask a coach and solid answers to his or her likely questions. When the opportunity presents itself, prepare a Q&A list (see below), so you can carry on a conversation and avoid awkward exchanges.
Take calls with confidence. Be polite, energetic and always respond with “yes, sir” and “no, m ‘am.” At the end of the conversation, thank coach for his/her time.
Face-to-face contact
Nothing beats face-to-face communication. Often, it’s not what you say, but how you express yourself—through body language, gestures, facial expressions or actions, which really do speak louder than words.
Handshake
A handshake is an opportunity to make a positive first impression. Snugly grasp the coach’s hand, palm to palm, and wrap your hand all the way around his or her hand. Use a firm grip—but not a bone-crusher—pump three times, and release.
Eye contact
Make eye contact from the start. Coaches want athletes who display character, confidence and maturity. Frequent, direct eye contact signifies these traits.
Posture
Stand up straight and don’t slouch, because good posture shows a coach that you’re truly interested in his or her program. Observe the coach’s posture, too. Is s/he engaged, does s/he make eye contact, or is s/he withdrawn? Evaluating body language can help you gauge whether or not s/he really wants to speak with you.
Questions for coach
Ask the following questions during your next recruiting conversation, or use as inspiration to create your own discussion points with a coach:
ACADEMICS
Expressing interest in academics is a great way to kick off the convo and display your commitment to being a student-athlete.
• What are the admission requirements?
• What are the more popular majors for athletes?
• Is there a full-time team academic adviser ?
• What’s the team graduation rate?
RECRUITING PLAN
A coach’s responses to these questions will keep you informed on where you stand on the recruiting board. Ask them if you feel they’re appropriate to your situation.
• Have you seen me play? If not, should I send my highlight video?
• How many players will you recruit for my position?
• Have you offered scholarships to other players at my position?
• Have any athletes accepted scholarship offers?
• Where do I fi t on your recruiting board?
• Is there a good time for me to visit the school and meet the coaching staff?
SCHOLARSHIP
Don’t ask a coach if you’ll receive a scholarship, unless the coach introduces the topic.
• How many scholarships are available?
• What types of academic scholarships are available?
• Are there other fi nancial aid opportunities for athletes?
CLOSING QUESTIONS
• May I schedule a time to reconnect with you by phone?
• Do you have any questions for me, or is there anything else I may provide to help with my evaluation?
SOCIAL NETWORKS
Use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter as vehicles for connecting with college coaches. Just don’t disgrace your name in 140 symbols or less.
These online platforms allow coaches to catch a glimpse of your personal life and to contact you directly. They also allow recruiters to keep tabs on you and gauge your behavior, so exercise good judgment about what you post to your profi le or your friends’ pages.
Don’t use bad language. Slang can convey a poor impression. Avoid posting photos that portray you in a negative manner—e.g., in inappropriate dress, or using alcohol.
Think of social networks as additional components of your recruiting game plan. Use them to send updates about recent games; inform coaches about notable achievements in the classroom; and alert them to a pending shipment of your highlight tape or a campus visit.
NCAA rules permit D-I and D-II coaches to follow recruits and contact them through the direct-message function on Facebook and Twitter. However, publicly stating a recruit’s name, sending an “@reply” message via Twitter or writing on a recruit’s wall violate NCAA rules. Direct messages sent through either platform must comply with NCAA contact period regulations.
The NCAA prohibits D-III coaches from using Facebook and Twitter as recruiting tools.
Remember to conduct yourself appropriately and use these tools responsibly. If you play the game right, you could end up reading a coach’s post announcing your commitment on signing day.
Related Links:
Antonio Gates: A Recruiting Story Like No Other
Academics
Recruiting Support Network
Financial Aid
Self-Marketing
Researching Colleges
Campus Visits
Gauging Interest
Standardized Tests
NCAA Rules & Regs
Recruiting Checklist
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