To be completely candid and not to be rude, you are behind in the process. So all I can do is offer some advice on how to ignite a path ASAP.
As a senior who is not being recruited to play baseball at this point, you can take the following steps:
Follow Up and Be Direct: Check back in with the schools you have reached out to and see where they are in their recruiting process. If they are still looking for your position, try to set up a phone call to learn more about their program.
Update Video: Make sure your most up-to-date video is available for coaches to view. Athletes with video on their profile are more likely to receive views from college coaches.
Play in Front of Your Top Schools: Find opportunities to compete in front of the programs you are interested in. If you can’t find a prospect day they are hosting or an event the coaches are attending, visit the school and schedule a meeting with the coach.
Consider Expanding Your List of Schools: If you don’t receive a lot of positive feedback from college coaches, consider expanding your list of schools. Opportunities at the DIII, NAIA, or Juco level may not be on your list now, but this is a good time to re-evaluate what level is the best fit for you athletically.
Check-in with Athletic Advocates: Ask for feedback from your current athletic advocates like your club coach, high school coach, or trainer.
Stay Proactive: Continue to be proactive, put the work in on and off the field, and make sure your SportsRecruits profile is up to date.
Great question. And, yes it is confusing if you are just learning about this for the first time.
The NCAA Clearinghouse, now known as the NCAA Eligibility Center, plays a crucial role in the college recruiting process. It is responsible for determining the eligibility of student-athletes to play at NCAA Division I and II levels. The Eligibility Center verifies the academic credentials and amateur status of student-athletes to ensure they meet the NCAA’s initial-eligibility standards.
Student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, where they will need to submit academic records (such as transcripts) and complete an amateurism questionnaire. It’s important to note that being accepted to a college or university does not automatically make a student-athlete eligible to play; they must also meet the NCAA’s eligibility requirements.
Keep in mind however, that the responsibility to ensure eligibility and compliance with NCAA rules lies primarily with the student-athlete, not the college coach, school counselor, or high school/club coach.
Your high school coach can support you in the recruiting process in several ways. However, it’s important to remember that while your coach can provide support and assistance, the ultimate responsibility for the recruiting process lies with you. You and your family should stay proactive in your recruiting process to ensure you find the right academic and athletic fit.
It all starts with communication: High school coaches can communicate with college coaches on your behalf, providing them with updated athletic and academic stats, as well as highlight videos. They can also provide accurate feedback to you and your family about your performance and potential.
Ask them to advocate for you: High school coaches can act as advocates for their players, helping to facilitate the recruiting process and ensuring that their athletes are seen (or that they are made aware of you) by college coaches.
They can and should help guide you: High school coaches can provide advice and guidance throughout the recruiting process. They can help you understand what to expect, how to market yourself to college coaches, and how to navigate the complexities of the process.
Lastly, ask your high school coach for some input on your playing ability. While they are not the end all, be all when it comes to evaluations, perhaps they can offer some guidance on what schools to look at (which programs) and at what level of college you may be able to play (D1-D3). Good luck!
All great questions. It’s not easy to navigate this process. You are in good hands. Here is a brief response to help get you going in the right direction.
To help your boys navigate the college recruiting process, you can follow these steps:
Honest Self-Assessment: Assess your sons’ academic profile and athletic abilities objectively. Strong academics are essential to meet college eligibility requirements and can open doors to more schools and scholarships. Identify their strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities as athletes.
Proactive Mindset: Encourage your sons to take initiative, communicate effectively, set goals, embrace feedback, stay informed about evolving rules, and demonstrate resilience. Effective time management is crucial.
Marketing: It’s important for your sons to market themselves to college coaches. This can be done by creating an online profile and highlight video, contacting college coaches, and competing in the right camps and tournaments.
Broaden Horizons: Encourage your sons to research a variety of colleges, attend college fairs, seek guidance, and consider factors like location, campus culture, academic programs, and athletic offerings.
Remember, the college sports recruitment process is highly competitive, but being proactive can set your sons apart from the rest.
As a sophomore female lacrosse player attending a showcase this summer, here are some steps you can take to make the most out of it:
Prepare: Make sure you’re in top physical and mental health leading up to the showcase to perform at your best.
Communicate with Coaches: Let college coaches know which events you plan to attend. This ensures they have a chance to evaluate you in-person. Also, ask which events they plan to attend and if their program plans to host a summer camp.
Create an Athletic Resume: Showcase your achievements, stats, and team successes. This document will be crucial when communicating with college coaches.
Play in Front of Your Top Schools: Be strategic about which events are worth attending. Make sure you have connected with the coach and they know you will be there.
During the Showcase: Give it everything you’ve got while you’re playing! Coaches are evaluating much more than your athletic abilities. They also observe your attitude, demeanor, and the way you interact with other potential recruits.
After the Showcase: Send a thank you email or text to the coach letting them know you enjoyed your time at the showcase. Mention a specific interaction you had with the coaching staff or current players to personalize it.