Freshman | Sophomores | Juniors | Seniors
Written By: The College Recruiting Playbook
Incoming Junior June. Navigating the Path to College Sports: A Junior Athlete’s Guide
As an incoming junior, you are well aware of the tremendous effort and time required of a high school student-athlete. Balancing school, sports, and other extracurricular activities can be challenging, to say the least. Thus, it is crucial to utilize your summer months wisely to develop, cultivate, and enhance your athletic career. In this blog post, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the critical tasks that you should complete in June, starting with last-minute camp opportunities, demonstrating your character, and familiarizing yourself with NCAA recruiting rules.
Market Yourself
If you have not done so already, make sure you research any last-minute camp opportunities, so that you may continue to “market yourself” and build relationships with college coaches. Even if the camp is not your top choice or the most convenient, you never know who you might meet, including other athletes, coaches, or even scouts. In addition, even if the camp is not your dream school, you can still gain valuable experience to aid in future college decisions. Remember, you are always showcasing your skills and character, both on and off the playing field.
Character Development
Demonstrate your character, interest, and “coachability” by reaching out to the college coaches on your list. Communication is key when it comes to coaches, and showing initiative and interest in their respective programs can help put you on their radar. Whether it’s sending an email, making a call, or sending media content that showcases your skills, communicate with coaches in a professional and respectful manner. Remember to demonstrate your coachability, which means being open, receptive, and willing to learn from their feedback or critiques. Not every conversation will lead to an offer, but every interaction can help you stand out and make connections.
Engage With Our College Recruiting Experts
Engage with our CRP experts on the community forum to learn how best to present yourself at these events, and when communicating with coaches. The world of college athletics is complex and ever-evolving, but with the help of our experts, you can be confident in presenting yourself to coaches. We can guide you through the recruiting process, including the critical question of whether a college coach is interested in you or not. Moreover, we can help design a strategy to optimize camp opportunities and other recruiting events.
Familiarize Yourself With Recruiting Rules
Be certain to familiarize yourself with NCAA recruiting rules and D1 and D2 recruiting calendars. It is essential to understand NCAA recruiting rules, so you know the appropriate steps to take when interacting with college coaches. D1 and D2 have specific recruiting periods, and looking ahead to the following year is helpful when it comes to planning your camp and tournament schedules. Keep in mind that D3 rules are different than D1 and D2, so be sure to read up on the latest regulations.
For most D1 sports, coach communication begins on June 15, so be ready to interact with coaches this summer. Coaches are always looking for new talent, so it’s essential to maximize every opportunity to connect and showcase your skills. Be ready with your media content, your questions for the coaches, and your pitch about your goals and interests. Coaches want to see your passion and excitement, so let that shine in your communication.
Conclusion:
As a high school student-athlete, you are part of a unique and talented group of individuals. Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can achieve great things both on and off the playing field. Utilizing your summer months wisely is crucial to your continued growth and success. Remember to research last-minute showcase camp opportunities, demonstrate your character, engage with CRP experts, familiarize yourself with recruiting rules, and be ready to interact with coaches this summer. With these steps in mind, you can be confident in showcasing your skills, building relationships, and ultimately achieving your athletic goals.