Effective Ways to Communicate Your Interest to College Coaches as a Student-Athlete

Want to stand out in the recruiting process? Try asking these questions and HELP your recruiting process!

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Are you interested in a school?

How are you showing that?

Are you emailing them every month at least?

Have you been communicating throughout the high school season, even though your busy? Do you have any idea what has been going on in their program the last week?

Did they have any big wins recently?

Did they make their conference tournament?

Are you initiating conversations?

I hate to break it to you, but sending one email every 3 or 4 months isn't enough to communicate interest in a school. There are too many athletes out there and college coaches are often filtering through emails and messages. They tend to focus on athletes that communicate a high-level of interest. They will certainly pursue athletes they are interested in, but making yourself stand out can only benefit you.

There are bunch of different ways that you can communicate interest with college coaches and schools.

Respond

This seems to be the biggest falter that athletes have in the beginning of the process. Yes, college coaches are sometimes casting a wide net, just like you are. It's great when you hear from them, but you need to respond to them when they reach out to you. Even if it's just a camp invite or questionnaire. Once you become a junior, responding to text messages and emails is key. If you don't respond, then it's possible they will think you are not interested.

Engage on Social Media

I could talk a lot about social media as a medium. One of the best things you can do with the schools you are interested in is to engage with the school. It's true that college coaches might not always see it because they don't always run their own social accounts. But if you know what is going on with the program by liking and even commenting on posts on social media, it will show them you're interested. Plus, you will have MORE things to talk about with them if you know what the team is up to.

Keep them in the loop

Simple updates are great! "I'm playing in State this weekend!" Coaches love hearing from athletes. Even though a coach might not be able to respond, they still want to hear what's going on.

Make it about them!

Are you engaged or invested in the program already? Check their live-stats. Watch their games online. Then let them know! "I saw that you..." Yes, they want to hear about you, but they also want to know if you have a passing interest or if you're already engaged with the program and school.

Initiate, even with the "wall"

Yes, sometimes it feels like you are talking to a wall. If you're a freshmen or sophomore reaching out to schools, this can be difficult. If you're a junior or older, if might feel like you're talking to a wall. You might be! But, that wall comes down eventually and college coaches are more likely to engage with you if you are TRYING to connect with them. Should you email a school again, even though they didn't respond the first time? Yes! You never know. That next email might be the driving force for them to go watch you play live and then want you to play for them. Make sure that you are starting conversations, not just responding. Ask questions. Be the first to reach out.

Is all of this challenging? Sure is! Remember that you are trying to be one of the 5% of high school volleyball players across the entire country that end up playing college volleyball. It's challenging on the college side! Nothing comes easy.

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