The text you need to be sending this week...

The State Tournament in Texas is this weekend. That means that the high school season is ending. Many athletes will "start" the recruiting process, even though college coaches have been recruiting this entire volleyball season. Several athletes were on recruiting visits this past weekend.

It's one of the big myths I talk about with families - that recruiting is a 24/7 and lasts all year. College coaches almost never stop recruiting, even if their current recruiting class is done. If you haven't started the recruiting process, now is a great time to start. The end of the high school season in Texas means that the end of the college season is just around the corner and college coaches will be getting ready for recruiting during the club season and finishing off whatever positions they haven't filled yet or whatever positions opened up because of transfers.

One of the things that I am constantly talking about is the need to communicate with college coaches. Then do it more. Emails, texts messages and phone calls. The more the better in many ways. One trick though is to pay attention to what is going around with their team and program. Some of my favorites texts were from recruits after a big win at home or on the road. It meant they were paying attention - either watching live stats or maybe seeing the score on instagram - and that was HUGE for us as a program during the recruiting process. We wanted athletes that WANTED to be a part of something special. If you want the needle to get pushed in your direction with college coaches, communicate to them that their program is the one you want to be a part of. It's a special thing when an athlete calls you and says, "I want to come play for you and win a conference championship!" Great athlete and a great person. I will always remember that phone call.

So, what is it you need to be texting college coaches this week?

You need to text them (or email them) about the conference tournament THEY are in. Many schools will have their conference tournaments in the next couple of weeks. Let them know you are paying attention. Say "Good Luck" or that you're looking forward to watching their match vs whatever-school-they-are-playing. Text them a "Congrats!" when they win. Yes, you might be paying attention to several different conference tournaments this next week. It's worth the time and investment if that is the program you want to be a part of.

Good luck to all of the athletes playing in their State tournaments this weekend.

Good luck to all of my coaching friends competing in their conference tournaments this week.