SOME DO’ S & DON’TS

(FOR THE LATER STAGES OF THE LACROSSE RECRUITING PROCESS)

 DO

• before this process begins figure out what your goals are.  (ie. getting a scholarship, using your sport as a means to help gain admittance to a top academic school, getting a chance to start or play regularly in your first two years, etc.).

• when appropriate articulate these goals to the coaches/schools who are recruiting you. 

• plan to attend the camp(s) of coaches/schools where you have a very strong interest.  If that is not possible, consider attending other camps that coach might work.

• have a tentative list of schools where you would like to make official visits before the September 1st calling/recruiting period starts.

• be honest about your options, if coaches ask about other schools you are considering tell them. 

• if you know you have no interest in attending a school, tell a coach early on so they won’t waste their time.  Be sure to thank them for their interest.

• check your weekend fall schedule (for SAT or ACT testing dates, homecoming, fall team sports tournaments, etc.)  to figure-out the best time for you to make official or unofficial recruiting visits to colleges.  

• try to schedule visits as early as possible, but definitely before the National letter of Intent Early Signing Period in November which is usually the second week of November.

• access the Clearinghouse web site (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net ) in mid to late summer. From  this site: 1) register with the Clearinghouse  2) pay on-line 3) download release forms, copy 1 & 2.

 •fill-out and sign these release forms and take them to your high school guidance office to process.

• have test scores sent directly from the College Board (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) to the NCAA Clearinghouse.

• read all the valuable information in the brochure - NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete.  It contains a full explanation of the academic eligibility requirements and all the rules and regulations of the recruiting process.

DO NOT

• have parents actively involved in the recruiting process (ie. phoning and e-mailing coaches to promote their daughter/son, trying to play one school against another, etc.).

• think a school is not interested just because they don’t write or call you each week.

• bad mouth or disparage another athlete, player, program or coach.

• make a poor impression on a visit (official or unofficial) to a college by exhibiting conduct that is not socially appropriate and/or legal for a high school student

• close down your options too soon, writing schools off is not smart until you have definite offers and/or commitments from other schools

Sports Recruits offers so many helpful recruiting tools:

Recruting Guide: https://sportsrecruits.com/recruiting_guide

How to write a letter to college coach: http://sportsrecruits.com/blog/2015/05/02/how-to-write-an-email-to-college-coaches/

Three Pilars to Athletic Recruiting: http://sportsrecruits.com/blog/2016/07/27/the-recruiting-closet-podcast-episode-5-the-3-pillars-of-athletic-recruiting/