1. Recruiting has changed over the years.
Recruiting is not the same game it was when you were in high school. Offers are being made sooner each year which means many student-athletes are starting the recruiting process early in their high school career. They are also getting proactive and getting online. More coaches are evaluating prospects through online profiles and highlight videos. If your child doesn’t have an online profile, we encourage you to visit www.ncsasports.org and have them start one today!
2. Communicate with your child
Knowing what your child wants is important to any parent, so talk to them about their plans for college. Ask them if they want to compete at the collegiate level and how committed they are to that goal. Find out what steps they are taking to get themselves recruited, and then help them in whatever ways you can, both financially and through your support.
3. There are certain rules college coaches have to follow when contacting recruits
Don’t worry if you don’t know much about the recruiting process; not many families do. But, don’t let that lack of knowledge prevent your son/daughter from gaining an athletic scholarship or the opportunity to play at the next level. Parents and recruits need to understand that certain coaches are restricted by the NCAA on when and how they can contact prospects. For example, student-athletes can call college coaches anytime throughout their high school career, but Division I and Division II coaches may only call recruits during a certain timeframe.
Learn about the NCAA rules by reading the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete or go to www.ncsasports.org to learn more about the recruiting process
4. There are two main reasons to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Many parents think their child needs to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center in order for coaches to start contacting them. This is not true. There are two main reasons to register: 1) a student-athlete must be registered in order to go on official visits their senior year. For this reason, NCSA recommends registering during the end of your junior year. 2) Before signing a National Letter of Intent, a college coach will need to make sure you are eligible.
5. Your child will not be “discovered” at a camp or showcase
Unfortunately, camps and showcases are not the correct avenue for student-athletes to try to get noticed by college coaches. Typically, college coaches are watching the players they already have a relationship with and are already thinking about recruiting. Therefore, parents should encourage their child to contact coaches they have relationships with and decide between those college camps.
6. Treat advice and guidance of peers as just that
It’s important to listen to friends and family when they give you advice on how to help your child. But remember, a college decision is a student-athlete’s decision that will affect not only the next four years of their life, but the next forty. Everyone has their own preferences and priorities, so let your son/daughter make their own decision – not someone else’s decision.
7. Role-Play with your child
Your son/daughter should be calling college coaches throughout their high school career to start building relationships and getting information. Help your child succeed by acting as the role of the coach and have your son/daughter ask you questions he/she would ask coaches. This way, talking to actual coaches will come naturally.
8. Guide Your child
What your student-athlete does off-the field is just as important as his/her athletic performance. Academics and good character are also evaluated by college coaches when making offers to recruits. As a parent, you can help your child develop the skills they’ll need to be good students and respectful and responsible adults.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lauren
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