I received your introductory two-line email and read through it. I must say your first sentence was painfully familiar as you introduced yourself by first name only. I assumed if you were trying to make an impression that you would have paid more attention to punctuation but my assumption appears incorrect. While your opening email failed to identify your last name, what year in school you are, where you are from, or what position you play, you managed to include your most pressing question as to whether our team is ‘giving out scholarships’." …
As the author states, this is not one athlete, but instead a compilation of characteristics she’s seen over years of recruiting. Any athlete that does only some of these things may look at this letter and say, “that’s not me,” because there are so many things that may not apply, and the message will be lost.
It would be much more helpful if the coach gave the athlete that feedback in the moment, when she could potentially change her behavior and salvage her collegiate career. Maybe it’s a fear of lawsuits, or just a desire to avoid confrontation, but more transparency as to why the athlete won’t be recruited would be better.
I found the tone negative and patronizing. I think the same message could be said in a positive way, such as ‘I’m looking for a player who is good teammate, one who rushes to congratulate a teammate after the teammate scores, one who has as many assists as goals’ or ‘I’m looking for a leader who takes the time to answer emails and doesn’t make excuses of having no time.’
Why does the coach not have the obligation to be direct and say what he wants? Of course a highlight film is going to have highlights. If he wants a whole game film, request that.
As said above, sneering and patronizing. But in addition to that, IMO it’s mostly just a bunch of garbage cliches that don’t apply to the vast majority of high school athletes.
Seems like it’s written by someone with some deep seated issues. Maybe he needed more attention as a child or something.
I found the article interesting. I do think it would be useful to some potential college recruits that have forgotten they are trying to get picked to be part of a TEAM not the star of some drama.
I found the Pac -12 study results even more informative however. Any recruit that thinks playing in college will be all fun really needs to understand the time commitment they are making. The study does not mention this directly but missing all those classes really does limit the majors available to athletes. These kids are committing to working full time while going to school full time. Not an easy path for anyone so those that choose to pursue it need to be aware that they will be athlete students not student athletes, at most schools.
My DS chose not to pursue being recruited long ago but it is still the first question we are all asked about his college choice. So many people do not understand why he would choose NOT to pursue that opportunity. After playing 3 sports in HS he wants to focus more on being a student and play sports purely for exercise and enjoyment.
"My DS chose not to pursue being recruited long ago but it is still the first question we are all asked about his college choice. So many people do not understand why he would choose NOT to pursue that opportunity. "
My son also decided against playing DIV I - a decision many do not understand. Instead, he will be playing DIV III, which he feels strikes a better balance for him between academics and athletics.
I actually do not think that schools such recruit athletes, they should spend that money on future scientists , doctors, nurses etc… I know u o f michigan and alabama would never give up football or u of kansas or duke basketball etc…but in my “world” frats and athletics would not be a part of college.
@Cheeringsection It does effect what you can major in. We know a girl that several D1’s told her, she could not major in what she wanted since it was too time consuming. She did finally find a school willing to let her do what she wanted but it was a frustrating experience.