<p>We know many people in my S's sport who also know some of the coaches he is talking to (like "LinkedIn" for college coaches). This is because my W and I are active in that sport. My S is a rising senior. All these people have said they would be happy to talk to these coaches about my S. Is this something we should encourage? Regardless of where these schools stand on my S preference list? At this point he has a few schools that he thinks he favors, however we have not gone on any visits and he has not been accepted anywhere yet. My assumption is that this is a good thing, but I would be interested in hearing opinions from everyone else.</p>
<p>Unless he’s good enough to go pro after college, decide what he wants to do with his life and where he wants to go first.</p>
<p>Your (or someone) should be contacting coaches, soon, if he wants to play, especially if he is looking at a fall sport. Yes have your friends talk to the coach on his behalf. Recruiting rules prohibit coaches from contacting your child first until this summer-depending on the sport so him making the first contact (EMAIL) they can answer him. Many will want some kind of a resume of his accomplishments so put together one to send along with the email.</p>
<p>Some thoughts:</p>
<p>Be careful about “going to the well”/favors if your student is not seriously consierding a school–and only pursue schools/teams your student would give a right arm for…</p>
<p>Be careful of what could be mis-construed as recruiting violations</p>
<p>Coaches want to WIN–so I don’t know how much push your colleagues can give–if your student isn’t a strong recruit on his own merits.</p>
<p>If your student doesn’t pursue/take an open door with a university/team where the door was opened through this method–what will it “cost” you.</p>
<p>Will coaches “talk” and can this backfire?</p>