Div III coach super keen..then silent

<p>Is the writing on the wall? Eldest had visit with a coach during the summer, which went extremely well. Coach expressed great enthusiasm about getting him on the team for 2013. At the same time, he had an interview with Admissions, and the counselor was very positive...told him he had great communications skills, etc. Things looked very positive. Last contact with coach was mid-summer, when he reiterated that he would like to get our son on the team...to let him know if there was anything else he could do. Since then....no word, despite two more emails from our end asking for an update (e.g. feedback from Admissions/financial aid). The catch is...our son was really keen on this school and expressed an interest in applying ED to the coach. Maybe he played his cards too soon, but he was trying to be honest. I know he wouldn't want to be seen as going back on his word, but if he's not getting any response...? There are several other coaches interested in him. Advice?</p>

<p>I know it’s not easy, but have your son pick up the phone!</p>

<p>I agree 100% with myluckydog. Call (now) the coach or the athletic dept if you can’t reach the coach. I would think about calling the Admissions councelor if this is truly the college your son wants to attend. He got positive feedback from Admissions during his interview, and that might not be a bad place to start.</p>

<p>As a 2013, your son can’t wait for things to happen. He needs to get assertive with this school and others to find out who is truly interested. There is a time and place for emails and texts. This isn’t one of them.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Has your son applied to this school? What season is his sport? Is the coach busy? The contacts come in waves. I would have your son send in his application if he hasn’t and then call the coach and let him know that the application has been sent. I don’t know that ED is the way to go without knowing more details about what the other coaches are saying, etc. EA, however, is probably a good idea.</p>

<p>He should definitely call the coach.<br>
If he is genuinely interested in the other schools where coaches are interested in him, have him ramp up those communications and visits as well.
There can be lots of D3 movement between now and the ED deadlines. It can be nerve wracking. Now is the time to be proactive.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone. He is a little shy about calling…doesn’t want to be seen as badgering the coach, or being pushy. However, I agree that it’s getting too close to the ED deadline to be wondering whether or not a school is really interested. He could be putting his energy into preparing applications for the other colleges.</p>

<p>SteveMA: No, he hasn’t applied yet. He doesn’t want to play the ED card without confirmed coach interest, and none of the schools he’s looking at have EA. The season doesn’t start until November…I would have thought Admissions would have done an early read for the coach by now?</p>

<p>How would he approach the issue in a phone call? Ask the coach straight up if he’s still on board or not? As I said, he doesn’t want to be branded as annoying or needy.</p>

<p>He will not be badgering… this is a case where you have be a bit of a squeaky wheel. The lack of contact may not be seen as polite reserve but a lack of interest. Get your son on the phone NOW-- It’s time to “man up” and get rid of the shyness.</p>

<p>Yes-- be straight forward-- “I want to join the team and attend the college. You are my number one choice and I will go ED if that makes sense. Where do I stand with you and admissions?”</p>

<p>^^^ Those words are good and it will help him to have a specific goal for this call. He needs to find out the results of the early read and and ask what level of support the coach will give him.
And he should confirm that level of support again before he pushes the ED button, close to the deadline.</p>

<p>Roger that, everyone. Thanks for the input.</p>