I am a junior hoping to become recruited for swimming.
I filled out some recreating questionaires at D1 and D3 programs. And I got responses from several schools, and of which some where from the head coach. Is this a good sign? that the school has a slightly higher interest in recruiting me?
For some D1 programs, I got a mass email from the head coach at an Ivy and have been contacting him on a frequent basis (he mails me back within few mins). While for D3 programs, like a top-tier school in the UAA conference, I received a short but personalized looking mail and also has been in frequent contact since then(reply usually within the day)
Sorry if it is a bit confusing but I just wanted to know if those are good signs for a Junior during this spring period.
Thanks for your time and help.!
It’s hard to say. Some coaches are very good at getting back to recruits while others don’t respond at all.
There were a couple of articles in the paper today about hs recruits actually getting a lot of attention right now because there is nothing else going on in the sports world. It’s a strange time in sports where the college coaches have a lot of time and the hs athletes have little new info (times, wins/losses, stats, film) to provide to the coaches.
Just keep up the contact.
twoinanddone, thanks for your response.
Very true that it is a unique situation for both coaches and recruits. I was also wondering if I should start contacting new schools. Maybe the ones I didn’t get a response from initially, both at D1 and D3 level.
Don’t just wait for coaches to come to you, be proactive. Coaches are more likely to have interest in you if you have interest in them.
About being proactive, is it fine for a recruit to ask where the coaches are in the recruiting process and where I stand as a recruit compared to the rest of 2021 class? or is that being too pushy and selfish?
It’s fine to ask those questions…but build a relationship with a coach before you ask them.
At the base level there has to be a potential fit…academically, team needs swimmers with your times in a given event, etc., for it to make sense to ask where a recruit stands in the recruiting process.
Good luck.
I agree it’s fine to ask those questions but I’d ask questions to get a feel for the program and school first, as well as more general questions about the recruiting process and when decisions are made. Where a recruit fits in the pool is sometimes brought up by the coach but also can be a second or third conversation item. Most coaches like to get to know the recruits first.
Mwfan1921, politeperson, thanks for the replies.
I’ll take your advices and send those kinds of questions once summer gets nearer. Hopefully, by then, I can get to know them and the team better by taking advantage of this unique time.