Okay, so I received an e-mail from Stanford from an assistant coach. The first sentence was, “The Stanford University ________ program is truly honored to have the privilege of recruiting you”
Then it went on and asked me to fill out a questionnaire so that we could continue the recruiting process, etc. This is the first email I’ve received from them. I’ve gotten plenty of emails before from other universities requesting that I fill out a questionnaire, but none have used the word “recruit” or “recruiting.” I think I might just have a different definition of what the word “recruit” means. I always thought it meant that they definitively wanted me to play for their program, but in this context, it seems more like it means that I am a prospective recruit. For all I know, they could be sending this email to hundreds of athletes if that is the definition.
I’ve had plenty of d2 and d3 coaches approach me about going to their school, and a few d1s have shown interest, but I don’t feel like I’m at Stanford’s level athletically. I’m also a senior, so it seems kind of late to begin the recruiting process. Maybe they are looking for a last-minute roster fill? Maybe it means absolutely nothing? I’m just looking for some insight here, because I have no idea what level of excitement I should be at. Sorry if I seem naive, but the use of the word “recruit” in the email really confused me here.
Just a word. They are interested in you, probably either saw you play somewhere or got your name from a coach. They are still going to need to see your grades and scores, talk to you, maybe see you play (again).
Jump on it. Contact them and get them whatever info they want.
I don’t know about your situation specifically, but a few years ago, kids who attended any of the Stanford summer baseball camps received an email like that (and other very useful communications) even though they could not have been on any realistic radar for baseball recruitment at Stanford.
Edit: According to NCAA rules, if a coach initiates any form of contact with a student-athlete, that person is being “recruited”. So the Stanford letter is technically correct–as you would imagine.
I’ve never attended a camp. My guess is that they saw me on a recruiting website. But that note on technicalities seems to make a lot of sense. Either way, I filled out the questionnaire then emailed the coach back. Who knows. Maybe I’ll get a non-scholarship spot. Thanks a bunch guys.
To be clear, surely some of the kids who attended the Stanford baseball camps and who got the emails WERE Stanford-worthy recruits. But just getting the email, by itself, does not make anyone a serious recruit.
Go for it. Have some self-awareness. Do your homework about the skill and academic levels on the current relevant Stanford roster.
BTW: The effort by the Stanford coaches to send a series of the type of emails you seem to describe (at least in baseball a few years ago under then-Assistant Coach Dean Stotz) was very much appreciated by the “recruits”, and is a great selling point for Stanford regardless of how each individual recruitment situation turns out.
There are always tell-tale signs that can lead you to conclude whether the email you received also was sent to a large number of other email recipients. What is the sender email address? Is it the coach’s email or a mass email address. Although less common now, are you the only addressee? Is there any language in the email indicating your individual situation (e.g., I saw you play at the ______ Showcase or I need a left handed pitcher)? Are the requests generic and preliminary (send me a questionnaire). I get the sense from your post is that the only point of differentiation from other generic emails is the “truly honored to have the privilege of recruiting you” language.
From afar – and based on Fenway’s experience – I would not drop other recruiting options for this one. As you noted, it is pretty late in the game (assuming your sport is not – say – equestrian where the skills are unique and take years to develop). However, the whole point of being recruited is to cast a wide net and to keep an open mind. You should follow through aggressively to see if you can get any traction. I suggest a call to the coach. That should give you a better idea.
Also keep in mind that the main job of the assistant coaches is to scout out good leads. So sending out mass emails like this would seem like it is part of the process. I think it is a bit unusual, but hey if they contacted you, I say go for it. What do you have to lose?