Communicating with College Coaches-- Several Do's and Don'ts.....
There are three basic ways a player can communicate with a college coach-- by e mail, phone and in person. All are very important and should be done by the player and not the parent. A college coach wants to hear from the player. The player will be the one on campus for four years, not the parent. A coach wants to hear from your son's voice that he is interested in the school and that their school is a place he could see himself attending. To be very honest, when a coach sees too much involvement from a parent, it will register as a red flag in their mind.
When sending a coach an e mail, you need to understand that they receive many e mails every single day. Being direct and to the point will be your best bet. The e mail should be factual and be sent as soon as you have interest in the school. If you have an upcoming season approaching, that is an additional plus.
You will want to give them facts on you (name, grade, school, GPA, SAT scores (if taken) and your team's info (name, coach's name and number). Attaching an upcoming season schedule will be helpful and highlighting a big game in the season is important. It may entice the coach to come out and watch. If there are multiple players to watch, he may decide it's worth the trip. Do your research and address your note to the recruiting coordinator if this is a new email. I would definitely have someone in the baseball business check your e mail before you send it. Your parents have your best interest at heart but in this area they may not know what to add. For example, adding your Little League stats may be a turn-off for the coach. Having the parent assist with the e mail is OK but please make sure it does not look like a NY Times best seller! Remember the coach wants to hear directly from the player.
A couple of important points to remember:
1) A coach will not be able to give you or ask you any recruiting info over e mail before your junior season. 2) Some coaches may even hold off on responding because they do not want to hit a "gray area" in the rules of recruiting. So please do not be alarmed if a coach does not respond right away.
When talking to a coach on the phone, please make sure it doesn't sound like you just woke up. If you call the coach, please have an idea of three or four questions to ask. If you can keep the conversation going, then your personality with show. Ask questions about the upcoming season, big games, travel trips. This will give you an idea of what direction the program is heading. When the coach asks a question, please be honest. You need to find out if this school is the right fit for you. A few rules to remember: A coach can start calling your son July 1 going into his senior year. At that point he will only be able to call you once a week. You can call the coach as many times as you want, but the coach can only call back once. Before July 1, you can call him as well but just remember, even if you leave a message, he can't call you back.
When speaking to a coach in person, make sure he has your full attention. If you do not know the coach, introduce yourself. Walk up and say hello. State your name, reach your hand out to shake hands and look the coach in the eye. This is OK to do at a showcase, camp or campus visit. During a tournament, a coach will not be able to speak with you, so understand he is not being rude, it is just against the rules. If you know the coach please remember a few things about him. Try not to make it seem like the first discussion every time you speak.
Always a good habit: When you're at a field, showcase, or on campus, always look good! Coaches are always judging and evaluating their recruits. Have you hat on straight, your shirt tucked in and have your turf shoes laced up. Your appearance sends a message by itself, so look sharp and be sharp.
By understanding these communication rules and guidelines, you'll maximize your opportunities with the colleges of your choice.
