There are three stages to every college recruiting connection. To be successful in connecting with colleges you MUST be successful at all three.
IDENTIFICATION:
Getting noticed as someone who might be a possible recruit, getting on the radar, getting on the recruiting board - whatever you call it the first step in every instance is getting the coach to identify you as a potential recruit. Coaches have limited resources, and there are more players wanting to be recruited than spots. A few players are SO good that they are identified to coaches by Inside Lacrosse and other publication "Top" lists, but most are in the great crowd of hopefuls. If you say you want "to be recruited," you have defined the process as something that happens TO you. To be successful at this stage you should beACTIVE, not passive. Here are some examples of active steps.
- Research colleges and choose all that fit your goals.
- Write the coach- why you want his school and what you have to offer.
- Visit the campus if you can - attend a game.
- Fill out the prospective student questionnaire online.
- Keep the coach up to date on when and where you'll be playing.
- Prepare a quality video with information and send it to coaches.
- If there are current players from your hometown email them to ask about team.
- Ask your club or school coach to contact the college with recommendation.
ASSESSMENT:
OK, you get a letter from a coach saying he's interested in you and enclosing a questionnaire. This does NOT mean you're being recruited. This only means that you may be moving from the identification phase to the assessment phase. In this phase a coach reviews your play (and grades and character) and decides if you are what he needs both on the field and in the classroom.
Some parts of this are totally beyond your control. If you are a goalie and the program has strong goalies already rostered you are most likely not going any further. If the coach already has five national all-stars at your position your chances of being even considered are slim.
Most of the factors, though, are under your control. If your grades
won't get past Admissions, you're out of the game. If your coach says you have a bad attitude, skip practices, are a poor sportsman, it's likely the coach will move on to someone better suited. With so many players looking to play college lacrosse in each class (about 44,000) and relatively few slots, this first cut in assessment is brutal and swift.
After a coach sees you may meet his needs, and the other factors stand out, he will ensure that you are observed. This can be by video (now almost a requirement), or having a local coach scout you, or, in the final step viewing you by one of his assistants or himself. In most programs much of this phase is done by one or more of the assistant coaches. The value of a program such as Blue Chip 225 is that is makes this step of being viewed by coaches easy for them and showcases your game under ideal conditions (multiple games, top competition).
Assessment is done by the college, but even in this phase you can improve your chances by being active. Here are some examples:
- Put your best foot forward in your Questionnaire and letter to coach.
- Stress your strong points- Include grades, SAT, activities, as well as sports.
- Communicate your schedule to coaches.
- Have a GREAT video - It may be your only audition.
- Have specific reasons why you want THEIR school.
- Attend Blue Chip 225 (and other events).
RECRUITING:
This is where many people think recruiting begins but it is the final step in a long process that may be the last step in a several year journey. The coach calls you and says he's interested, invites you for a visit (under NCAA regs). It's easy to be so flattered that whichever college it is suddenly becomes the best program. You buy a school sweatshirt and shake the coach's hand. Not so quick. The steps of this process are clearly defined by NCAA regulation. What matters a great deal is what YOU do at this step. The coach's goal is to get the best team for his college. Your goal is to get the best education for the least amount of money. They are not quite the same thing.
Some suggestions for you at this phase:
- Keep your feet on the ground - Maintain perspective.
- Consider as many colleges as possible for as long as possible.
- Be prepared for Early Decision request by coach.
- Educate yourself - know what informal commitment means.
- Negotiate - Get the best support for your education possible.
- Know the terms of the scholarship offer in detail and compare.
IT'S NOT EASY - These steps don't happen in lockstep. You can be in assessment at one school, being ID'd by another and being recruited by a third. The entire process has two key points: You control your future by your play, your grades, your attitude. Being recruited to play college lacrosse is something YOU DO, not something that is done to you.
We founded Blue Chip 225 to help athletes and coaches through this process. At Blue Chip 225 all coaches are college coaches. Each coach is provided mobile app Coach Packet with you pinny number and basic data on you. They can easily identify you as you play in seven games, and all star and championship rounds. They are assessing your performance against top competition across enough games to get a good sense of your ability, attitudes, and character.
With so many coaches present every player is viewed by a large number of colleges. Our alumni report that Blue Chip 225 has facilitated recruiting for a great number. Join us for 2015 and take charge of your college goals.
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