College Recruiting notes:

Compiled from:

Mitch Salowsky – Asst. Coach/recruiting for Georgetown Univ.

            Ann Kordes – Head Coach St. Louis Univ.

            Don Hardin – Head Coach Univ. of Illinois

(These things apply to kids who will make some or all of their college decision based on volleyball.  If players know they’re going to college and may just play if the opportunity presents itself, that’s a different situation.  Also remember that there are MANY different levels of college ball and what applies to NCAA Div. I may not apply to NAIA or junior college ball.)

Be aware that the process to play Div. I starts in a player’s freshmen year.  Senior year is too late.  This is not necessarily true if you are looking at a different level of college ball.

First and foremost, without question, playing club ball is the top priority for potential Div. I athletes.  Freshmen and sophomore year are critical.  Most schools will be looking hard at juniors to make final decisions.  An elite club (or at least elite tournaments) is best.  Coaches can not get to enough high school matches to discover someone.  If they appear at a high school match, they already know who they’re interested in.  Rather, they go to big juniors tournaments and recruiting events.

Players/parents can contact coaches anytime and coaches welcome these calls.  It is best if the player calls, not the parent, but either is ok.  This contact should begin in a players’ freshman year with any schools of interest.  Ask for the schools’ athletic questionnaire, ask what positions they’ll be recruiting for the appropriate year, and give them all your contact info (including parents & coaches).  Unofficial visits can also be taken anytime, and these should also happen in freshmen and sophomore years. 

At the NCAA level, coaches CAN NOT contact players until July 1^st after their junior year, so don’t expect a call back prior to that date.  College coaches CAN call coaches, uncles, family friends, etc.

Players should prepare a profile to give to college coaches. 

Include:

ALL contact info for player, parents, coaches

Academic info: ACT, class rank, GPA

Areas of academic interest

Physical: standing reach, approach jump, playing position, etc.

                        Video: 10-15 minutes showing all 6 skills & some match-play

To play at an NCAA school, must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse in junior year.

Should attend individual camps at the school she is interested in.  Coaches like players with “fire,” want “good kids,” and want leaders, and these camps give them a chance to see those things. Ask the coach for an honest evaluation after the camp, so you can move on if it’s not a fit. 

Don’t give up on the option of “walking on” for the first year.