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At what point are D3 coaches typically winding down their recruitment for 2011 class? A few of my teammates from showcase and high school teams have committed to D1 programs and I'm wondering the typical commitment point for D3 players. With my velocity (I'm a 6'4" 195 RHP who sits at 80-81) I realize D3 is my opportunity but I'm having a hard time gauging interest from the showcases. I plan to attend the college prospect camps for the schools I'm interested in but not all have camps. Schools I'm most interested in include W&L, F&M, Dickinson and Scranton.
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I'm not too sure what all of the NCAA rules are but they recruit all year round. The big thing would be to make sure you got your application in before the deadline. Colleges in the northeast normally start their practices in mid Jan so they are much busier once that starts. But what a lot of coaches will do is send out one of the assistance to watch you play.

Have you looked at NJAC schools by any chance? Kean, TCNJ, Rowan, Montclair, William Paterson? These are historically some of the top teams in the country every year and pretty much the best D3 conference out there. They have pretty good coaching throughout and would think they should be able to get more than 80-81 out of someone with your frame.
MDon keep in mind that W&L is just a matter of being accepted there first. My son`s decision came down to W&L and a small LAC in NY and not until after he was accepted to W&L did coach Stickley start to turn up the heat.Also U. of Scranton was on my son`s short list and that was a school that left a very good impression on me (a hidden gem) so hang in there you are going to be alright it just takes a little longer at the schools you are interested in.
MDon:

Those are great schools you are interested in attending. My son is also a 2011, who has pretty much always targeted D3 for a variety of reasons. I can offer you some info based on his experiences thus far. Ken is right - it boils down to acceptance to the school. The coach will decide he likes you, then he's got to make sure you meet admission requirements. Then, he's going to work harder to get you interested in applying, then, when you are accepted (unless you decide to apply early decision) I'll assume he needs to work harder to get you to select their school, send in your deposit, and attend. Unless you apply binding early decision, it will be a long "courtship" as has been described to us.

You asked about how to gauge interest - Here are some things that my son has noticed from the D3 coaches who have the strongest interest, who in turn are the top choices for my son - its a two way street:

1) they were the coaches who have seen him play in person, in game situations, usually at a showcase. (video is a great tool to get their attention, but it seems "in-person" is what really kicks it into gear.
2) they are the coaches proactively seeking him out, checking in with him on his cell phone (kind of an obvious one)
3) they have actively requested unofficial transcripts, current class schedules, test scores, etc and vetted that data with admissions.
4) they have proactively worked the hardest to get my son out for overnight campus visits, and have arranged the meetings/interviews with admissions, etc.

Once they liked my son as a player and person, it all seems to then focus on admissions and getting him to experience the school culture and atmosphere.

Once again - best of luck to you.
Last edited by like2rake
The courtship period will get stronger and stronger once the admissions period is over (normally April 1) and they are waiting for you to decide which school you are going to attend (normally by May 1).

Most coaches will keep the courtship going after you have sent in your deposit - just to make sure you actually show up. With D3 not having an NLI, there is nothing, other than losing the deposit, that keeps a player from changing his mind and going elsewhere. D3's regularly lose players to D2 and D1 schools who have gaps appear in their recruiting class due to the draft. I know of at least 3 players who changed their minds in August.

D3 coaches know that they can't count on anything until the player shows up on campus and attends that first class.

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