E-Mailing Coaches

I've never seen you play and my only advice is in 3 parts.

Don't toot your horn unless your engine is at it's peak and ready to show off. You're still young so if you don't have the "tools" to show off, you may be turning coaches away before they get to see talented side of you down the road.

When you look in the mirror be sure to remove those rose colored glasses.

Don't forget that if you play with players that do have the tools, those schools following them will get a chance to see you. Sometimes there's nothing better than to be the "unexpected surprise package".

Provide any links to your local newspaper articles highlighting your achievements from the upcoming high school season.

I'd recommend at least starting and being all-conference in high school before promoting myself to D1's. There are plenty of all-conference players who don't get a shot to play D1. I realize more players are discovered from travel, but if a player hasn't made a name for himself on his high school team yet, what is he promoting? If not he better have tremendous raw tools.

I am sorry but the coaches don't care if you are in the local paper (and you should not start to believe your press clippings), and you do not have to be an all conference player because some conferences just like some varsity teams/players are not very good or on the other hand, some very good players may be behind other more talented players who did make all conference and varsity teams.

Just introduce yourself to the coach, let them know about your interest in playing for them and what you can bring to their team, and let them know what teams you play for in high school and travel ball and what events you have been to and will be at in the summer and fall.

Let them determine if they want to put you in their pipeline.

The Recruiting Tab has some sample letters and Bio's.

Good Luck, enjoy the ride!

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
I'd recommend at least starting and being all-conference in high school before promoting myself to D1's. There are plenty of all-conference players who don't get a shot to play D1. I realize more players are discovered from travel, but if a player hasn't made a name for himself on his high school team yet, what is he promoting? If not he better have tremendous raw tools.

Your comments are so far away from reality, I hesitate to tell you how far in fear that I would sound crass. I will just say, there are a multitude of factors that could hinder/prevent a kid from getting those accolades/reaching those heights, in high school, that it's not even funny.

We like to use the term "Contributing Varsity Player" as the start off point for showcases and contacting college coaches

Make sure to include GPA and ACT scores, if available. High School and Travel Coach contact information should also be included along with any scouts that have seen you play.

quote:

Originally posted by switchitter:
Your comments are so far away from reality, I hesitate to tell you how far in fear that I would sound crass. I will just say, there are a multitude of factors that could hinder/prevent a kid from getting those accolades/reaching those heights, in high school, that it's not even funny.

I don't see what's wrong with what RJM put. We don't know how good this kid is or if he is delusional or if he has a chance. RJM made a point that if you want to play DI then you better be one of the best on your team. I read as he is giving this kid a road map as to how to achieve a goal rather than say "this is gospel".

There are some who played DI but didn't start on HS team or what have you but I would be willing to bet that 90some % of DI players started on their HS teams.

There are all manner of factors with hs ball so as to make any blanket statement 'far from reality'. Being a star on a weak team or in a weak conference, for example, can lead a player to believe they have more of a chance to advance than the universe of hs players would suggest.

There are politics and the like; but realistically, if a player is good enough to have a shot at a D1....they'll be starting wherever they are.

Different tack:

At all times, remember that you are a teenager, but you are writing to adults. In addition, these adults are, in this context, authority figures.

With that in mind, the manner in which you probably communicate with your friends is NOT APPROPRIATE TO THIS SITUATION, and if you think it's all cool and it doesn't make a difference, I can assure you from personal experience that you are wrong, wrong, wrong.

Here are some basics:

1. Do not send out any e-mails unless your parents have reviewed them with you first. Your parents are your most readily available resource for determining whether you are "crossing a line" in your tone or approach. Remember that your parents operate in the world where these coaches operate (that being the adult world), so they know more about this than you do.

2. So, listen to your parents and follow their advice.

3. No, it doesn't matter to me whether you think their advice is stupid.

4. Write in complete sentences and spell words fully and correctly. Turn on spell/grammar check. You want these guys to think of you as a prospective successful student, not just some dumb jock.

5. Shorthand like "LOL" or such is not to be used.

6. Never argue.

7. Take pains to come across like a young man with his head on straight, respectful of his superiors (i.e., coaches) and the kind of kid they'd like to have on their team.

8. Never say anything that could remotely be construed as negative about any other school, coach, player, etc.

9. Even if you get a sloppy or friendly sounding e-mail from a coach, do not respond in kind. Just because they allow themselves this freedom does not mean they will appreciate your taking the same liberties. And even if the author does, your reply might get forwarded, e.g., from an assistant to the head, whose attitude might well be quite different.

10. When your draft note is ready, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 before you click "send".

I always inserted a nice action pic so the coach had an idea of who was at the other end of the email. Also I would stress that my sonhad picked his program to enquire about and would include nice things I heard about the college from other players.
Keep it short and to the point. This email is to start dialog and not sum up everything about you. You are trying to get the coach interested to get him to respond.
The pic should be inserted and not attached so it is the 1st thing he sees.

Midlo that is one of the best posts I have ever read on this topic. Simply outstanding advice.

My son and I sent out some e-mails last night.

There has been some great advice in this thread.

Our approach with a first contact is to state an interest in the school backed by some reasons for the interest. Ask for information like who is the recruiting coordinator, can I get a questionairre, and how can I get noticed by your school (video, specific showcase, camps). The last part we include is graduation year, positions, RH/LH, but no stats. The whole letter is a half page, an easy read and with a clear point, no frills, no bragging.

We started with these first contacts at the beginning of his Junior year, after he had a history of varsity baseball, and a showcase/camp. Any sooner, and the coach has nothing to go on except for a kid promoting himself.

This holiday break, we sent out a few more first contacts, but also sent updates to the couple of schools that he is the most interested in. These updates are also short, and he updates his academics, his fall accomplishments and sends a copy of his spring baseball schedule.

The key is keeping the letters short and on point. If they want more they will ask for it.

I too concur in the post of Midlo Dad.

Just showing an interest is about the most you can accomplish in an initial e-mail contact. If you are planning to visit the school, that is something you can raise. You can use an initial e-mail to ask if they will accept or want any particular type of info.

It is OK to ask questions.
Try to be polite and respectful in all communications.

Good luck.

Great post Midlo and advice that needs to be followed.

Midlo, dude, good stuff braugh! #3 had me ROFL!

Peece out

quote:

Originally posted by switchitter:

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
I'd recommend at least starting and being all-conference in high school before promoting myself to D1's. There are plenty of all-conference players who don't get a shot to play D1. I realize more players are discovered from travel, but if a player hasn't made a name for himself on his high school team yet, what is he promoting? If not he better have tremendous raw tools.

Your comments are so far away from reality, I hesitate to tell you how far in fear that I would sound crass. I will just say, there are a multitude of factors that could hinder/prevent a kid from getting those accolades/reaching those heights, in high school, that it's not even funny.

It was a short post with a generalization. I didn't want to pick the kid apart. I hope you understand the point. The point is a coach isn't interested in someone who hasn't achieved success at a reasonable level of ball whether he makes all-conference or not. With the kid's lack of experience I figured he could relate to "all-conference" without having to detail exactly what it takes.

A D1 coach isn't interested in a JV and summer rec player who hasn't accomplished anything significant at a reasonable level of play. You have nothing to sell yet.

My son is a soph this year. He's done quite well in baseball so far. Without detailing his accomplishments I'll include he's a projected starter as a soph in a large classification high school. He's been invited to play on a 16U feeder team to a prominent 18U showcase team (not the one we discussed TR). None of it means squat in terms of playing college ball. It only means there's potential to become a quality high school and 18U player. Are there some tools? Yes. But let's see those tools in use at the next level before advertising to a college program.

He hasn't sent anything out yet. I figure it would be better to succeed in high school and come back from Jupiter feeling he can hold his own against the best in his age group, not to mention another year of quality academic grades, before contacting any college programs. Waiting until summer after soph year is hardly falling behind the pace.

quote:

I am sorry but the coaches don't care if you are in the local paper (and you should not start to believe your press clippings)

I disagree. If you have a game that is considered print worthy by your local newspaper, (an unbiased and objective source). Heck yeah!, forward the article \ link. You didn’t write the article the newspaper did.

If the coach isn’t interested he’ll delete it. If he is interested, it is a great way to promote dialogue with a prospective coach. I did it for my son and received many positive responses including the D1 school he now attends on a baseball scholarship.

Most colleges do not want newspaper clippings and some say that to that effect. Most recruiting guidelines even tell you not to send clippings.

I am sorry you misunderstood me. I did not send clippings we sent active links via-email to our local newspaper website. Perhaps we were the exception. However, all schools on our list responded positively.

That is great that you have been successful with your paper articles, but there is a big difference between a local paper that serves one or two schools vs one which serves several dozen, but even with that, it really does not prove collegiate ability not knowing how strong the competition is.

Now if you are competing against a very well know player who is going to get recruited by a big time school or the pros and you do very well against them then it may have some validity.

Marlins,
You have been given some good advice here. Don't worry about the negative stuff.
I commend you for taking the initiative on your own to begin the process. I can assure you that many other players have sent emails and letters to college coaches earlier then necessary, funny thing is, I'll bet most were sent out by mom or dad.

I think that you will be just fine, sometimes ones own desire, initiative and fortitude makes them winners regarldess of the talent they may or may not have. Just work hard on the field and in class, get exposure and all will work out for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
That is great that you have been successful with your paper articles, but there is a big difference between a local paper that serves one or two schools vs one which serves several dozen, but even with that, it really does not prove collegiate ability not knowing how strong the competition is.

I agree 100% and I can’t imagine any successful college creating a prospect list from reading the newspaper. However, my intent was to use the article as an ice breaker early in the spring of his junior year. A positive response to our e-mail served two purposes. First, it provided us with the knowledge that the coach was at least initially interested in my son. Secondly, in most cases it opened a line of communication with several coaches and helped us to decide where to concentrate our marketing effort.

I sent out e-mails to a few more. With the same gist.

The only thing is, I'm not sure if my e-mails sound like I'm only interested in the camp.
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Also, can someone give an example of their successful first contact letters/e-mails? If you remember/still have what you said that would be amazing, so I can get another idea.


Thanks.

Here is an example:

January 12, 2009

Coach John Smith
State University Athletics
Alumni Gymnasium
Springfield, IL 00000-0000

Dear Coach Smith,

My name is _____________. I am a Sophomore attending Regional High School in Any Town, Florida, class of 2011. I have started my college search and State University is one of my top considerations.

Playing baseball at a prestigious institution such as State is a goal of mine. I have enclosed an athletic profile outlining my personal, academic and athletic accomplishments. I understand that NCAA regulations do not allow you to contact a prospective student-athlete by phone until July 1st following their junior year. However, I would like to get an earlier start on the recruitment process.

I have completed the online prospective student-athlete questionnaire and I hope you have had a chance to review it. I am eager to learn more about your program as the recruitment process continues.

Thank you for your time in reviewing my athletic profile for the Golden Retrievers baseball program.

Sincerely,