Need Tips for First Meeting

I just met the coach of my first college choice and I am signing with them this thursday. So I guess these things could help him be successful... They helped me. Read up on there program. Be respectful. Let him know he is excited. Ask to meet again.

Recommend,(IMHO, from my experience)...

Tell your son...
1. Eye contact and a good firm handshake.
2. Speak up...don't mumble.
3. Don't fret the direction of the conversation. The coach will probably take the lead, and it's not likely that anything of any real consequence will be discussed anyway.
4. Tell your son to simply relax and be personable.

And Dad...other than "Great to meet you coach so-and-so and whatever cordial wrap-up seems appropriate, allow your son to field the conversation.

...and welcome to the HSBBW. ...hope you'll be posting here more as the process unfolds.

And have him shave! (Just a personal pet peeve of mine!)

Nice list Florida Hokie!

Another thought for DAD/MOM---stay away unless the coach asks your son to meet you

Thanks for the welcome! And thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like it would be helpful to do some role-playing before we attend the game. I didn't know I should stay away from the dugout during their initial meeting. Could I could tell my son beforehand to ask if he could introduce the coach to his parents? Also, if I do get a chance to talk with the coach, would it be appropriate to ask him for the names of Texas area showcases he attends that my son should participate in (apart from his own program's showcase)? Or should my son ask him that? (I hope he remembers the answers!) By the way, my son already is signed up to play with a top Select team this summer and we plan to mail the recruiting coordinator (as well as other area D1, D2, and JUCO coaches) a copy of the team's tournament schedule when a tournament will be in his area. Thanks for all your insight. I can already tell that this forum is going to be invaluable for us in the next couple of years.

Let the first meeting be your sons "show"--if the coaches want to talk with you they will see to it that they do.

Let us know how the meeting went. Very exciting isnt it. i remember my first meeting.

quote:

Another thought for DAD/MOM---stay away unless the coach asks your son to meet you

Don't be ridiculous. As a parent you are also part of the process. As the primary advisor to your 15/16 yr old son there is no reason why you should not accompany him when meeting the coach. College coaches are just people, not unapproachable ivory towers of intimidation.

ps. I second advice from FLHokie & lafmom

Well, I'm confused now. Thoughts from others?

Just be yourself. make good eye contact. let him know you are excited about them and there program. I am 18 yrs old and the first thing the coach wanted to do was mee tmy parents. because when you are talking about your future I think that your parents have helped you get to where you are so they are going to help you get there too. Just be natural. my future college coach was surprised that I wasn't nervous. Our first meeting I had to prctice with the college. So just dont be nervous because I think they pick up on those things. GOOD LUCK

Infield08,
Very good question and you will get different answers.
I think as a parent we need to explain to our sons how to make a good first impression and the importance of such. But I think you need to talk about it BEFORE you leave town and make suggestions regarding personal appearance and how to meet people and then let it drop and allow him to be himself. I suggest a collared shirt, clean shaven, and any extra body decorations be removed or hidden. On the subject of parents vs. no parents --- let’s look at both sides. First this is NOT about the parents. It is about the player and the coach and the program. For the most part parents are NOT needed to accomplish what needs to be accomplished at a pre-game dugout meeting. However like most parents I accompanied my son on his official and unofficial visits but at the same time I also respected my son, the coach and the situation and kept my distance. Like you, I wanted to meet the coaches and look at the programs but that was completely different from him selling himself to the coach. Remember while most try to do it, it virtually impossible for a parent to “sell” their son to a coach. I did make myself available from a distance and my son usually took the lead and introduced his mother and me. (I didn’t ask him to). My son never had an actual “pre-game dugout” meeting as you describer, but if he had, I believe I would stay in the stands. You’re probably not talking about much time here. At this stage of the recruitment, allow your son to make an impression with the coach and don’t dilute that impression with lots of questions and hand shakings. If the coach likes your son and things develop down the road, there will be plenty of opportunities to set down with the coaches and discuss “your” concerns. At this point I wouldn’t ask what showcases he would be attending. I understand the purpose of the question but you need to focus on helping your son plan his summer around himself and not around a college coach. The goal should be to create as many other options as possible and not focus on ONE option ------ one that may or may not materialize.
If you think your presence at this meeting will help your son make a first impression then you need to go for it. It’s not going to be the end of the world one way or the other.

Just my thoughts,
Fungo

My son verbally committed the spring of his junior year, by e-mail of course. Prior to this he attended their winter camp on his own so he was around players and coaches alone. Then over the summer he was at a tournament where the college coach was on July 1st and the coaches called him to baseball office, alone. Later into the tournament the coaches located us and introduced themselves. This is my sons future. We are supportive of what he decides to do. I feel that if we would have been in attendance during any of these meetings it wouldn't have been the same for him as he is pretty quite and probably would have expected us to carry on the conversation. We did go to his official visit with him because he requested that we do so.

No reason why you cant meet the coach.

But, step back and let your son lead. If you are right there some kids tend to defer to dad in adult situations.

I went with my son when he met a coach in his office. I introduced myself and then went and sat down in the waiting room. Coach asked if I wanted to join the meeting and I said I was fine where I was.

It was the first time I had actually seen my son in an adult situation and I came away impressed with how he handled it. He came out of the meeting with an official visit.

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. At the game I'll stand back and be available if asked for, but I'll rely on my son to do the "selling." I had originally asked him to wear his select team shirt (he's on a well-known team), but I guess I'll change the recommendation to a collared shirt. I'm very appreciative of y'all taking the time to help a "newbie" with this stuff. Hopefully one day I'll be able to share my son's successes with others new to recruiting!

Infield - Definately have him go with the collared shirt. If they're following your son, they know what teams he's on. Plus, you'll send them a follow up after meeting with select team's summer schedule!

Here is a suggestion from my son who has recently met many coaches: wear a tight shirt so that you look bigger!!!

Here is a suggestion from me: Follow up the meeting with an email thanking the coach for their time and expressing interest in the program.

Infield08,
Great advice. Just explain to your son that it's like a job interview, no matter how brief. So look sharp, give a firm handshake, make eye contact, smile ... and relax! Nothing a 17-18 yr old can't handle, right! Good Luck and enjoy the game. ..... and as Marina posted, make sure to follow-up with a "nice to meet you" note and a summer schedule.

Great advice. Will post afterwards to let you know how it went!

Be careful here.

I may be wrong, but if he's a sophomore I'm not sure he can have an off-campus conversation with any school.

Thanks to all for your terrific suggestions and input. We took them all to heart -- son wore his collared shirt and took the initiative and his parents stayed WAY in the background. The interaction was short but sweet and opened a door of opportunity to being looked at this summer. Now it's up to HIM to play in a way that knocks some coach's socks off!