"We Will Be Following You"

Absolutely follow up with an email and thank you.  Then do it again....and again....and again, until 1) they tell you to stop or 2) see #1    Sounds crazy, but in some cases, you just need to keep it up...maybe something comes of it, maybe not, but if it's a school that he's interested in, why not?   Update them with any new info...new velocity number, HS schedule, summer schedule, etc.    My son emailed some coaches 2 dozen times and never got so much as a thank you.   Was it worth it....who knows....maybe they were reading it...maybe they saw him at showcases and he didn't fit what they were looking for, but it only takes a minute to send one, so why not? 

WestCoastPapa posted:

Hello HSBBW Friends,

Perhaps I have become jaded by the recruiting process. How many of you have had a college coach tell your son "we will be following you." In my son's situation, it has happened  a number of times, especially after a strong performance at a game or showcase where scouts are present. I'm learning that it usually means "you look good, we'll see you when we see you."

That said, I you still follow up with an e-mail, thank the coach for taking a moment to talk to you and follow up with video. But do not expect much more?

WCP

Your take is 100% correct.  Its like a judge telling a beauty contestant that she is attractive.  It sounds nice but doesn't really mean anything.

Yup, standard common courtesy.  What else can they say, really, unless they know the kid is not a fit and feel, for some reason, they have to tell him that?  It's the equivalent of "good to see ya, have a nice day".

Now, if it is followed by things like "when do you play next?",  "send us your schedule and your coach' phone #", then it starts to equal "hey, I'm having a BBQ next Friday, can you and your wife make it?".  Actual specific actionable items.

We’re not completely disinterested. But you're not on our A list. 

WestCoastPapa posted:

Hello HSBBW Friends,

Perhaps I have become jaded by the recruiting process. How many of you have had a college coach tell your son "we will be following you." In my son's situation, it has happened  a number of times, especially after a strong performance at a game or showcase where scouts are present. I'm learning that it usually means "you look good, we'll see you when we see you."

That said, I you still follow up with an e-mail, thank the coach for taking a moment to talk to you and follow up with video. But do not expect much more?

WCP

WCP

"We will be following you" is a blessing and a curse.   My son and I learned a long time ago that words alone rarely mean anything in the recruiting world.  If something they say is not actionable, it is meaningless.   Initially, it drove my son crazy when coaches said they would follow up with a phone call or email and they didn't.  He learned very quickly that unless you have something they want will there be any follow up.   It is a tough lesson to learn for these young recruited athletes, but it was a great life lesson as they interview for summer internships or get their first job out of college.    

I agree with Buckeye2015 that it is your son's responsibility to continue the communication flow although sometimes it may seem one way.  Updating coaches with his academic or athletic progress is his license to keep that communication going.  You've got to keep up that high level of communication until he signs that NLI or gets that Admission Letter.

Recruited = Passion + Skill + Persistence + Exposure + Luck

As always, JMO.   Good luck!

It's like when a coach tells dad and junior that "He will have an opportunity to make a  significant contribution as a freshman". Coach means "Good luck kid, we'll see what ya got".   Dad and son hear "All Conference team here I come". Means absolutely zip.  

If it's a school your son really wants to go to, he should keep them updated.  We heard this from my son's very top choice at the first camp he went to last summer.  He updated them all the rest of the summer and fall and attended the fall camp.  At the camp, the coach told him he was a great communicator.  They asked him to stay and tour and he has been talking to them regularly since then.  Did his communication help, no idea yet, but it didn't hurt.