Question: "Why hasn't my son received any phone calls from college coaches?"

Answer: Depending on his grade year and the sport he plays, there are certian dates when coaches can begin to call student athletes (most sports - July 1 after the Junior Year).  However, they can begin to contact students by mail and email (with limitations) to collect information as early as the sophomore year. However, to be contacted, the coach needs to know about the student -- so the student must be proactive in letting the coach know about their academic and athletic skill.

Question: "Well, if the coaches don't know about my son, does that mean he won't play Division 1?"

Answer:  There are NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA sports programs -- all of whom may have the sport your son plays and may be the right situation for his educational and athletic level.  DI is not the end all, be all of college sports.  Parents and students should look at the situation this way -- depending on a student's athletic ability (as determined by a knowledgeable source) there may be interest from coaches at certian levels of play. If your son has the ability (both academically and athletically) that meets a certian coach's requirements, there may be an opportunity to play at that school - no matter the NCAA divisional level. However, its just as important if that school meets the students personal, educational and athletic wants/needs.

Question:  "My daughter has received 10 letters from coaches.  We have sent back 4. Should we send back all the questionnaires?"

Answer:  Should be addressed with another question - What does your daughter want in a college?  What are her educational, personal and athletic wants/needs?"  Once you answered these questions -- you'll be able to determine which schools are of importance.  The problem is most students/parents select which schools to respond to by a simple litmus test - do I know the name of the school?  What's wrong with this?  Well, even recruiting professionals don't know every school!  What's important is to answer this simple question - does the school meet a portion of your personal, educational and athletic needs? 

Question: "What should I send to college coaches?"

Answer:  Start with a 1-2 page resume summarizing academic and athletic ability.  Supporting information can be included (recommendations, etc) or used in follow-up communications.  Most importantly - remember to follow-up all communication.  It shows interest and importance to the college coach.

Question: "Should I send my information to all coaches in a particular sport?" 

Answer:  This is an interesting and much debated question.  Here are the facts -

Fact #1 - The only person(s) who will know if you can compete athletically and academically at a particular school is a college coach.
Fact #2 - Students usually don't know what they want in a school (educational, personal, athletic needs)
Fact #3 - Students usually select schools of interest based on a name or because of the schools athletic reputation, which many times does not match the students' academic or athletic ability.
Fact #4 - College coaches are looking for the right type of student athlete -- and in most cases, need help in finding potential recruiting targets.

By marketing yourself to all schools in a particular sport, you will find the opportunites available, giving yourself the opportunity to choose what is best for you.  The more choices you have, the better.  You can target specific schools -- but in the beginning, you should start by finding what opportunities are available, match your needs, and then work the process to your benefit.

Question: "Should we participate in showcases, college camps, AAU and club teams?"

Answer: 

Showcases - Whichever showcase you attend, make sure you contact coaches prior to the event to let them know of your attendance.  Its not a bad idea to make sure the coaches know who you are prior to the event - so they know your academic and athletic basics -- and understand how you might fit their basic requirements. 

College Camps -- Choose wisely.  If you have been invited by a coach, who has seen your information and you've pre-determined their interest in you as more than just a marketing opportunity for a camp registration, then attend.  College camps do sometimes feature coaches from other schools - but don't expect any camp/showcase to satisfy your exposure need with college coaches.

AAU/Club teams --  AAU/Club teams are a great way for you to get playing time with top players in the area and an opportunity to develop your skill.  Club playing time can also assist in developing exposure -- but make sure coaches know when/where you are playing.  Coaches do attend tournaments in an effort to find potential collegiate prospects -- but you will increase your chance of notice by letting your target schools/coaches know about your playing schedule.   

Here's a case study - A student CPOA worked with paid close to $5000 in travel/other costs to play on a club softball team who traveled to exposure camps/tourneys.  Each camp featured about 200 kids.  Attended 2 trips, received no contacts from coaches.  Notified coaches prior to an event, received 5-10 letters from each of the following camps, developed communication with coaches.  

Question:  "Who can help me in this process"

Answer:  There are several sources:

Reference Guides: These outlines and books can give you the basics and tips on how to make the recruiting process work for you. But remember, you will need to follow through on the suggestions and tips, and use common sense when reading opinions.  There are alot of experts -- make sure they have the years of experience to back up their printed suggestions. 

Recruiting Services:  Once again, look for experience and results.  A website doesn't make a recruiting service.  In the last 5 years, there have been more than 100 companies who claim to assist student athletes in the recruiting process (and another 20 or so books with attached experts) most of whom offer a website page.  Look for help from a company who uses the tools (mailings, video creation) and gives you the plans,  directions and reminders on how to make the process happen. Look for a company who has more than a few years of experience -- a long term understanding of the process will help you.