The Calm Before The Storm: 2023s
We are hours away from the official contact period for college programs and the Class of 2023. It has been a rocky year and a half for the 2022s and 2023s with a pandemic that forced cancellations and dead periods.…
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Continue ReadingWe are hours away from the official contact period for college programs and the Class of 2023. It has been a rocky year and a half for the 2022s and 2023s with a pandemic that forced cancellations and dead periods. As 12:01 hits, I wanted to write a post to encourage and try to ease the anxiety some of you may either be currently experiencing or will in the future. It’s been many years since my daughter went through the early recruitment stages and it was back when you can reach out to athletes in the 8th grade. The times have changed since then and many are sitting on pins and needles in anticipation of midnight text or Tuesday zoom/phone calls. I’m not an expert but even with my experience with a daughter recruited before she even entered high school, these tips I think are valuable for you young ladies.
A. If your phone doesn’t ring or your inbox is empty, it’s ok.
Due to the June 15th recruitment date, almost all volleyball players with aspirations of playing at the next level are eager to see if they will get a message from a college coach. If you don’t get a call on the first day, first week, first month, or etc that doesn’t mean you can’t play at the next level. As a former college coach in another sport, I’m aware coaches have a prospect list that they work through which can be short or long. Don’t be discouraged and don’t give up! Keep working on your game, keeping emailing and sending highlights to coaches. Your time will come.
B. If your phone rings often in the first few days, don’t be pressured in making a decision due to what others are doing.
Everyone needs to make their decision when they are ready and when they feel comfortable. Please don’t rush to commit because others around you are doing it. Don’t be fearful that if you don’t commit right away there isn’t a spot for you anywhere. This is an important decision that takes a lot of thought. Now that campuses have opened back up, be sure to visit the campus, meet the players, and ask yourself if something happened where I couldn’t play volleyball can I still see myself on this campus? Take your time and understand recruitment doesn’t need to be a sprint, it can be a marathon.
C. If the schools you were hoping to get calls from don’t call, take a hard look at what level you can contribute at?
Many players have dreams of playing at big-name schools. Often they see these teams on television and fall in love with these programs and hope those schools will call them in the near future. If those large power 5 schools don’t call, it may be time to revaluate the level you should be considering for the next level. And that is ok. There are many roster spots and scholarships available to players at mid-majors, smaller Division 1’s, Division 2’s, NAIA, NJCAA, and opportunities to play and get an education at Division 3 schools. Please don’t have a D1 or bust mentality. There is good volleyball being played at all levels. 3.9% of high schools get the chance to play at the NCAA level between the three divisions, with 1.2% being Division 1. Close to 6% total among all divisions. Regardless of the division, the opportunity to play beyond high school and even earn scholarship dollars is something to be proud of.
D. Take advantage of camp opportunities that match your talent level
I know everyone wants to attend the large university camps with the hope of being seen and recruited by the program. Similar to point C, it may be more valuable to spend those resources to attend camps at schools where you have a legitimate opportunity to earn a scholarship. I’m not saying don’t attend those big camps, but understand you could be a small fish in a large pond where you may be the bright spot at a smaller camp.
E. Relax
If your phone rings tomorrow, just relax. Yes, this experience is new to you but understand, the coaches are aware of this fact. Most coaches realize they are having initial conversations with 15 and 16-year-olds, so try to relax as much as you can. It’s the start of building a relationship and things will feel more “normal” after a few conversations. Do some dry runs with your parents and just be yourself! This also goes to tournaments and practices in the next few weeks leading up to Nationals. As coaches are making rounds at your practices and lining up at courts in Las Vegas, relax and play your game. Don’t put added pressure on your performance that practice or that match, one match or practice is just a small glimpse of your ability.
F. Handle it at your pace.
Some of you will get offers sooner than others. Some of you may not be offered until after you graduate high school. It is fine, handle your recruitment at your pace. The fear often is when teammates or competitors are getting offers and going to visit schools, you are behind in your recruitment. It will look different for every single one of you. There will be many social media posts in the coming days. It will be easy to be discouraged or debate if you are good enough. You are good enough. Just remember, the school that is for you will be there when it’s your time.
G. Enjoy the process
It can be stressful but take a moment to enjoy the whole process. It may get overwhelming for some of you. It’s ok to take a break and schedule out calls hours or days apart. Don’t let it stress you out. This should be an experience you will remember for a long time. As a potential college athlete, you are only recruited once (unless you enter the transfer portal) so make it memorable and something you can tell stories about as an adult. As a former Division I college athlete, over twenty years later I still remember and talk often about my recruitment experience. My daughter and I years later still discuss some of the fun conversations she had with coaches and amazing colleges we were able to visit. Whether it’s Power 5, NJCAA, or NAIA…just enjoy it and take it all in! You worked hard for it and deserve it.
Happy June 15th!