By Alan Yost
If you are an underclassman you may get a lot of letters from coaches or universities. The stack of letters may start to stack up and you will start to feel that you have all the time and interest in the world.
An important step when receiving the letters or phone calls is to maintain contact with every college coach that sends you information. Although it may seem unnecessary, keep in mind your opinions may change throughout your high school career. The more coaches in your recruiting pool, the more leverage you create when it comes to scholarship dollars and much more.
Of course when you receive letters and phone calls, research the colleges and universities so you can make educated decisions. Make sure you research the academic, athletic and social aspects that each institution has to offer. After you have researched all the colleges that have contacted you, compose a list and rank them from favorite to least favorite. Start by contacting the schools of least interest to you. Communicating with coaches at schools you are not excited about first will prepare you for interactions with your top choices.
Remember that a student athlete is allowed unlimited unofficial visits and it is important to take advantage of this early, including on your winter breaks and various holidays. Visiting campus is a great way to learn about a college. Typically an unofficial visit is composed of a tour of campus and a meeting with the wrestling coach and possibly the team. This is a great way to see the campus but also ask all the questions you have.
If you are an upperclassman and are 100 percent positive you are not going to attend a particular college, you still need to respond to coaches who reach out to you. College coaches are communicating constantly with each other about potential recruits. The last thing you need is a coach giving you a bad recommendation because you have not stayed in contact or have avoided them. If you are comfortable with your options and wish to cease contact with a coach, you can send a “thank you but no thank you” note. Thank the coach for their interest but politely explain that you are choosing a different path. State that you will be in touch if anything changes.
Contact a NCSA Recruiting Coach to learn more detailed communication tips.
