By Alan Yost
Although it can be scary at first, if a coach gives you their phone number do not waste any time and take advantage of the coach’s invitation by initiating dialogue. This means picking up the phone and starting to call coaches!
Before calling the coach, visit the college web site to learn some facts about the college and the team. Do they offer your major? What are the graduation rates? What was the team’s record last year? How many seniors will be graduating?
Make a list of the colleges which you would like to call. Rank them in order starting with you favorite college (based upon what you know at this point) down to your least favorite. Start by calling the coach at your least favorite program. You will probably be nervous when you talk to this coach. However, by talking to a coach at your least favorite school you will gain confidence for when you call the coaches that are higher on your priority list.
Write down a list of questions that you will ask coaches. Keep a pad of paper in front of you whenever you talk to a coach, so you always remember your questions and can take notes. Make sure that you include some general, academic, and athletic questions.
When you do call your first coach start by introducing yourself and tell the coach where you are from (city, high school, club team if applicable). Thank the coach for their letter and follow up by asking a few of the questions from your list. Pick the questions that best apply to each school and start to build a relationship with the coach.
Remember if you call a Division I or II coach before July 1st or June 15th of your junior year the coach is not allowed to return your call. If you leave a message, tell the coach you are calling to follow-up on their letter, and thank them for the materials they sent you. Send an email, explaining that you left a message and will keep trying to get a hold of the coach. If it is after September 1st of your junior year, ask the coach when a good time to contact him/her is. If it is before September 1st of your junior year the coach is not allowed to respond to a personal email. If you talk to a secretary, ask when would be a good time to call back. Send the coach an email so they know you tried to reach them.
It is never too early to start calling, especially if you have been getting letters encouraging you to do so. Good luck!
