Reaching out important to college recruitment process

Amongst the blur of application questions and college essays, an elite number of seniors are also juggling corresponding with college coaches and visits that come along with the recruitment process.

Recruiting may seem like it does not require much effort, but don’t be fooled, the recruitment process for prospective college athletes must go through isn’t always easy.

“I didn’t realize all the work that goes into being recruited,” senior cross country athlete Olivia Martin said.  “You have to reach out a lot and talk to coaches if you’re interested.”

Senior swimmer Adib Milani also stresses the importance of being active in the process.

“The scouting process is all about getting your name out there,” Milani said.

Both Martin and  senior lacrosse player Kelly Brown kept in mind academics as well as athletics when deciding which school to commit to.

“Personally my goal is to use running to get into a better college,” Martin said. “I’m using it to my advantage in the admission process.”

Brown also weighed academics when deciding whether or not to commit to the University of Southern California for womens lacrosse.

“I knew USC was a pretty good school and I’ve heard good things about it,” Brown said, “I didn’t think I could get in there unless I played lacrosse.”

Once colleges are able to contact student athletes at the beginning of their junior year there are restrictions on the extent of their communication and where they can meet.

“After your junior year things start to open up,” senior cross country athlete Mackenzie Haight said. “Coaches can call you on your cell phone or your home phone once a week and you are allowed to interact with coaches off campus.”

In fact, it was an unofficial visit to USC after junior year that prompted senior Kelly Brown to pursue lacrosse at a collegiate level.

“I wasn’t going to play unless I was playing there,” Brown said.

These visits give a more accurate appearance of the school, but also the coaches.

“The best way to connect with a coach and see if you are compatible with them is to visit and meet with them face to face,” Milani said.