Got a question??

Now that DD is in high school and going to showcases we are receiving questionaires for college concerning softball (all within ncaa legal mumbo jumbo) or the pamphlet for their college camps.

Question: Should we fill everything out and send it in and expect alot of hassle of coaches calling later and have to weed through that (just assume that even half of them calls back later ha ha) and how important is it to go to more than one college fastpitch camp. (I could pay for college if I go to them all). My thought was just wait and not send to all but I may be wrong.

Thanks for any responses.

 

You didn't mention what grade she will be entering. If she is a rising Senior then yes, you should respond to all as a courtesy. One never knows if the coach that you spurn may become her coach in the future. In the coaching circles, it is really a small world.

If she is a junior or sophomore. the schools are letting you know they are interested. You should be proud that she has gained attention. There are many parents that wish they were in your position....congratulations!

However, the recruiting process takes many twists and turns....embrace all opportunities until you make your decision.

Oh, and a couple more things. Unless your DD is a rising Senior, you will never get a phone call from any coaches. They are not allowed to speak with you at all. The camps are a way for them to be able to do so. If you are planning to do that, pick a/some schools that your DD is interested in. It's a great way to have contact during an unofficial visit.

 

not only go to camps that your dd is interested in, but camps where the coach of the schools she is interested in are working at. great way to talk to coaches without fear of repercussions
i agree with braves, respond to all via snail mail or email, you certainly dont ever want to burn a bridge with regards to coaches, and only costs your dd a little time. i recommended to my dd that each coach get a personal response, not a form letter, will help improve her letter writing skills and with a little research can impress a coach with knowledge of his/her team
best of luck

 

as mentioned above, do respond to all. But please make sure the school is the right fit or your daughter won't like it and then....... In our recruiting process a few years ago all the info came in reffering to dd as a perspective Student-Athlete not Athlete-student. Coaches will ask you why you would like to come to their school and the best answer is "this school offers the best cirriculum that fits my future plans" and I woluld like to play ball for a great program like your's. Playing college ball for 4 years were some of the best times of our lives but mainly my dd loved the school and they offered one of the better Sports Management progams. All this equals to = perfect fit. Very little homesick blues.

 

second what enkajet05 said
most important question your dd can ask herself
will i be happy at this school if i dont play ball?
mine got hurt, couldnt play, and then realized she didnt like school at all
now is transferring and her scholarship doesnt go with her, bummer
one thing about what braves said
ncaa coaches cant call unless she is a rising senior-however naia schools have no such guidelines and can call

 

Here is a great website that will help you with the recruiting process. Although this is one area that is discussed, they have many topics from questions to ask to what is a good offer. Yes, this is a college baseball timeline, but the same rules apply and the recruiting process forum was developed by college recruiters.

http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm

 

Thanks for the info. I know I am not the only one that needs it. I would only hope that fastpitch becomes as informative in the recruiting process as baseball has come. I look over on the baseball section to get my answers most of the time. My dd is a rising junior and I didn't want to have tunnel vision when it came to responding to colleges that weren't thought about. There is alot of schools out there and yes the right academic program is a huge factor I believe. Thanks again.