Promoting Part II

Obviously performing well at camps, combines, and in games (especially when you make the papers aware) will get you attention from colleges. Many of them subscribe to recruiting services, and they routinely look at both Rivals and Scout (despite their denials). I can personally attest to having a college coach contact me shortly after something I said on a Rivals.com message board, and then have that same coach tell me 2 weeks later that they don't pay any attention to the recruiting sites. THEY DO!

All of that being said, I still believe that you must be proactive and contact the colleges you're interested in on your own. There's a link to the right of this blog that lists all of the DI programs & several lower division schools. The link will take you directly to that school's Rivals.com site (these are not the school's official sites), and you can look on these sites to see who and what types of players these schools are offering. The link is also a great way to Google search the official sites of the schools you're interested in.

The best way to get a college's contact information is on their official website. Nine out of ten times you will need to go to the athletic department's page, and look for the staff directory. You will often find a list of the coaches, their email addresses, and phone numbers. If you cannot find individual information you can always address any film to the "Recruiting Coordinator". You should be able to find an address for the program on the school's site...if not you can call the athletic department itself and ask for the address.

Now that you have the contact information you can send out your game film. I suggest that you mail a highlight video every 3 games. If you're creating email links of your film you can also email the coaches your highlights. I would also email them about any accolades, links to newspaper stories, links to Internet stories, and any stats for a great game you may have had. Be sure to include your personal contact information with each email or land mail you send.

Don't be discouraged if you don't hear anything right away. It doesn't mean they aren't looking, and often the NCCA restricts the contact that colleges can have with recruits. If they're interested they will attempt to find out more about you by contacting you directly (when they can) or by talking with your head coach.

Always keep a copy of your best whole game film available. Highlights often peak a college's interest, but once they're interested they will ask for a whole game film. This allows them to see how you perform when you're not making a highlight. I would also coordinate with your head coach and make sure he has several copies (DVD or VHS) of your highlight video and your best game. Colleges often stop by to talk to your coach without your knowledge, and having these videos handy will make sure the colleges don't leave your school empty handed.

Don't pester the coaches with long frequent emails. Your goal is to sell yourself to them with VALID film and stats. Coaches have little time for frivolous emails and film. Eventually they will recognize you as a waste of their time and promptly delete your emails or round file your film. Keep your emails and letters to the point, and be honest with yourself...are you really what they're looking for? If so....good luck and god bless!

As always you can post a comment if you have a question or send me an email to: RecruitingInsider.Mark@gmail.com