What questions should you be asking as a family during the recruiting process?

During the athletics recruiting process, it’s essential for families to engage in thoughtful and strategic discussions to ensure everyone is aligned and prepared for what lies ahead. One of the first things to consider is the family’s overall goals for the recruiting process. What is the primary focus, academic fit, opportunity to compete, or a balance of both? It’s also important to determine whether the athlete is targeting Division I, II, III, NAIA schools or Juco’s, as each level offers different experiences and opportunities. The financial situation is another crucial factor, so it’s necessary to ask how much the family can afford for tuition, housing, and other expenses. Understanding whether the family should focus on colleges offering athletic scholarships or financial aid will also shape the search for the right fit.

Additionally, families should discuss what level of competition is the best fit for the athlete. Is the athlete prepared to compete at a top-tier school, or would a smaller program be a better match for their growth and long-term goals? It’s helpful to understand the hours of practice, film study and performance training per week at different levels (D1, D2, NAIA, D3) and how it aligns with the athlete’s needs and ambitions. Academic priorities and career aspirations should also be considered, how important is it for the athlete to attend a school with a specific academic program or major, and how well can they balance the demands of athletics with academics?

As families consider the overall college experience, they should reflect on the type of campus culture the athlete wants. Does the athlete envision attending a large school with a high-profile athletic program, or a smaller, more personalized environment? Understanding the team culture is also important, whether the team is close-knit or highly competitive can make a big difference in the athlete’s experience. Equally important is evaluating how much support the family is willing to provide. Are they ready for the time commitment required from both the athlete and the family, and how involved do they want to be in the recruiting process? Would they prefer to use an Advisor (PrepSearch), Independent Educational Consultant, recruiting service or handle the process independently?

The family should also ask about the coach’s expectations. What is the coach’s style, and how does the coach communicate with recruits? Understanding the coach’s expectations and the role the athlete will play on the team over the next few years is key to making an informed decision. Another important consideration is the school’s success record in the athlete’s sport. How successful is the program, and what is its track record for developing athletes who may go on to compete at professional levels? Families should also ask about the next steps in the process. What does the timeline look like for making decisions, signing, and finalizing a commitment, and what actions need to be taken next (such as attending camps, official visits, or communicating with coaches).

Finally, managing the stress of the recruiting process is something families should discuss. How can they maintain open communication to avoid unnecessary stress, and how will they balance the recruiting process with other commitments, such as schoolwork and family time? By asking these thoughtful questions, families can ensure they’re on the same page, helping the athlete make the best decision for their future while navigating the recruiting process smoothly.

We have talked a bit about preparing for the overall recruiting process. Now let’s focus on discussions with coaches during the process and making sure we are prepared to ask thoughtful questions that show we are serious as a prospect/recruit and family.

When navigating the athletics recruiting process, it’s crucial to engage in thoughtful conversations with the coach to gain a clear understanding of the program and how it aligns with the athlete’s goals. One of the first things to discuss is the coach’s overall philosophy and team culture. It’s important to ask the coach to describe the environment of the team. Here you need to get a good feel for whether it’s highly competitive, development-focused, or more community-oriented, and what kind of athlete they look for in terms of both talent and personality. In addition, understanding the coach’s approach to managing athlete relationships within the team and balancing academics, athletics, and social life is key to ensuring a good fit.

Next, inquire about the specific expectations for incoming recruits, including ability to compete right away, contributions, and development. It’s vital to know whether the coach expects recruits to contribute immediately or develop over time. Ask about the typical practice schedule during both the season and the offseason to understand the time commitment and whether there’s adequate balance with academics.

It’s also important to understand the recruitment process itself, including the next steps and how the coach evaluates prospects. Understanding what the coach looks for beyond athletic ability and factors in character, leadership, and work ethic will give a more holistic view of the recruiting process.

Support is another critical area to discuss. It’s essential to know what academic support is available to athletes, such as tutoring or academic advisors specifically for them, and how the coach and staff provide assistance during difficult times, whether in academics, injuries, or mental health. Understanding the level of medical support available, such as the presence of full-time athletic trainers or a team doctor, is also important for peace of mind for the family.

Furthermore, ask the coach to provide insights into the team’s track record and long-term vision for the program. What have been the recent successes or challenges, and how is the program progressing? What is the coach’s strategy for improving and developing the team, and what are the team’s expectations for the future? It’s also worth discussing the level of competition within the league or conference, as well as how the program is positioned to compete for the post season.

Scholarship opportunities should be clarified to ensure a full understanding of what financial aid is available. Ask about the number of athletic scholarships, roster size, the renewal process, and whether there are additional financial aid options such as stacking of awards and need based aid if applicable. Additionally, it’s important to gain an understanding of the school’s athletic facilities, including any recent or upcoming upgrades and whether athletes have priority access to certain spaces like weight rooms and training facilities.

When it comes to the recruitment timeline and decision-making process, it’s important to understand the coach’s timeline for making final decisions on recruits, and whether there are official visits or tryouts required before committing. Understanding how the coach evaluates athletes who may not be as highly ranked or well-known will also help assess whether there’s room for overlooked talent to thrive in their program.

Finally, asking about post-college success is essential. Inquire about the career trajectory for athletes who graduate from the program, including the number of former athletes who go on to compete professionally, pursue careers in their sport or attend grad school. Additionally, ask if alumni are involved in helping current athletes with internships, job placements, or networking opportunities. It’s also useful to know what support systems are in place to prepare athletes for life after sports, including access to leadership programs, career services, and opportunities for personal growth.

By having these detailed conversations with the coach, families can ensure they are making an informed decision that aligns with both the athlete’s athletic ambitions and academic needs, setting the stage for a fulfilling and successful college experience. Below are some suggested questions I give to PrepSearch clients  to ask themselves, their families and Coaches during the recruiting process.

Family Goals

1. Do we want to focus on academic fit, athletics, or a balance of both?
2. Are we looking for a Division I, II, III, NAIA college or Juco?

Paying for College

1. How much can we afford for tuition, housing, and other expenses?
2. Do we need to focus on colleges that offer athletic scholarships or other forms of merit based, stackable financial aid?

Level of competition

1. Am I realistically capable of competing at a top-tier Division I College, or is a smaller program a better fit for my development and goals?
2. What’s the expectation for hours of practice at different levels (D1, D2, NAIA, D3, Juco)?

Academic success

1. How important is it for me to attend a college with specific academic programs or majors?
2. Are we considering how the practice and competition schedule will allow the athlete to balance athletics and academics?

The overall college experience

1. What type of campus culture am I looking for? Do I want a big University with a high-profile athletic program, or a smaller college with a more personalized environment?
2. What is the atmosphere of the athletic team I am considering?

Understanding the coach and program expectations

1. Do we (family) have a good understanding of the coach’s style, expectations, and communication?
2. What role does the coach expect me to accept on the team, and how will that evolve over the next few years?

Program/Team performance

1. How successful is the program? What is the team culture, and what is their record for developing athletes who may go on to compete professionally?
2. Do athletes at this University typically go pro, or is it more about collegiate success outside of athletics?

After the visit

1. What’s the timeline for decisions, signing, and finalizing a commitment?
2. What action do I need to take next (e.g., attending camps, completing official visits, communicating with coaches)?

Managing stress

1. How can we keep open communication during the process to avoid unnecessary stress?
2. How can we balance this with my other commitments (school, family time, etc.)?

Team Culture and Philosophy

1. Can you describe the overall team culture? How would you describe the environment of the team? Is it highly competitive, focused on development, or more community-oriented?
2. What kind of athlete do you look for, both in terms of talent and personality? How do you help them balance academics, athletics, and social life?
3. How do you handle athlete relationships within the team? Are there regular team-building activities or bonding events?
4. How do you decide who and competes how much? Is the opportunity to compete based on merit, position depth, seniority, or something else?
5. How do you see me fitting into the team immediately, and where do you project me in the next few years?
6. Are there opportunities for development if I don’t compete immediately? What does the development pathway look like?

Managing expectations as an incoming freshman

1. What are your expectations for the incoming freshman class in terms of playing time and development? Do you expect recruits to contribute right away or develop over time?
2. What does a typical practice schedule look like during the season and in the offseason? How many hours per week will athletes be expected to commit to practice, film, weight training, and team events?
3. How do you handle the balance between athletics and academics? Will I have time to focus on schoolwork, internships, and extracurriculars?

Coaches expectations during the recruiting process

1. What are the specific next steps for me in the recruiting process? Should I attend any camps or showcases?
2. What kind of communication do you expect from recruits? Do you prefer to be contacted directly, or do you prefer to initiate communication?
3. How do you evaluate recruits beyond athletic performance (e.g., academics, character, leadership, work ethic)?

Support after arriving on campus

1. What kind of academic support do athletes receive? Are there tutors or academic advisors specifically for athletes?
2. How do you support athletes when they face struggles, whether in school, with injuries, or mentally/emotionally?
3. What medical support is available for athletes, particularly in case of injuries? Do you have a full-time athletic trainer or team doctor?

Post College

1. What is the career trajectory like for athletes who graduate from your program? How many of your former athletes go on to compete professionally or attend grad school after their eligibility is exhausted?
2. Are alumni involved in helping current athletes with internships, job placements, or networking opportunities?
3. What percentage of your athletes graduate on time, within 4 or 5 years?

By asking these and other questions, the family and the prospect/recruit can get a comprehensive understanding of the program’s culture, the coach’s values, and how the athlete will be supported throughout their college journey, both athletically and academically. This helps ensure that the decision made aligns with the athlete’s personal, academic, and athletic goals.

To learn more about PrepSearch and how I’ve helped over 1,700 students attend college through sports since 2007, please explore the rest of my website. For more information about my seminars for high schools and clubs, or to inquire about my recruiting advisory services, feel free to complete the contact form on my website at www.prepsearch.net.

If you know a prospective student-athlete in grades 8-12 who could benefit from additional free exposure to college coaches, have them download the new PrepSearch app today! It’s available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prepssearchappsapp

https://apps.apple.com/app/prepsearch-app/id6738037970

EM