“If everyone has to think out of the box, maybe it is the box that needs fixing?” -Malcolm Gladwell
As the first class of Significant Coaching Recruits are committing to their school of choice, I have been finding myself talking more and more to my underclassmen about the importance of challenging their preconceived notions of colleges, divisions and the idea of their “perfect fit” schools.
It has been truly joyful for me to see my 3 Seniors and 1 Transfer rockstars in the inaugural Class of 2024 go through their individual journeys [They all have multiple offers on the table and will all be committed and signed this week!]. I am confident that each would tell you that they are more than thankful that I challenged them to think out of the box and to communicate with many coaches all over the country. I think they would all agree that the process of being recruited by coaches at different division levels and different types of schools changed their thought process and taught them what to ask and what to expect in return. Each of my clients (2 young men and 2 young women) in this class went through the ups and downs I wanted them to go through, so they could learn not to make the mistakes that so many kids make by jumping at the first offer they receive or simply failing to ask the right questions.
I wanted to take some time in this week’s blog to share some of the cool things that they learned along the way about recruiting and themselves!
- It is extremely important to make on campus visits to at least 2 schools before making a final decision.
- How a college coaching staff treats you may be more important than their win-loss record.
- You may love a school’s location, but the school’s proximity to an airport may be a huge concern to consider.
- A school may have everything you want (i.e. major, location, great coaching staff, etc), but the time alone with the present student-athletes on the team may be the most valuable part of a visit.
- It’s important to make what you want to do with your future career (i.e. major) a huge priority, but talking to a professor on a campus about their interdisciplinary degree path may open up a world of possibilities you never could have imagined.
- Never judge a book by it’s cover, and never let a school’s online Admissions video dictate your opinion of the school.
- Emailing coaches to express your interest in their program is important, but calling those coaches after you email is ESSENTIAL!
- Every time you get to talk to a college coach, and you don’t take the time to ask them your list of questions, you are wasting your time and theirs.
- And maybe, just maybe, the most important lesson all of these great kids learned this year…You have great value and if you are patient, you will find coaches who see your value the same way you do!
Enjoying these blogs? Want to schedule a free 30-minute coaching assessment with Coach Rogers? You can do so here: https://www.significantcoaching.net/
Interested in Coach Rogers’ Book on College Recruiting? You can find it here: https://bit.ly/Matt-Rogers-Significant-Recruiting-Amazon
