For Parents

The Recruitment Process - For Parents
As your young athlete prepares for college, it's time to begin discussing the opportunities that lie ahead. Part of this involves learning about the recruiting process should your daughter decide to pursue volleyball on the college level. As you begin scouting potential schools, know that it is perfectly acceptable for you to contact coaches directly. The best way to begin the recruiting process is to make phone calls and go for unofficial visits. Make sure coaches know that your athlete is interested in playing for them.

Division I coaches should begin contacting your daughter through mail or email on September 1st of their junior year of high school. However, coaches at Division I schools cannot call or meet with your daughter until July 1st of the summer between their junior and senior years. Division II coaches may also begin contacting her through mail or email on September 1st of their junior year, but may begin calling or meeting with your daughter on June 15th of the summer between her junior and senior years. Division III coaches cannot meet with your daughter until her junior year is over.

Above all else, you need to be encouraging your child to not only excel on the court, but also in the classroom. Many colleges and coaches like to see athletes that actively participate in other clubs and activities aside from volleyball. You should also be encouraging your athlete to build relationships with coaches and players. Make sure they understand that their future team will become a sort of family. It is important for your daughter to explore her options and see what her future would be like at different schools. Involve her at every step of the decision-making process and remember most of all that this process is about your daughter and what is best for her!