RowCollege

3 Critical Steps for a Successful College-Coach Contact at Your Race Site

This is the time of year when high-school regatta sites are filled with rowers, parents, fans—and usually a good number of college-rowing coaches. Those coaches are there to recruit.

There is nothing wrong with that. In fact it can be quite exciting to be someone who is recruited and to have a coach there to watch you race. However, there are a few steps you should take, important ones, to make a possible contact with a college-coach at a race site successful.

Step 1: Know these rules.

The NCAA, which governs all DI, DII, and DIII institutions has set some very specific recruiting rules that college-coaches must follow. And this holds especially true whenever you might contact a college-coach off-campus. Although recruiting rules vary somewhat in the different divisions, there are a few basic ones that you need to know that apply to all divisions:

• If you are a senior, a college-coach cannot have any contact with you at a site where you are racing until your coach has released you. Meaning—no contact until your racing is over and your coach has given you permission to connect with the college-coach.
• If you are not yet a senior you may not have in-person contact with a college-coach except on the campus of the coach's school.
• These rules apply also to your parents/guardians.

Step 2: Tell your coach.

Let your coach know that a college program is interested in you, and tell coach that they may be there to observe and contact you. This helps your coach prepare for a possible contact, and also brings your coach into the process which is usually very helpful.

Step 3: Stay focused.

Don't get distracted by the college coach either observing you, or connecting with your after your racing. You are there to race, being distracted will only take away from your performance and not work in your favor.

It can be exciting to be recruited. These simple steps can help a contact at your race site work better. If you would like more information about recruiting and the NCAA rules, this site should help.

image by zanaca

A Little Reading Might Help . . .

Rowing in college can be great fun. But sometimes figuring out the details and requirements of how to get into your program of choice can be very confusing.

A major area of confusion for parents and recruits are the NCAA regulations (equally confusing for coaches, if not more so). Almost all colleges will have a professional on staff who is an expert in the NCAA rules.

And you? Who can help you navigate through the steps and rules you need to know, besides the college employee?

The NCAA, realizing the confusion many recruits and their families go through have put out a document that you might find helpful. It will not answer all of your questions, but it is a good place to start. If you are just beginning your search, Page 23, Questions to Ask as You Consider Colleges, can be very insightful.

Below is the link, once you are on the page, click on the first link that appears to view the document:

2007-08 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

Happy reading.

Related posts:

• The Flavors of Rowing, Pick Yours
• 13 Must on Your College Visit
• Gather Great Insight About a College in Three Easy Visits

photo by: liewcf