Questions to Ask College Coaches
One of the key components to the recruiting process is asking questions. College coaches are interested in student athletes who ask questions about their school and program. In addition, many answers to the financial questions below are essential to know before signing your scholarship. Below is a list of sample questions you can ask a college coach:
Athletics
Academics
Financial Aid
- What is the best means for you to better evaluate me as a player?
- What characteristics do you look for in your recruits?
- What position do you see me playing at the next level?
- What other players may be competing at the same position?
- Will I be redshirted my freshman year?
- How would you best describe your coaching style?
- Who else are you recruiting at my position?
- What are the long term goals of your program?
- How do you see me fitting into those goals?
- What are the academic strengths of your institution?
- Who best should I contact to get a better insight on my intended major?
- What academic support programs are available to student athletes?
- If I have a diagnosed and documented disability, what kind of academic services are available to me?
- How many credit hours should I take in season and out of season?
- Is summer school available?
- What percentage of players on scholarship graduate?
- What does my potential scholarship cover?
- What are my opportunities for employment while I am a student?
- Am I eligible for additional financial aid? Are there any restrictions?
- Under what circumstances would my scholarship be reduced or cancelled?
- Are there any academic criteria tied to maintaining my scholarship?
- What scholarship money is available after eligibility is exhausted to help me complete my degree?
- What scholarship money is available to me if I suffer a career ending injury?
Andy Pohl In addition to leading DNA Sports' baseball and softball college recruitment guidance program, Andy specializes in all facets of hitting. Leave a Comment
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Hi Coach,
My son is an incoming Junior and plays on his high school and club team.
It seems every weekend he gets ask to participate in a showcase with several scouts at attendance.
We live in Southern California and it appears the same schools with scouts are at each showcase.
He has been seen twice this summer and did well.
How many showcases in a summer do you recommend and when is it too much.
Thank you,
Theresa
Thanks for your question. If I understand your situation correctly, you are in a predicament that many student-athletes and their families are in – that is, you do not want to miss out on possible opportunities, but at the same time you want to keep expenses down and keep your son healthy.
Attending showcase after showcase can drain the pocket book, so just from a financial standpoint, I recommend that you place a limit on the number of events you allow your son to participate in (unless they are invite only, free showcases, which I will get to in a minute).
In addition, showcases do put a lot of strain on an athlete’s body, especially the elbow and shoulder, as they are asked to throw the ball as hard as they can numerous times in a very short period of time. I just did a training session today with a very good high school player who is suffering from a severe case of tendonitis, most likely caused by attending 3 showcase events within 10 days.
Once your son has showcased his talents once or twice in front of a group of coaches, it probably makes little sense to have him showcase his talents numerous times in front of the same scouts.
When choosing showcases, you need to ask yourself who the scouts are, have they seen him before, what you are looking to gain from the experience, and is my son’s skill set consistent with what the scouts are looking for.
For example, if your son is not a legitimate pro prospect, there is no point in sending him to a showcase full of pro scouts. Furthermore, if your son is projected as a D3 prospect, don’t send him to a showcase full of D1 scouts.
To be honest, I am not a big fan of showcases anyways. Showcase companies are a business who want to stack their events with as many student-athletes as possible so they can be more profitable. I do like the free, invite-only showcases, not only because they cost you nothing, but because student-athletes have to earn an invite, and not just present the showcase coordinator with a check. As a result, the most reputable showcases (and the ones most attended by scouts) are the free, invite-only showcases.
Again, these are the ones you have to earn admittance to with your ability, not your pocket book.
Showcases can be confusing. I am sure you want to do what’s best for your son, but at the same time be realistic and do not sign up your son for too many events. I would be more than happy to discuss your situation over the phone. Feel free to give me a call if you have further questions.