The most exciting part of a high school athlete’s career is the recruitment process. From  visiting campus to seeing the facilities and committing, the time is full of joy. 

For some athletes, certain aspects weigh in more to their decision. Coaching staff, facilities, and most importantly, the academics.

“I want to be a pilot after I’m done with baseball,” senior Micah Vessely, pitcher, said. “I did my Senior Capstone with a pilot, and it’s always been my dream to fly. Most schools don’t have a flying program so that has been the hardest part of this whole process. I don’t want to have to sacrifice my academics, but if the right school has something I’m interested in, I would study another topic.”

Another important factor in choosing where athletes want to spend four years of college is the coaching staff and culture of the program. 

“I chose Indiana State because the coaching staff is full of amazing people,” senior Brock Riddle, quarterback, said. “They have built a great culture and community there, and it was something I couldn’t not want to be part of. Top to bottom the staff cares and all the players matter to them. It’s like one big family, and that was a huge thing for me when I committed there.”

Although most athletes do not consider the facilities and the competition areas of their future schools, ensuring there are adequate weight rooms and athletic enhancement facilities is high on the list for some.

“I really want to be somewhere with a decent weight room and indoor areas for working out when it gets cold or rains outside,” Vessely said. “With baseball, being in the weight room and getting stronger and moving my body as efficiently as I can is important. In my decision process the indoors and weight rooms have played a role in narrowing down my list.”

Outside of athletics, ensuring schools have nice campuses and nice surrounding areas plays yet another role in deciding where to attend. 

“When I go on visits, I like to see the actual school and campus buildings more than the athletic stuff sometimes,” Vessely said. “I spend just as much time in the classroom or study areas, and I don’t want to be somewhere that is rundown or where they don’t care about academics at all. It doesn’t bother me with the town being nice, but I definitely wouldn’t want to be in an area that has high crime and stuff like that.”

The most exciting part of the commitment process comes after committing when athletes are able to spend overnight visits on the campus of their school.

“I had the most fun when I went overnight and spent a ton of time with the team,” senior Landen Smith, infielder, said. “I went to a game with the guys and hung out with them pregame tailgating and eating food. I was with them after the game, and it really helped me solidify my decision of going there. I got to see what they’re like outside of the field, and it helped me feel like I was already part of the program and the guys.”