The world of college sports can be hard to navigate for high school athletes looking to continue their sports. However, GHS has many athletes who are willing to help.
Club and high school coaches can be a great resource for athletes when it comes to connecting to college coaches.
“I got into contact with the IU coach through my club coach and Coach Judge at the middle school because they both had contacts within the sports and throwing department at IU. I chose IU over the other schools that were interested in me because I knew that I wanted to be somewhere that was close to home but still far enough away to be independent,” senior Emma Gardner, discus and shot putter, said.
There are other ways to get into contact with coaches, too. Open camps and campus visits can be great opportunities for athletes.
“I went to a baseball camp at Hanover, and the coaches approached me after the camp and said that they had heard about me from Coach Bass and liked what they saw. I really liked Hanover over the other schools interested in me because I’ve been going to Hanover baseball camps for about eight years now and I love the campus. I also went on an overnight visit to Hanover in the fall and really enjoyed the environment there,” senior Ethan King, baseball player, said.
Sometimes, athletes have to take the initiative to reach out to coaches rather than relying on coach connections.
“I got in contact with the Manchester coach through my visit to campus. I requested to meet with him at the end of my campus tour, and we got to talk while we ate lunch with the team. I chose Manchester because I felt that being surrounded by that team I could grow in my faith best at that program,” senior Jordan Jewell, wrestler, said.
There are strategies that athletes use to ensure coaches notice them and to stay on their radar.
“My advice to any underclassmen would be to make sure you have your social media updated with you and your specific sport. Make sure you’re putting your name out into the open as much as possible, and if you’re really interested in a college, don’t be afraid to reach out to them first and let them know that you’re interested,” Gardner said.
Senior Ava Griffin, soccer player and Franklin College commit, agreed with Gardner.
“I think the biggest advice for underclassmen to get recruited is to not be afraid to reach out to coaches. I know for me, I was always waiting for coaches to reach out to me, and it never really happened. I would say that if you find a college that you really enjoy, then do not be afraid to reach out, or you might miss opportunities,” Griffin said.
While all advice is useful, college-level athletes would agree that working hard is the most important step to getting recruited.
“Effort and dedication are really the main things coaches are looking for. Results are pretty and do play a factor, but if someone is giving both effort and dedication, results will come with it and the collegiate offers will come with time,” Jewell said.
