Hi families of student-athletes, here is an update on how the NCAA is approaching recruiting in light of the ongoing Coronavirus situation plus some tips for how to still work your athletic recruiting during this crazy time. While many are disappointed to have canceled championships or even canceled seasons, there are still things you can be doing to keep your recruiting moving forward. 

COVID-19: Impact on Athletic Recruiting

NCAA: http://www.ncaa.org/themes-topics/covid-19 

• NCAA college coaches may not have any in-person recruiting contact/conversations with an athlete or parent, on or off the campus, until at least April 15, 2020 (the NCAA will re-evaluate an extension if things do not improve) 

• Recruiting may, however, continue via phone, text, email, social media at this time

• Signing of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) are suspended until at least April 15, 2020  

• NCAA has announced that all student-athletes who participated in spring sports should receive "eligibility relief" from being charged with the use of a season of eligibility (this means that seniors may get their 4 years of competition by staying on for a 5th year of school)

Below are some reminders to those of you who are still working your recruiting process of the things you can be doing now - while we wait out our quarantines - to keep your athletic recruiting efforts moving forward.  Of course, I have been talking to you all individually as well, but these are great overall reminders to things you can be doing to possibly get a leg up over other recruits during this time.  

Depending on where you are with your recruiting efforts, these will be different as well. If you are a junior versus a freshman or sophomore, for example, you are further along in your journey and will be taking things to a higher level, but these are good things to consider for all of you as you move your recruiting forward that much more during this crazy time.  

Nearly every industry and organization is currently being affected by COVID-19, and collegiate athletics is no different. For high school student-athletes trying to get recruited by college coaches, the perception might be that this pandemic has created serious challenges to getting noticed or adhering to recommended recruiting timelines. While these are certainly valid concerns, I argue, instead, that COVID-19 is providing high school student-athletes with unique opportunities to set themselves apart in the recruitment process while learning about institutions and athletic programs. The key is to use this time of social distancing to the recruit’s advantage:

1. Be proactive and reach out -  Nearly all coaches are working from home right now, which means we are all spending a lot of time in front of our computers, most likely on email and social media. Chances are, you’ll actually get more individual attention from coaches right now because we have fewer distractions and recruiting is at the forefront. For most coaches, the COVID-19 situation has actually accelerated the recruiting process; it has not slowed it down in any way.
   

2. Highlight abilities and interests -  When you reach out to a program, be ready to sell yourself. Coaches get hundreds of emails from prospective athletes each year. With this in mind, make sure that you take some extra time to make yourself stand out. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to send a long email, detailing your life story. What it does mean, is that you want to include a few interesting personal details that will help a coach remember you. End the email by asking a question of the coach, thereby increasing your chances of getting a response and making an impression. Good questions might inquire about a coaching philosophy, practice strategies or routines, or the program’s biggest strength.
   

3. Develop meaningful relationships with collegiate coaches -  Don’t let the current COVID-19 crisis scare you away from building meaningful relationships with collegiate coaches. In fact, this could actually be a unique opportunity for you to get to know coaches better and begin to see which programs fit your wants and needs the best. Consider creative ways to connect with coaches. Phone calls, Zoom, Skype, and other video conferencing options are all ways to have real conversations with coaches during this time of isolation. While hopefully in-person visits will be in the works for everyone by the fall, for now, and for at least the beginning of the summer, technology like teleconferencing and virtual tours will fill that gap. 
   

4. Be creative in finding new ways to learn about the college and the athletic program -  Since campus visits and other recruiting visits are not going to be happening for a bit, start looking for college programs that are going the extra mile to make up for this deficiency. Now is the time to pay extra attention to social media posts that hopefully detail the college and program in new ways. In all reality, the COVID-19 disaster is more of a challenge for the recruiter (the coach) than it is for the recruit. Coaches are developing different ways to communicate their program’s and campus’s uniqueness to you. If you’ve enjoyed your contact with a certain college, then start to follow them on social media and seek them out on YouTube. While you might not be able to see the campus in person, hopefully you can get an idea for what it’s like by watching videos and the like.