Track and Field Recruiting

Spring 2020

Plain and simple, track and field recruiting has changed. College coaches are no longer allowed off campus to recruit. They will not be going to meets this spring nor having face-to-face meetings with prospects. High School student-athletes will no longer be able to take Official or Unofficial Visits to meet coaches and visit campuses. Most likely, you will not have the opportunity to run faster, jump or throw further or vault higher. As a result, you are going to have to take a proactive approach to the recruiting process and continuing training as if nothing has changed.

Do not be passive. Start reaching out to college coaches from the schools on your list. You will be surprised at how effective personally reaching out will enhance your recruiting experience. You will have to sell yourself, even more so now– make sure your emails are doing so. It is imperative through this spring that you learn to communicate openly and effectively with your parents, high school coach, and college coaches.

So, if you are a high school track and field athlete what does that mean for you?

ALL-GRADES

It is imperative that you keep training in some capacity. Success is a product of each season building upon the previous season. Avoid feeling sorry for yourself and becoming unmotivated. When this passes, you want to be one step further down the path developmentally. Do not be the same athlete you are today next fall.

SENIORS

If you are an unsigned senior, I would suggest reaching out to every school you have any interest in. Start reaching out to schools that have reached out to you. Go through your old emails, letters of inquiry, questionnaires, and generic correspondences, and then create a list of every school that has contacted you. Concentrate your efforts on programs that have shown an interest in you. Remember, many programs rely on signing kids throughout the spring and summer, so they are still looking for athletes as well. Many of our team members are still being offered admission spots and/or significant scholarship dollars to date.

JUNIORS

With the inability to take Official and Unofficial Visits this spring and probably this summer it is important that you put together a solid email campaigning expressing interest in specific schools and programs. Because you will most likely not have an outdoor season, do not wait for coaches to find you. Your marks might slip under the radar without this season to increase your viability and visibility to certain schools.

Caste a wide net. Create an expansive list of schools/programs that meet your specific needs and desires. The online recruiting questionnaire is a good first and simple means to initiate communication with a program. If you have not yet started -- start reaching out to college coaches from the schools on your list. Proofread every email before hitting send.

SOPHOMORES

Your junior year is a critical part of the recruitment process. Use the next three months to become a better athlete. If the season gets canceled this spring use this time to get more fit, more flexible, and stronger. Focus more on general fitness and set yourself up for a massive junior year!

With the new NCAA Recruiting Rules and your potential loss of the season, your recruiting process will be starting very soon. As a result, it is imperative that you devise a plan of action now. Create a list of schools and send out introductory emails.

FRESHMEN

High School track and field is awesome! You are going to absolutely love it! It’s a shame that it is getting off to a slow start, but don’t let that get you down. Stay positive. Workout. Get ready for next year…it’s going to be a blast!