3. I’ll Make the College Team as a Walk-On.
If you only receive lukewarm interest from coaches, but you really want to compete in college, you can try making the team as a “walk-on.” This means you try to prove yourself to the coaching staff in the fall or pre-season tryouts. However, understand that it may be difficult to make the team as a non-recruited athlete. Your odds of success are not high.
Every now and then a coach may find a “diamond in the rough,” who has gone unnoticed. For the most part, however, a coach knows exactly which athletes will comprise his squad before the open tryout even begins. You want to match your actual skill level to the competitive skill level of the schools where you apply.
LESSON LEARNED: Even if you make the team, you may have a slim chance of ever competing. You may want to search harder for a school that wants you and that you fit with talent-wise. Many athletes who try to “walk-on,” not including “recruited walk-ons” who will be discussed later, will quit the team or transfer.
4. My High School Coach Is Going To Get Me A Scholarship.
Do not rely on your high school coach to contact college coaches, write letters, or solicit offers on your behalf. Most high school coaches are unable to devote the large amount of time required to help their athletes find the right college. If your coach has time to assist you with the recruiting process and has demonstrated a commitment to help you find a school that meets your needs, consider yourself lucky.
Too frequently, we hear from parents that their player’s high school coach doesn’t do anything to help. Often these complaints come in the spring of a high school athlete’s senior year, after most college application deadlines have already passed.
Don’t worry if your coach limits his involvement to practices and games. Many are surprisingly unfamiliar with the recruiting process. A High School coach’s responsibility is to coach you in high school, not be your recruiting agent. Many coaches who sincerely want to help are restricted in their efforts simply because they don’t have that many college contacts.
Some coaches devote all of their time to the “star athlete,” because he’s the easiest one to promote. Remember: what’s on the line in the recruiting game is your future not your coach’s. Don’t sit back and wait for someone to help you. LacrosseRecruits.com is a great tool to market yourself to college coaches and make it easy for the college coach to view your video and your profile. You can put your information in front of the college coach in the most efficient and professional manner.
LESSON LEARNED: Don’t expect your high school coach to devote much time to personally assist you with your college search. Ask his advice, but take responsibility and control your own future. BE PROACTIVE.
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