Approaching College Coaches at Showcases

[Battle]

When college coaches show up to your games at showcases, does your team have one person greet them to answer any questions or do you think that it's inappropriate? Do you think they should be left alone and if they do have questions, they will find you?

[Blind Squirrel]

When college coaches show up to your games at showcases, does your team have one person greet them to answer any questions or do you think that it's inappropriate? Do you think they should be left alone and if they do have questions, they will find you?

Having a person with player info approach college coaches is one of the most important things a team can do for its players. That is exactly what got my kid recruited to the college team she now plays for.

[Battle]

When college coaches show up to your games at showcases, does your team have one person greet them to answer any questions or do you think that it's inappropriate? Do you think they should be left alone and if they do have questions, they will find you?

Having a person with player info approach college coaches is one of the most important things a team can do for its players. That is exactly what got my kid recruited to the college team she now plays for.

Can you walk me through what was said to them by your former team when they were approached? There are probably things you shouldn't say and things you should say.

[Sftbll4ever]

You can start with giving them a copy of the team profile. Then you can lead with is there a specific player or position you are looking for? If they don't talk much to you, take the hint.

[AlwaysImprove]

You have to be careful picking the person that approaches college coaches. I have heard of dad's that have steered coaches towards their own kid, or steered coaches away from a kid. College coaches see through this pretty easy, but it is a bad sign for the team.

Two pieces of information are important to get, if possible. Is the coach looking at anyone player in particular? What are the coaches needs, infield, outfield, speed, power, pitching? Expect them to answer with soft statements.

We were on a team that had a dad that did not think his kid was getting the attention she deserved. So he made up a bunch of his own fliers, that featured his kid. The TB coach greeting college coaches would hand that flier to coaches he thought were a fit for that kid, but did not hand it to some big name programs that appeared to be looking at other players on the team. That dad then started approaching those coaches himself. It was a huge mistake.

Other than presenting the team in a professional manner, you need to make sure the coaches are getting their questions answered.

[soreshins]

Approaching college coaches should be done by the team's recruiting coordinator or other member of the coaching staff. If the materials are being handed out by a parent, it should be the parent of a senior who has signed or will shortly sign. Parents of uncommitted players should not be interacting with college coaches.

[Battle]

The OP question is assuming that you have one person and one person only approaching the coaches. We have a great group of parents who have one goal in mind for the whole team.

[justawatcher]

The OP question is assuming that you have one person and one person only approaching the coaches. We have a great group of parents who have one goal in mind for the whole team.

Your organization should probably have a delegate that has already established relationships with schools. This person would also be the advocate to establish the relationships he/she didn't already have at tournaments, etc. Having an entire group of parents that all have the team's best interest at heart is an absolute miracle and should be cherished. Having said that, it's a horrible idea to have the entire group acting as recruiting representatives.