Below is a list of tips to ease the collegiate recruiting process for coaches, parents, and the athletes involved.

• Inform yourself. Make sure before you talk to a school that you have learned all you can about it--this includes the school as well as its program.
• Educate yourself, do your homework. Ask older friends, check out written publications or use the internet to find schools that offer lacrosse and a college experience that interests you.

• Make sure lacrosse is a high priority in choosing a school, but not the only priority. Look thoroughly at the school including its academic majors, location, tuition costs, student body and other aspects that differentiate one school from another. Not all schools offer athletic scholarships and not all schools offer political science as a major.

• Most importantly, imagine yourself playing lacrosse at that school and imagine (cross your fingers) that you were hurt and could no longer play--would you still be happy there?
• possible, visit the schools that you are interested in. You don’t need to be on an official visit to talk to the coach, take the campus tour or speak to admissions officers. If you happen to be on campus check with the coach to see if you can set up a chance to meet or to watch practice. Take that opportunity to see the athletic facilities, walk around town and meet students and athletes that go to that school.
• Put together a record of your playing history and achievements. Include in this athletic, academic and any extracurricular achievements you have reached in high school. This may be a coach’s first impression of you as an athlete and a person so make sure to highlight your accomplishments and don’t be afraid to sell yourself.
• Send coaches schedules of your high school games, summer camps you will be attending, summer leagues or showcase and recruiting events you will be attending. Give the schools you are interested in every opportunity to see you play and evaluate you as a potential member of their team. Make sure when sending this information that you do so far enough in advance so that your games can be easily worked into their busy schedule.
• If possible, create a video of yourself during your junior year to send to coaches who cannot come to see you play.
• You are your best salesmen, help yourself. Write, e-mail or call coaches. Take an active role in your own recruiting process early in your junior year by initiating contact with the schools you are interested in. Write to the coaches of programs on your list and tell them of your interest and request any forms that they may have for potential players. While you may be the best player in your league or the star of your high school, don’t expect every coach to know that already. Don’t sit back and wait for coaches to contact you or you may miss your opportunity.
• Be honest when meeting potential coaches about your interest in their school and their team. By the same token, expect that same honesty from the coaches you meet. It is to your advantage that these coaches are honest with you about where you will fit into their program as well as their college.
• When looking for the perfect college and the perfect program it is important to take many factors into consideration. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself as a player and as an asset to both the school and the team. Before you evaluate potential colleges, however, it is also important to do some self -evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions