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RECRUITING INFORMATION
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The Arlington Volleyball Club is committed to assisting its players in making college contacts, understanding recruiting guidelines, and developing recruiting timelines. The best way to get it all right is by starting early - meaning now. It is not necessary to pay for recruiting assistance. Many coaches use universityathlete.com and/or beRecruited.com, free online services where players can post information. To assist AVC players with this process, Beth Ann Wilson, head volleyball coach at Marymount University and AVC club/technical director, conducts an annual recruiting seminar for AVC players who plan to play volleyball in college. She also works with players and coaches during the club season to answer questions and provide information to assist with player recruitment. Coach Wilson is active in the Capital Athletic Conference and the American Volleyball Coaches Association, where she serves on the All-Region Selection Committee, and has coached women's college volleyball for almost 20 years.
Recruiting Timeline
Note: The recruiting timeline below focuses on Division I (DI) rules with regard to contacts. DI is the most restrictive division as far as contacts are concerned. DI, DII and DIII vary greatly in their timelines, contacts rules, restrictions and what they can offer. See the NCAA website for information on each division.
Freshman Year
1. Choose a club environment that will improve your individual skills.
2. Play for your high school team.
3. Learn to manage your academic workload while competing in club volleyball. Work hard at your studies. Good grades do not guarantee anything, but bad grades limit your recruiting opportunities. The habits you establish now will open more possibilities for you in the future.
4. Attend the most demanding summer volleyball camps.
Sophomore Year
1. Ensure that your academic workload includes "core requirements" as required by the NCAA.
2. Create a profile of types of colleges (size, geographic area, athletic program, and academics) that you think will meet your needs. Create your first college top-20 list.
3. Find out early how the financial-aid process works and what type of aid is available at the schools you are considering. Make sure you know the difference between financial aid and scholarship awards, and between academic and athletic scholarships. Gather information about private, state and federal aid.
4. Continue to play at a club committed to individual skill development and one that will provide you visibility.
5. Attend private and/or small group clinics to improve your skills.
6. Start college correspondence (intro letter, tournament schedules, etc.).
7. Attend multiple summer volleyball camps (at least one from your college list).
8. Plan unofficial visits to local (driving distance) schools that fit your profile.
9. Schools also host “Campus Visit Days.” These can be for juniors or seniors and should not take the place of a visit with the team, but they can provide a good first look at the school.
Junior Year
DI: SEPTEMBER 1st - Coaches are permitted to send you letters in writing.
DIII: Coaches can contact you at any time.
1. Continue correspondence with potential college programs. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
2. Send out your high school playing schedule to colleges.
3. Maintain academics in accordance with the standards of the colleges that you are interested in attending.
4. Make a bio and a video if possible.
- E-mail your bio and tournament schedule to the schools on your list.
- Build a Youtube page for your videos and e-mail coaches the link with your bio. You can make DVD’s and mail them, but Youtube is cheaper and greener.
- Your videos do NOT need to be elaborate. In fact, keep them very, very simple. They want to see you PLAY (best filmed from the back of the court and a static position), and demonstrate some skill work. Errors are okay - do NOT over-edit tapes. They are simply looking for technique, athleticism, feel and potential.
5. If you intend to participate in Division I or II athletics as a freshman in college, you must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse in the Spring of your junior year. Online registration is your only option.
6. Take SAT/ACT's early (before club season).
7. Attend as many high-level volleyball camps as possible, particularly at schools you are interested in.
8. Continue to make unofficial visits.
JULY 1st between junior and senior years - Phone contacts from D1 college coaches are permissible.
Senior Year
2. DI: The first day of school is the first day you may attend an official visit.
3. Don't let down academically.
4. Send out your high school playing schedule.
5. If you haven't verbally committed, make official visits. Try to stay at least one night and see the team practice or play. You want to meet the coaches and the team as well as tour the campus and get to know the facilities and athletic department staff. Make sure to ask the players questions about the coach, the school and their overall experience. Create a questionnaire for college visits. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions as to where you stand in the coaches’ plans. Here are some suggestions:
a. Where do you see me fitting into your program?
b. Do you have any scholarships for my position?
c. How many other girls are you looking at for my position?
d What type of coach are you?
e. What do you do to motivate players?
f. What type of training do you do?
g. Would you say you're a positive coach?
h. How do you help the players to succeed off the court?
i. What type of support services does the University offer athletes?
j. How many fans do you get at matches?
k. What type of players do you recruit?
l. What do you see as the future for your program?
m. Are the volleyball player's friends with other athletes?
n. Bottom Line: ASK QUESTIONS!!!
6. Continue corresponding with colleges.
7. If you're an unsigned senior, have your club coach put you on prepvolleyball.com's "Unsigned Senior" list. This will help colleges who still have scholarships know you're out there!
8. DI: Make a commitment to the school that is the right fit for you. Depending on when you commit, you will "sign" a letter of intent from the university during your senior year of high school.
DIII: Has no letter of intent. You are under no obligation to go to any DIII school even if you have made a “verbal commitment” to the coach.
9. DIII coaches spend most of their time with seniors; so it is never too late to start the process and find a place to play and get the education you want.
Sample Email to College Coach
Subject Line: Class of (graduaton year) (Position) to Play for Your Team
Dear Coach _______,
My name is ___________. I am a (year in school) (position) playing for the Arlington Volleyball Club (insert complete team name) team. I am writing to express my interest in (insert name of school) and wanted to let you know that I will be playing in the following tournaments this year. (Insert tournament schedule.)
I would love for you to come watch me play and see if I would be a good fit for your team. I wear jersey #___. Below this email is a player profile with more information about me if you're interested.
I hope to see you on the courts!
Here's the short version of the profile:
Name:
Team:
Height:
Position:
Graduation:
GPA:
SAT/ACT Scores:
Honors:
Add a SHORT summary about your volleyball experience here.
