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Scholarship for Athletes talks with head coach Nick Carless from Cal Poly University, who explains how to navigate the college recruiting process. He offers advice to student athletes and their parents on when to start, how to proceed, and what to expect.
Questions and Answers
Scholarship for Athletes (SFA): At SFA, we try to explain to our clients that the recruiting process is like being on three year job interview; is that how you view the recruiting process?
Cal Poly Head Coach Nick Carless
courtesy, Cal Poly Athletics
Nick Carless (NC): Absolutely! It is crucial for athletes and their families to understand the timeline involved in the recruiting process. The summer between a PSA's sophomore and junior year is critical. This is when they need to reach out to coaches and take initiative in showing the coach their level of interest. Getting in contact with the coaches and starting a correspondence with them is the only way to see if you can play for that coach, be admitted to the school, and fit in with the team. The sooner you start this the better!
SFA: What advice do you have for the parents of high school student athletes about the recruiting process?
NC: Recruitment can seem overwhelming. Try and enjoy it. During their junior year of high school, encourage your child to take some unofficial visits to schools of interest to them or to those coaches who have shown some interest. Ask yourself: Will my child grow as an individual and as an athlete at that school and under that coach? Ask your child if they could see themselves living in that area for 4-5 years? And most importantly, persuade your child to pursue a team where they have a realistic chance to compete as a freshman or a sophomore. Competing, practicing, traveling and being an integral part of the team is the only way to improve as a player and to completely grow as an individual.
SFA: Assuming that they have the academics and tennis level to attend your school, when should junior players begin to contact you or send you their resume?
NC: They should send it no later than the beginning of their junior year of high school.
