by Liz Fineske
When it comes to college recruiting, club and high school coaches can play an important role in helping athletes and their families navigate the process. We asked Coach Michael Vinson, Head Coach of Indiana Storm Track Club and North Central High School Track & Field, to share his insight on the recruiting process – from knowing when to start the conversation to helping athletes find the right fit and prepare for the next level. Through ten questions, Coach Vinson offers advice to help coaches better understand their role and how they can support their athletes throughout their college recruiting journey.
At what point should coaches begin talking to athletes about college recruiting, and what should those conversations look like? This would depend somewhat on the athlete’s skill level and the times they are running or marks they are jumping or throwing, which could determine how early they get that first postcard from a college or university. If they are serious about the sport, they should have some conversation by their freshman year of high school. As a coach, we should remind them first and foremost about academics. Nothing will go too far with a school if your academics aren't in order. If they know what they want to major/minor in at that age, then they should be looking at schools that provide that education. Normally, that may be a little early for a freshman in high school, but it is good to start thinking about.
How do you help athletes identify what type of college and track and field program is actually the right fit for them? To me, it starts with what they want to study. Most of our athletes will be entering the workforce after college, so it helps if they know what they want to go to school for. Then, we can find the schools that provide that type of education and go from there. We initially ask our athletes to start thinking about what they want to study early on.
What information or materials should athletes have prepared before they begin reaching out to college coaches? If the athlete is a junior or senior, they need to have access to their high school transcript and have an NCAA account set up. If the athlete is younger, a transcript is good to have but be prepared to speak on behalf of yourself — not just by text or email, but also by phone or in person.
How can club and/or high school coaches help college coaches understand an athlete beyond their times, marks, and rankings? We need to be prepared to be able to point out our athletes’ strong suits. Also, be prepared to point out areas where they may have a high ceiling compared to other athletes with faster times currently. One of those areas could be age; maybe they haven't done as much strength work. If they are an excellent student, that helps coaches think they can adapt to living away from home. Share with the coach how many big meets they have competed in (USATF Junior Olympics, high school state meet, etc.) and let them know they are prepared to excel at the next level.
From a coach’s perspective, what are some ways parents can support their athlete without putting additional pressure on them? Being involved academically! Know what's going on grade-wise from the time they enter high school. It’s up to the student at the end of the day, but parents must be in the know academically. Ask questions throughout the year about academics! You don't want any end of the year surprises. No matter the sport, as a parent, don't complain about the coach in front of your athletes. Once a coach loses their athletes’ respect, it makes it tough on both the coach and the athlete. Call the coach individually if you have complaints; maybe you can both learn from each other!
What qualities do you try to develop in athletes that ultimately help them succeed at the collegiate level? We can help prepare them for life and real-world experiences because it’s not always easy training in a group. It can be uncomfortable, and sometimes that is for a reason. If we can put an athlete in an uncomfortable position training-wise and the athlete can handle it – whether it’s a tough workout, a surprise training test, or a quiz that they were not aware of – and the athlete can approach it with positive energy and not let it change their whole mood, then, as a coach, we are helping prepare them for real life and college.
What are the biggest mistakes you see athletes/coaches make during the recruiting process? One of the biggest mistakes is athletes who do not respond to an email or text from a coach because they are not interested in that school. Always respond regardless of whether that's your first choice at the time or not! Coaches, let’s not oversell an athlete! We should always point out all the positives about our athletes, but we can't say something that they’re not. We need to be honest with college coaches when they ask specific questions.
You've helped many athletes earn opportunities to compete in college. What have you learned from those experiences? I have learned that these athletes are achieving something they didn't think was possible in some cases, and that's incredible. Sharing the joy of them getting to run at the next level and earn a degree in their selected field of study is so rewarding, as well as hopefully getting the chance to see them compete and share that experience with them.
What resources or tools should coaches familiarize themselves with to better support their athletes? Coaches should know when college coaches are allowed to contact athletes. It would be even better to have a contact or two within the NCAA to reach out to and answer questions that your athlete may have that we can't answer as a club or high school coach. Coaches should also know that college track and field is not just Division I. A degree from any good academic institution is an awesome thing and carries as much weight as a Division I school in most cases. Not every student is a Division I athlete, and we need to be able to share that in a positive way so that they understand that there are many great opportunities at the next level.
If you could give every club and/or high school coach one piece of advice about their role in college recruiting, what would it be? Assist and be a helpful asset to an athlete and/or their family throughout the process of transitioning into college. Help parents and athletes understand that college track and field is not just Division I. You can set your sights on Division I, but it can't be all or nothing.