Info for Athletes
It takes a lot of work to navigate the recruiting process while continuing to train and do well in school. The more you know about the recruiting process and the more effort you put into getting the results you want, the better chance you have to fulfill your dream of competing at the post secondary level. The good news is that many have gone through this complicated process before you, and there are many resources available to make it less overwhelming.
RECRUITING GUIDELINES
STEP 1 BUILD A TARGET LIST OF SCHOOLS
10-15 Schools that would be a best-case scenario. These might be your dream schools.
20-30 Schools that are realistic possibilities.
5-10 Schools where you are confident you could play athletically.
Note: All categories should take academic goals into consideration.
5 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUILDING YOUR TARGET LIST:
Athletic: What Division and/or conference are you capable of playing for? What do your current coaches think?
Academic: What schools will you qualify for with your GPA/ academic average and/or Standardized Test Scores? (Many of these apply only in the US) Do you know what you would like to major in?
Social: How important is school size and campus life to you?
Geographical: Do you want to play in Canada or the USA? Do you want to be close to home? What type of campus are you looking for?
Financial: Will I qualify for Athletic or Academic Scholarships?
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- Cast a WIDE net of schools. Better to start with a larger list and narrow down.
- Building your target list of schools is a fluid process. You can change your list at any time!
STEP 2 CREATE AN ONLINE PROFILE
OPTIONS
- Create a Sports Recruits profile through their website SportsRecruits.com
- Create a separate Social Media profile for volleyball
- Create an online profile through another Recruiting service specific to volleyball
INCLUDE VIDEOS ON YOUR PROFILE:
Game Highlights – clips of your best plays. Easy to make with HUDL Hudl.com
Game Footage – should be one entire game of you playing. Be sure to let the coaches know which number you are and in what position you start in.
STEP 3: SEND INTRODUCTORY EMAIL TO TARGET LIST
Include your name, height, position, grad year, high school and club. Be sure to express interest in their school and volleyball program. Address the coach by name to start the email (ex. Coach Smith)
- Include a link to your profile
- Include your Tournament Schedule
- Include your Coach’s Contact Info
STEP 4: EVALUATION
- If it is after June 15th of your Sophomore year, the coach can email you directly and let you know if they are interested. This is based on your grad year, position and brief evaluation of your profile & video as well as their needs for that class. This rule pertains to schools in the US. In Canada, the rule is that a coach is unable to approach and speak to any athlete during competition. Athletes can approach coaches for example at Provincials.
- If it is before June 15th of your Sophomore year, the coach cannot email you back. They might email your coach to express “general interest”. They will watch you LIVE (possibly several times) to watch your development and progress. They can send you questionnaires, camp invites or nonathletic publications. This rule does not apply in Canada.
- Coaches will then EVALUATE YOU (through your CLUB season or possibly at CAMP)
Athletes will need to continue to communicate with College Coaches
Our recommendation is 1x a month with updates and highlights from tournaments
STEP 5: VISITS
After college coaches evaluate you and you are in their TOP group of players that they are recruiting in your position & class then they will invite you for a VISIT!
Official Visit – College can pay for transportation to and from the college for the student-athlete, lodging and three meals per day for the student-athlete and his or her parents or guardians, as well as reasonable entertainment expenses including three tickets to a home sports event.
Unofficial Visit – Athlete/Family pays for all expenses
STEP 6: OFFERS/DECISIONS
Coaches can begin extending verbal offers on June 15th of your Sophomore year. (the second year of a student’s high school program)
- Coaches and Programs may approach this process differently, but they should communicate the details of their offer and a timeline (if any) to decide
- After deciding, be sure to contact all of the coaches/programs that were actively recruiting you to let them know of your decision BEFORE posting your commitment on Social Media!
Canadian Universities
List of Universities in Canada – Study in Canada
Ontario Colleges
Colleges in Ontario | ontariocolleges.ca
NCAA List of Schools
Schools | NCAA.com
EXTRA RESOURCES
Ontario Volleyball Procedure on Recruitment
PDF Document | OVA Procedure on Recruitment Nov 2018
OCAA Coaches Guide to Recruiting, Code of Ethics and Drug Testing
Recruiting Regulations:
As a coach in the OCAA, I am aware of the OCAA Recruiting Regulations as listed in the Code of Ethics section of the OCAA Operations Manual. These include, but are not limited to:
- A prospective student-athlete may not be promised employment.
- A prospective student-athlete may not be provided housing.
- A prospective student-athlete may not be given any indication that specific scholarship or bursary amounts outside OCAA guidelines will be provided.
- College bursaries outside the scope of the OCAA and athletic department must not be promised as an inducement to encourage a prospect to attend an institution.
- All college bursary and scholarship applications outside the scope of the OCAA must be applied for and accepted by the student-athlete. Athletic Staff and/or coaches cannot apply on a student-athletes behalf.
