September 1 is the date that Juniors can receive written materials from DI coaches (more than just questionaires and camp brochures). Would like to hear some experiences from the "veterans" out there as we have an 08. What types of materials can one possibly receive?
Posts: 615 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
Coaches (or really a baseball secretary) will start by sending an intro letter and asking you to fill out a questionaire.
They will also send info giving you more information about the school. A lot of this is sent to a lot of players on a standard mail lists. All it means is you are at least on the radar scope. (but no letter may also mean simply they don't have your address) A hand written letter from a coach, especially the head coach is starting to show real interest, but again doesn't mean you will get an offer when the times comes...
As the College season starts in the spring, you recieve newspaper clippings, and other things exalting their program. Some coaches would send inspirational quotes, etc, asking for your schedule or any events you might be attending and where they might be able to see you play.
Letters are nice and I remember my son's first letter had a Gold embossed ND on it... And we all thought that was pretty cool... Lots more (dozens fom that school) followed, but no offer ever came from that particular school.
But why not go ahead and PRIME the system... Send your OWN introductory letter (or email) to the schools you are interested in. Send them your FALL schedule... Tell them about yourself. This all becomes a business and the colleges send out their PR so why not do the same. A little PR can help. (also as I mentioned the school may not have your address... so... help them out)
Posts: 481 | Location: San Diego, CA | Registered: September 12, 2003
Originally posted by SDBB: Oh One more thing.. My son is now a College sophomore, and we still receive a letter now and then...
Guess some schools don't update their mailing lists. (including some of the POWERHOUSES)
That's funny! Don't they know your son is the STUD first baseman at Wake?
We liked that gold letter from ND also! Pretty impressive.
The best letter that son ever received was from a coach (Brown University) who had seen my son play in a tournament. He must have been on the road, so for lack of a PC, it was hand written. That letter was the most well thought and sincere letter I have ever read. Another hand written letter had come from Coach Rooney, now at LSU, with the explanation that he had left Stetson and gone to ND. I certainly appreciated his sincerity and candid letter. My son liked him alot. Clemson sent the most, they like to send weekly updates on the team. And as I think back now, little things you don't notice then have meaning now.
Your son will enjoy all letters (so will you) and it will add incentive for him to do the very best he can for a chance to turn those letters and questionaires into phone calls come July 1 and then offers next fall!
Posts: 11027 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
Starting the letter file was an enjoyable time in the recruiting process. As TPM says in the mix were a dozen or so hand written letters/notes that really gave my son the feeling of sincerity. We also got the gold letter and a game visit from them....
We got plenty of letters from the Paw people but sat down one eveniing with another parent and compared letters...the only difference was the Dear----, they were just run off mass mailings that came once or twice a week.
Then there were the Holiday Cards/Greetings, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday, and good old St Patricks Day. Some coaches are very creative and will add a personal touch to every letter. I hand wriiten comment on the outside of the envelope didn't go un-noticed.
It is an exciting time, enjoy it, you'll miss it when it's over. Just don't read to much into it. While it means your on a list, it doesn't mean you'll be a recruit.
Posts: 1226 | Location: NY | Registered: December 30, 2002
I THINK that DII must follow the Sept. 1 guideline as DI's have to.
However, DIII's do NOT have to follow these guidelines, as they are not offering Athletic $$$'s. As a matter of fact, we had already received some communicatioins from DIII's during the fall of LAST year.
Posts: 615 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
Currently (Sept. 1 through Sept. 14), we are in the NCAA "quiet" period. No off-campus recruiting contact allowed.
Would the materials mentioned be considered a "recruiting contact"? Just trying to get my definitions staight. But if the correspondence mentioned is considered a "recruiting contact", then would this mean that in actuality college coaches could not send out material until AFTER September 14?
Boy, this stuff is confusing (at least to me..)!!!!
Posts: 615 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
Go to the NCAA site and download "A recruiting guide for Athletes" (or whatever it's called) as a reference. Page 27 gives specifics as to all types of contacts, recruitung materials, phone, visits, etc. Answer to question, yes you can get recruiting materials now. The bulk of the responsibility for following timelines goes onto the coaches, they pretty much know what they are doing.
Posts: 11027 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
TPM- Thanks for the clarification. I have downloaded the guide, but this stuff is still confusing to me. I figured one of the "veterans" (such as yourself) would set me straight!
NoviceDad- Points well taken, with one exception. The person that needs to be proactive is MY SON!! We want to help facilitate the process. But we are trying to reinforce that he needs "drive" the process.
THANKS!!!
Posts: 615 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
Currently (Sept. 1 through Sept. 14), we are in the NCAA "quiet" period. No off-campus recruiting contact allowed.
Would the materials mentioned be considered a "recruiting contact"? Just trying to get my definitions straight. But if the correspondence mentioned is considered a "recruiting contact", then would this mean that in actuality college coaches could not send out material until AFTER September 14?
jbbaseball - No, the various contact periods regulate in-person contact by a coach, not mail. Mail can be received at any time. Before Sept 1st of a player's junior year the mail is suppose to be general/non-recruiting in nature like questionnaires and camp brochures. After Sept 1st coaches can send "recruiting" stuff, meaning more personal mail along with the general stuff.
Posts: 1691 | Location: Northern California | Registered: December 26, 2002
I am an '08 grad, and today started making a folder for the "letter file" as Coach Merc called it. Some letters are formatted very differently than other. Some seem more personal, some give more information. I don't want to name any schools, but how should I go about interpreting these? I am in the process of filling out any and all questionnaires I get, but still I am new to the process. How do I know they're really interested or if, like TPM said, I'm just another dot on the ever-growing mailing list?
"Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun." ~The Sandlot
Posts: 436 | Location: A field somewhere | Registered: May 28, 2005
JH, Just fill out all of those questionaires, play your best and do well in school, and you will find out if you are or are not just a dot on their mailing list.
Don't worry about intepretations!
Posts: 11027 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
JH - You really can't tell much by how a letter "looks". Too many variables, like the coach's recruiting budget, any support staff, his personal recruiting style, etc.! Sort of like reading tea leaves! At this point be happy & skeptical at the same time about the contact. As your '08 gets closer to his senior year your son will know how serious they are by the schools that call and what the coaches have to say. Enjoy this time. Getting the mail will newer again be so much fun!
Posts: 1691 | Location: Northern California | Registered: December 26, 2002
Thanks for the responses. TPM- good advice, thanks.
TRHit- I definitely will, but for now I was just curious, its all just starting up for me you know. It's funny when we were in East Cobb I was rooming with Hugh and he brought along all his college stuff. His first letter came September 1st, 2005 (and it, too, had a gold ND). I started to get jealous and was like "I want one". But it's all good I guess lol. Thanks a lot though. Oh, and tell the catcher, "Stump" from Ct. that I miss him I liked throwing to him lol
"Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun." ~The Sandlot
Posts: 436 | Location: A field somewhere | Registered: May 28, 2005
I'd love to join you guys whenever we don't have game(s) one weekend. I'll keep in touch with you and if you ever need an arm again you have my number.
"Man, this is baseball, you gotta stop thinking! Just have fun." ~The Sandlot
Posts: 436 | Location: A field somewhere | Registered: May 28, 2005
I figured one of the "veterans" (such as yourself) would set me straight!
We want to help facilitate the process. But we are trying to reinforce that he needs "drive" the process.
