One of the biggest recruiting misconceptions families have about the recruiting process is that if there child is good enough a coach is going to recruit them. There are so many athletes who are competing for exposure and scholarships not just in the United States but in other countries as well. Student athletes really need to be proactive to research programs that are an academic and athletic fit. My Recruiting Solutions suggests casting a wide net when you begin the process. Student athletes need to invest time on the computer to discover what is available to them. There are thousands of schools, many with similarities that families have never heard of but they offer a fantastic education and may be the perfect fit. By defining criteria such as enrollment size, classroom size, weather, and distance to an airport among other criteria can be a great start.
College coaches want to find student athletes who are truly interested in their school! Sure, many of them will recruit and send out letters to provoke you into looking at the school. However these coaches send out hundreds of letters. These coaches express to me all of the time that the recruiting process cannot be done through emails. Emailing is NEVER enough. They enjoy receiving updates, however the goal is for you to build a relationship to ensure you are a good fit. How well do you communicate? Is your personality going to fit the coaches personality?
There is a lot that goes into finding a perfect fit in a college program. This is a tedious process that takes time, money and a lot of patience. Student athletes experience highs and lows when it comes to this process, so being aggressive is critical for success.