RECRUITING TOPICS
RECRUITING BASICS
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Beginning your recruitment journey can be filled with many emotions when getting started such as being overwhelmed, excited, uncertain, anxious and many more. Although we all start the recruitment process different it is always a good idea to have your basic knowledge and outline of how you would like to navigate through your recruiting journey. An important thing to always remember while going through this process is that anything can happen, but planning is the first step to your success. Second, is understanding how to use the knowledge of others and the tools you have access to too your advantage. Third, the effort you put in to sharpening your craft and managing your recruiting process are the results you will get. Nevertheless, always remain positive throughout every turn of your recruitment. Every option offers a different opportunity, so make sure to evaluate your choices and make a decision that is best for you.
WHEN DOES YOUR RECRUITING PROCESS START?
As time goes on is seems like the recruiting process is beginning to start earlier and earlier every year for college coaches/recruiters looking to get ahead for the next year. There are a few things that must be happening from/to you to gauge when it is your recruitment process is beginning to start. These include respectful rankings in credible tournaments, events, accolades such as All-State, if a freshman playing on varsity or an elite/national club with film this will fast track the start of your recruitment process. If you have not met any of the recommended goals as stated above yet as a freshman do not worry, as the average recruitment process begins toward the end of sophomore and even early to mid-junior year for many. If you do not have anything to show yet to colleges or are unsure on if you want to compete at the next level, remember it does not hurt to start doing your research as soon as possible. It is always better to be prepared than to be rushing to put everything together and narrowing things down towards the end. An important thing to remember is that its best being proactive early to kick start your process by contacting coaches yourself. Although doing this will require you to have at minimum film of your play/skills at the ready for these coaches to view when you initially contact them to give them something to evaluate you off of.
COMMUNICATING WITH COACHES/RECRUITERS
Initial Contact – When first reaching out to a coach it is important to point out something that interests you about that school or their program. Adding a few of details of their school shows them you have done your research and that their program appeals to what it is your looking for. Before contacting coaches there is some information and things you will need to have ready so a coach can make a proper evaluation. 1. Highlight Video to showcase your skills and talents. 2. Documented Statistics from credible (and verifiable) events, leagues, or clubs. 3. Academic information like your GPA, and SAT/ACT scores if available. Present your best contact information for them to reach you, your parents, your high school or club contact, and your coach. If you do not have most of these things up front do not worry you can still reach out to a coach to establish a line of communication. Possibly getting you invited to online/in-person tryouts so they can evaluate you a little better.
Scholarships - If you know that financial aid and or scholarships are going to be crucial when picking out colleges do not be afraid to ask the coach/recruiter what it is their program can provide to you. What the requirements, upkeep and anything else that may be needed for receiving and maintaining a scholarship while attending their school.
Being Proactive – Collegiate coaches and recruiters are busy year in and year out. With their current seasons, preparations for the following season and many other immediate responsibilities that come with any program. That is why being proactive contacting coaches yourself can help you get noticed and put on their recruiting radar. Also, by you reaching out to them shows them your enthusiasm in their program sparking a possible interest.
Which coach do you contact? – When doing your research on a school you are interested in, looking at the coaches list will give you the best idea on who you should contact first. A coaches list may look a little something like the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Position Coach, and a Recruiting Coordinator. In some instances, recruiting may fall under any of the first three listed as another responsibility for them that they may have. If no recruiter coordinator or no other identifiable coach (as the recruiter), your next best thing is to begin contacting your position coach. If no position coach next would be the assistant coach, and if none your last option would be to contact the head coach/director of esports. Here is what you should follow when deciding on which coach to contact first; 1. Recruiting Coordinator, 2. (Your) Position Coach, 3. Assistant Coach, 4. Head Coach/Director of Esports.
How to contact coaches? – Coaches these days have adapted to the technology that helps them reach the most recruits. When doing your research coaches normally have a main contact they want to be reached at, which will normally be posted on their school’s staff directory or on their program website. Normally your search will find either an email and or phone number for them to be contacted at. If you are having trouble finding contact information under their school directories, you can even try social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram only to name a few. Even try our collegiate data hub to find a possible program contact.
How to handle coaches contacting you? – When a coach or recruiter reaches out to you most of the time it will be with a recruiting letter, a questionnaire or even maybe online/in-person tryout invite. Either way it is their way of showing you that they have you on their radar, and they want to get some feedback from you to see if the interest is mutual. Whether or not it is a school on your initial list it’s a good idea to always respond back with an email or by answering their recruiting questionnaire. Always put your self in a position with the most options to increase your recruiting success.
PICKING YOUR SCHOOLS
Top 35 (Initial List) – It is always good to have a broad list of options to choose from when initially creating your college list. A list of 35 schools is a good number to have when beginning your recruitment, so that it gives you the ability to compare some things between them that you may have not thought of before. While creating this list you should be following your own custom checklist, marking off what it is you want from your school and the program you want to play for. Your checklist should be a minimum of thirty questions, all the way up to however many you may have. These questions should cover your general college opportunities/experience, as well as the program you are trying to be a part of. Remember this list isn’t final nor will it be your last so don’t be too stern when creating it.
What if the schools you want to pick do not offer your desired game? - Many colleges offer support for game titles that they know their student base want, so even if your game is not listed on the schools current provided list STILL CONTACT THE COACH. Most of the time they need to have proof of players wanting to play in order to get approved for picking a game up.
School Checklist Example Questions:
Program checklist example questions:
SCHOLARSHIPS
How much are esports scholarships? – As esports continues to grow through out the collegiate realm, so does the possibility and reach of esport scholarships. Through more popularity and recognition, the amount of scholarship funds that are being provided to college students is growing every year. The average scholarship for esports at the moment can range from $800 to $8,000, but as time goes on there are a growing number of schools who are implementing full-ride scholarships in their institutions.
Which colleges offer esports scholarships? – Not all schools with esports programs offer scholarships now, currently only institutions with recognized varsity esports programs tend to have scholarships and the revenue to allocate towards esports. Playing on a JV esports team may not give you as much since the scholarship funds are usually reserved for Varsity players. Although competing on the JV rosters gives you the chance to make it to the Varsity division and potentially earn a scholarship through your level of play and leadership.
Esports scholarships with Academic scholarships? – Your grades are almost just as important in your recruitment process as your skill and play-making abilities. With esports scholarships having minimal amounts of funds at this moment, a lot of institutions look to combine their esport scholarships with academic scholarships to help their incoming recruits. The only thing is that your grades need to be up to par with the institutions requirements for receiving such aid. It is good when contacting coaches to ask how often they combine such scholarships for their recruits and what are the minimal requirement to qualify you for academic scholarships.
WHAT ARE COACHES/RECRUITERS LOOKING FOR?
Coachability – Showing the willingness and desire to learn and get better each day. Working on the things your coach has pointed out to you and asked you to improve or learn.
Communication – This includes both in-game communication as well as after/in-between games, rounds, matches. In-game coms is the most crucial aspect while playing, things such as specificity, how clear your calls are, how fast you can give a call, your ability to know when NOT to use coms can be just as important too. Understanding coms in return, how to use your teammates as a resource to gather information to make important and decisive decisions. In-between round or games having the ability to communicate things that you see that maybe others don’t, to give your team a possible new strategy that can change the course of a game.
Game knowledge – Hours played in-game and total number of matches contributes to your knowledge of the game. Having knowledge of maps, weapons, skills, abilities, rotation times, in-game sounds, spawn locations, literally every and any aspect of a game that can give you the competitive edge is important knowledge to have. The more knowledge you have the more you can think out of the box, usually giving you the upper hand.
Attitude/Mindset – Your ability to contain your emotions, to ensure you and your team can maintain your composure in any situation your team may be in through out a match. Having a positive mindset, no matter what is happening while being able to lift your teammates as well.
Playing the Role – Being able to understand the role your coach needs you to play, to ensure your teams strategy success.
Versatility – Having the ability to change your play style, character, or abilities at a moment’s notice to better your team’s success is a great trait to have. Everyone knows that while playing games especially at high-level, things can change fast and quick.
Team Player – Being able to work with your team, while at the same time holding both yourself and others around you accountable. Do not be the player to not follow the team game plan or strategy by going rogue, no solo-play . Committing yourself to the team and collaborating during practice, team meetings, and film study.