Recruiting checklist 

for fastpitch softball college bound players

Below is a thumbnail summary of a much larger, more comprehensive list about the recruiting process that can be found at http://www.symplifyathletics.com/recruiting-softball.asp

Please also review Harford Xtreme Showcase's homepage's college funding research links: College-Bound Student-Athlete PowerPoint presentation, FinAid / Financial Aid, www.finaid.org, FastWeb/ Scholarship Search Engine, www.fastweb.com, and Federal Student Aid, studentaid.ed.gov.

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A showcase player's checklist of 48 basic rules condense from SymplifyAtheltics.com...

► Accept recruiting days invitations
► Choose colleges as much for education and sport.
► Be a student of your sport.

► Attend college athletic events for your sport.
► Learn about your sport's mental game.
► Maintain your eligibility for athletic scholarships.
► Keep up-to-date statistics.
► Gain acceptance to at least one college you want to attend even if without sport option
► Personalize corespondence.


► Qualities for athletic scholarship are (A) athletic talent, (B) academic achievement, and (C) exposure to the coaches.
► Know why you are interested in playing a college sport.
► Involve your parents, coaches and supportive adults.
► Exceed minimal graduation standards.
► Keep college coaches updated.
► Visit college web sites.
► Be realistic about ability and commitment.
► Sign up at NCAA Clearinghouse.
► Be self-confident, realistic, persistent with athlete profile.
► Consult college athletes for advice.
► Update online student athlete profile.

► Be honest about athletic abilities, academic standing, accomplishments and personal goals.
► Know college and conference calendars and schedules.
► Know and follow all college eligibility regulations.
► Make official campus visits to your 'Top 5' colleges.


► Small scholarship money does not necessarily reflect how much a coach wants a player.
► Take the SAT and ACT college entrance tests.
► Always confirm you have the correct coach name, title, and address before contact.
► Tell your high school coach which colleges interest you.
► Participate in a physical conditioning program.
► Respond promptly and courteously to all inquiries.
► Remain flexible in choosing a college.
► Participate in camps, clinics, tournaments, etc.
► Extend invitations to coaches to watch you compete.
► Have a well-made video showcases your talent.
► Always conduct yourself in a positive manner.

► If a coach finds you not a good match, quickly move on.
► Ask a lot of questions.
► For early signing college visits begin by fall, junior year.
► Review the college team sites for programs of interest.
► Meeting a coach face-to-face, be well-groomed.
► Persistently follow your plan to contact college coaches.
► Respond to requests from coaches immediately.
► When writing, carefully check spelling and grammar.
► Send thank you notes.
► Show your initiative by contacting coaches, expressing & demonstrating interest.
► Keep all scheduled appointments, whether calls or visits.
► Promote yourself to multiple colleges.
► Be knowledgeable about all levels of U.S. college sports competition and related opportunities.

Athletic scholarships are primarily awarded by three national athletic organizations: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The NCAA is the largest of the three organizations. Smaller colleges and universities are part of the NAIA and the NJCAA is the association for junior colleges and community colleges.

SENIOR & NOT SIGNED? You’re not out of the recruiting process. GET BUSY: Have you written e-mails, called coaches, made visits? PROFILE READY: academic info, highlight tape, athletic accomplishments, references, etc. BE REALISTIC: 1700 US college athletic programs & 80% not D1. DON'T GIVE UP: “No different than being down when you’re competing in your sport – it’s when you’re down that it’s most important to keep going.” Full story at http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2012/01/18/6-things-to-do-if-youre-not-signing-a-national-letter-of-intent/