Recruit-Her LLC

***Be Prepared - Know What You Want to Know More About***

Invest some time researching the schools and programs you are interested in. You’ll make a good impression if you have done your homework and can have an informed conversation with the coach about your specific interests.

The women’s lacrosse section of the school’s athletic website is a good place to learn more about the program - news, rosters, coach bios etc. The college or university’s website can give you an idea about the academics, campus life, etc. But websites won’t tell you things like how many players travel, what the student-athlete support services are like or if a coach is recruiting for your position. Prepare general and school specific questions prior to phone calls and visits. Practice a mock phone call before your first phone call takes place. Saying your answers out loud and asking questions will make future phone calls and in person conversations with coaches much easier.

Good Luck!

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September 1 is one week away! No matter what happens the work ahead is yours - emails, phone calls, visits etc. Consult and communicate with your parents and club/recruiting coaches, but college coaches want to talk to YOU!

Also keep in mind that everyone’s journey is unique. Try not to compare yourself to others, save your energy to focus on your controllables.

Good luck!

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On August 28th we transition to a dead period as we approach the September 1st D1 contact date.

September 1 being a dead period does not mean coaches can’t reach out to players on that day, it means the communication can’t be in-person, so no VISITS until the 4th. And no more midnight calls, the contact time is now 12 noon so get your rest!

As you continue to prepare for post Sept. 1 activities, it’s a good idea to have a list of prospect events and a plan B of schools with your intended major and/or in the same ranking range as any schools who may have confirmed interest in you through your club coach or recruiting coordinator.

However you may want to hold off on registering for fall prospect events until after Sept. 1st unless you have confirmed interest from those schools and they are a good match for you.

Control your controllables!

Be sure to reference the NCAA’s website for the latest calendar.

While I’m currently at my max for 2028 clients, I know this time of year is so stressful for those hoping to be recruited. I’ll continue to post info that PSAs and families may find helpful. I want to emphasize, ANYONE can successfully navigate their own recruiting journey, and there are some very good online resources.

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***The Short List***

Fingers crossed you land on the short lists you want - but remember being on a short list doesn’t guarantee that you will be offered a spot, so plan accordingly. If you are told you are in the “2nd tier” make sure you have a plan B ready to go as this is often the coaches’ way of saying you are not in consideration. It’s rare, but not unheard of, to be recruited from the 2nd tier but you want to be prepared to pivot and explore other options rather than holding out exclusively.

How do you know if you are on the short list? Typically athletes on the short list are invited to visit campus and do not need to play again in front of the staff. Those players will have a meeting with the coaching staff during the visit. Some athletes will be given an offer on-the-spot and others will receive a phone call after the visit with an offer. Athletes who attend a visit, have the meeting, but are told we will be in touch are usually not at the top of the short list and may have to wait for others ahead of them to decline offers before they are given an opportunity. Again, be prepared to pivot if needed.

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***Scholarship Dollars***

This subject is always a little difficult - some coaches may talk ballpark numbers, some will want to verify your transcripts at the end of your junior year before you see a final offer. We encourage you to understand the true cost of the school by researching non-athletic aid amounts a student may qualify for before you make a decision. The college should have a net price calculator on their website.

This year has an additional complication: the NCAA settlement which allows for up to 38 roster spots for those schools opting in, however expect to see flexibility with scholarship distribution, partial scholarships, or no scholarships at all. Although programs are allowed to fund up to 38 full scholarships, not every program will be able to financially support this option. Those programs participating must follow roster caps and participate in revenue sharing.

While there are still unknowns, if a school opts in to the NCAA policy or continues how they have been operating, the Head Coach ultimately decides how much scholarship money each player receives.

On top of the scholarship changes, keep in mind that room & board fees may be significant and not covered in a scholarship offer. It’s also important to understand if the college you are talking to allows stacking of athletic and academic scholarships.

DIII schools can’t offer athletic money but many have generous aid programs - so don’t count them out! Above all, ask yourself, would the school still be where you want to study if you weren’t playing lacrosse?
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***Take Your Time - Find the Right Fit***

It might be a challenge when you see other players committing, you may want to hurry and do the same, especially this year with the potentially smaller recruiting class sizes. But take your time to make sure the school feels right, and you are confident the coach and the program are a good fit for you and your educational goals.

Having said that, many D1 schools filled their recruiting class by November last year. A few will hold 1-2 spots for the right player who may have gone under the radar and will continue to commit some players through the winter months. D2 & D3 generally will have commitments over a longer timeframe and will continue to commit players during their Junior-Senior year.

When you get an offer, it will be important to understand how much time you have to make your decision, and to quickly act to clarify any questions or concerns you may have.

Good Luck!

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***There’s a Fit for Everyone***

There are a lot of factors to weigh as you try to narrow your college list or readjust after September 1st. It does not have to be a “D1 or bust” scenario. The IWLCA.SportsRecruits.com website is a great resource for which schools have which majors, academic rigor, school size etc.

If you are serious about playing lacrosse in college there are a good number of options - at really great schools. If you put the work in and “cast a wide net”, you’ll find your fit! Don’t overlook NAIA programs and WCLA (Club) programs.

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***Order in the Chaos***
There will be a flurry of activity at the beginning of September. Coaches want to secure players and prospective student athletes want to secure their spots - everyone involved is trying to select the best choice for what they are looking for.

The activity may be centered around “blue chip” players at first, and when the dust settles around their alignment then the focus shifts to the next best fit - for both coaches looking for athletes and players looking for programs.

Roster caps, 5-in-5 and the transfer portal may cause recruiting class sizes to be smaller this year. It’s unclear how that will impact the amount of time given to athletes for commitment decisions. Control what you can control and react as information comes in.

Good luck!

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***Don’t fret, coaches work differently.***

So much hype around September 1. Will a coach call? Will a coach email? Will it be right at noon? What if I didn’t hear anything? Don’t fret, coaches work differently.

Hopefully you’ve put the work in to get on the radar at schools you are interested in and have not been relying on a coach to spot you at a tournament. If not, don’t worry, there is still time to find a fit, but you’ll need to put some work in attending upcoming clinics at schools that are an athletic MATCH. This may require expanding or adjusting your list. Seeking wise counsel for the appropriate fall clinics to attend will increase your chances of a spot offer..

And really, for most recruits, now is when the relationship work starts - coach visits, unofficial visits, official visits and overnights - coaches should be getting a sense of how a potential student athlete enhances the team on and off the field as part of the decision process - and all coaches do this differently.

Good luck!!

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***2 Weeks until DI contact day for 2028s!***
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This isn’t the finish line, it’s really the beginning of the communication process. Rising high school Juniors have been working very hard this summer showcasing themselves but now begins the relationship/interview aspect of recruiting: is this the right fit from the coach’s perspective and the player’s? Each player needs 1 school to fall into alignment ....just 1 and things will fall into place. Every player who commits to a D1 school may not receive a phone call from that particular school on Sept 1st. The coaches’ lists shift as do the athletes being pursued.

Remember to keep your options open and continue to entertain opportunities at all levels D1, D2, D3 is really important. If the goal is to play the game you love in college then you can find a place, it may turn out differently than you anticipated but it can be done!!

Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting things to keep in mind as the recruiting process moves to the next phase for 2028s. We hope you find the advice helpful in your process. Good luck!

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