Last night, Mojo hosted a college softball recruiting workshop with expert coach Barb Sherwood. The session provided parents with essential strategies for navigating the complex world of college softball recruiting. Here are the key takeaways every softball family needs to know.
Start Early, Stay Prepared
The foundation of successful recruiting begins well before college coaches come calling. Barb emphasized that it’s never too early to start learning about the recruiting process. For student-athletes, maintaining strong academic performance is crucial, as academic scholarships often exceed athletic scholarships in value.
Starting in 9th grade, parents should:
- Register their athletes with the NCAA Eligibility Center
- Monitor and maintain core course requirements
- Begin standardized test preparation (SAT/ACT) by 10th grade
- Research potential colleges’ financial aid options
The Changing Landscape of College Softball
The recruiting environment is evolving rapidly. One significant change is the new 25-athlete roster cap in Division One programs. This limitation has made the recruiting process more selective, with coaches carefully managing their roster spots and often waiting until season’s end to make decisions.
The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy continues to create uncertainty in the recruiting landscape, though its full impact is still being determined. These changes make it even more critical for athletes to be proactive in their recruiting journey.
Building Your Recruiting Profile
A strong recruiting profile extends beyond the field. Barb provided several key strategies:
Social Media Presence
Athletes should create professional Twitter and Instagram accounts specifically for recruiting purposes, starting in 8th grade. These profiles should include:
- Graduation year
- Position
- Travel ball team
- GPA
- Regular updates about academic and athletic achievements
- Community service involvement
Skill Development and Exposure
To improve recruiting prospects, athletes should:
- Attend elite prospect camps
- Participate in specialized clinics (pitching, hitting, catching)
- Play high school softball to demonstrate leadership
- Consider high-level travel ball opportunities
Effective Communication with Coaches
One of the most valuable insights from the workshop was about communication strategies. While coaches may have restrictions on when they can respond, athletes can always reach out. The key is to:
- Email coaches directly with personalized messages
- Maintain consistent communication, even without immediate responses
- Avoid mass-tagging coaches in social media posts
- Show personality and genuine interest in specific programs
Campus Visits and Evaluation
Barb recommended making the most of tournament travel by visiting nearby college campuses. This provides opportunities to:
- Experience the campus environment
- Evaluate facilities
- Get a feel for the school culture
- Assess if the institution would be a good fit
Financial Planning
The workshop emphasized the importance of understanding the financial aspects of college recruitment. Parents should:
- Research both athletic and academic scholarship opportunities
- Understand the differences between D1, D2, and other program offerings
- Consider the total cost of attendance beyond tuition
- Explore all financial aid options
Moving Forward
The recruiting process can seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it more approachable. Success in college recruiting comes from being proactive, maintaining strong academics, developing athletic skills, and building effective relationships with coaches.
Remember, it’s not solely the coaches’ responsibility to recruit athletes – it’s a partnership between the athlete, parents, and coaching staff. By following these guidelines and staying committed to the process, athletes can maximize their opportunities for college recruitment.
We’d like to thank Barb Sherwood for sharing her expertise and providing our families with such valuable insights into the recruiting process. For those who couldn’t attend, we encourage you to reach out with any questions about the information shared during this session. For current athletes looking for similar recruiting info, check out our player focused recriuting call.