College coaches aren’t just recruiting the player, they’re recruiting the parents as well.
They want to see how the parents act. What the parents think about things. And how the parents raised their kid.
Overall, my parents did a great job during the recruiting process. They found the right balance between getting involved and letting me handle college coaches.
Here’s what I learned about how parents should act at recruiting events.
What is the parent’s role at a recruiting event?
College coaches are aware that parents often attend camps, combines, showcases and other types of recruiting events to support their kid.
Coaches also understand that parents will one day be in the stands cheering on their team. The parents role is to be there and help support their kid throughout the recruiting process.
When speaking with parents, many of them are surprised to hear that college coaches don’t just evaluate student-athletes at recruiting events—they evaluate parents, too.
Remember, you want the coach’s main focus to be on the student-athlete – not you, the parent.
Here’s what parents should avoid doing at recruiting events:
- Acting like nobody’s watching. Whether a parent is in line at the concession stand or sitting in the bleachers, they should act as if a coach is always around—because they most likely are. In these moments, a parent’s behavior becomes a reflection of their entire family, including their athlete. Even if an athlete isn’t interested in getting recruited by the coach or coaches running the event, coaches have a widespread network, and word travels fast.
- Helicopter-parenting. It’s a phrase that’s often used by coaches to describe parents that are (or appear to be!) overbearing or intrusive. Coaches don’t like to see parents coaching their athlete from the sidelines, complaining to or with other parents or even worse–parents yelling at coaches or officials about playing time or about a certain call.
- Not knowing the rules. We see it happen all the time: a parent approaches a coach at an event, only to be cut off or ignored completely. Rest assured that the coach isn’t being rude, they’re likely just following NCAA contact rules. Depending on the coach’s sport or division level, there are plenty of times throughout the year—called evaluation periods—when NCAA D1 and D2 coaches can watch athletes compete live but aren’t allowed to talk to them or their parents in-person.
- Introducing themselves or approaching a coach at the wrong time. If you have to ask, “Is now a bad time?”, it’s a bad time. Parents shouldn’t try to chat up a coach just as the event is starting or while they’re coaching. One of the best times to reach out to the coach is shortly after the event—athletes are typically in the locker room and you can have a quick word as the coaches have a little down-time.
(Related: How to Contact College Coaches)
Insider Tip: Parents can–and should–connect with a coach during an event, especially if the athlete already knows or has a good relationship with the coach. It’s okay for a parent to approach a coach and introduce themselves—a straightforward “Hi Coach, I’m so-and-so’s mom/dad” will do! If a coach is interested, they’ll keep the conversation going.
At the end of the day, a college coach is recruiting the athlete, not the parent, but a parents bad attitude or unsportsmanlike actions can also end up hurting their athlete’s chances of getting recruited. Parents should make sure they’re making a good impression for themselves and their athlete.
The College Recruiting Guidebook
The college recruiting guidebook is the ultimate manual to earning an athletic scholarship for student-athletes and parents.
How would a $50,000/year athletic scholarship change your families life?
Inside the guidebook you’ll have access to:
- step-by-step instructions freshman through senior year
- every single college coaches email in the country (broken up by division and school)
- sample email/dm/text templates you can use
- a manual for parents on how to negotiate scholarships/financial aid with college coaches
- access to an array of bonuses you won’t find anywhere else
Parents will pay $20 just for admission in to their kids game. You can get this guidebook for the same price.
The college recruiting guidebook could literally change your families future!
Conclusion: How Parents Should Act at Recruiting Events
College coaches aren’t just recruiting the athlete, but also the parents. Don’t turn coaches away by how you’re acting as a parent.
Be there for support and to guide your kid along the process.
I provide more details on how parents should act within the college recruiting guidebook.
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