Recruiting 101
Tips from D-II Players and Parents
by Julie and Danny Thiets, 12 January 2015
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This is Part 3 in a 4-part article series. At High-Tech Tennis, we're in a unique position because we have access to information that can help you transition from junior tennis to college tennis. We have interacted with dozens of junior tennis coaches who have walked the walk and are now talking the talk to help you navigate the very exciting - but sometimes confusing - recruiting process. They have many lessons learned and other bits of useful advice. We hope these HIGH-TECH TIPS will help you and your family on your journey through the maze of junior tennis - as you search for the school that's a perfect fit.
Almost
all recruits want to play for a Division I school - at least that's what they
say - but we all know that may
not be a realistic goal. Here are a few interesting HIGH-TECH TIPS that might help you if you're thinking about Division II.
Father of a recruit who recently signed with a D-II school:
"We were pleasantly surprised to have more offers/options than we anticipated! And, by the way, HIGH-TECH TENNIS did a great job on my son's recruiting video!
However, one surprise that was not so pleasant was that on an overnight recruiting trip, my son was turned loose at Frat and Sorority parties with no adult supervision... which he loved... but his mother immediately removed the school from consideration.
At 17, my wife (and I) felt that the coach at this school had a responsibility to look after our son... and if he wasn't going to do it on an official recruiting visit, he wasn't going to do it if he were a student/athlete at this school either."
Mother of freshman at a D-II school:
"My best advice would be to have a close relationship with a good coach while your player is in high school. Our son's coach has a great reputation, and he made many calls to tell college coaches about the type of person and player my son is...
However, it still came as a shock that so many schools filled up their teams with foreign students. He didn't even apply to many schools because there was zero chance of getting on the team unless you're from France, Brazil, Mexico, etc."