Questions for college coaches

[steve]

Daughter is starting to receive a lot of interest from colleges. In the past someone posted a list of suggested questions to ask of the coach, other players, college adminstration, etc. Also, so specific things to look for when visiting a campus.

Could anyone re-post this list? Certainly any suggestions would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

[andy]

TOPICS FOR COLLEGE VISITS

1. GENERAL INFO ON THE SCHOOL… _________________________________

STARTS WHEN

ENDS WHEN

WEATHER

STUDENT POPULATION

DORMS

- WHAT KIND


- MEAL PLANS


- OTHER FACILITIES



ACADEIMIC MAJORS (?) IS THE SCHOOL A FULL SERVICE SCHOOL?

COLLEGES "SPECIALTY" IF IT HAS ONE OR SEVERAL:




2. GENERAL INFO ON THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM

POSITION (S) THAT THEY SEE MY DAUGHTER PLAYING:

WHO ELSE PLAYS THERE AND WHAT YEAR ARE THEY?

TEAM GRADUATION STATISTICS

RED SHIRTING – DOES IT OCCUR? WHO DECIDES?


3. DESCRIB A SOFTBALL SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE

A. AVERAGE PRACTICE DAY – from getting up to going to bed

1. IN SEASON


2. OUT OF SEASON


B. FALL AND SPRING PLAY SCHEDULES

B
C. COACHING STAFF


D. MEDICAL STAFF, TRAINERS include questions about normal non sports related medical stuff, where does she go, who pays etc

E. DISCIPLINE – RULES OF CONDUCT – TEAM RULES


4. ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR SOFTBALL

A. HOW ARE MISSED CLASSES MADE UP

B. HOW MANY CLASS DAYS ARE NORMALLY MISSED

C. TUTORING AVAILABLE:

D. MANDITORY SOFTBALL STUDY PROGRAMS

E. LAPTOP COMPUTER AVAILABILITY FOR ROAD TRIPS
INCLUDING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO THE SCHOOL FROM THE ROAD.


5. COST OF SCHOOL

A. TUITION __________________

B. ROOM AND BOARD __________________

C. BOOKS __________________

D. OTHER COSTS (PARKING) ___________________

E. WALK AROUND $$ (RECOMMENDATIONS)



6. ANY RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON SOFTBALL PLAYERS
A. STUDY HALLS

B. CURFEWS on and off the road

C. ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED.

D . WHEN CAN THEY COME HOME



OTHER INFORMATION: NOTES, QUESTIONS ETC


E-MAIL ADDRESS:


MAILIING ADDRESS:


PHONE NUMBERS:


NOTES:

[TulsaEliteGold]

I hope this helps. This is some of what our girls & parents use. Remember not to assume anything and ask everything. If they seem like they don't want to answer, RUN... Don't be afraid to ask for everything in writing...it's you or your daughter's future!


What to ask during a Recruitment Visit: Don't be afraid to ask questions
About Athletics:
1. What role do you see me playing in your program?
o It's not always obvious. Most coaches want to be flexible so that you are not disappointed.
2. Describe the other players competing at the same position.
o If there is a former high-school all-American at that position, you may want to take that into consideration.
o This will give you clues as to what year you might be a starter.
3. What are the redshirt options and what are the circumstances??
o Find out how common it is to redshirt and how that will affect graduation. Does the school redshirt you if
you are injured?
4. What are the physical requirements each year??
o Philosophies of strength and conditioning vary. You may be required to maintain a certain weight.
5. How long does the coach plan to stay with the program?
o Don't make any assumptions about how long a coach will be at a school.
o If the coach is losing and the contract ends in two years, you may have a new coach.
6. Describe the preferred, invited and uninvited walk-on situation. How many make it, compete and earn a scholarship??
o Different teams treat walk-ons differently.
7. Ask questions to players and coaches How would you best describe your coaching style??
o Every coach has a particular style that involves different motivational
techniques and discipline.
o You need to know if a coach's teaching style does not match your learning style.
About Academics:
1. How good is the department in my major??
o Smaller colleges can have very highly rated departments. A team's reputation is only one variable.
2. What percentage of players on scholarship graduate in 4 years??
o This will tell you about the quality of their commitment to academics.
o The team's grade-point average also is a good indicator of the coach's commitment to academics.
3. Describe the typical class sizes.
o At larger schools, classes are likely to be larger and taught by teaching assistants.
o Average class size is important to the amount of attention you receive.
4. Describe in detail your academic support program. For example: Study hall requirements, tutor availability, staff, class load, faulty cooperation.
o This is imperative for marginal students.
o Find a college that will take the 3.000 students and help them get a 3.500 GPA.
5. Describe the typical day for a student-athlete.
o This will give you a good indication of how much time is spent in class, practice, studying and traveling.
o It also will give you a good indication of what coaches expect.
6. What are the residence halls like??
o Make sure you would feel comfortable in study areas, community bathrooms and laundry facilities.
o Number of students in a room and coed dorms are other variable to consider.
7. Will I be required to live on campus for all four years?
o If the answer is yes, ask whether there are exceptions. Apartment living may be better than dorm living.
About Financial Aid:
1. How much financial aid is available for summer school??
o There is no guarantee. Get a firm commitment.
o You may need to lighten your normal load and go to summer school in order to graduate in four years.
You can take graduate courses and maintain your eligibility.
2. What are the details of financial aid at your institution??
o What does my scholarship cover?? What can I receive in addition to the Scholarship and how do I get
more aid??
3. How long does my scholarship last??
o Most people think a "full ride" is good for 4 years. Financial aid is available on a 1-year renewable basis.
4. If I'm injured, what happens to my financial aid??
o A grant-in-aid is not guaranteed past a one-year period even for injuries.
o It is important to know if a school has a commitment to assist student-athletes for more than a year after they have been injured.
5. What are my opportunities for employment while I'm a student??
o Find out if you can be employed in-season, out-of-season or during vacation periods:
o NCAA rules prohibit you from earning more than the value of a full scholarship during the academic year.

[Tucson]

This may be the exception rather than the rule, but I know a "top 50" D1 player that is getting a 5th year paid for. She has played 4 years, but was unable to graduate, so she gets a 5th year of tuition.

Also, check the safety of the campus. Many times there is more violence and cases of underage drinking than is commonly known.

[Mr. Burns]

Ask whether or not their team is fully funded. In other words do they have enough money to pay for the full number of scholarships their division allows. If not, you'll constantly see recruits visiting there, only to find out later they went to another school that offered them more money.

[whatever]

We just returned from a Division I camp and they require their girls to commit to a certain number of community service hours as well (can't remember the amount - but it was a lot).

What is red shirt?

[DonnieS]

Gather as much information as you can before hand from the school's website. I would use that itemized list two or three posts up - put that in Word, do as much research as possible before you go - have those answers already in the document, when you go up there. Make sure the coach knows that you looked up all you could.

We made up a list, not as well organized as the above list, but put that in a spreadsheet and broke out the schools that we had talked to. Maybe not the best way, but it was the best way to see the info broken down by school - specially since so much of the data is subjective.

[Tucson]

Red Shirt - generally a freshman that isn't playing or dressing. It gives you 4 years of eligibility past that year. But, you could get injured and red shirt, too.