Emailing College Coaches
When pursuing college sports, it is crucial to take charge and actively promote yourself in order to make it easier for college coaches to recognize your talent. A highly effective method to gain attention and initiate communication with these coaches is through email. You may wonder how to find their email addresses, but it is actually quite simple. Just visit the team's website, navigate to the coaches section, and you will find their email addresses listed next to their names. When you make the decision to email coaches, there are definitely certain factors to consider.
Is your email address professional and reasonable?
For example: Colean@gmail.com not baller15@hotmail.org
Are you emailing coaches at the right time, following NCAA rules?
D3 Coaches can communicate via email at anytime while D1/D2 can only reply after June 15th of your Junior year
What are you including in your email?
Sending out generic emails to college coaches, like the ones they send to you for camps, is not the way to go. Instead, every email you send should be personalized to showcase your genuine interest in the school and the specific program. Additionally, it is crucial that you showcase the recruitment platform you use, such as ncsasports.com or sportsrecruits.com. Coaches can now confidently evaluate you digitally, gaining access to your provided highlights, full game videos, and even your background history. This will possibly entice further communication which is when a phone call will be set up by either you or the coach.
College Coaches Perspectives
“Very important the email is personalized with the coaches name, school and something to show that you’ve done your research on the school/program. I've received many emails addressed to the wrong coach, school or with the template of the email. College coaches get dozens of emails a week so it’s important to help yourself standout and make it as personal as possible!”
- Sarah Lawrence College Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Aidan Abolfazli
“When reading emails, I prefer when athletes include important information such as Age, Position, Year of grad, Current teams, References, Team schedules ,What they want to study in school and most importantly, highlight videos.”
- Springfield College Graduate Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Christian da Cruz
“I like an email that is straight to the point. Tells me their name, position, and their schedule for upcoming showcases/games. Nothing too complicated.”
- University of Dayton Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Michael Lyons
“I look for someone who has done their research on the college, knows who to address in the email, and I can tell when it’s a mass email sent to other coaches. I look for video, contact information, and if I reach out a prompt response is the best.”
- Nichols College Director of Baseball Operations Jack Blake
“I particularly pay attention to emails from players who took the time to do some research into our school and can tell me why they’re interested in it. I see a lot of emails that are very generic and are copy and pasted so I know a player is interested when they take the time to research it before crafting an email.”
- Grove City College Associate Head Baseball Coach Kyle Sasala
“In emails I look for things that stand out like awards, goals/assists, strong teams they play on also highlight video, GPA and other schools that they are talking to.”
- Middlebury College Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Tim Peng
“High School Graduation date, GPA and a link to your highlight video are always a great place to start!”
- University of Dayton Associate Head Men’s Soccer Coach Alex Ranalli
“I always want grad year, position and who they play for. Follow that up with a little back ground and then links for any highlights and full film after that.”
- University of Illinois Springfield Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Charlie Ward
“When we hear from recruits via email, we want to hear some basic personal, academic, and athletic info, and we want to know when they are playing so we can determine if we will be able to see them or not. It is also beneficial when they list their coach's contact info.”
- Endicott College Assistant Baseball Coach Patrick Tevenan
“The film, GPA, and club all exhibit a clear sense of simplicity in your email!”
- Duquesne University Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Adam Mitchell
"Be as conscise as possible. I rarely read more than 5 sentences. Briefly tell me what interests you about the school and or program. Fill out the recruit questionnaire on our website and attach your transcripts and highlight film."
- Nichols College Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Shayne Lynch
“What I normally look for is a well written email with enough info and proof for me to see where the player has played and what he has produced in terms of goals and assists. Also its important to know some of the players personal life to see what they are going to deal with for 4 years.”
- Ecclesia College Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Pedro Pina
“We’re looking to see who’s actually done their research on our school. A lot of emails say a recruit is a good “fit” but haven’t always done the proper search to make sure it’s true. Doing those types of things will set them up to succeed more than anything when they get in contact with coaches. Watch the team play, research the campus, make sure they have your major etc.”
- Sul Ross State University Head Men’s Soccer Coach Bailey Guffin
“Keeping it short and sweet is my preference. We are a high academic, so lead with your cumulative GPA and ACT or SAT score if appropriate. I won't bother looking at a PSA's film without knowing he is capable of being admitted. Make sure you include your high school and state. Most coaches divide recruiting responsibilities by state. Contact info is a priority. Cell numbers, email and Twitter handle are vital. Don't be upset when you receive a generic response. You probably sent me a generic inquiry. If you respond and follow up with our next step, we assume you are interested.”
- Lyon College Head Football Coach Christopher Douglas
Sample Email
Hello Coach (Insert name),
I want to express my interest in your soccer program and in (Insert College/University). I am interested in your soccer program because (X,Y,Z). I have aspirations of continuing my education at (Insert College/University) because (X,Y,Z). I believe my club/playing experience has helped me development to purse the next level (Elaborate on your experience).
Here is a (Insert Link) to my upcoming tournament schedule and my team's schedule for the spring season (Insert Link).
My recruitment profile can be found here: (Insert Link) also additional game videos can be supplied if you would like to see them. I have completed your (Insert College/University) recruitment questionnaire. Also if you could provide information about your recruitment plans for the (Insert Class Year) class, I would deeply appreciate it.
