DIII recruitment-can a player tell the coach she wants to commit to the team before being officially offered.

[UB40]

In May 2020 (at the end of DD's sophomore year) DD's batting coach told DD she would be a great fit for the program the BC just graduated from and encouraged DD to contact the HC. The HC responded to DD immediately and has been in regular contact since. In the fall the BC had told DD that the HC is going to off her a spot on the roster. DD has not been able to make any type of coordinated visit to the campus with the HC because of COVID restrictions, but we took her there any way just to see the campus. She loved it. Even more important, the school has an academic program that really appeals to DD.

A few weeks ago the HC emailed DD that she would like to schedule an unofficial and official campus visit. DD replied that she could make an official visit in June. We were hoping DD would be officially offered the spot on the roster now, so she doesn't have to stress through the summer. The HC replied that she wanted DD to make an unofficial visit in June, and the official visit in the fall when she could meet the team.

Would it be acceptable to directly tell the HC that DD wants to be on the team, and if so, what would be the best way to tell the HC?

 

[Orange Socks]

Your DD can tell the coach whatever she wants. She can tell the coach Your school is my #1 and only choice and I would like to be a part of your program. How the coach responds, who knows? The coach may have a process that they like to follow and many coaches like to make the offer in person in their office. Go for it and see what happens.

 

[Strike2]

I'd communicate that during the next visit, towards the end of the meeting with the coach, whenever that might be. The reaction should tell you what you need to know.

 

[Vertigo]

Can you say which conference the school is in? That could make a difference as to when they might offer. There are several D3’s that won’t offer until later this summer. Does this school require a pre-read?

 

[murphdog]

Early summer after DD’s junior year she sent an email to the HC that they were her #1 choice and got a response back that the was one of their top choices too and they wanted to schedule an overnight in the fall. This was pre Covid so it was a lot easier.
After the overnight the coach told her she had a spot if she wanted one but it was implied long before that.

 

[UB40]

Does this school require a pre-read?

I'll have to ask DD if the school requires a pre-read, not sure if she knows. Is that something to ask the coach or the admissions office.

 

[Vertigo]

I'll have to ask DD if the school requires a pre-read, not sure if she knows. Is that something to ask the coach or the admissions office.

Typically the coach will ask for it if it’s needed.

 

[UB40]

Typically the coach will ask for it if it’s needed.

Is there a typical point in the process a coach would ask?

Thanks.

 

[Vertigo]

Is there a typical point in the process a coach would ask?

Thanks.

IME, some asked for grades/test scores/“resume” initially during the winter of junior year just to get an idea if dd was in the ballpark of being able to be competitive in the admissions process; then they asked again right after junior year to complete the official pre-read through the admissions dept.

 

[Vertigo]

Just keep in mind - not all schools will do this, so please don’t think that if they haven’t asked then they are not interested. That might not be the case at all.