For most students, summer means rest and relaxation. But for athletes with hopes of competing at the Division I level, the break is anything but carefree, writes Sage Rosskopf in the student newspaper at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego.
The months after sophomore year are among the most pivotal in the recruiting process, when athletes sharpen their skills and wait anxiously to hear from college coaches, she notes.
June 15 marks the first day NCAA rules allow direct communication between college programs and rising juniors. By then, serious athletes have already spent years preparing. Training on the field or court is only part of the work. They also research schools, draft emails to coaches, attend identification camps, and assemble highlight reels designed to stand out in a crowded field of prospects.
Soccer player Nami Walsh, now a junior, started planning years before she heard from Brown University, where she later committed. She recalls sending emails to coaches with her academic and athletic statistics, then following up with video clips and updates. “The only time I felt super nervous was when I knew a college was coming to watch specifically me,” she said, describing the pressure of showcases where scouts evaluate players in real time.
Beach volleyball player Kelly Randolph committed to UC Davis after only a year in the sport, relying on her indoor volleyball foundation and relentless preparation. For her, connecting with coaches and demonstrating improvement were as important as natural ability. “I loved the coaches. The campus and the program sounded amazing,” she said. “It just felt right, and I knew something better wasn’t going to come along.”
Coaches emphasize that success in recruiting requires more than talent. Offensive line coach Jake Ashby, who guides football players through the process, said athletes must show initiative. “We’ll encourage our athletes to create their own highlights and send them out,” he explained. “The biggest thing they can do is be proactive, and we’re there as coaches to support that.” In sports like soccer and volleyball, club coaches often play this role, while in football, high school staff members are heavily involved.
The demands aren’t only physical but personal. Athletes lean on family, teammates, and mentors who understand the emotional toll of chasing a scholarship. Walsh credits her brother, who also went through the recruitment process, with providing steady support. Randolph said her friends and club coaches offered guidance on everything from email etiquette to maintaining confidence. “Talking to them throughout the whole process was amazing,” she said.
Only about 7.5 percent of high school athletes compete in college sports, and an even smaller share reach Division I, although different sports have different averages. Yet for those like Walsh and Randolph, the path is defined by early mornings, late nights, and a constant balancing act between schoolwork, athletics, and outreach to recruiters. For them, commitment is not the end but the beginning of a new level of competition and proof that preparation, both on and off the field, can turn long odds into opportunity.