Follow me!

Not to the courts, not to the field…right here online. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, you name it. 

We hear this all the time. And usually, we keep our social media sites updated for friends, teammates, and family. But who else “sees” us? If you consider yourself a potential college athlete, you should know there are many people that care about what you post. Read on for more information about social media in the recruiting process. 

1.) Coaches are Watching

You may ask yourself, “Why would they care?” Consider this: being recruited by a college or university is like starting a new relationship. You're excited and curious because they're about to become a huge part of your life. As much as you want to have a fantastic school to call home, the institution also wants a great athlete to call its own. Back in the day, maybe this only meant jumping high and running fast, but in today's high-tech society, it also means one must be socially presentable and respectable online. 

Related: Send Tweet? Do's and Don'ts for Recruits on Social Media 

2.) Social Media Can Cost You

In a discussion with Notre Dame Volleyball's assistant coach, Katie Wilson, emphasizes how important social media has become for their program. Wilson shares, “Once we are actively recruiting kids, we do follow them on social media. We follow them on Twitter, we follow them on Snapchat, and we follow them on Instagram and Facebook.” When asked if social media could possibly affect the recruitment of a player, Wilson responded, “It has. We were ready to get on a plane to watch a kid and we decided not to based on what we saw on social media.” 

Related: 8 Ways to Use Social Media Strategically in Your Recruiting Process

3.) You Want to Put Out a Good Image

Thanks to social media, nearly everyone is accessible at the click of a button, even you. This means the pictures you posted at the state championship are just as easily seen as the pictures of you partying on New Year's Eve. Not only this, who you follow and what you like is available, too. Wilson confirms they monitor this to see what other schools their recruits are considering. The recruiting process gets more and more competitive every year, so coaches are always trying to find ways to narrow down the selection, including reviewing your social accounts. Are you someone they can trust to represent their school? 

4.) Social Media Can Make You a More Desirable Recruit

It's not all bad news though; the use of your social media sites can actually help you if you use them responsibly. “We are looking to see if you're hanging out with your friends and teammates. Did you get a huge win at a tournament? Then yes, we definitely like to see pictures of you celebrating,” Wilson adds. By showing you are both responsible and a team player, you can't go wrong. 

Related: Get Social: 13 College Athlete Influencers to Follow on Social Media

When it comes to your social media, be smart. It's a tool for your success! Know how you want to portray yourself and know who is watching. My fellow athletes, you've never sold yourself short before, so next time you log in, up your game.

Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on February 23, 2023, by Simmone Collins