When college coaches evaluate recruiting prospects, they look for strong students who meet or exceed their eligibility and admissions standards. They also search for direct-impact athletes who thrive at their positions and can drive their team to the next level. Finally, they want self-aware young men and women with a strong character. Does this sound like you? If so, great! But how do you communicate those qualities to coaches? Consider drafting a recruiting mission statement.
Creating a recruiting mission statement can elevate your position on a college coach's radar and compliment your recruiting efforts. Consider it a brief introduction, in which you tell a coach about your achievements and goals and explain why he or she should consider you. Here are a couple of tips for developing a powerful statement.
1. Demonstrate Self-Awareness
Your mission statement needs to be compelling and display a high level of self-awareness. Sit down with a family member to discuss and identify critical attributes that your ideal college will possess. You should focus on the quality of the academic experience that you would desire. Now list those ideal qualities that you possess–hopefully plenty of them line up!
Related: Want to Stand Out? The Top 5 Characteristics Recruiters Look For In Athletes
2. Indicate That You're In It For the Long Haul
A good college coach and exceptional educator will recruit you not just for the next four years, but for the next 40. A caring coach desperately wants you to impact his or her program as a standout athlete, but he or she also wants you to achieve success in life. You don't get a second chance at a first impression so make sure you stand out–discuss your long-term goals and consider which colleges fit with what you want.
3. Talk About Your Athletic Impact and Contributions
This segment of your statement may appear simple, but you probably have a long list of athletic accomplishments to share. The key here is to streamline them into a clear statement about how you plan to impact a college sports program. There is a fine line between being cocky and confident so create a bold (and accurate) statement that demonstrates your current skill set as an athlete.
Related: 20 Tips You Can't Miss to Help You Get Ahead in Your Recruiting Process
4. Touch on Character and Leadership
Coaches are looking for the best and brightest prospects to drive their programs to the next level so they put a premium on character. They want to recruit young men or women who display loyalty, dedication, perseverance and diligence in their everyday lives. Coaches want impact players, but they especially want people who will become strong links in the team chain.
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Given a choice between a blue-chip prospect whose stats are off the charts but who could potentially become a loose cannon on the team or a skilled athlete who has the potential to lead the team, nine out of ten times, a good coach will go after the second candidate. Team leadership offers intangible benefits at the core of the program, but it also provides consistent team momentum.
5. Proofread!
The little details matter and the final draft of your mission statement should be clear, confident, well-balanced, and edited. Give the coaches every reason to believe you are looking for a quality education. Drive home the point clearly and confidently that you have the athletic tools to impact a good college program (and that you know how to communicate). Recruit someone you trust–whether that's a parent, teammate, or English teacher, to read over your statement and check your blind spots.
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* Originally published on January 30, 2023, by Michael Pizzuti
