Getting invited to an official visit as a tennis player is a big deal. An official visit to a university campus is funded in whole or partly by the institution. Being asked to an official visit is a significant step in your recruiting process because coaches typically reserve invitations for their best prospects. It is critical to get ready in advance for this vital recruitment step.
Official visits for prospective tennis athletes, for both men and women, start on September 1st, the beginning of their high school's eleventh grade. Recently, the NCAA began allowing an unlimited number of official visits (one per school) to all divisions. Additionally, you can receive information and materials from the coach, message coaches, or be called by them, start private conversations via text messaging with the coach on September 1st of your junior year.
Although every official visit will be slightly different, here are some things you can expect as a tennis player on an official visit:
1. Campus tour
Recruits should anticipate that the itinerary will include at least one campus tour. This is your time to get a feel for the school and consider whether you would like to live there for four years. Make notes while you explore the campus. You can review your notes to assist and refresh your memory about the trip and help you remember what you liked and didn't like about all of the schools you visited.
2. Talking to academic advisor
Meeting an academic advisor might be part of your visit. Here, you will get to learn about the demands of the school and what to expect as a student-athlete. You should ask as many questions as you can about things such as the available majors and minors, the time commitment, how professors handle athletes missing class, and what student-athletes tend to struggle with the most.
3. The dining hall
The dining hall on campus will also likely be an important stop on your official visit. This may seem like a more minor thing, but food is vital, especially as an athlete. Make sure they have food that you can eat and enjoy, otherwise your time at the school is not going to be as enjoyable.
4. Restaurants
Because this is an official visit, you might go into the town and try some local restaurants that students go to a lot. This will be paid for, so you should enjoy the food and check out if you can see yourself enjoying the town/city that the school is in.
5. Attending a game
Schools will pay (if there is a fee) for you to go to a home game. You will get to watch how the team operates, the coach's coaching style, and if you think you could fit in. If you are going to an official visit to a big school, the school might even get you tickets to the home football game so that you can witness what student life is like.
6. Lots of talking with coaches and athletes
On your visit, you will likely meet the entire tennis team. Take advantage of this and ask them tons of questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the coaches or other staff. You should also pay attention to how the team interacts. Does it seem cliquey? Are they nice to each other? How do they interact with the coach?
