Sarah Gunderson, a native of New Jersey, is a senior marketing major at the University of Rhode Island and is a pitcher for the softball team. Before URI, she attended Northern Highlands Regional High School and was a three-sport athlete. She was a member of the swim team and played softball and volleyball. In 2017, her freshman year, she was awarded the Atlantic 10 conference rookie of the week (for the week of 5/2) and all-rookie team.  She appeared in 27 games, leading the team with six wins, a 4.75 ERA, had 112.2 innings pitched, had seven complete games, and earned two saves. In her sophomore year, she appeared in 18 games, led the team with four victories, had four complete games, and again finished with a 4.75 ERA. Here are her seven recruiting tips: 

2aDays: What is the best piece of advice that you can offer to high school athletes who are looking to play at the collegiate level?

Sarah: In the recruiting process, make a list of the things that are most important to you to have in the school you want to attend, such as class size, location, majors that are offered, and resources available. Email all the coaches of the schools you're interested in and get as many campus visits as possible. Pro and con lists are always a great way to weigh your best options.

As an athlete, train, and play hard. Market yourself by creating a skills video, emailing coaches, and going to college camps.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

2aDays: When transitioning from high school sports to college, what was the most significant difference?

Sarah: The biggest difference between playing sports in high school and college is developing time management skills as well as the amount of practicing and playing during the year. For my sport (softball), I didn't have team practices every day in the fall and every day in the spring, but in college, I have training 3-4 hours a day six days per week. Also, we have four days per week of mandatory lift. Weight lifting and conditioning has increased since being in college. With all of the time dedicated to softball, you also have class, studying, homework, eating, sleeping, and other activities that you have to make sure you accomplish during your day.

2aDays: What do you wish you knew before you started the recruiting process?

Sarah: I wish that I didn't stress out as much as I did when I was in the recruiting process. As long as you work hard in school and in your sport, email coaches, and know what you want to get out of your college experience, then everything will fall into place.

2aDays: How many overnight visits did you go on? Did you know right away what college you wanted to play for, and if so, what was the wow factor?

Sarah: I went on four overnight visits. I had a hard time deciding on the school I wanted to attend because I could envision myself at multiple schools. But after making a pros and cons list, I decided the University of Rhode Island was where I wanted to be because of my pros list being longer than the others. I loved the size of the school, the culture, and having both football and basketball teams.

2aDays: What was the most challenging thing you experienced while you were getting recruited?

Sarah: I was originally committed to a different school, then all three coaches left, and I no longer could stay committed to that school. I only had a short time period to get in touch with more coaches and schools.

2aDays: Does your school have support for the athletes who might be struggling with academics?

Sarah: Yes, we have our athletic advisors that hold meetings with us every week to keep up to date with how we are doing academically as well as mandatory study hall hours every week. We are offered tutors in all subjects needed while in the study hall. Along with our athletic advisors, our professors are very understanding with athletics and the support we need due to the time we have to spend in athletics.

2aDays: What coach in your life gave you the best advice, and what was it?

Sarah: I had two coaches that were very influential in my life. One was Kristen Sullivan, and the other was Don Meister. They both taught me to become the best all-round athlete I could be and to keep my blinders on in order to work my hardest and not care about what anyone else around me was doing. “Keep your blinders on” is the best thing I've been told because it means to work the hardest you can so that you can get your job done. It reminds you to control the controllable. You make sure you do your job and work hard so that you can help your team.

2aDays: What coach inspired you the most?

Sarah: Kristen Sullivan, she has been my pitching coach since I was 11 years old. She has made me into the pitcher I am today, not only physically but mentally as well. I have been able to mentally and physically handle all pitching situations because she has prepared me and taught me how to prepare myself for every game I go into.

2aDays: What was the funniest thing that happened to you on an official visit?

Sarah: On my official visit to URI, my future teammates were showing me around campus, and while they were showing me one of the dining halls named “Butterfield.” My teammates explained to me that they serve chicken nuggets and ice cream every day, and because of this, the foods acquired the names “butt nugs” and “butt cream.”

2aDays: Did the recruiting process change you as a person?

Sarah: Yes, it made me more interested in my current major in school, which is Marketing. Also, it made me learn how to send professional emails and communicate better with people. 

Have a story idea or know an awesome athlete/coach we should interview? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on May 12, 2022, by 2aDays Staff