Whether you're a swimmer or not, it's important to make a splash during your recruiting process–you want to stand out and catch your future coach's eye after all! 2aDays sat down with Boston University Swimming & Diving Coach Bill Smyth to learn more about how recruits can do exactly that.
Q: What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
A: Fit. Looking for do they fit your athletic criteria, academic criteria, culture, ability to improve and camaraderie with the current team.
Q: What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
A: By filling out our athletic questionnaire as completely as possible.
Q: When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone, or other)
A: Earliest should be a month before their junior year begins all the way through the end of their junior year. Email is best initially, soon followed by phone calls on their end.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Q: What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and in the pool?
A: Classroom: tough curriculum (AP, IB, honors classes) with more A's than B's on the transcript. Some weight room experience is preferred without being too sophisticated. Swimming expectations are double practices 8-10x per week for most of high school / club career.
Q: What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?
A: DO: make a positive impression on the coaches and team on every communication and contact. DON'T: assume anything. Ask any questions that come to mind during the process.
Q: What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?
A: Visit the schools and coaches you're interested in during your spring break, summer vacation and free time during your junior year. Whittle down to your top 5 by the end of your junior year.
Q: What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?
A: Stroke technique jumps out at me, as well as kicking ability and turns.
Related: Tips to Create a Swimming Highlight Video
Q: What advice do you have for recruits who get turned down by their dream schools? What are their options if they don't gain the recruiting attention they desire?
A: This happens all the time. Be ready for backups, and backups for the backups.
Q: How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
A: It's a fairly big factor. I don't research their social media habits, but please remember that any tweet or post is in many ways permanent.
* Originally published on May 16, 2022, by 2aDays Staff
