Coach Rider knows how to build something out of nothing, a skill that's valuable for all recruits. Before taking over as head coach of Curry College's women's ice hockey team, she served in the same role at Northland College, where she built a program from scratch. After recruiting 20 new players in her first year, Rider continued pouring into her players and eventually beat top-ranked opponents and guided multiple athletes to earn All-American honors. Here are her tips to build up your recruiting profile so you can stand out.

What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit? 

Character matters, but so does talent. We look for the most talented players first and/or the players that fit our current needs (positions, roles) and then what we look for most is the fit. This fit included the character of the recruit and how they fit in with our school and program.

What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?

The best way for a recruit to get on our radar is to contact us directly themselves. We don't mind contact with parents, but we prefer to talk with [potential college athletes]. The next part is to attend a highly recruited event or tournament as it gives the biggest chance to be seen by the most coaches.

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When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone, or other)

For DIII ice hockey, we would like to first hear from an athlete when we reach out to them and/or during their junior year of high school. Phone and email are the preferred ways of contact.

What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the ice?

Our program is built largely upon work ethic and accountability. Therefore, players should excel in the classroom, weight room, and on the ice, with minimal to no guidance. College is a place to grow and coaches want to provide you with tools and resources and the best environment for success, but we need to trust that players are responsible and can be trusted to give their best effort in all areas.

Related: 11 Recruiting Questions With Lake Forest College Women's Hockey Coach Jennifer Wilson

What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?

Do: Contact coaches, respond to coaches, have a voicemail set up, check your email, be sure your current coach has a roster with contact information at games, do your research. 

Don'ts: Have parents only correspond, tell a coach you are too busy to get back to them or talk to them, neglect your academics, say no to a school or coach without first doing your research and hearing them out (there may be information you are not aware of).

What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?

The best advice I can offer a recruit is to be proactive. Initiate and follow up conversations with coaches, do your research, ask questions, and find the right fit for you. Be honest with yourself and with coaches.

What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape? 

What jumps out the most is when we do not receive information (jersey number, color, etc). What I like to see is full shifts, but video that doesn't take longer than 5-10 minutes to watch.

What are the main do's and don'ts for a recruit's highlight tape?

Do's: Include information about who you are (number, jersey color, circle you, etc.), include full shifts, don't be afraid to include mistakes. 

Don'ts: make it flashy–no need for music. Don't just include a shot or a save.

Related: Want to Wow Recruiters? Top 5 Platforms to Help You Create the Best Highlight Reel

When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during the offseason, in the middle of season, or after each game?

The earlier the better. Many coaches are open to receiving new video periodically throughout a season.

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?

Be open and willing to listen to other coaches and schools. You can always find a fit or options, it just might take more time and effort on your part. A new dream school may be a school you haven't heard of or seen before.

How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?

It's great to have privacy settings, but this can be a red flag too. Be smart about social media and make sure it is a true reflection of you. By being you and honest this is another tool coaches can use to get to know you better. 

Think about what you are posting, liking, retweeting and if it's a true reflection of you. Also think about how often you are on social media. If you are telling a coach you are too busy, but your social media is active all the time, it sends a bad message.

Image Credit: Curry College Athletics

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* Originally published on November 16, 2022, by 2aDays Staff