Diving into the recruiting process and seeing all the events on the recruiting calendar can be overwhelming to say the least. But one key thing to keep in mind amid the chaos is that recruits have to consider certain dates and periods that are very important if they want to be recruited by their schools of choice. We have gone ahead and picked the top five important events in the recruiting process that every recruit will want to be aware of on their journey to playing their sport in college:

College Fairs

Before you make any decisions and even think about where you might want to attend school for your sport, it is very very important to compare multiple universities to see what might fit your situation best. Attending a college fair is a great way to see the options that are out there and see what they have to offer you academically, not to mention also to see how they might prepare you for the rest of your life. Seeing different schools from all across the country, each with their own programs, will help you decide what it is you want to study and where you may want to spend the next four years living. College fairs provide information and seek to aid students in the college application and admissions process. Be sure to check with your high school and local communities for upcoming events that could be held in your area!

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Contact Period

The contact period–or the span of time over which coaches are allowed to contact recruits–is highly anticipated by college coaches who are seeking to recruit new talent, no matter what the sport. With that being said, depending on the sport you play, your contact period with coaches may vary in the time of year they begin. Typically, the contact period for NCAA recruits starts right before junior year of high school, on June 15th. However, some sports such as lacrosse, softball, and baseball, vary in their start date. Double check the rules set out by the NCAA on the contact period to ensure that you are following the correct guidelines for contacting college coaches who are interested in you.

Showcases/ID Camps

Once you have a general idea of where you would like to attend college, or even a general region, you can then narrow it down to the list of schools you might want to attend and what coaches you hope to impress most after getting in contact with them. Look online for specific schools to see what showcases certain coaches are attending and invite them to come watch you play. Furthermore, research some ID camps for the top schools on your list, and look at maybe attending a few of them. Participating in either of these events are the heart of where coaches can recognize you and really see what you will bring to the table as a member of their program, so make sure to prioritize this step in the process! 

Related: Recruiting Advice: College Showcases vs. ID Camps

Test Taking/Applying

Although it's a tough time which can cause stress and make anxiety levels rise, the part of the year where high schoolers take their SAT/ACT tests and apply to their colleges of choice is super important. Scoring high on standardized testing is important for recruits to not only be accepted into their universities, but also poses an opportunity for them to earn academic scholarships to pair with their potential athletic scholarships. Even though you may have to pay extra money out of your own pocket, taking the SAT or ACT as many times to get the highest score possible may be worth it. Remember to see if your school offers classes that focus on test prep and find out the dates of practice tests so you can take part in them. 

Signing Day

A day to make your dreams reality and commemorate your achievements, Signing Day is a time to be celebrated! Get excited because this day only comes once in your high school career and it's a highly anticipated moment for every young athlete who is going to be playing at the collegiate level. Signing day includes the representation of signing your National Letter of Intent, which shows your commitment to attend a specific school for your sport. Over 48,000 athletes sign NLI's every year, making this a monumental step in the recruiting process.

When you look at all the tasks you have to complete and events you need to attend, it's important that these five all be high on your list. They are the core moments in the recruiting process that will guide you down the correct path when it comes to communicating with coaches, performing and ultimately committing. Be sure to do research and set goals so these events and tasks can be anticipated and completed.

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* Originally published on August 25, 2022, by Sarah Borer