The Women's College World Series may be over, but softball coaches like Kate Poppe are always looking for new recruits, so if you want to be recruited, what better time to learn from the best than in the offseason? Here are Coach Poppe's top tips.
What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
Two qualities I believe are equally important: athleticism and coachability. Athleticism seems obvious but if I have a kid that is naturally athletic I can put her in different positions, she is at less of a risk for injury, and she can typically pick up on things quickly. Coachability means the student athlete wants to get better everyday and is willing to learn and try new things. A coachable kid is one you never have to worry about having a positive attitude or giving 100%.
What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
Emails with videos that are personal. I know it is a pain to go out of the way to personalize emails when you are sending them to many different schools, but when I get a general email saying “I am interested in your school”, I do not really buy it and think it could be a waste of my time to pursue. I like videos because it helps me remember you and gives me a feel for your level of play. A video (does not need to be professionally done) can put you on my list of kids to watch quicker than a kid that does not have a video.
When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone, or other)
Sophomore or junior year – we cannot commit recruits until after their junior year due to our admissions process. So while I like to keep an eye on sophomores, I am always heavily recruiting juniors. The best time of year to contact me is in the fall or right after season (late May). Recruiting is very heavy in the summer so that is almost all I'll be doing and I will want to know schedules/grades/etc. in the summer. But in the Fall I have more time to get you on campus and talk to you about the school.
What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the field?
I expect, and as is the Haverford way, that students will work to their highest potential. It is not something we talk about all the time but it simply trusted that the students will give 100% in the classroom. I expect the same of them on the field and in the weightroom. If you chose to play in college it is because you love the game, you want to play, and you want to win. And the way that happens in during practices and lifts. In the Division III world, I cannot and wouldn't force you to do all those things but at Haverford the school and our softball program have a culture of performing at the highest level we can.
What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?
Do: Send emails even if you think you are annoying a coach – I am never annoyed by an email from a recruit (I may be caught up with season, scheduling, something else and forget to respond to you but that does not mean I am not interested! Try me again). Do: Keep sending videos and follow ups. When you continue communications with me it is an indication that you are really interested in the school and program. Even if it is a quick “congrats on the win” or “this is what happened this week in my high school games”. It is good to keep up with the coaches you are interested in playing for. Do: Email assistant coaches. Head coaches receive a lot of emails so it may be easier to get the attention of an assistant coach who will relay your email if they are interested. Don't: Send generalized emails. It is an indication to me that you are not really interested in my school but I am just on a list. Don't: Have your parents email a coach. Don't: Give up on a school if they do not answer an email. If I do not answer a recruits email it is because I got super busy with something and not because I am not interested. Try emailing again. Don't: Try to visit or call when we are playing or traveling. Try to call or email to schedule a visit first so you know we will be around.
Related: 7 Innings, 7 Questions: URI Softball Pitcher, Sarah Gunderson's Recruiting Advice
What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?
My best advice is to be yourself and be a good teammate. It is much easier to mesh with a PSA on their visit to campus if we can relax and get to know you. It also helps us know if you would be a good fit with the team. Being a good teammate is important because if you are not, it is very easy to cross you off our list. And it is a huge bonus if you are. Picking up your teammates, having a positive energy, helping pick up equipment, etc. It all translates to college and if we have a player who does all those things for four years you will be one of our favorites.
What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?
Mechanics. If you have sound mechanics it is an indication that you are coachable and it is less breakdown and time we have to spend once you get to campus. We love to see kids that could start for us tomorrow and that starts with having solid mechanics (throwing, hitting, pitching, fielding, catching, etc.)
What are the main do's and don'ts for a recruit's highlight tape?
Do: Put your main strength first, keep it short, update it regularly, put it your email signature. Don't: Get it professionally made, put a thousand reps of you doing everything, lie about your home to first time.
When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during offseason, in the middle of season, or after each game?
Whenever is convenient. I would suggest in the off season or in the fall so you have time to do it and because I may not be able to get to see you play for a while. I like game highlights also. It gives me an idea of how you produce in a game. It does not need to be high quality. It can just be done on an iPhone or something.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
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?
There are so many schools out there. Just because you get turned down by “your dream school” that doesn't mean there isn't another dream school out there for you to play at. It could just be that they already have your position filled or something like that. There is also no shame at all in looking at other divisions if you really want to play in college. There are so many highly competitive Division II and III schools so try not to get caught up in Division or Conference. However, you need to pick the school for the school first. If you are offered a chance to play at a school you hate, you will still not be happy. It is best to keep your options open so you can consider all possibilities. Then make the decision that will make you happiest.
How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
Social media is huge because it is so easy to access. Even if I am not checking it constantly, other recruits and my players are so it gets back to me some way or another. The social media thing goes back to my comment about being a good teammate. If you are bashing other people or posting inappropriate pictures and posts it is a huge red flag to me that you are not a good teammate and will not be a good fit for our program.
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* Originally published on June 17, 2022, by 2aDays Staff
