Lynchburg Women's Lacrosse head coach, Bruce Reid, has more than 15 years of experience coaching lacrosse in college. Previously Coach Reid was head men's lacrosse coach at Wittenberg University (Ohio), receiving the North Coast Athletic Conference's Coach of the Year Award and was the men's lacrosse head coach at Virginia Wesleyan College and Widener University, and was an assistant at the Episcopal Academy.
Coach Reid has been around the block a time or two and knows how to find quality recruits. Here are his best tips to get on a college coach's radar.
Q: What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
A: We are looking for athletic, versatile players that compete and make positive plays. In addition, we are looking for players that bring their best attitude, effort, energy, and communication every day on and off the lacrosse field.
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Q: What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
A: Players can email or call letting us know that they have an interest in our college and lacrosse program. They can let us know events that they are participating in so we can see them play. They can also attend on-campus activities and events so we can meet and work with them.
Q: When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone, or other)
A: We encourage athletes to contact us in their sophomore and junior year. We look for information in the spring so we can coordinate our summer recruiting.
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Q: What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the field?
A: We are looking for players that bring their best attitude, effort, energy, and communication to everything that they do in the classroom, on the lacrosse field, and in the community. We enjoy working with players that want to improve daily.
Q: What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?
A: Do: Reach out and communicate with our coaching staff often in the recruiting process.
Don't: Do not rely on others to communicate for you in the recruiting process.
Q: What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?
A: Start looking early. Look for a college/university that is the right fit academically, athletically, and geographically.
Q: What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?
A: It helps if I can identify the recruit while they are playing. It also helps to see the recruit's skills while playing. I also look to see what recruits are doing in a helping and supportive role during and after plays. We want to see players competing, making plays, and making good lacrosse decisions.
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Q: What are the main do's and don'ts for a recruit's highlight tape?
A: Do: Send film updates often.
Don't: Send film that is unwatchable.
Q: 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?
A: We normally receive film after a season. We would [like to] see film for the summer, fall, and then spring.
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: Keep looking. There is a place for every player to play. It takes time to find the right fit. If a recruit is not getting attention, I would recommend contacting the coach directly letting them know of your interest.
Q: How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
A: I would suggest that recruits need to be aware of things that are on social media that are about them. We look to see if there are things that we need to be aware of.
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* Originally published on October 26, 2022, by 2aDays Staff
