Speaking to a college coach may come quicker than you think - maybe at an upcoming summer tournament or camp. I know a lot of students clam up and get nervous, but take it from me - they are excited to meet you! Students often have no idea what to say, so this meeting is a missed opportunity. If you get a chance to talk to a college coach, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the program and see if it's a good fit for you!
It's essential to be prepared—both to make a good impression and to get answers to the questions that matter most to you.
Univ. of AZ Director of Rugby Sean Duffy with Karen
Here are a few important tips to bear in mind:
Come prepared! If you have a meeting with a coach, write down at least a few questions you plan to ask beforehand. If you just “wing it,” you risk coming off unprepared or uninterested.
Don’t waste time – especially not the coach’s! Please don’t ask questions that you can find answers to easily on the school or rugby program’s website. Instead, use your time to ask questions that only the coach can answer for you, like what a typical “day in the life” looks like for a member of their team both in-season and during the off-season. Questions like “What teams do you play?” and “How big is your school?” might convey that you aren’t serious enough about the school to have done your research.
Never ask if you will receive a scholarship or admissions support during your first conversation with a coach (unless they bring it up themselves).
Make a cheat sheet. Keep your running list of questions saved on your phone (maybe in the “notes” section) so you’ll always have it and can add things to it anytime. We don’t necessarily recommend that you take it out when talking to a coach, but you could always take a peek at it for review before you walk over and introduce yourself.
Photo Credit: Army West Point Rugby
Here are a few suggested questions:
What are the admission requirements for an athlete?
Will my specific major interfere with the athletic schedule?
What types of off-season activities are expected?
What does the training program consist of at your school?
What is a typical “day in the life” like for a member of your team during the season? What about during the off-season?
If possible - Find time to meet/get to know current players—If possible, see if you can also talk to some current players and ask them hard questions: Why did you choose this school/program? What would it be if you could change one thing about your experience? Extra Credit: Can you shadow a player to class, to the dining hall, to practice? This is a great way to really learn more about the school and the rugby program.
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