Recruiting Question of the Week (9/21)
Recruiting Question of the Week (9/21)
Each week we take a question from a softball player, parent or coach and pass on to our long-time contributor, Cathi Aradi, one of the most knowledgeable pe
Each week we take a question from a softball player, parent or coach and pass on to our long-time contributor, Cathi Aradi, one of the most knowledgeable people in softball when it comes to the recruiting process.
If you’d like to ask Cathi a question, e-mail us at brentt.eads@flosports.tv and we’ll pass it along.
Today, Cathi mentions three areas for players to ask questions of college coaches…
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Recruiting Question: You always hear that, as the player, you are recruiting the coach and college as much as they’re recruiting you. What would you say are the key questions to ask? I’m starting to check out colleges and want to definitely ask the right questions and not look dumb asking stupid questions. --- Carolyn, first baseman, Seattle, Wash.
Cathi’s Answer: I know it seems like I'm constantly encouraging families (and players in particular) to read my book. But there's a reason for this.
The information you're seeking is there in black and white. And most of the time, there's too much information to include in a brief online answer. My book has a Chapter (7) with three pages of questions to ask coaches about their programs.
There's also space to add your own because--as you say--you want to look like you've done your homework. You'll almost certainly want to have questions about these areas:
1. the academic side of things,
2. the athletic (softball) program,
3. the overall college experience at that school.
Almost as important as asking questions is listening to the answers.
Too often players and parents hear what they want to hear and not what the coach is actually saying. Then they're surprised when they find out the coach is done recruiting for a certain year, for example, or that walk-on players almost always end up role players and not starters!
I hope this helps!
— Cathi Aradi
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Catharine Aradi is the author of Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level, published by the National Fastpitch Coaches Assoc. (www.nfca.org). She has over 20 years of experience working as a recruiting consultant with athletes and colleges around the U.S and Canada.
If you would like knowledgeable, one-on-one guidance through the often bewildering labyrinth of recruiting, Ms. Aradi’s company, Collegiate Softball Connection, offers “concierge” recruiting services. Unlike corporate websites that rely upon mass marketing of hundreds and hundreds of athletes, Ms. Aradi works with the individual player and her family to ensure a successful college search.
She works individually with athletes to guide them through the recruiting journey and also offers Skype workshops on the college search process for groups of all sizes.
Detailed information is available on her website www.fastpitchrecruiting.com. Cathi can be reached by e-mail at info@fastpitchrecruiting.com or by calling 415-456-6449. Remember: if you use the code “fullcountsoftball” when signing up with CSC, you will be entitled to a $100 discount off her Fast Track or Elite options!
Follow Us on Twitter @FloSoftball.
If you’d like to ask Cathi a question, e-mail us at brentt.eads@flosports.tv and we’ll pass it along.
Today, Cathi mentions three areas for players to ask questions of college coaches…
***
Recruiting Question: You always hear that, as the player, you are recruiting the coach and college as much as they’re recruiting you. What would you say are the key questions to ask? I’m starting to check out colleges and want to definitely ask the right questions and not look dumb asking stupid questions. --- Carolyn, first baseman, Seattle, Wash.
Cathi’s Answer: I know it seems like I'm constantly encouraging families (and players in particular) to read my book. But there's a reason for this.
The information you're seeking is there in black and white. And most of the time, there's too much information to include in a brief online answer. My book has a Chapter (7) with three pages of questions to ask coaches about their programs.
There's also space to add your own because--as you say--you want to look like you've done your homework. You'll almost certainly want to have questions about these areas:
1. the academic side of things,
2. the athletic (softball) program,
3. the overall college experience at that school.
Almost as important as asking questions is listening to the answers.
Too often players and parents hear what they want to hear and not what the coach is actually saying. Then they're surprised when they find out the coach is done recruiting for a certain year, for example, or that walk-on players almost always end up role players and not starters!
I hope this helps!
— Cathi Aradi
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Catharine Aradi is the author of Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level, published by the National Fastpitch Coaches Assoc. (www.nfca.org). She has over 20 years of experience working as a recruiting consultant with athletes and colleges around the U.S and Canada.
If you would like knowledgeable, one-on-one guidance through the often bewildering labyrinth of recruiting, Ms. Aradi’s company, Collegiate Softball Connection, offers “concierge” recruiting services. Unlike corporate websites that rely upon mass marketing of hundreds and hundreds of athletes, Ms. Aradi works with the individual player and her family to ensure a successful college search.
She works individually with athletes to guide them through the recruiting journey and also offers Skype workshops on the college search process for groups of all sizes.
Detailed information is available on her website www.fastpitchrecruiting.com. Cathi can be reached by e-mail at info@fastpitchrecruiting.com or by calling 415-456-6449. Remember: if you use the code “fullcountsoftball” when signing up with CSC, you will be entitled to a $100 discount off her Fast Track or Elite options!
Follow Us on Twitter @FloSoftball.