Questions to Ask as You Consider Colleges

You may want to ask your prospective college coaches the following questions as you consider colleges.

Athletics

 1. What positions will I play on your team? It is not always obvious. Most coaches want to be flexible, so you might not receive a definite answer.

 2. What other players may be competing at the same position? The response could give you an idea of when you can expect to be a starter.

 3. Will I be redshirted my first year? The school’s policy on redshirting may impact you both athletically and academically. ( D-I )

 4. What expectations do you have for training and conditioning? This will reveal the institution’s commitment to a training and conditioning program.

 5. How would you best describe your coaching style? Every coach has a particular style that involves different motivational techniques and discipline. You need to know if a coach’s teaching style matches your learning style.

 6. When does the head coach’s contract end? How long does the coach intend to stay? The answer could be helpful. Do not make any assumptions about how long a coach will be at a school. If the coach leaves, does this change your mind about the school/program?

 7. What are preferred, invited and uninvited walk-on situations? How many do you expect to compete? How many earn a scholarship? Situations vary from school to school.

 8. Who else are you recruiting for my position? Coaches may consider other student-athletes for every position.

 9. Is medical insurance required for my participation? Is it provided by the college? You may be required to provide proof of insurance.

 10. If I am seriously injured while competing, who is responsible for my medical expenses? Different colleges have different policies.

 11. What happens if I want to transfer to another school? You may not transfer without the permission of your current school’s athletics administration. Ask how often coaches grant this privilege and ask for an example of a situation in which permission was not granted.

 12. What other factors should I consider when choosing a college? Be realistic about your athletics ability and the type of athletics experience you would enjoy. Some student-athletes want to be part of a particular athletics program, even if that means little or no playing time. Other considerations include coaching staff and style. Of course, the ideal is to choose a college or university that will provide you with both the educational and athletics opportunities you want.

Academics

 1. How good is the department in my major? How many students are in the department? What credentials do faculty members hold? What are graduates of the program doing after school?

 2. What percentage of players on scholarship graduate? The response will suggest the school’s commitment to academics. 

You might want to ask two follow-up questions:

1.  What percentage of incoming students eventually graduate?

2. What is the current team’s grade-point average?

 3. What academic support programs are available to student-athletes? Look for a college that will help you become a better student.

 4. If I have a diagnosed and documented disability, what kind of academic services are available? Special academic services may help you achieve your academic goals.

 5. How many credit hours should I take in season and out of season? It is important to determine how many credit hours are required for your degree and what pace you will follow to obtain that degree.

 6. Are there restrictions in scheduling classes around practice? NCAA rules prevent you from missing class for practice.

 7. Is summer school available? If I need to take summer school, will it be paid for by the college? You may need to take summer school to meet academic and/or graduation requirements.

College Life

 1. What is a typical day for a student-athlete? The answer will give you a good idea of how much time is spent in class, practice, study and travel. It also will give you a good indication of what coaches expect.

 2. What are the residence halls like? The response should give you a hint of how comfortable you would be in your room, in study areas, in community bathrooms and at the laundry facilities. Also ask about the number of students in a room, co-ed dorms and the rules governing life in the residence halls.

 3. Must student-athletes live on campus? If “yes,” ask about exceptions. 

Recruiting Regulations

College coaches must follow the rules outlined in this section. You are expected to follow these rules as well. Recruiting Terms

 Contact. A contact occurs any time a coach has any face-to-face contact with you or your parents off the college’s campus and says more than hello. A contact also occurs if a coach has any contact with you or your parents at your high school or any location where you are competing or practicing.

 Contact period. During this time, a college coach may have in- person contact with you and/or your parents on or off the college’s campus. The coach may also watch you play or visit your high school. You and your parents may visit a college campus and the coach may write and telephone you during this period. 

Dead period. The college coach may not have any in-person contact with you or your parents at any time in the dead period. The coach may write and telephone you or your parents during this time.

 Evaluation. An evaluation is an activity by a coach to evaluate your academic or athletics ability. This would include visiting your high school or watching you practice or compete. 

Evaluation period. The college coach may watch you play or visit your high school, but cannot have any in-person conversations with you or your parents off the college’s campus. You and your parents can visit a college campus during this period. A coach may write and telephone you or your parents during this time. Official visit. Any visit to a college campus by you and your parents paid for by the college. The college may pay the following expenses:

• Your transportation to and from the college;

• Room and meals (three per day) while you are visiting the college; and

• Reasonable entertainment expenses, including three complimentary admissions to a home athletics contest.

• Before a college may invite you on an official visit, you will have to provide the college with a copy of your high school transcript (Division I only) and SAT, ACT or PLAN score. 

Prospective student-athlete. You become a “prospective student-athlete” when:

• You start ninth-grade classes; or

• Before your ninth-grade year, a college gives you, your relatives or your friends any financial aid or other benefits that the college does not provide to students generally.

 Quiet period. The college coach may not have any in-person contact with you or your parents off the college’s campus. The coach may not watch you play or visit your high school during this period. You and your parents may visit a college campus during this time. A coach may write or telephone you or your parents during this time.

 Unofficial visit. Any visit by you and your parents to a college campus paid for by you or your parents. The only expense you may receive from the college is three complimentary admissions to a home athletics contest. You may make as many unofficial visits as you like and may take those visits at any time. The only time you cannot talk with a coach during an unofficial visit is during a dead period.