September 1 is a huge date in the Division I women’s lacrosse recruiting process. But here’s the thing: you don’t want to wait until September 1 to start preparing for September 1.
The days and weeks leading up to it are your opportunity to make sure your recruiting materials are updated, your school list is organized, and—maybe most importantly—you feel prepared and confident if your phone starts ringing.
Here are some things we recommend checking off your list before September 1.
1. Update Your Player Profile
Make sure coaches are seeing your most current information. Update your:
- GPA and academic information
- Athletic stats
- Highlight video
- Upcoming schedule
- Contact information
Take a few minutes to look at your profile from a coach’s perspective. If a coach looked at it today, would everything they need be there?
2. Refresh Your Highlight Video
Your highlight video should be approximately 3–5 minutes, with your very best plays FIRST.
Don’t make a coach wait two minutes to see your best clip. Grab their attention right away.
Before sending it out, double-check that your video link works and that coaches have permission to view it.
3. Research Your Schools
Go beyond knowing the school’s name and lacrosse ranking.
Look at the team’s roster, coaching staff, conference, academics, majors, location, campus culture and recent results.
You should be able to explain why you’re interested in that particular school and program if a coach asks.
4. Complete Recruiting Questionnaires
Visit the athletic website for every program on your list and complete their online recruiting questionnaire.
Even if you’ve emailed the coaching staff before, make sure you’ve completed their official questionnaire and that your information is current.
5. Connect With Your Club and High School Coaches
Your coaches can be an incredible resource throughout this process.
Talk to them about your school list, ask for their perspective, and find out if they have relationships or connections with any of the programs you’re interested in.
6. Send Personalized Emails to Coaches
Send a short, personalized email with your updated information and highlight video.
Avoid sending the exact same generic message to 30 programs. Give the coach a reason to believe you’re genuinely interested in their school.
7. Practice Talking About Yourself
A college coach may ask:
Tell me about yourself.
Simple question, right?
Until you’re suddenly on the phone with a college coach you’ve wanted to hear from for two years!
Practice answering questions about your goals, strengths, academics, what you’re looking for in a college and why you’re interested in particular programs.
You don’t want to sound scripted—you just want to feel prepared.
8. Prepare Questions for Coaches
Have several thoughtful questions ready for every conversation.
Focus on questions you can’t easily answer with a Google search. Ask about things like team culture, coaching philosophy, player development and their recruiting process.
9. Check Your Phone + Email
The little things matter!
Make sure you have:
- A professional email address
- A professional voicemail greeting
- Access to your email on your phone
- A voicemail inbox that isn’t full
- Your phone nearby and charged
10. Check Your Social Media
College coaches may look at your social media.
Take a look through your accounts and ask yourself whether they represent the person, teammate and student-athlete you want a college coach to see.
11. Role-Play a Recruiting Call
This may feel awkward. Do it anyway.
Ask a parent, coach or teammate to pretend to be a college coach and call you unexpectedly.
Practice introducing yourself, answering questions, asking your own questions and wrapping up the conversation.
The more comfortable you get talking about yourself, the less intimidating that first real call will feel.
Remember: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Preparation isn’t about memorizing the “right” thing to say.
It’s about doing your homework so that when September 1 arrives, you can focus on having genuine conversations and getting to know coaches and programs.
You’ve done the work to get here. Now get prepared, be yourself and enjoy the process!
Happy recruiting!
– Tori & The LineUP Team
