What Coaches Need To Know About Recruiting and COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has created lots of uncertainty and change throughout sports and the world. At FieldLevel, we want to provide coaches, athletes, and families as much information as we can and will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Coaches play such an important role in the lives of their athletes, both on and off the field or court. We want to continue to support your in your efforts to help your athletes grow and find opportunities at the next level.
The FieldLevel team has spoken with many coaches at the 4-year, junior college, club/travel, and high school levels since the pandemic began to learn and gather information to provide to our community.
As the intercollegiate governing bodies such as the NCAA, NAIA, and various junior college athletic associations update their rules, college coaches have told us that recruiting will continue mostly online via phone calls, texts, emails, and social media.
WHAT WE KNOW TODAY
- While some recruiting rules are changing for the time being to limit in-person interactions and keep people safe, recruiting will still continue online/digitally. As some of the recruiting calendars may change, we recommend staying up-to-date with the latest information from the governing bodies.
- To continue their recruiting efforts, college coaches are focusing on communicating with athletes, coaches, and families over the phone and online, and watching as much highlight film as they can find.
HOW THIS AFFECTS RECRUITING AND CALENDARS
Some rules around recruiting have changed for the time being to limit in-person interactions and keep people safe. With that said, recruiting will continue remotely. Furthermore, most of the recruiting calendars have changed, so we recommend staying up-to-date with the latest information from the governing bodies.
SUPPORTING YOUR ATHLETES AND THEIR GOALS
While many coaches won’t be available to work with your athletes in-person temporarily, you can still provide a lot of guidance. Share resources that will help your athletes stay in shape and encourage them to work on their academics. The more they continue to work towards their goals, the more they will feel in control of their situations.
Keep Information Updated Online
Now is a great time for your athletes to review their profiles and make sure they have their latest information added, including video. They can check out these webinars that will guide them through working with you and adding video. The more complete their profiles, the more likely it is they will get the attention of college coaches.
Help Your Athletes Research Colleges
Consider using the time off the field or court to help your athletes research schools and review their Target Schools List. Your input and knowledge is incredibly valuable to them, especially as you communicate with college coaches and learn about their recruiting needs.
Respond To College Coaches As Quickly As Possible
During our conversations with college coaches and following their updates on social media, it’s clear they will be trying to get in touch with athletes, coaches, and family members as much as possible at this time. Responding to college coaches quickly and ensuring your athletes respond in a timely manner is extremely helpful.
Stay Connected With Administrators
Keep on top of departmental policies and stay in communication with your athletic director (high school coaches) and director of operations (club/travel coaches). The more you can keep direct lines of communication open, the more reassuring it is for your athletes and their families.
STAY INFORMED
As information becomes available, we will do our best to update coaches, athletes, and families. Here are some helpful links to the websites for the Center for Disease Control, the intercollegiate governing bodies, various social media accounts, blog posts, etc:
Health Information
Center for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDC info on businesses, schools, and communities
CDC info on traveling
Intercollegiate Governing Bodies
NCAA – http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/coronavirus-covid-19
NAIA – https://www.naia.org/membership/covid-19
NJCAA – https://www.njcaa.org/COVID19
CCCAA – https://www.cccaasports.org/landing/index
NWAC – https://nwacsports.com/landing/index
Social Media Accounts
NCAA – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
NAIA – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
NJCAA – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
CCCAA – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
NWAC – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Have Questions?
The FieldLevel team is here to help and support you. If there’s anything we can do, please contact us in one of the following ways:
If you have any questions, the FieldLevel team is here to help you and support you. If there’s anything we can do, please contact us in one of the following ways:
Phone: 888-908-7124
Email: support@fieldlevel.com
Demo: Schedule a Time
