Does Your Student-Athlete Want to Play in College? Here’s Where to Start

Kimberly Southall Student-Athlete Recruiting Specialist

When a student says, “I think I want to play my sport in college,” families often aren't sure what to do next.

When should we start? Should we contact coaches? What level is realistic? Which camps or showcases are worth attending? And how do we know which colleges to consider?

As a former Division I field hockey player at Boston University, coach, educator, athletic director, and parent, I have experienced recruiting from many different perspectives. I have also seen how easy it is for families to focus so much on being recruited that they lose sight of the bigger question.

Where will this student be happy and successful, both as an athlete and as a student?

Start With the Student-Athlete

Before creating a college list, I want to understand the student.

How important is playing in college to them? What level of competition are they looking for? What kind of team environment brings out their best? What do they want academically? Do they have preferences about college size, location, or campus culture?

Athletic fit is important, but it is only one part of college fit.

One question I encourage student-athletes to consider is: Would I still want to attend this college if I couldn't play my sport?

Injuries happen. Coaches change. Playing time changes. Interests change. A student needs to be able to see themselves as part of the larger college community.

Understand Where You Fit

Families usually know how their student performs on their high school or club team. College coaches are evaluating that athlete within a much larger recruiting pool.

Getting an outside perspective can help. High school and club coaches, film, statistics, performance data, and conversations with college coaches can give students a better understanding of where they may fit.

That assessment isn't permanent. Student-athletes continue to grow and develop throughout high school, so the recruiting plan should be able to change with them.

Academics Matter

Recruiting and college planning should work together.

A student may be a strong athletic fit for a program but not a good academic or personal fit for the college. Academic performance can also influence which recruiting opportunities are available.

Building a thoughtful list means considering the whole student, including their academic interests and abilities, athletic goals, personality, and the type of college experience they want.

Help Students Take Ownership

Communicating with college coaches can feel intimidating, but it is an important part of the process.

Students can learn how to introduce themselves, share relevant academic and athletic information, ask good questions, follow up, and express genuine interest in a program.

Parents certainly have a role, but whenever possible, the student-athlete should be the one developing the relationship with the coach.

This is their college experience, and recruiting gives students an opportunity to develop confidence and learn how to advocate for themselves.

Be Intentional About Exposure

Showcases, camps, tournaments, recruiting profiles, and highlight videos can all be useful. That doesn't mean a student needs to do all of them.

Before signing up for another event, consider who will be there and whether those programs are realistic possibilities for the student.

A few well-chosen opportunities can be much more valuable than trying to be everywhere.

Starting the conversation early gives families time to learn, ask questions, and make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.

The goal isn't simply to find a college where a student can continue playing their sport. It is to find a college where they can grow as a student, an athlete, and a person.

Remember What This Is Really About

College recruiting can easily become focused on outcomes: Who contacted you? Who made an offer? What division? What school?

But athletics have the potential to give young people so much more than a roster spot.

Throughout my own life, sports have provided opportunity, growth, confidence, relationships, and a sense of connection. Those experiences are a large part of why I have spent my career working with student-athletes.

My goal in supporting families through recruiting isn't simply to help a student find somewhere to play. It is to help them understand their options, advocate for themselves, make thoughtful decisions, and ultimately find a college where they can grow as both an athlete and a person.

There will be excitement throughout the recruiting journey. There may also be uncertainty, disappointment, changing expectations, and plenty of questions.

That's normal.

With the right information, a realistic strategy, and thoughtful guidance, the recruiting process can become much less overwhelming—and much more about what it should be: helping a student-athlete find the opportunity that is right for them.