After Festival – Now What?

Question:  “We just returned from festival (which was amazing).  A parent of a player on our club team who’s daughter will be playing for Georgetown, told me that my daughter should send out a thank you emails to all the schools she contacted before the festival, and to also include a little update on how she did in festival. Is this a good idea, and if so I’d like to get your thoughts on what it should say? or should I wait a couple of weeks to see if my daughter is contacted by any of the attending schools, since the festival has just ended? I saw lots of coaches at all of our clubs games.”

ANSWER: Some of you can expect to receive phone calls as soon as Festival is over – while some coaches will take their time depending on their needs.  Starting the 2nd Monday after Festival – I suggest reaching out to those schools and coaches you previously contacted before Festival (if you have not heard from them).

Each situation is unique.  Just like every date is unique (remember – in previous Blogs I describe the similarities of recruitment to dating / going steady / and getting married).  I have have included some sample emails you can send post-festival – but these of course should be specifically directed to conversations or correspondence you may have sent or received from a respective coach.

I’m not sure about telling coaches how well you did at Festival – or how good you are in genereal.  Your resume, video and showcasing opportunities should do this.  How good you think you did – or how good you think you are – is subjective.   There are no hard and fast rules here – but my kids never did this.  Their job is to get noticed – and evaluated by the school or coach of their dreams.  Beacuse in the end – the coach will make the decision – and you can’t shine a sneaker (another Blog).

If a coach reached out to you after festival…

Dear Coach XXXX,

Thank you for your email.

I was both excited and encouraged that you were able to see me play at Festival.

I have attached your completed questionnaire and my resume to this email as you requested.
In addition I have a video of my play at Bay State Games last summer and my first game on grass this season which I will mail to you.

I am starting my club practice for the USFHA Indoor Qualifier in New York on January 15.

Other than that I will be at Minutemen FHC in Boston on weekends and playing in some Indoor Tournaments when available.
I will be doing Futures again this winter and will be at College Connection at UNH next Spring.

I will update you as I know more about my hockey schedule.

I hope you’ll have a chance to see me play sometime.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you evaluate my game – and help you make a positive decision about my joining the XXXX TIGERS XXXXX.

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2011
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 508.555.xxxx
Fax: 508.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

If you did not receive contact after festival …

Dear Coach XXXX,

I hope you were able to see me play at Festival.

I am still extremely interested in exploring the possibility of playing at XXXXX.

I am starting my club practice for the USFHA Indoor Qualifier in New York on January 15.

Other than that I will be at Minutemen FHC in Boston on weekends and playing in some Indoor Tournaments when available.
I will be doing Futures again this winter and will be at College Connection at UNH next Spring.

I will update you as I know more about my hockey schedule.

I hope you’ll have a chance to see me play sometime.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you evaluate my game – and help you make a positive decision about my joining the XXXX TIGERS XXXXX.

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2011
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 508.555.xxxx
Fax: 508.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

And later – continue to update all coaches

- Whether winter, spring or summer games and tournaments….

Hi Coach,

I finally have my summer schedule together.
My SAT scores will be available June 26.

Here is where I will be playing this summer.

* June 25 – 28 ::: College Connection at UNH
Fri    June 30 at 4:30PM ::: Field #1
Sat   July   1 at  9:00AM ::: Field #1
Sun  July   2 at 10:40AM ::: Field #1
Mon  July   3     Cross over
Tues July   4     Cross over – medal rounds

* June 30 to July 4 ::: NFC at Virginia Beach
Team Concord ::: Uniform # 25

* July 13 to 16 ::: Bay State Games at UMass Lowell
Coastal Team ::: Uniform # 10
Thur. July 13 at 1PM
Fri.   July 14 at 1PM
Sat. July 15 at 9AM & 1PM
Sun. July 16 – Medal rounds 11AM or 12:30PM

July 16 to August 12 ::: European Camps – Amsterdam & Barcelona

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2011
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 508.555.xxxx
Fax: 508.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

Now – Plan and start visiting schools – meet with coaches (they can have unlimited contact with you on their campus).  The great thing is – your school vacation schedule (except Christmas) will allow you to visit while they are in session.    Go – make an appointment.  If you cannot make an appointment – or you’re on campus spur-of-the-moment – then knock on their door.  Our family did it both ways.

In fact my youngest who plays for Univ. Richmond originally did this; spur-of-the-moment – knock on their door.   She was invited to a Junior Day at another University – and while we were in the area we decided to look at other schools.      FYI:  Do your team research before you start talking to coaches.  (Again – another Blog)

Good Luck.

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?