Overview
Our goal is to provide the most up to date information to help our players and families prepare for and work through the college recruiting process. Please click on the links below to access information for each of these respective areas.
Minnesota Vortex/A's Player Profiles
In our program, we use SportsRecruits for each players to have access to upload recruiting videos and share their academic aspirations with college coaches.
Gain insight into the odds of athletes playing in college and the number of college scholarships awarded at the different levels of college play.
College Recruiting Timeline
Learn what players can do in 8th through 12th grades to prepare them for the opportunity to play in college.
Know the Recruiting Rules
Become familiar with the rules for players, parents, and college coaches with regards to contact with each other.
Every high school player who aspires to play NCAA college softball must register to ensure you are eligible to play in the NCAA. The registration fee for D1 & D2 schools is $90, and free for D3 schools. Fee waivers available for students on free/reduced lunch.
College Recruiting Has Changed
Learn more about how social media and college showcase tournaments are used for recruiting.
Each players journey to finding a university is unique based on High School Academic performance, career ambitions, and financial aid/grants/loans. The pimpliest way to get attention from the College Coaches from the colleges you are most interested in, is to have an active & prepared softball profile. Leveraging the use of social media on Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter has changed the recruiting process because it's given coaches visibility to the way the player represents herself to the public.
It is not uncommon for D1 schools to start recruiting Pitchers and Catchers as early as 8th grade. For the best probability of receiving a response from College Coaches you have contacted, review their roster page on the College's athletic site to make sure they are in need of a player at your position for your years' incoming class. College coaches are also seeking players who are physically fit, athletically built, and play multiple sports for game instincts.
In addition, over the past decade, the explosion of club softball has altered recruiting. Colleges now recruit through trusted recommendations from elite travel ball coaches, social media recruiting videos, showcase tournaments, and on campus clinics throughout the year. The relevance of High School ball in the recruiting process has drastically been reduced over the last decade, yet having High School Accolades supports your softball resume. The height of the College Softball Recruiting happens during the summer after the conclusion of the College Softball season.
8th Grade:
- Research & start a list of colleges you're interested in. Aim to begin writing college coaches freshman year of HS.
- Work on study and time management skills; it is important to get good grades beginning with Freshman year of HS!
- Character matters, make good choices every day. Learn to be very careful of what you put on social media.
- Play at the highest level of club team you can. Ask your current coach what you need to do athletically to compete well at the HS level.
- Start going to College Camps to attend. The earlier you start, the more of a relationship you can build throughout the next few years.
Freshman Year of HS:
- Continue your research & compile an initial list of 20 to 30 schools that you're interested in. Rank schools based on the attributes that are most important to you.
- 1 list for "reach" schools, 1 list for "realistic" schools, and 1 list for "safety" schools
- Begin writing coaches of schools you're interested in, get on their radar and get your name out there!
- Complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list.
- Begin compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a channel within YouTube
- Play at the highest level of club/HS team you can. Ask your coaches where you need improvement and set goals.
- Keep attending College camps and clinics.
- Good grades are critical ALL 4 years of HS - hit the ground running freshman year!
- Consider working with a personal trainer to improve speed, strength and overall athleticism.
Sophomore Year of HS:
- Register with NCAA & NAIA eligibility Centers
- Complete recruiting questionnaires for all schools on your list.
- Continue compiling highlight & game videos, consider setting up a channel within YouTube or making separate Twitter/Instagram Page
- Continue to research and update your list and write coaches & schools. Send videos and/or links to videos.
- Consider working with a speech coach to develop and improve communications skills - make a good first impression when you talk to coaches.
- Begin making phone calls to coaches, let them know your game / meet / match schedule - stay on their radars!
- Take SAT / ACT practice tests and/or test prep courses, keep your grades up!
- Pick a good attitude and show it. Recognize that nothing is owed to you just because you're a good athlete.
Junior Year of HS:
- Continue to research schools, but narrow your list to 10 to 15 schools.
- Keep in contact with coaches often, let them know of your continued interest and also if you're no longer interested.
- Continue to send videos & grades to schools you are interested in. Be your own advocate & keep your name out there!
- Ask coaches where you stand on their recruiting list and their timeline.
- Take SAT/ACT Tests
- Keep your grades up
- Look to attend Showcase games and tournaments and let college coaches know your schedule.
- Continue to play at the highest level of club/HS team you can. Get feedback on where you can improve skills.
- Make unofficial visits to schools you're interested in.
- Take AP courses, challenge yourself academically.
Senior Year of HS:
- Narrow your list to 3 to 5 schools, stay in contact with coaches on a weekly basis.
- Ask coaches for the timeline that they will make offers.
- Quickly & politely let schools know if you're no longer interested
- Contact players on your short list of schools, get their direct feedback on the school and program.
- Take official visits to schools on your short list, meet coaches and players.
- Complete FAFSA form, get college applications in early and apply to all schools on your short list.
- Keep your grades up - avoid Senior Slump!
- Character is key, make good choices every day. Who are you when no one is looking?
- Post nothing on social media you may later regret. Don't let a 100 character tweet cost you a $10,000 scholarship!.
- Receive, consider and respond to all offers from schools
- Make the decision ... make sure it's your decision!
Steps to College: A Quick Overview of the Recruiting Timeline
SportsRecruits is a platform that provides clubs, players and their families access to every college coach in the country. Club organizations use our platform to empower their players in the recruiting process and oversee their efforts and communication with complete transparency. Connections made on the platform have resulted in commitments to the best academic and athletic institutions across the country. SportsRecruits is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit sportsrecruits.com.
Check out our Vortex/A's Athletes
SportsRecruits Recruiting Guide
SportsRecruits Help: SportsRecruits Knowledge Base
Recruiting Education
In addition to the innovative SportsRecruits Recruiting Platform, SportsRecruits also offers its educational and inspirational resources to help student-athletes and families navigate the recruiting process. Below, we've included links to a selection of articles to help you get started on the right foot and execute the best possible recruiting process.
How to Write an Email to a College Coach