How to Write the Perfect Email to a College Coach
Email is an easy way to say hello to a coach and to learn about a team. Your first message can be simple: Say a few things about your season and school year, tell the coach what you like about the program, and link to your CaptainU profile.
Not on CaptainU yet? Create your free profile now.
Coaches can’t connect on a personal level until your junior year, but you can give your high school coach’s contact info and let them talk. If you don’t hear back, keep the talk going—follow up with updates on your season and school year.
Make an impression and demonstrate your passion
It’s time to get a coach’s attention. You’re excited about his or her team and want to make sure you’re on the radar. Reaching out with an email is an easy way to let the coach know you as a person and an athlete. Some of what you write in your emails will depend on your sport and your year of high school, but the basic idea is the same for everyone: Help the coach remember you and your passion.
How to structure that daring first email
Your first message sticks to basics. This one kickstarts the conversation. Introduce yourself and say why you care about the coach’s program. Share a few things about how your season is going and how you’re getting better at your sport. Add something about your classwork and what you do to be a good student. The coach will like getting a sense of who you are.
Provide a place for the coach to learn more about you
Be sure to reach out with an athletic resume or profile. This helps coaches better know you as an athlete! When you reach out with CaptainU’s “mail” tab, your message always includes a link to your profile. Make sure the coach has plenty to look at on your page. Keep your profile loaded with highlights and skills videos, action pictures, and coach and teammate endorsements.
So you sent the coach a perfect message, but no response! What now?
There’s a chance the coach won’t get back to you, at least not right away. It’s OK to follow up. Write again with more info about your season. You can also share your schedule—mention any camps or clinics you’ll attend so the coach knows he or she will have a way to see you play in person.
If you don’t hear back from a coach, your age might be the reason. Because of NCAA rules, Division I coaches can’t send you general emails until around Sept. 1 of your junior year. If you’re looking at Division I schools but aren’t yet a junior, share your current high school or club coach’s contact info—they can chat more about what you’re looking for in a program. You can also reach out to college coaches and ask them about any showcases or ID camps they’re going to host or attend. College coaches are able to respond to these general messages.
Feel free to follow up again if you still don’t hear back. Show the coach you keep an eye on his or her program. Send your congrats for the big win the team pulled out against a big rival. Tell the coach you’re excited to see the team do well and to picture yourself being part of those wins in the future.
The final takeaway…show them the best version of yourself
Take all of these emails seriously. Be yourself—your greatest self. Use your best writing and show the coach respect. Make the most of each message, and the coach’s time, by asking a few good questions and doing your part to learn more about the team.
Ready to start messaging college coaches? Create your free profile here.
READ MORE:
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
How to Write the Perfect Email to a College Coach
Email is an easy way to say hello to a coach and to learn about a team. Your first message can be simple: Say a few things about your season and school year, tell the coach what you like about the program, and link to your CaptainU profile.
Not on CaptainU yet? Create your free profile now.
Coaches can’t connect on a personal level until your junior year, but you can give your high school coach’s contact info and let them talk. If you don’t hear back, keep the talk going—follow up with updates on your season and school year.
Make an impression and demonstrate your passion
It’s time to get a coach’s attention. You’re excited about his or her team and want to make sure you’re on the radar. Reaching out with an email is an easy way to let the coach know you as a person and an athlete. Some of what you write in your emails will depend on your sport and your year of high school, but the basic idea is the same for everyone: Help the coach remember you and your passion.
How to structure that daring first email
Your first message sticks to basics. This one kickstarts the conversation. Introduce yourself and say why you care about the coach’s program. Share a few things about how your season is going and how you’re getting better at your sport. Add something about your classwork and what you do to be a good student. The coach will like getting a sense of who you are.
Provide a place for the coach to learn more about you
Be sure to reach out with an athletic resume or profile. This helps coaches better know you as an athlete! When you reach out with CaptainU’s “mail” tab, your message always includes a link to your profile. Make sure the coach has plenty to look at on your page. Keep your profile loaded with highlights and skills videos, action pictures, and coach and teammate endorsements.
So you sent the coach a perfect message, but no response! What now?
There’s a chance the coach won’t get back to you, at least not right away. It’s OK to follow up. Write again with more info about your season. You can also share your schedule—mention any camps or clinics you’ll attend so the coach knows he or she will have a way to see you play in person.
If you don’t hear back from a coach, your age might be the reason. Because of NCAA rules, Division I coaches can’t send you general emails until around Sept. 1 of your junior year. If you’re looking at Division I schools but aren’t yet a junior, share your current high school or club coach’s contact info—they can chat more about what you’re looking for in a program. You can also reach out to college coaches and ask them about any showcases or ID camps they’re going to host or attend. College coaches are able to respond to these general messages.
Feel free to follow up again if you still don’t hear back. Show the coach you keep an eye on his or her program. Send your congrats for the big win the team pulled out against a big rival. Tell the coach you’re excited to see the team do well and to picture yourself being part of those wins in the future.
The final takeaway…show them the best version of yourself
Take all of these emails seriously. Be yourself—your greatest self. Use your best writing and show the coach respect. Make the most of each message, and the coach’s time, by asking a few good questions and doing your part to learn more about the team.
Ready to start messaging college coaches? Create your free profile here.
READ MORE:
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
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