So You Want To Play College Soccer? - Don’t Fly Off To Your Next College Showcase Event Without Reading This First!

128 female athletes have already committed to 45 North East Colleges for the class of 2027!

November 02, 2025

Welcome to our essential weekly blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

In Today’s Edition

  • Don’t Fly Off To Your Next College Showcase Event Without Reading This First!

  • 128 female athletes have already committed to 45 North East colleges for the class of 2027!

Don’t Fly Off To Your Next College Showcase Event Without Reading This First!

Showcase tournaments are a staple of the college recruitment journey for high school athletes. These events gather college coaches from across the country, all looking to scout talent. But there’s a common misconception about how they work.

Coaches don’t simply wander from field to field and discover players by chance!

Many parents have expressed the same frustration: "There were no coaches at our games!"
When asked how many coaches their player or team personally invited, the response is often silence. The hard truth is that coaches arrive with a plan. Their schedules are built around a watchlist of players they intend to evaluate. If you are not on that list, you are effectively invisible.

Coaches DON’T discover players at these events—they evaluate athletes who have already made contact. A strong performance can be your ticket to the next step, but only if the right people are there to see it. So, how do you get on their radar and make every moment count? Here is what you need to know to maximize your showcase experience.

A Coach's Perspective: It's a Numbers Game

To understand showcase tournaments, you need to see them from a college coach's point of view. They often spend consecutive weekends traveling, living out of hotels, and watching an overwhelming number of games. With limited time and resources, they must be efficient. Their focus is almost exclusively on a pre-determined list of athletes.

Instead of watching full matches, a coach might only stay for a small portion of a game before moving on to the next player on their list. If you haven't done the work to get on that list, they will likely never see you play. Your job is to proactively put yourself on their radar before the first whistle blows.

Before the Tournament: Proactive Contact is Key

Don't wait to be noticed. Take control of your recruitment by reaching out to coaches before the event. Following these steps will significantly increase your visibility.

1. Research the Attending Schools

The first step is to visit the tournament's website and find the list of colleges that will be in attendance. Create a target list of programs that align with your academic and athletic goals. This research is the foundation of a personalized and effective outreach strategy.

2. Send Personalized Emails

A well-crafted email is your first introduction. Make it count.

  • Address Coaches by Name: Generic greetings like "Dear Coach" are easily ignored. Use the coach's name to show you have done your research.

  • Be Clear and Concise: Coaches are busy. Get straight to the point. Share essential details like your name, graduation year, position, and team. Most importantly, provide your complete game schedule, including dates, times, field numbers, and your jersey number.

  • Include Your Profile: Add links to your online recruiting profile and a highlight reel. Make it easy for them to see you in action.

  • Ask for Engagement: Politely invite them to watch one of your games. This direct call to action prompts them to add you to their schedule.

3. Leverage Social Media

Combining email with a strategic social media presence creates a powerful one-two punch.

  • Create a Professional Profile: Set up social media accounts dedicated to your athletic career. Use a clean headshot, write a detailed bio, and keep your content focused on your journey as a student-athlete.

  • Post Regularly: Share game highlights, training clips, academic achievements, and official visit photos. Use relevant hashtags like #StudentAthlete, #CollegeRecruiting, and your graduation year (e.g., #Classof2027) to increase your visibility.

  • Engage with Coaches and Programs: Follow the schools on your target list. Like and comment on their posts. When you share your tournament schedule, tag the coaches you’ve emailed to give them another reminder.

  • Send Thoughtful DMs: A direct message can be effective if it’s professional and to the point. Briefly introduce yourself, mention you sent an email, and share your game schedule again.

Remember to maintain a professional online presence at all times. Coaches often check social media to get a sense of an athlete's character. Avoid posting anything controversial or inappropriate.

What If Your Game Schedule Changes?

Last-minute schedule changes are common at tournaments. As soon as you find out, contact the coaches on your list immediately. A quick email or text with the updated information is all you need. Coaches understand that these things happen, and they will appreciate your proactive communication.

After the Tournament: The Follow-Up

Your work isn’t finished when the final game ends. Following up is a critical step that many athletes skip.

1. Send a Thank-You Email

Within a day or two after the event, send a follow-up email to the coaches you contacted. Start by thanking them for their time. If they watched you play, mention it and politely ask for their impressions or feedback on your performance. Always conclude with a clear call to action, such as: “Can we set up a call?” or “When is your next ID clinic?”

2. Reiterate Your Interest

Use the follow-up email to reaffirm your enthusiasm for their program. Ask what they recommend as your next steps in their recruiting process. This shows you are serious and ready to move forward.

3. Be Persistent, Not Pushy

Coaches receive hundreds of emails. If you don’t get a reply right away, don’t be discouraged. Wait a week or two, then send a polite follow-up message. Persistence often pays off.

Final Thoughts

Showcase tournaments offer a fantastic opportunity to display your talent, work ethic, and character to college coaches. By preparing in advance, communicating effectively, and following up afterward, you can ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Good luck!

Free 5-Day Challenge: Get Organized & Scholarship Ready - Starts on Monday!

Are you in the class of 2027, 2028, or 2029? Ready to stand out to college coaches, but not sure where to start? Join our FREE 5-Day Challenge and start your journey toward a college soccer scholarship!

What you get:

  • Daily, bite-sized tasks—easy to complete, big on results

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Challenge kicks off Monday, November 3rd! Here’s what you’ll do:

  • Day 1: Build a Highlight Video that grabs coaches’ attention

  • Day 2: Make a Smart List of Schools that are the right fit for you

  • Day 3: Organize and Polish Your Social Media for a strong first impression

  • Day 4: Learn How to Contact College Coaches the right way (with templates included)

  • Day 5: Discover the Secrets of ID Clinics and maximize your exposure

Why join?

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Don’t miss out! Take control of your recruiting future—click here to join the challenge and get the resources you need to succeed!

Have more questions about the recruitment process? Don’t tackle them alone. Schedule a free 15-minute Zoom call with Steve who can provide you with personalized support and a clear direction forward.

Join us as we empower you to take charge of your recruitment and turn your dreams into reality

128 Female Athletes Have Already Committed to 45 North East Colleges for the Class of 2027!

Your CSN # is the key to understanding which colleges are the perfect fit for your athletic and academic profile. It’s a precise measure that helps identify schools that recruit players with your unique resume and skills.

🚨 128 female athletes have already committed to 45 North East colleges for the class of 2027, with CSN Numbers ranging from 30 to 90. (Schools such as Syracuse, Dartmouth, Cornell and Penn State have probably already filled their 2027 rosters!)

We've developed an algorithm that accurately predicts the types of schools that will recruit you based on your personal CSN number and each college’s CSN profile. 

Want to join them? Knowing your CSN # puts you on the path to achieving your college athletics goals and finding a school that values you.

📊 Discover where YOU stand and uncover the best opportunities waiting for you.

The CSN # (College Soccer Network Number) is your personalized recruiting tool to focus your efforts on the right colleges.

Why Get Your CSN?

✅ Target Schools with Laser Focus
Identify colleges that recruit players with similar profiles.

✅ Save Time and Money
Avoid camps and schools that aren’t a fit.

✅ Data-Driven Recruiting
Understand where you stand and what to aim for.

Take Control of Your Journey

Sign up for your CSN # today and focus on schools that match your soccer resume.

👉 Click here to activate your CSN # and start targeting the right schools today! After you purchase, you'll get an email from us requesting a bit of information—once received, we'll send you your personalized number within 24 hours.

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About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA