'So You Want To Play College Soccer?' - Master the Art of Emailing College Soccer Coaches - Your Path to Recruitment!

Nursing, Pre-Med, and Soccer Players? Inside Quinnipiac University’s Unique Recruiting Model

December 08, 2024

In Today’s Edition

Welcome to our essential new 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. 

  • Master the Art of Emailing College Soccer Coaches- Your Path to Recruitment!

  • Maximize Your Exposure to College Coaches with Our Ultimate Branding Package!

  • Nursing, Pre-Med, and Soccer Players? Inside Quinnipiac University’s Unique Recruiting Model

Master the Art of Emailing College Soccer Coaches - Your Path to Recruitment!

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How to Email College Soccer Coaches: Tips for Successful Communication

Reaching out to college soccer coaches can play a crucial role in your recruiting process. A thoughtful, well-written email can help you stand out in a crowded inbox and open up opportunities to showcase your talent. Here’s a 1000-word guide on how to communicate effectively with soccer coaches, including key strategies, a sample email, and answers to common questions.

Setting the Stage for Success

Preparation Before Sending the Email

Sharpen Your Highlight Video
Your highlight video serves as a critical evaluation tool. Include recent footage showing your strengths—whether it’s a great goal, tactical defending, or sharp passing accuracy. Keep the video concise (around 3 to 5 minutes).

Update Your Social Media Profiles
College soccer coaches often check your social media. Ensure all accounts are clean, professional, and aligned with your character. Remove any content that could leave a negative impression.

Coordinate with Current Coaches
Inform your high school or club coach about your interest in specific colleges. They may be contacted for references or insights about your playing style and personality.

Crafting a Soccer-Specific Email

Personalize to Stand Out

Avoid sending generic emails. Research the coach, team, and program to include personal touches. Mention the team’s playing style, recent standings, or why the program appeals to you.

  • Example:
    “Dear Coach Matthews, I’ve been following [College Name]'s soccer program for years, and I admire your approach to building a possession-based playing style. I believe my vision on the field and ability to execute accurate passes would be a great asset to your midfield.”

Start with a Strong Subject Line

The subject line determines whether a coach will open your email or move on to the next one. Include specifics like your position, graduation year, and a noteworthy stat or skill.

Examples of Compelling Soccer Subject Lines:

  • “2025 Midfielder | Jose Perez | 8 Goals, 14 Assists | Video Link”

  • “David Lee | 2025 CB | 6’4 Defender with Strong Tackling Skills”

  • “2025 GK | Julia Heart | 1.0 GAA | Highlight Video Included”

Tip: Keep subject lines under 75 characters so they display fully on all devices.

Include a Professional Introduction

Introduce yourself succinctly. Coaches want to know your name, position, where you play, and your graduation year right away.

  • Example Introduction:
    “My name is Anna Martinez, and I am a Center Midfielder entering my junior year at Riverdale High School in Chicago, Illinois. I currently play for Chicago Elite FC, where I serve as team captain.”

Adding your club or school adds context and credibility for the coach.

Highlight Your Achievements

This is your moment to shine. Include specific performances that set you apart, like goal tally, clean sheets, leadership roles, or awards. Don’t forget academic achievements as coaches value well-rounded student-athletes.

  • Soccer Accomplishments:

    • “Scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists this season.”

    • “Awarded All-Conference First Team and Team MVP.”

    • “Helped lead my team to the State Championship finals.”

  • Academic Highlights:

    • “Maintain a 4.1 GPA and recently scored a 1300 on my SAT.”

Coaches want to know both your athletic and academic performance, as it reflects your commitment and eligibility.

Attach Key Supporting Materials

Offering additional resources makes it easier for coaches to evaluate your potential. Attach or link the following when possible:

  • Highlight Video: Link directly to recent footage showcasing your key soccer skills.

  • Game Schedule: Attach or share the dates and locations of your upcoming matches, tournaments, or showcases.

    Tip: Ensure your attachments and links are correctly named, clear, and easy to open.

End with a Call to Action

Close your email by encouraging the coach to take action. Whether it’s reviewing your highlight tape, attending a game, or setting up a follow-up call, make it clear what step they should take next.

  • Example Call-to-Action:
    “I’d love to hear your feedback on my recent highlight video (linked above) or have you attend our upcoming showcase tournament on [date]. I plan to follow up with you next week to see if there’s an opportunity to discuss your program further.”

Follow-Up is Crucial:
If you don’t hear back within two weeks, send a polite follow-up email. Coaches often juggle busy schedules, so persistence can sometimes help your message stand out.

Common Questions About Contacting Coaches

What if Coaches Don’t Respond?

It’s not uncommon for coaches to delay responses due to their busy schedules. If no reply comes after a couple of weeks, follow up politely. You can also involve your current coach to help establish contact.

Can NCAA Soccer Coaches Respond?

NCAA D1 and D2 coaches are restricted to responding after specific dates (June 15 of your sophomore year or September 1 of your junior year) for recruiting interactions. D3 coaches, however, can reply anytime.

Who Should Be Contacted First?

For larger programs, start with the assistant coach or recruiting coordinator responsible for your position. For smaller schools, it’s fine to email the head coach directly.

Sample Email Template

Subject Line:
“2025 CM | Anna Martinez | 10 Goals, 12 Assists | Highlight Video Attached”

Body:
Dear Coach [Last Name],

My name is Anna Martinez, and I am a Center Midfielder entering my junior year at Riverdale High School in Chicago, Illinois. I currently play for Chicago Elite FC, where I serve as team captain, and I am genuinely excited about the chance to be part of [College Program Name].

What draws me most to [Team Name] is [Insert Specific Detail About Team/Coach]. I admire the team’s focus on possession-based soccer, and your continued success in the [Conference Name] is a reflection of your coaching leadership. I believe my skill in distributing accurate passes and composure under pressure would make me a strong addition to your midfield.

Here’s an overview of my accomplishments so far:

  • Completed this season with 10 goals and 12 assists, helping my team reach the state finals.

  • Named to the All-Conference Team in 2023 and voted MVP by my club teammates.

  • Academically, I maintain a 4.1 GPA and recently scored a 1320 on my SAT.

You can find my highlight video here: [Insert Link]. I’ve also attached my game schedule below in hopes you can attend. Please feel free to contact my high school coach, Joe Daniels, at [Email Address] or [Phone Number].

I will follow up with you on [Insert Date] or sooner if you'd prefer to connect earlier. Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to the opportunity to join [Team Name].

Best regards,
Anna Martinez
[Phone Number] | [Email Address]
[Social Media Handle or Recruiting Profile Link]

Attachment: Game Schedule

Final Tips for Success

  • Tailor emails with soccer-specific achievements to stand out.

  • Attach videos, stats, and schedules to allow easier evaluation.

  • Stay professional and double-check for spelling or grammar errors.

  • Be persistent but polite when following up.

By applying these strategies, you take the first step towards creating lasting impressions and increasing your opportunities to play soccer at the collegiate level.

This article was written using information from the NCSA Sports website

Stand out College Coaches with Our Pre-Tournament Branding Package!

The Steve Coxon Soccer Network on YouTube 👇

When it comes to showcase tournaments, standing out is everything. College coaches attend with limited time and a clear game plan—they arrive with a pre-determined list of athletes they’re watching and focus their attention on small sections of games. They’re there to evaluate prospects quickly and efficiently, meaning if you’re not already on their radar, it’s easy to get overlooked.

That’s where our Pre-Tournament Branding Package comes in. Designed specifically for high school athletes like you, this package is your ticket to making a lasting impression on college coaches. It ensures you’re not just another player on the field but someone they can’t afford to miss. From enhancing your visibility to highlighting your unique skills, it gives you the tools to proactively get noticed by the right people. This is your chance to take control of your recruiting journey and make sure you’re in the spotlight where you belong.

What's Included in Our Branding Package?

  • Social Media Spotlight: Be featured as one of our top prospects on our vibrant social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and Facebook. Let your skills shine where coaches are actively searching for talent.

  • We create custom pre-tournament images featuring your game schedule, a standout photo of you, and key details tailored to your events. Perfect for posting on your social media, these images help you engage college coaches, connect with fans, and make a lasting impression.

  • YouTube Video Promotion: Your highlight video will be added to our YouTube channel, providing you with a dynamic platform to showcase your skills and attract attention from a wider audience.

  • Weekly Email Blast: Gain direct visibility with our weekly email blast sent to every college D1 and D2 coach in the Northeast region, from the Canadian border down to Maryland. If you're interested, we can extend this reach to coaches in Florida as well.

  • Invest in Your Future for Just $399

For a one-time fee of $399, you'll receive this extensive package that continually promotes you until you sign with the college of your choice. This is your opportunity to stand out in a crowded field and ensure your talent is recognized by the right coaches.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Email Steve today to set up your branding package and start your journey towards securing your future in college sports. Your path to collegiate success starts with being seen by those who matter most.

Simply send an email to [email protected]

How confident are you that the strategies you have in place will grab the attention of college coaches?

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Interview with Dave Clarke - Nursing, Pre-Med, and Soccer Players? Inside Quinnipiac University’s Unique recruiting Model

Summary of Matt's interview with Head Coach Dave Clarke at  DiscoverCollegeSoccer.com 

  • Recruiting Focus:

    • Quinnipiac targets students in top science programs like nursing, PA, PT, and OT, which is unusual for Division I schools.

    • The recruiting process is heavily reliant on academics, requiring a strong GPA and SAT scores to ensure students can handle the rigorous programs.

  • Recruiting Strategy:

    • Coach Clarke emphasizes networking with Directors of Coaching (DOCs) to identify potential recruits interested in specific academic programs.

    • The focus is on finding players who are not only talented in soccer but also fit the academic profile of the university.

  • Showcases and Camps:

    • ECNL events are prioritized for networking and identifying potential recruits.

    • Quinnipiac runs its own clinics, focusing on smaller, training session-like environments rather than large-scale camps.

  • International Recruiting:

    • The program has successfully recruited players from Canada, particularly those involved in U17 and U20 national teams.

    • The presence of a strong ice hockey program at Quinnipiac helps in attracting Canadian recruits.

  • Balancing Academics and Athletics:

    • The program accommodates the demanding schedules of students in health science programs, allowing flexibility in training and game schedules.

    • Practices are scheduled to minimize conflicts with academic commitments, maintaining a balance between sports and studies.

  • Staff and Support:

    • The team benefits from a comprehensive support system, including full-time assistants, a goalkeeper coach, and access to experts in nutrition, sports psychology, and sports medicine.

    • The program leverages the university's resources, such as the Sports Performance Lab, to enhance player development.

Coach Clarke's approach to recruiting at Quinnipiac is deeply integrated with the university's academic strengths, ensuring that student-athletes are well-prepared for both their academic and athletic pursuits.

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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