Steve Coxon > CT Soccer Hall of Fame | 18-Year D1 Head Recruiter | $30M+ in Scholarships Facilitated

Over the last 18 months, I’ve given you plenty of tips and advice to chew on. Most of you have used it to get smarter about the process. But "getting smarter" isn't the goal—getting committed is.

Going forward, we’re adjusting the mission. While I’ll always provide the strategy, my main focus is now shifting toward one thing: Direct Access. I’m moving the needle to get players—specifically the 2027s and 2028s—directly in front of the college coaches who sign the checks and hand out the roster spots.

I often get asked: "Do college coaches actually read third-party newsletters and emails?" Well, let’s look at the data. We recently sent our 2027 list to 340 D1 coaches and our 2028 list to 489 DIII coaches. Our open rates were upwards of 62% for both.(Actually almost 70% for the DIII Coaches)

If you’ve ever managed an email list, you know how high that is. The industry average for a newsletter typically bottoms out around 20-25%.

When we send a list, coaches aren't just "opening" an email—they are scouting. We’ve built a bridge of trust where a 62% + open rate isn't just a fluke; it's proof that coaches are looking for the talent we highlight.

That being said, here is the "direct" game plan for the 27s, 28s, 29s, and 30s out there to actually move the needle this spring/summer:

You can do this on your own, or we can do it for you.

On Tuesday morning, the next wave of our targeted campaign goes out to every one of these coaches. You’re either on that list or you’re not. We are heavily promoting 20 specific CSN athletes directly to these desks.

If you want your player on that list, we need to move.

The window for the '27 class is closing. Get in there and fix your profile now before the email goes out.

Boys' recruiting usually runs a year behind the girls, but don't let that fool you. The Class of 2027 board is moving now. If you waste this summer, you’ll be scrambling in the fall when the scholarship money has already been handed out.

The "Show Up and Blow Up" Myth

Everyone thinks they’re the exception. They think they can roll into a summer showcase, "dominate," and wait for the D1 offers to rain down from the sidelines.

Here’s the cold truth: Coaches don't show up to discover you; they show up to verify you. If you aren't already on their spreadsheet before the first whistle blows, you’re basically playing in a ghost town.

Here are your 3 non-negotiables to make sure you're actually seen this summer:

The Coach's Take: My summer schedule is built in May. Between flight delays and recruiting budgets, I don't have time to "wander" around 40 fields hoping to find a hidden gem. I have a list of 15-20 names I’m tracking. If you aren't on that list, I’m walking right past your field to get to the kid who is. The Work: Stop relying on "hope" as a recruiting strategy. You need to be in their inbox and on their radar weeks before the event. If they don't know your jersey number before you tie your cleats, you’ve already lost.

The Coach's Take: I get 100 generic emails a day. Most go to the trash. But when I get a vetted prospect list from a source I trust, I open it. The Move: Leverage direct access. We recently sent out our 2028 prospect lists to 340 D1 coaches, and the open rate was upwards of 62%. Compare that to the standard 20% newsletter average. That 62% represents coaches who are actively looking for the next names to add to their boards. If you aren't positioned where coaches are actually looking, you’re just making noise in an empty room.

The Coach's Take: I see parents spending thousands on travel and hotels for "exposure" events where their kid plays three games and never sees a single college shirt on the sideline. That’s not an investment; that’s a donation. Your Move: Your goal this summer is Direct Access. You need to know exactly which coaches are opening your film and which programs have you on their "Watch List." Stop guessing and start tracking.

The "30-Day Masterplan" for the Class of '28 and '29 is live inside the Skool community. Get in there, get your film right, and stop leaving your future up to chance.

Are you playing to be seen, or just playing to play?

For the '28s, the next six weeks are a sprint. You cannot just show up in June and expect to dominate; you have to be on the radar before you take the field.

Your 3 non-negotiables for the next 50 days:

I see parents panic-buying July ID camps right now. Stop. Until June 15th, you are just a donor. You’re paying for a hope and a prayer.

June 15th is "The Truth Date." This is the day the D1 landscape shifts from "maybe" to "reality." It’s the first day those coaches can officially pick up the phone and tell you where you sit on their board.

Keep your July and August clear for now. Don’t fill your calendar with "vanity camps" that lead to dead ends.

At the 2029 and 2030 level, let's kill the word "recruiting." Exposure for a Freshman isn't about getting a coach to write your name down—it’s about getting acclimated. Most kids are "town superstars." They’re used to being the best player on their local pitch where everything is comfortable. A college ID clinic is the opposite of comfortable. It’s loud, the coaching is more demanding, and every player on that field was the best player in their town, too.

Playing in front of college coaches is a specific skill. I’ve seen elite players—kids with all the talent in the world—completely fold during their Junior year because it was the first time they felt the weight of a D1 coach watching their every touch. They get "heavy legs," they stop calling for the ball, and they play safe.

You don't want your kid’s first "pressure cook" to happen when a scholarship is actually on the line.

Use these summer camps as a training ground.

This is about learning how to compete when eyes are on you. It’s about building the mental calluses now so that by the time they hit 11th grade, playing in front of a D1 head coach feels like just another Tuesday.

The Move: Stop looking for a "Yes" from a coach and start looking for "Growth" in your player. I’ve put an extensive Summer Camp List together in the Classroom. Use it to plan strategically—don't just follow the crowd to the big-name schools that are just looking for a check. Target the environments that actually fit your player's current level and give them the room to grow.

We don’t just talk about this; we execute it.

🏆 The Proof: From "Complex" to Committed

Recruiting isn’t a mystery, and it’s certainly not about luck. It’s about having a repeatable process. When you have a clear map, the "complexity" of the D1 landscape suddenly becomes manageable.

Take a look at Parker. Her family just reached out to share the news that she has officially committed to Colorado College (D1).

Here is what Parker’s mom had to say about the process:

Parker didn't just "show up" and get an offer. Her family used our platform, stayed consistent with their outreach, and executed the exact strategy I’ve built from 18 years of sitting on the other side of the recruiting desk.

This is exactly what we do at the Soccer Network. We take the "noise" and the confusion out of the equation so your athlete can focus on the result: Getting the commitment!

Steve Coxon doesn't just understand recruiting; he lived it at the highest level for 18 years as a Division 1 Head Recruiter. With over 20 years of collegiate experience and a seat in the CT Soccer Hall of Fame.

As the Co-Founder of CFC (ECNL) and the Soccer Network, he has bridged the gap between club talent and college commitments, facilitating more than $30 million in scholarships for student-athletes. He isn't a "recruiting service"—he is the veteran insider providing the map to the finish line.