Participation in Premier Softball Programs like the Geneva Foxes is just one step in the "College Exposure" process. 

Below are some insights into the recruitment process that provide a glimpse of what it takes to play at the next level.  

1) If you are good enough to play at the college level, college softball coaches will find you.

2) If you are a good softball player, your high school coach will make sure you get recruited.

3) Only premier or elite level softball athletes play at the college level.

4) College coaches don't want you to contact them directly.

5) Grades don't really matter if you are a really good player.

6) I will be recruited if I play for the best Premier teams on all the right fields at the right showcases.

Don't let the stats be a deterrent to your player's goals! If your daughter truly wants to play at the college level, there's a place for her.  Here are some guidelines to understand the overall process.  As 94% of all collegiate players participated in some type of club or travel program, it's just a step in the overall process. 

There are a select (very small) number of travel ball and high school softball players who don't have to worry about how the softball recruitment process works. They are the Elite or Premier players who have every coach in America asking them to come and play for their program. These ladies could care less about the details of the recruitment process because they don't need to know. Keep in mind, these players make up less than 2% of the High School softball player pool.

For the remaining 98% of student athletes who have the talent to play at the next level, the process comes down to whether or not a coach learns about them and their softball skills and talents.  If coaches are made aware of their skill set, GPA and eagerness to attend, they will probably get recruited to play at some level of college softball. If coaches never learn their name or anything about them, they will likely always fly under the radar of college coaches and scouts.

MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN

If you are just going to showcases, hoping to be discovered, even if you are very talented and play on the best Premier Team, you could find yourself never being noticed or recruited if no one knows your there!

• Do your research! Visit college websites and find the schools that interest you, not the other way around. Your listing could include as many as 50 schools that are the “right fit”.
• Take control. Players and Parents are ultimately responsible for the outcome of your recruiting process - not your high school coach or travel organization.    
• Write letters and emails to the coaches letting them know of your interest in their school and softball program.
• Include your complete resume (Name, address, graduation year, positions you play, academic and athletic accomplishments, community involvement, contact information for your parents & coaches, etc.)
• Get verified! Register on-line with recruiting websites like www.ncsasports.org    
• Contact the coaches on a regular and consistent basis to gain a working relationship.
• Keep them up to date on your successes and accomplishments.
• Find out in which Showcase Tournaments the coaches frequent and make every effort to attend one, letting them know you’ll be there and when you’re playing.
• Create a website showcasing your successes making sure to include game footage of you in action.
• Create a promotional video of yourself (like the one below) complete with endorsements and footage.   

What can’t be stressed enough and there is no substitute for this: The quality of your education and overall college experience is far more important than the level of play!