After Festival – Now What?

Parent Question:  “We just returned from festival (which was amazing).  A parent of a player on our club team who’s daughter will be playing for Georgetown, told me that my daughter should send out a thank you emails to all the schools she contacted before the festival, and to also include a little update on how she did in festival. Is this a good idea, and if so I’d like to get your thoughts on what it should say? or should I wait a couple of weeks to see if my daughter is contacted by any of the attending schools, since the festival has just ended? I saw lots of coaches at all of our clubs games.”

ANSWER: Some of you may have already received phone calls or emails from coaches as soon as Festival & Shooting Stars was over.  If you haven’t, don’t fret.  Now is the time for you to be proactive. Reach out to ALL those schools and coaches you previously contacted before Thanksgiving (if you have not heard from them).  Keep the process moving.

Each situation is unique.  Just like every date is unique (in one of Tori’s previous Blogs she describes the similarities of recruitment to dating / going steady / and getting married).  I have have included some sample emails below you can send post Festival/Shooting Stars – but these of course should be specifically directed to conversations or correspondence you may have sent or received from a respective coach.

I’m not sure about telling coaches how well you did at Festival/Shooting Stars – or how good you are in general.  Your resume, video and showcasing opportunities should do this.  How good you think you did – or how good you think you are – is subjective.   There are no hard and fast rules here – but my kids never did this.  Their job was to get noticed – and evaluated by the school or coach of their dreams.  Because in the end – the coach will make the decision – and you can’t shine a sneaker (another Blog).

Email: If a coach reached out to you after festival…

Dear Coach XXXX,

Thank you for your email.

I was both excited and encouraged that you were able to see me play at XXX.

I have attached your completed questionnaire and my resume to this email as you requested.
In addition I have a video of my play at Bay State Games last summer and my first game on grass this season which I will mail to you.

I am starting my club practice for the USFHA Indoor Qualifier in New York on January 15.

Other than that I will be at Minutemen FHC in Boston on weekends and playing in some Indoor Tournaments when available and I will be doing Futures again this winter and will be at xyz showcase next Spring. Also my summer plans include attending a top camp in Europe, gaining international experience.

I will update you as I know more about my hockey schedule. I hope you’ll have a chance to see me play.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you evaluate my game – and help you make a positive decision about my joining the XXXX TIGERS XXXXX.

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2017
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 555.555.xxxx
Fax: 555.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

Email:  If you did not receive contact after festival …

Dear Coach XXXX,

I hope you were able to see me play at XXX.

I am still extremely interested in exploring the possibility of playing at XXXXX.

I am starting my club practice for the USFHA Indoor Qualifier in New York on January 15.

Other than that I will be at Minutemen FHC in Boston on weekends and playing in some Indoor Tournaments when available and I will be doing Futures again this winter and will be at xyz showcase next Spring.   Also my summer plans include attending a top camp in Europe, gaining international experience.

I will update you as I know more about my hockey schedule.  I hope you’ll have a chance to see me play.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you evaluate my game – and help you make a positive decision about my joining the XXXX TIGERS XXXXX.

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2017
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 508.555.xxxx
Fax: 508.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

Follow-up Emails: Continue to update all your prospective college coaches

Whether winter, spring or summer games and tournaments – even exciting plans that include top hockey, maybe receiving top SAT/ACT scores – find a good reason to contact these coaches….

Hi Coach,

I finally have my summer schedule together.
My SAT scores will be available June 26.

Here is where I will be playing this summer.

* June 25 – 28 ::: College Connection at UNH
Fri    June 30 at 4:30PM ::: Field #1
Sat   July   1 at  9:00AM ::: Field #1
Sun  July   2 at 10:40AM ::: Field #1
Mon  July   3     Cross over
Tues July   4     Cross over – medal rounds

* June 30 to July 4 ::: NFC at Virginia Beach
Team Concord ::: Uniform # 25

* July 13 to 16 ::: Bay State Games at UMass Lowell
Coastal Team ::: Uniform # 10
Thur. July 13 at 1PM
Fri.   July 14 at 1PM
Sat. July 15 at 9AM & 1PM
Sun. July 16 – Medal rounds 11AM or 12:30PM

July 16 to August 12 ::: European Camps – Amsterdam & Barcelona
I will be attending both these international camps this summer

Thank you
Cindy Sue Jones
Graduating 2017
————————–
PO Box XXXX
Anywhere, MA 02556
Phone: 555.555.xxxx
Fax: 555.555.xxxx
Email: xxxx@gmail.com

Go make it happen – NOW