How to Email a College Soccer Coach (The Right Way!)

Establishing communication with a college soccer coach is a critical step in your journey towards securing a spot on a college soccer team. However, emailing a college soccer coach isn't as simple as sending a casual message. It's not just about saying hello—it's your opportunity to introduce your unique skills, express your academic and athletic aspirations, and indicate your specific interest in the coach's program. However, emailing a college soccer coach isn't a task to be taken lightly; it's an art that calls for precision, professionalism, and a touch of personal flair.

This article aims to demystify the process and provide a detailed guide on 'How to Email a Soccer College Coach'. We will explore important facets, including finding the right soccer coach to email, crafting an impactful subject line, presenting a compelling introduction of yourself, the nuances of maintaining regular yet respectful communication, and understanding the potential follow-up strategies. Whether you're a player just starting the recruitment journey or a parent looking to assist your child, this guide on how to email a college soccer coach, is your stepping stone to a powerful first digital handshake with your potential college coach.

Identify Ideal Colleges

In the pursuit of collegiate soccer dreams and before you can email any college soccer coach, the first step starts with recognizing the colleges that you'd like to play for and which ones are ideal for you. When making a list of colleges where you would like to play soccer, consider a mix of academic and athletic factors to ensure you find a good fit for you. Things to consider when compiling your list of colleges:

1. Evaluate your Soccer Skills: Most importantly, honestly evaluate your playing ability and your potential for growth. You can ask your current coach for a realistic assessment. This will help you understand the level of college soccer you should be targeting (NCAA Divisions I, II, or III, NAIA, or junior college).
   
2. Academic Goals: Consider the academic programs that the colleges offer. It's important to choose a school that aligns with your career goals and offers the major or course of study you're interested in.
3. Location: Consider if you prefer to go to a school close to home or if you're open to attending a school in another state or region.
4. Size of the School: Do you prefer a small, medium, or large school? The size can influence class sizes, opportunities for involvement, the feel of the campus, and more.
5. College Culture: Consider the college's atmosphere and cultural fit. You'll spend four years there, so it's important to choose a school where you'll feel comfortable.
6. Soccer Program: Look at the college's soccer program. Consider the team's record, coaching staff, facilities, training program, and the possibility of playing time.
7. (BONUS TIP) Examine the Roster: Examining a college soccer team's roster is a crucial step in determining which college soccer program to target in the recruitment process. A careful analysis of the roster provides insight into the team's existing composition, including the positions already filled, the balance of underclassmen and upperclassmen, and the overall skill level.
   
   If you play defense and a college is graduating 4 defenders which leaves them with only 2 on the roster, then that college get's one extra "star" by it- or two!
8. Financial Factors: Consider the cost of tuition and other expenses. Look at the availability of athletic scholarships, academic scholarships, or financial aid.

In essence, identifying the right colleges to play for goes beyond the realm of soccer. It's a balanced equation that demands considering your academic ambitions, athletic compatibility, and personal preferences. By meticulously researching and analyzing, you'll be well on your way to pinpointing the ideal destinations for your college soccer journey.

Find Appropriate Soccer Coach to Email

Once you have identified which colleges fit your desired academic and soccer program, it's crucial to identify the appropriate soccer coach to contact. When sending an email to a college soccer coach, ultimately you'll want to send the email to the head coach. However, some colleges have recruiters that you need to send to as well. Here are some steps you can follow to determine the correct college soccer coach to email:

1. Check the school's athletics website: College soccer programs usually have an official webpage as part of the school's main website. You'll typically find information about the soccer team, including the roster of coaches and their roles.
2. Identify the relevant coaches: Depending on the size and structure of the program, there could be a head coach, several assistant coaches, and possibly a recruiting coordinator. While the head coach is often the best person to contact, an assistant coach or recruiting coordinator (if the school has one) could also be appropriate.
3. Research the coaches: Look at their profiles to understand their roles. If their emails are not directly listed, the website may provide a general contact form or athletic department contact information.
4. Find their email address: Schools often list the email addresses of their coaches on the athletics website. If you can't find an email address, try reaching out to the general athletics department or call the main office to ask for the best contact.

After you have researched which college soccer coaches at each college is the correct person to email, make sure to keep this data organized. Organize the list and then double check it one last time. The last thing you want to do is email the wrong soccer coach or recruiting coordinator- yes, this happens all the time. You can use a simple Excel Spreadsheet/Google Sheet or Word Doc to do this.

Crafting the Email to send To the college soccer coach

After you have compiled the list of colleges, the right soccer coaches and their contact information, it's time to build the perfect email to send to those college soccer coaches and contacts.

The Perfect Subject Line

When it comes to emailing college soccer coaches, the significance of an enticing, yet concise subject line cannot be overstated. College soccer coaches receive a plethora of emails every day, and your subject line could be the decisive factor between your email being read or being buried in an overflowing inbox.

Concise and Informative

Your subject line is the first impression you make on a coach, and as the saying goes, "first impressions last." A well-crafted subject line should succinctly convey your intention and be relevant enough to catch the coach's attention. Remember, coaches are extremely busy, and a clear and concise subject line respects their time and quickly informs them of your email's purpose.

1. "2023 Prospect: [Your Name], Striker - Anytown High School, 20 goals in 2023 season."
2. "Class of 2024 Midfielder: [Your Name], 30 Assists in 2023 Season, Interested in [School Name]"
3. "[Your Name]: State Championship Goalie Seeking Opportunity at [School Name]"
4. "Honors Student & State Champion: [Your Name] Interested in [School Name] Soccer Program"
5. "[Your Name]: Applying your coaching advice + recent game highlights"
6. "[Your Name] - Athletic and Academic Standout Exploring [School Name] for Soccer"

The subject line can make or break your email, so spend time crafting it. Keep it clear, informative, and related to both your soccer skills and academic achievements. Remember, you want the coach to read your email, and a compelling subject line is the key to unlocking that door.

The Email Body: Introduction

When sending an email to a college soccer coach, the body of your email is your chance to shine and grab the coach's attention further. The way you introduce yourself sets the tone for the rest of your message. You want to make it clear, succinct, yet full of personality.