You have put in the meters on the erg. You have blistered your hands on the oars and kept your grades up in the classroom. Now, you are facing a different kind of challenge: the college recruiting process. For many high school rowers, reaching out to college coaches feels more intimidating than a 2k test. How often should you email? What are you supposed to say? What if they don’t reply?
At Rower Academy, we see talented rowers freeze up at this stage every year. But here is the truth: communication is a skill. And just like your catch or your drive, itt can be learned, practiced, and mastered.
When you communicate effectively, you don’t just share your stats; you show coaches who you are as a person. You demonstrate maturity, organization, and a genuine drive to succeed. This guide will walk you through the essential dos and don’ts of talking to college coaches, ensuring you stand out for all the right reasons.
The Golden Rule: Honesty and Integrity
The rowing world is incredibly small. It often feels like everyone knows everyone. Coaches at different universities are not isolated rivals; they are also colleagues who talk to one another regularly. Because of this, open and honest communication is the best policy..
The “Number One” Trap
A common mistake eager rowing recruits make is telling every coach, “You are my top choice!” It might seem like a harmless way to show enthusiasm, but seasoned coaches can spot this insincerity from a mile away. If you tell five different coaches they are your number one, and they chat at a regatta, your credibility vanishes instantly.
Instead, be transparent about where you stand.
- If a school is truly your first choice: Say it! “Your program is my absolute top choice, and I would commit immediately if offered a spot.”
- If a school is a strong contender: Be honest but enthusiastic. “You are one of my top three choices, and I am very interested in seeing if this is the right fit.”
Coaches respect this candor. They understand you are looking at other schools, just as they are looking at other athletes. Being honest about your interest level shows confidence and maturity.
Understanding the Recruiting Funnel
It is easy to feel like the spotlight is solely on you, but you need to understand the numbers game from the coach’s perspective. While you might be speaking with 5, 10, or even 15 different coaches, know that they are likely speaking with 20, 30, or 40 different athletes.
This isn’t meant to discourage you; it is meant to liberate you. The recruitment process is a two-way street. It is a mutual search for the right “fit.”
- Fit for You: Does the school offer the academic program you want? Do you like the team culture? Can you see yourself thriving there for four years?
- Fit for the Program: Do your erg scores meet the team criteria? Does your personality mesh with the current squad? Are you the type of competitor and student the coaches are looking for?
When you understand that coaches are also filtering for the best fit, you can stop taking silence personally and start focusing on controlling what you can control: your performance and your communication.
Be Organized and Proactive
Coaches are incredibly busy. They manage training plans, travel logistics, budgets, and the emotional well-being of dozens of student-athletes. They love recruits who make their lives easier.
Being organized signals to a coach that you will be a low-maintenance, high-performing member of their team. If they have to chase you for your transcript or remind you three times to send your updated 2k score, they will assume they will have to do the same when you are on the team.
Take Ownership of the Process
This is your journey, not your parents’. While your family is a crucial support system, the emails and phone calls should come from you. When a parent handles all the communication, it raises a red flag for coaches. It suggests the athlete might lack the independence required for collegiate athletics.
Set up a spreadsheet to track your interactions. Note who you emailed, when you sent it, what you discussed, and when you plan to follow up. This simple step puts you in the driver’s seat and ensures no opportunity slips through the cracks.
Why Communicating Early Matters
Many high school rowers feel they need to wait until their erg score or achievements are “perfect” before reaching out to college coaches. But the truth is, starting early is one of the smartest moves you can make in the recruiting process. College coaches are looking not just for current performance, but for potential and progress. When you introduce yourself early, you open the door for coaches to track your development over time.
Coaches don’t expect you to be college-ready from day one. Instead, they’re interested in your trajectory—how you improve, handle feedback, and respond to challenges (and they will give you challenges, specifically erg scores to aspire towards). The earlier you communicate, the more time a coach has to watch you grow and see the dedication, resilience, and work ethic that set exceptional athletes apart. This early relationship shows that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the program, while allowing coaches to envision how you might contribute and develop once you’re on campus.
Don’t wait for perfection—let your journey be part of what impresses them.
The Art of the Follow-Up Email
You filled out the initial questionnaire or sent an introductory email, and now you have a new personal record (PR). It is time to update the coaches. But what should you write?
Coaches do not need a novel. They need facts. They deal in data. Your goal is to provide compelling updates that give them a reason to move your file to the top of the stack.
What Counts as a Compelling Update?
Avoid emailing just to say “hi.” Send an update when you have a tangible improvement or achievement to report:
- Erg Scores: A new PR on your 2k, 6k, 30-minute test, etc.
- Academics: New SAT/ACT scores or an improved GPA.
- Racing: Significant results from a regatta or a seat race victory.
- Development: Acceptance into a selection camp or a specific detail about your training volume.
The Suggested Format
Rower Academy has developed a streamlined email format that coaches appreciate because it respects their time while delivering the necessary information.
Subject Line: [Your Name], [Year in School], “Update”
- The Intro: Keep it brief. “Hello Coach [Name], this is an update on my previous application/conversation.”
- The Data: Bullet points are your friend. List your new stats clearly.
- The Statement of Interest: Reiterate that you want to be there. “I am very interested in potentially becoming a student-athlete at [University Name].”
- The Promise: “I will keep you posted on my progress from here forward.”
- The Closing: “I hope all is well with you and the team.” If you know of any recent results or achievements for the team, speak to them. ‘Congrats on your recent podium performance at NCAAs.”
- Signature: Full name and graduation year.
Here is an example of how this looks in practice:
Subject: Sarah Jenkins, Class of 2024, Update
Dear Coach Smith,
I hope your season is off to a great start. I am writing to provide an update to my athlete questionnaire.
Since we last spoke, I have achieved the following:
- 2k Erg Score: Dropped from 7:35 to 7:28
- Academics: Scored a 32 on my ACT
- Recent Racing: Won Gold in the V8+ at the Regional Championships
I have been following your team’s recent results at NCAAs and remain very interested in potentially becoming a student-athlete at State University. I feel my competitive drive would fit well with your program.
I will continue to keep you posted on my progress as I prepare for summer racing.
Best regards,
Sarah Jenkins
Class of 2024
Notice how clean and readable that is? A coach can scan that in ten seconds, see you are improving, and note your continued interest. That is a win.
Common Dos and Don’ts Summary
To wrap up, let’s look at a quick checklist to keep your communication sharp.
Do:
- Do research the program: Mention specifics about their recent races or team culture to show you have done your homework.
- Do proofread everything: Typos in the subject line or, worse, getting the university name or coach’s name wrong, looks careless.
- Do respond promptly: If a coach emails you, reply within 24 hours, even if just to acknowledge receipt.
- Do be yourself: Let your personality shine through. Coaches recruit people, not just power-to-weight ratios.
Don’t:
- Don’t copy and paste generic messages: If you send a “Dear Coach” email that clearly went to 50 other schools, it will likely be deleted.
- Don’t ghost coaches: If you decide a school isn’t for you, send a polite email thanking them for their time and letting them know you are pursuing other options. It is professional and keeps bridges intact.
- Don’t over-communicate: Daily emails are annoying. Monthly updates (or whenever you have new data) are perfect.
- Don’t lie about stats: It is easy to verify times. If you are caught inflating your numbers, your recruiting journey with that school is over.
Conclusion
Navigating communication with college coaches is a major step in your growth as an athlete and a young adult. It forces you to define what you want, articulate your value, and handle yourself with professionalism.
Remember, every great rower started exactly where you are right now—unsure, nervous, but full of potential. Trust in the work you have done. Be honest, be organized, and keep those updates coming. Your perfect fit is out there, and your next email might be the one that opens the door.