The college recruitment process is laden with crucial dates, but none stand out quite like June 15 for incoming juniors. It’s the initial contact period for Division 1 coaches to engage with high school athletes, a momentous time in the recruitment calendar.

Worth noting, not all sports synchronize their contact periods with June 15. Several sports have their unique timelines for coach contact:

• January 1 of sophomore year: Men’s ice hockey • September 1 of junior year: Football, baseball, softball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s basketball

What exactly constitutes an NCAA contact period? It’s a specific interval on the NCAA Recruiting Calendar allowing college coaches to have direct interaction—face-to-face, digital, and phone contact—with recruits and their families. Coaches can observe recruits in competition and even visit their high schools.

Present NCAA rules stipulate a prohibition on phone, text, and email communication between athletes (or their families) and Division 1 coaches until June 15 after their sophomore year or September 1 of their junior year, based on the sport. But recruits have the liberty to reach out to coaches early on to get on their radar and mailing list. Coaches keenly monitor recruits' emails and social media to track their athletic journey.

HOW TO BE READY FOR JUNE 15 

Before June 15 arrives, it's crucial to compile all the information that college coaches will seek in your first email or phone call. By taking these preparatory steps, you can confidently enter conversations and leave a lasting impression on the coaching staff.

1. Highlight video: Showcase your athletic ability and what makes you stand out among other recruits. The video should spotlight the skills coaches look for in your position. Explore our guide on creating a standout highlight video here to delve deeper. 
2. Verified athletic stats: Third-party stats from a combine or other events.
3. Academic details: Including your GPA and ACT/SAT scores; coaches highly value academic performance. • Contact information: Both yours and your family's, ensuring coaches can easily get in touch.
4. Camps and competition schedule: To offer coaches the opportunity to evaluate your performance in person.

Beyond this list, sit down with your family and list what you're seeking in a college, sports team, and coaching staff. Understand your priorities in your college search. As you start identifying schools that align with your needs, delve into their sports program details (current roster, coaching staff, competition history). This demonstrates to coaches that you're genuinely interested in joining the team. Also, be ready with insightful questions when you meet with a coach!