This column is intended to untangle some of the mystery of the recruitment process for high school rowers and coxswains untangle some of the mystery of the recruitment process for high school rowers and coxswains, and by smoothing the path, hopefully lighten coaches' work as well.

First, find out as much as you can about the programs which interest you. Research the college rowing programs' websites thoroughly; know who the freshman coaches are, and what they are asking for in terms of time commitment (find their websites at http://www.row2k.com/links/links.cfm?cat=1). Here you can find out what programs are offered (open, lightweight, men, women), whether scholarships are offered, and more. Be sure that you can balance your academic commitments (your real reason for being in college) with your athletics. (Yes, Crew may be your true intended major, but humor your parents anyway if they remind you that “college is more than just a classroom attached to a boathouse.”)

Almost all crew websites have online forms (some centralized via the college's athletic department). Those without questionnaires or forms should provide email addresses to write to the coach to signal your interest. Your initial email or letter is your opportunity to make a good first impression. In it, give your height and weight, erg scores, which side(s) you row (being able to row both will make you more valuable), the number of years you have been part of your high school or club rowing program, and -- without giving a laundry list of every race -- list some notable results, especially any big regattas where your boat has done well. Also give your SAT scores, your GPA, class rank, as well as your coach's and guidance counselor's contact information.

When the coach writes back, he or she will probably send you additional materials and information, as well as suggestions for dates for recruitment visits. In some sports, the trend is that college coaches are asking to see videos. (Coxswains, do not send audio tapes unless asked.)

A letter of reference from your high school or club coach to the college coach is also very helpful. The reputation of your high school program counts for a lot. Coming from a solid program implies that you are solid too.

Recruitment visits are an opportunity for you to get a feel for the programs you are interested in, as well as for the coach to get to know you. Often, the recruit will be shown around by other rowers from the college. Chances are high that these will be people you have rowed with, or competed against, in recent years. Their impressions of you will help the coach form an opinion of how well you will fit in the program, and how hard to go to bat for you in the admissions process. Coaches are looking for focused, disciplined, coachable athletes with good work ethics and positive attitudes which will help move boats – not necessarily the most awesome erg scores or even the best technique (they will teach you their own style anyway.) Coaches also want to be confident of your time management skills – they dread the experience of the potentially good rower, overwhelmed by the newness and variety of the college experience, and pulled in too many directions, who loses focus or drops out of rowing entirely.

Coxswains. Although freshman coaches will naturally be most interested in recruiting rowers, experienced coxswains are valued too -- having them means the coach can concentrate on coaching the rowers instead of having to spend time getting a coxswain up to speed. Coaches are looking for coxswains who can steer, call drills, and who know how to fit in with their athletes. Your introductory email should be similar to a rower's, and most of all, avoid phrases which smack of self praise, such as "…because of my high motivational skills and excellent leadership..." Good coxswains do not blow their own horns. For this reason, a letter from a high school coach can be particularly helpful for coxswains.

Whenever a coach contacts you, respond promptly. Recruitment can be a time-consuming headache, for coaches, and full of uncertainty. Help the recruitment process by submitting information, applications, materials, etc. on or before the due dates at every stage. This will be seen as advance indicators of your organization and self-discipline, and thus of your future coachability. Make yourself easy to recruit, and you will be.