What to expect on overnights?
swimmer24
41 replies10 threads Junior Member
As an athlete who has multiple recruiting overnights this fall, I was wondering what to expect. Can anyone give any insight on the basics as well as things that the coach doesn't plan? Also, what should one bring on these trips? If it helps at all I am swimmer and my trips are all to NESCACS/D3 schools.
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Replies to: What to expect on overnights?
Jobenny - So what did your son think was the determining factor that either led to an offer - or not? And when?
We feel that it is still very difficult to know where you stand. Originally my kid accepted only 2 OVs because we were certain of the choices. However, we expanded the OVs to four because of the uncertainty of ending up with any offers, given the numbers.
Swimmer24, my d went on 4 NESCAC overnights for swimming last fall. In retrospect she regretted doing so many (she had non NESCAC overnights also--it was insane and I will recommend my s do fewer next year). They were relaxed and fun. There was an opportunity at each school to get into the water to make up missed practice. The one time d panicked over clothes was when she heard that there was a party involving a limo and she had only brought sneakers! My husband stopped at target or a similar place on the way there and they bought a pair of inexpensive flats. So you might want to have a multifunctional pair of shoes with you just in case! Relax, be yourself, that's the purpose of these visits. Remember you are checking them out, too. Ask yourself if you really want to live with those people, in those dorm rooms!
My daughter had 4 OV last year to NESCAC/Ivy schools. Here is what she would recommend you pack:
1) weather appropriate clothes, don't forget a sweatshirt--you'll most likely end up at some sporting event for the evening (soccer, football, etc.) Take flip flops or sandals, but you might want Sperry's too for night. Otherwise, shorts and nice shirt or jeans and nice shirt for nighttime. Admission interviews are fine not-short shorts and nice shirt or jeans with no holes and nice shirt.
2) shorts and tshirt to sleep in and all of your toiletries
3) check to see if you need to bring a pillow--most ask you to do so
4) something to study--homework in case you have downtime--and with 4 OV, every second counts on studying so you don't get behind
5) money--the swimmers will take you to the bookstore of their school most likely, might get ice cream, etc (sometimes ice cream would be covered, other times not)
6) small snack--not joking here--you never know when it comes in handy (granola bars, etc) Especially valuable if there's a time zone change when you travel.
7) cell phone--just to let Mom/Dad know you are doing okay--but severely limit the usage around the team--especially coaches.
8) a lot of flexibility and patience. Some visits will be action packed, some more laid back. A lot depends on your host/hostess as well. My D experienced everything from fraternity parties, card games in the dorm, coaches house dinners, movie watching, etc.
Of note, some people told us that recruits' level of interest in the school is judged by whether they buy apparel at the bookstore for that school (say a Harvard sweatshirt). Daughter just told them she was superstitious and would not buy anything of any school until she selected her school. It worked. We were glad--after she signed, she would not wear apparel of any other college other than the one she was attending.
Best of luck. OVs are fun, exciting, and extremely tiring. Playing catch up in school becomes a real challenge by the 4th visit.
Its almost like going to a dinner party--stay away from controversial topics while at the visit--if you have strong opinions on politics, religion, money, sex, etc don't talk about them while you visit.
Show the team you can have fun--participate in activities fully, show your good humor, etc. Be "in the moment."
And about bookstore, FWIW my d didn't buy any school logo shirts, either. I think she really WAS superstitious, LOL. I don't know whether anyone drew conclusions from it--but she didn't buy a shirt from anywhere, and once she had gotten her acceptance we ordered a ton of stuff online.
In addition, I'd prepare your son or daughter in how to handle underage drinking. You can search this topic on CC Athletic Recruiting as it has been covered before. That is a big one in my book. I have my own story to share on the topic. My son was on an OV with about 5 other recruits that each had upper classman team chaperones. The head coach told the chaperones .....no drinking, no parties. In less than 5 minutes, they walked from the coaches office to an off-campus party with some wild stuff going on. A little while later the cops came, and made some arrests including recruits and chaperones. The asst police chief was the head baseball coaches brother - yes, he found out. My son and his chaperone had left about 5-10 min before the cops came. To make a long story short, it is something you may want to go over before his/her OV.
He never heard back from the program after that weekend. Be careful out there, kids.
And in contrast to varska and fenway, these were girls.