Emailing the USNA Track coach?

Bwegeng

5-Year Member
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Jan 25, 2014
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I never really thought I was fast enough to run D1 track in college, my bests are 2:06 and 4:50 for the 800 and mile respectively but I was told to contact the coach anyway. I kept putting it off because I thought I could run faster times and have something better to say, but I feel like I waited too long and I want to say something now. Is it okay for me to just email the head coach, just so I can express my interest in joining the team if I receive an appointment? Or is that not recommended? Also, do I have to do any NCAA forms, or anything else in regard to athletics at USNA, even if I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to compete for them? So I'm a little confused on what I should do because I'm not being recruited exactly, I just want to join the team. Any help would be appreciated.
 
What grade are you in? If you're a junior or senior those times probably aren't fast enough even to walk on. If you look at the USNA track website you will see that most of the people on the team run under 4:30. If you're a freshman or sophomore you're on the right track but it's pretty early to contact the coach.

Source: A high school XC and Track runner
 
Coach

I recently went to a BGO alumni dinner and meet to officers that ran at the academy. As I understood it the track coach is an excellent coach and very approachable. I don’t think it would hurt you at all to send an email to introduce yourself.

I do not think you need to sign-up with the NCAA. To that end it may be best if the coach addresses your questions unless there is someone that can firm this up.

Good luck...
 
I'm a senior and yeah I realize the times aren't fast at all but the point is I just wanted to see if I could express interest so that hopefully in the future if I improve enough I can join the team, like if I do hit 4:30 or 1:59 even this season I just want it to be a possibility. I'm just wondering if it would be okay to just send an email anyway.
 
It wouldn't hurt. What's the worst thing he could do right?

It's not going to hurt at all. My DS has an appointment for 2018 class and not a recruited athlete (football is one his sports). He contacted the USNA coach as well as the recruiting coordinator, sent them his highlight film and said if they were interested, please let him know. If no interest at this juncture, he let them know he planned to walk on and try and make the team.

They acknowledged his interest, were very nice about it and if nothing else, they know who he is.

Hope this helps.
 
Which brings me to the question, when are coaches allowed to make contact with a student athlete?
 
During plebe summer there are various sports (such as track/XC) where you can meet the coaches and try to be a walk-on to those sports. If you are applying for the current admissions cycle, is it really way to late in the process now for the coach to make much of a difference, especially if it isn't a blue chip sport.

While it doesn't hurt to let them know you are interested, I doubt it will make any difference in your application.
 
Which brings me to the question, when are coaches allowed to make contact with a student athlete?

The athlete is allowed to initiate contact with coaches whenever he chooses. According to NCAA rules though, the coaches can officially speak to the athlete on and thereafter, July 1st after his/her junior year-at least that July 1 date was the one set for 2013. And I believe that contact is limited to 1 telephone call per week but unlimited emails. If you hope to be a recruited athlete you should register for eligibility on the NCAA website to keep everything on the up and up, especially if you are invited for an "official" NCAA visit.

If you intend to walk on, reaching out to the track & field coaches ahead of time couldn't hurt.
 
Hold On...

Do not register for NCAA eligibility, save your money! We found out after the fact that this is not needed because of it being a service academy. This is why I said to send an email to the coach, introduce yourself and ask your questions.

+1 time2: "If you are applying for the current admissions cycle, is it really way to late in the process now for the coach to make much of a difference, especially if it isn't a blue chip sport."

You have to understand that these coaches are looking at their next class more than likely a year in advance and not in the heat of the admissions board process. Adding to that if you're contacting a coach you have to keep your name in front of them. I am confident they see many kids, films, stats etc, etc. It becomes difficult to remember them all. Don't take this as it is too late; if accepted you can tryout as a walk-on.

Good luck...
 
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Athletes the coaches are looking for would be those who have excelled in h.s. at the state or even national level. For XC, an example would be the Footlocker sponsored events.

If you have just performed to a mediocre level in h.s., you need to also think about will it be worth your time to be a bench warmer at USNA (assuming you make the team) with all of the other demands on your time associated with the program.
 
I never really thought I was fast enough to run D1 track in college, my bests are 2:06 and 4:50 for the 800 and mile respectively but I was told to contact the coach anyway. I kept putting it off because I thought I could run faster times and have something better to say, but I feel like I waited too long and I want to say something now. Is it okay for me to just email the head coach, just so I can express my interest in joining the team if I receive an appointment? Or is that not recommended? Also, do I have to do any NCAA forms, or anything else in regard to athletics at USNA, even if I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to compete for them? So I'm a little confused on what I should do because I'm not being recruited exactly, I just want to join the team. Any help would be appreciated.

First of all, in order to compete at USNA or any college you will have to complete the NCAA college eligibility requirements. I few posts here suggested a service academy does not require this process; that is not the case. My DS's friend at USNA was unable to compete in XC until his requirements were completed. It would never hurt to email the coach and express your interest and let him know your times. You can also scan the current rosters and bios and see what others ran in high school and what they are running now to see if you would be competitive. The best of luck to you! Go Navy! Beat Army!
 
My recommendation would be to hold off on emailing the track/XC coach at this point. It is late in the Admissions process and with the current times you have achieved, probably won't make a difference on qualification/appointment (which is OKAY!). If you do receive an appointment, I think that might be the ideal time to write a quick note, state your times, and that you look forward to the practices over plebe summer. If you do email them, it won't hurt...but just realize that there is probably very little they can do, especially given the fact that you have not received an appointment.
 
I never really thought I was fast enough to run D1 track in college, my bests are 2:06 and 4:50 for the 800 and mile respectively but I was told to contact the coach anyway. I kept putting it off because I thought I could run faster times and have something better to say, but I feel like I waited too long and I want to say something now. Is it okay for me to just email the head coach, just so I can express my interest in joining the team if I receive an appointment? Or is that not recommended? Also, do I have to do any NCAA forms, or anything else in regard to athletics at USNA, even if I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to compete for them? So I'm a little confused on what I should do because I'm not being recruited exactly, I just want to join the team. Any help would be appreciated.

I was a 2:01, 4:40 runner last year. I spoke with the coach. You won't get in as a recruited athlete, but you can definitely tryout and make the team with those times (probably j.v.)…I'm currently a 1:56, 4:30+ runner and I'm considering trying out for j.v.
 
I am a plebe who walked on to the XC team and track team. Y'all have any questions, feel free to ask me.
 
I have some questions about running at USNA next year. If I could PM you, that would be great.
 
Definitely contact the coaches! My DD was not a recruited athlete for xc/track but was contacted by the coach once she cleared DodMerb. We went to watch her CVW host at a meet nearby, and she met the coaches and some of the team members. Now we have all been invited to a track meet and greet the night before Induction day. Not sure if the men's team has one also but you won't find out unless you're on their radar!
 
I have talked to the coach this summer and he basically said that there were no cuts, and that people on the team cut themselves at least for XC (but made it clear that they were a fast D1 program). I went up on a CVW after I got my appointment, and I talked to him again and he basically tried to sell me on going to Navy and running there without even asking for my times (made me feel rather good). I also talked to a few mids on the team. The upperclassmen on the team seemed to like it, but I talked to a few plebes and some of them seemed somewhat negative on their experiences the running program there (and ... in general). Albeit, it was early March of Plebe year, probably a time where most would lose their minds. One plebe I talked to had similar times to what I run, and he said he barely made JV. He also said the workouts were really really hard (which I am happy with, as long as it makes me better). I also talked with another plebe and asked him even if I couldn't race, if I could still run and practice with the team. He seemed rather positive about it and said to go for it, which I am going to do. Got 3 weeks left of outdoor hs so hopefully I can shave a few more seconds off my times.
 
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