Being contacted is not the same as being recruited
A practical way to distinguish general communication, active evaluation, and a program creating specific next steps.
5 min readCommunication is the starting point
Programs communicate with many athletes. A message confirms contact, but the content and follow-up determine whether the conversation is becoming more specific.
Track who initiated the exchange, what the coach requested, and whether another action was scheduled.
Recruitment requires movement
Active recruitment usually produces observable movement: film review, academic review, an evaluation plan, a visit discussion, or another direct step.
No single action guarantees an offer. The goal is to document progress without turning attention into certainty.