Start by reviewing the last 3-5 years to see how the team did in their conference XC/track championships: are they on the rise, holding steady or dropping in the rankings.
Find out what supports the athletic department and team provides for student-athletes:
- What ancillary academic programs are used to help student athletes? (e.g., tutoring, study hall, workshops that focus on academic and professional growth, mental health and well-being, computer resources, writing workshops)
- Are there athletic advisors that monitor academic process towards graduation, assist with developing organizational and time management skills and focus on goal setting?
- What ancillary programs are used to help with sports performance? (e.g., weight training, nutrition counseling, yoga, deep water running, sports psychology)
Ask the Coach:
- What are his/her goals for the team in the upcoming conference championships and what you can do to help the coach achieve those goals. (Coaches do not want selfish athletes; they want athletes who put the team first.)
- What is your philosophy regarding training?
- What are your tips for time management for freshmen?
- What are the 3 most common mistakes freshman make regarding academics/athletics?
- What 2-3 books would you recommend I should read over the summer to help me adjust to the rigors of college academics and athletics.
- Under what circumstance would you redshirt an incoming freshman, other than an injury?
- What happens if I get hurt while training or competing?
- Are there morning and afternoon training sessions?
- Do you support athletes training around their academic schedule if it conflicts with practice?
- What is your long-term plan for me at this university academically and athletically?
- When we travel to meets are the professors supportive to help us make up the homework/test?
- What is your definition of “rest” during training for someone who trains for my event?
- Are incoming freshmen expected to do the same workouts as upper classmen?
- Could you send me a sample summer training program?
- Ask if you can audit a class.
- Ask if you can observe a workout.
- Can you give me a brief overview of training for off- season, preseason and in season- championship season?
Make sure you tour the facilities, dormitories, cafeteria, look for clean well-kept facilities, and ask if there are future updates planned for the academic areas, labs, weight room, track, athletic training room, dorms, etc.
Room and board – the school may have have separate housing and/or dining halls for athletes, but most do not.
If you do an overnight with members of the team, listen, listen, listen and ask well-thought-out questions. Remember what they say, sometimes the athletes are brutally honest about the coach with positive and negative assessments.
Look up the performances of the team’s athletes in your event. For XC and track review the top 10. Is this within your reach? Go to TFRRS | College Outdoor Track & Field Rankings and Performance Lists
Compare freshman class size vs senior class size when viewing the roster. If there is a significant drop in seniors, you may want to understand why that happened.
Check out these links:
How Do Colleges and Universities Track Student Interest? | CollegeXpress
Colleges and Universities Track Web Activity of Potential Applicants (businessinsider.com)