usmc football player

Question
Hey coach

I hope you remember me.  I am the marine that wants to play college football.  Well it looks like it is going to happen. I am going the 28th of February to talk to Kentucky Wesleyan and Louisville.  I narrowed it down to those two.  Louisville is a newfound powerhouse, I don抰 haft to tell you that. Kentucky Wesleyan is a program where I could do a lot of growing and maybe transfer latter.  Anyway my question to you is, when I sit down with these coaches what are they going to be looking at me for.  Is the way I am dressed going to play a part in it?  I was wondering if you could just give me a few pointers or tips on my visits.
Thanks coach
Chris Lane
Usmc  

Answer
Chris -

OF course I remember you..  And it is a good question you ask.  Fortunately for you, being in the military should be a great help on this.  The best way to look at this is like a job interview, because after all, that is exactly what it is!  IF you have already scheduled an interview, and they want to meet you, I am guessing they are aware of your on- field talent.  What they dont know about is you as a person Your attitude, your demeanor, etc.  Those characteristics are every bit, if not more important than your athletic ability to a coach.  So treat this meeting the same as if you were going to interview for a big-time executive position in a fortune 500 company.  Dress up nice, clean shaven, shoes shined, all that good stuff.  Also, come in with a nice notebook, pen, etc.  One of the most overlooked portions of an interview is the end where they will most likely give you a chance to ask questions.  Take advantage of this.  If you just sit there and say nothing, or ask spur of the moment things it makes it look like you either dont care or are just unprepared.  Write down a few thoughtful questions BEFORE the meeting, and take notes as you go through it as well.  This will show these coaches you mean business.  

Also, bring anything you think they could possibly ask for.  School records, football info, military records, anything.  The worst that could happen is that you just go home with them, but you might look bad if they ask and you dont have anything they would like to see, right?

Remember, this is your chance to make an impression.  Impressions can be negative as well as positive.  When in doubt, think of what YOU would want to see and hear if you were interviewing a player for YOUR team.  IF you do that, you should be fine.

Good luck, and let me know what happens.  I will be anxious to hear about it.

Best wishes

Coach Perl