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College Coaches Consider Parents When Selecting Recruits

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Erin Chastain (@ChastainErin) has served as DePaul University Women's Soccer Head Coach since 2007. Earlier, she spent five seasons at national soccer power Santa Clara University as an assistant coach. During her tenure with the Broncos, the program reached the championship game of the 2002 NCAA Championship, the semifinals in 2004 and the quarterfinals in 2005. She also helped the program to West Coast Conference titles in four of her five seasons. Erin also spent time during her first three seasons at Santa Clara working with several youth teams in the Bay Area, including the DeAnza Strykers and the North Valley Tornadoes.

In this video, Erin explains that she considers a recruit's parents when determining whom to bring onto her team. She points out that as recruitment now starts at younger ages than before, college coaches are much more in touch with the recruits' parents throughout the process.

One key element Erin considers is how much the parents let their young athletes self-advocate. That indicates a parent who is less likely to interfere, and a player who is more empowered. Erin also watches parents' sideline behavior to see whether parents are respectful of all players and coaches.

For more tips, check out these 5 Keys To Getting Recruited To Play College Sports.