Showcase Events, Tournaments & Camps

How to Follow Up After a Camp or Tournament

The days and weeks following a camp or tournament are critical for capitalizing on the recruiting opportunities you've created. Many athletes perform well at events but fail to follow up effectively, missing valuable chances to build relationships and advance their recruiting goals. This comprehensive guide covers when, how, and what to communicate to coaches after participating in camps and tournaments.

Why Follow-Up Matters

The Reality of Camp and Tournament Communication

Why coaches expect follow-up:

• Volume overload: Coaches see hundreds of athletes at events
• Memory assistance: Help coaches remember you among many participants
• Interest demonstration: Shows genuine interest in their program
• Relationship building: Continues the conversation started at the event
• Information sharing: Provides additional context and updates

What Happens Without Follow-Up

Missed opportunities from poor follow-up:

• Forgotten performance: Even great performances can be overlooked
• Lack of context: Coaches miss important background information
• Assumed disinterest: No follow-up suggests lack of serious interest
• Lost momentum: Failed to capitalize on positive first impressions
• Competitive disadvantage: Other athletes who follow up get more attention

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The Follow-Up Advantage

Benefits of strategic follow-up:

• Increased memorability: Coaches remember athletes who reach out professionally
• Relationship development: Builds foundation for ongoing communication
• Information clarity: Provides missing academic or athletic details
• Demonstrates character: Shows professionalism and follow-through
• Future opportunities: Creates foundation for continued evaluation

Immediate Post-Event Actions (24-48 Hours)

Gathering Contact Information

Essential information to collect:

• Coach names and titles: Proper spelling and positions
• Email addresses: Verified and current contact information
• Program specifics: Division level, conference, recent achievements
• Personal notes: Details from conversations or observations
• Follow-up timing: When coaches suggested reaching out

Documenting Your Experience

Important details to record:

• Performance highlights: Your best moments and achievements
• Coach interactions: Conversations, feedback, or expressed interest
• Event specifics: Dates, locations, competition level
• Peer comparisons: How you performed relative to other athletes
• Areas for improvement: Feedback received or self-assessment

Initial Thank You Messages

Immediate follow-up principles:

• Send within 24-48 hours: Strike while memories are fresh
• Keep it brief: Simple thank you with key information
• Reference specific interactions: Mention conversations or observations
• Attach key materials: Link to highlight video or athletic resume
• Set stage for future communication: Indicate desire for ongoing relationship

Strategic Follow-Up Timeline

24-48 Hours: Initial Thank You

Immediate outreach goals:

• Express gratitude for the opportunity
• Reinforce positive impressions from the event
• Provide missing information coaches might need
• Establish foundation for future communication

1-2 Weeks: Detailed Follow-Up

Comprehensive communication goals:

• Share additional performance information
• Provide updated academic or athletic credentials
• Reference specific feedback or conversations
• Ask meaningful questions about the program

1 Month: Progress Update

Ongoing relationship building:

• Share improvements based on event feedback
• Update on recent performances or achievements
• Maintain visibility without being excessive
• Demonstrate continued interest in the program

2-3 Months: Seasonal Updates

Long-term relationship maintenance:

• Provide season highlights and statistics
• Share major achievements or improvements
• Update on academic progress or changes
• Express continued interest in their program

Effective Follow-Up Email Templates

Template 1: Immediate Thank You (24-48 Hours)

Subject: Thank you - [Your Name] from [Event Name]

Dear Coach [Last Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at [Event Name] this weekend. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic discussed] and learning more about [University Name]'s program.

As we discussed, here is my contact information and athletic profile:

• Position: [Your position]
• Graduation Year: [Class of 20XX]
• GPA: [Your GPA]
• Highlight Video: [Link to video]

I was impressed by [specific aspect of their program/coaching philosophy] and would love to learn more about how I might contribute to [University Name].

Thank you again for your time and interest. I look forward to staying in touch.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone number] [Email] [VarsityBio Profile Link]

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Template 2: Performance Highlight Follow-Up (1-2 Weeks)

Subject: [Event Name] Performance Update - [Your Name]

Dear Coach [Last Name],

I wanted to follow up on my performance at [Event Name] and provide additional information about my background.

Event Performance Highlights:

• [Specific achievement or statistic from event]
• [Notable play or performance moment]
• [Feedback received from coaches or evaluators]

Additional Background:

• Current Season Stats: [Relevant statistics]
• Academic Information: [GPA, test scores, academic achievements]
• Recent Achievements: [Awards, recognition, improvements]

I remain very interested in [University Name] and would welcome any feedback you might have about my performance or areas for improvement. My upcoming competition schedule includes [mention 1-2 upcoming events].

Thank you for your continued interest and evaluation.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Contact Information]

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Showcase Events, Tournaments & Camps

Template 3: Feedback Implementation Follow-Up (1 Month)

Subject: Progress Update - [Your Name] from [Event Name]

Dear Coach [Last Name],

I wanted to update you on my progress since [Event Name] and share how I've implemented the feedback I received.

Improvements Made:

• [Specific area of improvement]: [What you've done to address it]
• [Training focus]: [How you've adjusted your preparation]
• [Performance results]: [Recent games/competitions showing improvement]

Recent Achievements:

• [New personal best, award, or recognition]
• [Academic improvements or achievements]
• [Team success or individual milestones]

I continue to work hard on the areas we discussed and would appreciate any additional guidance you might offer. I remain very interested in [University Name] and look forward to our continued communication.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Contact Information]

Sport-Specific Follow-Up Strategies

Team Sports Follow-Up

Football

Key follow-up elements:

• Position-specific performance: Highlight relevant skills and achievements
• Game film: Provide links to recent game footage
• Combine-style metrics: Share any testing numbers from the event
• Academic updates: Emphasize academic progress and eligibility
• Leadership examples: Mention team captain roles or leadership moments

Basketball

Important follow-up content:

• Statistical performance: Game and camp statistics
• Shooting percentages: Specific shooting metrics from events
• Athletic testing: Vertical jump, speed, agility measurements
• Team success: How individual performance contributes to team wins
• Academic excellence: GPA and standardized test improvements

Soccer

Soccer-specific follow-up:

• Technical skills demonstrated: Specific skills showcased at event
• Tactical understanding: Game intelligence and positioning
• Physical attributes: Speed, endurance, strength metrics
• Club team information: Current club team level and achievements
• International experience: Any national team or international play

Individual Sports Follow-Up

Track & Field

Track-specific elements:

• Event times/marks: Specific performances from the event
• Personal record progression: Improvement over time
• Training updates: Changes in training approach or coach
• Academic achievements: Balance of athletic and academic success
• Multi-event capability: Versatility in different events

Swimming

Swimming follow-up content:

• Time improvements: Specific time drops or achievements
• Stroke technique feedback: Implementation of coaching suggestions
• Training group information: Current training situation and coaching
• Academic focus: Strong academic performance emphasis
• Long course vs. short course: Performance in different pool formats

Tennis

Tennis-specific follow-up:

• Tournament results: Recent tournament performance and rankings
• USTA ranking: Current ranking and progression
• Training updates: Coaching changes or training focus
• Academic balance: Strong academic performance maintenance
• Match play analysis: Specific aspects of game development

Common Follow-Up Mistakes to Avoid

Timing Mistakes

Poor timing decisions:

• Too immediate: Following up within hours of the event
• Too delayed: Waiting weeks to send initial thank you
• Excessive frequency: Multiple emails within days
• Inappropriate timing: Sending during dead periods or busy seasons
• Inconsistent timing: Sporadic communication without pattern

Content Mistakes

Content that hurts your cause:

• Generic messages: Obviously copied templates with no personalization
• Overly lengthy emails: Information overload in single messages
• Irrelevant information: Details that don't matter to college coaches
• Negative comments: Criticism of other programs, coaches, or athletes
• Pressure tactics: Demanding immediate responses or decisions

Communication Mistakes

Professional communication errors:

• Poor grammar/spelling: Unprofessional presentation
• Wrong coach names: Incorrect titles or misspelled names
• Inappropriate tone: Too casual or overly familiar language
• Missing contact information: Hard for coaches to respond
• No clear call to action: Unclear about desired next steps

Measuring Follow-Up Success

Positive Response Indicators

Signs your follow-up is working:

• Coach responses: Email replies or phone calls from coaches
• Social media engagement: Coaches following your social media
• Recruiting questionnaire requests: Invitations to complete official forms
• Schedule requests: Coaches asking for your competition schedule
• Visit invitations: Unofficial or official visit opportunities

Building on Initial Interest

Escalating positive interactions:

• More frequent communication: Coaches reaching out more often
• Specific questions: Detailed questions about your background
• Family involvement: Coaches wanting to speak with parents
• Academic verification: Requests for transcripts or test scores
• Timeline discussions: Conversations about decision timeframes

When Follow-Up Isn't Working

Signs to reassess your approach:

• No responses: Complete lack of coach communication
• Generic responses: Automated or very brief replies
• Delayed responses: Very slow or reluctant communication
• Lack of questions: Coaches not asking for additional information
• No progression: Relationship not developing over time

Long-Term Relationship Building

Maintaining Coach Relationships

Ongoing communication strategies:

• Regular updates: Quarterly progress reports
• Season summaries: End-of-season performance reviews
• Academic achievements: Honor roll, improved test scores
• Leadership development: Captain roles, community service
• Training updates: New coaches, training methods, or focus areas

Adding Value in Communication

Making every interaction valuable:

• Performance improvements: Concrete evidence of development
• Character demonstrations: Examples of leadership and integrity
• Academic progress: Continued academic excellence
• Team contributions: How you help your team succeed
• Future planning: Clear goals and improvement plans

Managing Multiple Coach Relationships

Juggling multiple opportunities:

• Organization systems: Track communication with different coaches
• Personalized approach: Customize communication for each program
• Consistent messaging: Maintain honest, consistent information
• Priority management: Focus more attention on top-choice schools
• Professional boundaries: Keep communication appropriate and honest

Special Circumstances

When You Didn't Perform Well

Following up after poor performance:

• Acknowledge reality: Honest assessment of performance
• Provide context: Explain circumstances if appropriate
• Demonstrate character: Show how you handle adversity
• Focus on improvement: Plans for addressing weaknesses
• Maintain relationships: Don't disappear due to one bad performance

When Coaches Showed No Interest

Following up despite apparent disinterest:

• One polite follow-up: Single thank you email
• No pressure tactics: Avoid aggressive follow-up
• Focus elsewhere: Concentrate on interested coaches
• Learn from experience: Use feedback to improve
• Keep doors open: Maintain professional relationship

When You're Injured at an Event

Managing injury follow-up:

• Medical updates: Recovery timeline and progress
• Alternative evaluation: Provide game film or previous performance videos
• Character emphasis: How you handle adversity and setbacks
• Academic focus: Emphasize academic achievements during recovery
• Future opportunities: When you'll be available for evaluation

The Bottom Line

Strategic follow-up after camps and tournaments is essential for converting event participation into recruiting opportunities. The key is professional, timely communication that adds value and builds genuine relationships with college coaches.

Success strategies:

• Follow up within 24-48 hours with a brief thank you message
• Provide valuable information that helps coaches remember and evaluate you
• Personalize every communication based on specific interactions and conversations
• Maintain consistent contact without being excessive or annoying
• Focus on relationship building rather than immediate recruiting outcomes

Key principles:

• Quality over quantity: Better to have fewer, meaningful interactions
• Professional presentation: Every communication reflects your character
• Add value: Each follow-up should provide useful information
• Patience: Relationship building takes time and consistent effort
• Authenticity: Be genuine in your interest and communication

Remember: Follow-up is not about pressuring coaches for immediate decisions—it's about building relationships and staying visible throughout the recruiting process. The athletes who follow up professionally and consistently are often the ones who get opportunities when roster spots open or coaches need to make recruiting decisions.

For more guidance on coach communication, see our articles on Our Top Email Templates for Recruiting and What to Send to Coaches Before and After a Showcase.