TRIP #1

I recently returned from my first official college recruiting visit. Before I left I was nervous and unsure of what to expect but the trip gave me a taste of college life as a student and an athlete.

FRIDAY

On Friday morning, I headed for the airport. It was unlike the usual Friday 8am class, I was instead on a journey towards the next step in my life. I had picked a perfect day to miss class, skipping a test I was barely ready for. After a 3-hour flight, I was met at the baggage claim by the head tennis coach, with whom I’d previously arranged the visit. I was a little nervous, but also very excited.

As we drove through campus, he pointed out some of the various “hot spots”, which he assured I would come to know well over the course of the weekend. We made our way to the tennis facility where the assistant coach was practicing with one of the players on the team. It was rather intense, which although intimidating, good to see. I waited for practice to end, and introduced myself to the assistant coach and player, both who greeted me warmly.

Later that afternoon, I met up with the rest of the team for lunch at a campus food court near the freshman dorms. The guys on the team were all eating there together as friends and welcomed me into their group. I couldn’t believe how much the guys on the team ate! After lunch, I met up with the assistant coach who had arranged for me to speak with a faculty member of my proposed major (econ), an academic advisor for student athletes and the athletic director. The meetings lasted about 3 hours and were a bit on the boring side.

After my meetings, I went back to the tennis facility and watched the squad practice for another 2 hours.
After practice we went to the apartment that I was staying at. Three guys on the team lived together and I was staying with them. We took it easy after dinner and went to a movie. Since we had a long day planned on Saturday, I didn’t want to over do it.

SATURDAY

We woke up around 9 and grabbed breakfast on our way to the football game. I was pretty psyched to go to my first real college football game.

After the game, we had lunch and went back to the facility to watch another practice. Practice seemed long and I was excited to head to a party that I heard the guys talking about.

In the afternoon, the team took me out for pizza. We talked sports and headed back to another teammate’s apartment for a pre-party. His apartment was disgusting and I thought I was in a teen movie. It was crowded, but I enjoyed it. After a while, we left to check out another party. We stayed there for an hour and then took off to grab some grub. We made it back to the apartment around 2 am and called it a night.

SUNDAY

My alarm went off and I was definitely exhausted from the long night. I met with the coach for the last time and headed to the airport. It was a great trip!

 

TRIP #2

FRIDAY

The second trip was quite different than the first. Since I already knew some of the guys on the team, I was excited to see the campus and my friends as well. I got in Friday morning, met the coach and headed to the tennis facility. Their facility was not as equipped as the first school I visited. And in my head, I weighed the pros and cons.

On Friday afternoon I met up with the team. The guys seemed much more laid back than those of the first trip and I though it might be the difference between a state school and a private one. We grabbed lunch at some spot on campus and hung out for about an hour before they went to their Alumni match. I loved that match, watching old players get back in the game was quite entertaining.

Later that night, we went back to one of the player’s houses and got dressed for the evening. Some girls came over, we hung out, played games and Guitar Hero all night.

SATURDAY
The guys had an early practice because of the football game. After practice, we all went out for lunch and then to the football game. The game was fun but it was very cold! The game was solid and it ended with the school winning in OT. Later, we went home, took a nap and got ready for the night. Dinner at the Italian restaurant was amazing. We went back to a friend’s and started the night off watching some football followed by another party.

SUNDAY
On Sunday morning I got up early, met with the other recruits for a light breakfast and then headed to the airport. I said good-bye, thanked the coaches and headed back home. I had a great time that weekend. It was refreshing to see college in a different social light. The guys on the team were nice, smart and hardworking; something I was definitely looking for in a team for myself.