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College information sessions and recruiting experts are always encouraging players and parents to take the initiative and reach out to college coaches. That first contact is often by email - but high school players are sometimes at a loss as to what points to emphasize.

We put the question to our panel of coaches:

Q) What should a player include in his/her email to a college coach?

Jamie Ashworth, head coach, Duke Women

In an initial email to a college coach, there are several things that are important to include and will be helpful to the coach. First, as a prospect, it is important that the email is written by the player rather than the parent. We often receive emails we immediately know are written by parents but signed by the player. Second, of course it is important to include all relevant contact information - including that of a current coach. Also include graduation date, test taking dates, and whether you are in a regular school setting or home school. An upcoming tournament schedule is always great to have. The last thing that is important to mention is whether you have any ties to the school (parents went there, uncle played a sport there, etc.).

Finally, make sure to double-check to make sure the coach name matches the school. We have received plenty of emails that how they would love to attend a different school - or say how much they would love to come to Duke but have another coach's name.