📋 For John to review and share with Hallie. This package is a starting point — customize the email template and bio before using. The school tier list is based on programs with strong draw specialist traditions and current 2029 class activity as of early 2026. Recommend having Hallie review and adjust her own voice in the outreach email.
1. Coach Outreach Email Template
Template — Under 150 Words · Customize Before Sending
Subject: Lacrosse Recruiting — Hallie Burns | Draw Specialist | Class of 2029 | Austin HS (TX)
Coach [Last Name],
My name is Hallie Burns, a 2029 draw specialist/midfielder from Austin High School in Austin, Texas. I'm a 2025 Under Armour All-American and Under Armour Top 150 honoree. I wear #22 and play midfield, attack, and draw.
I have strong interest in [School Name] and believe your program's culture and [specific detail — academics/conference/coaching style] aligns with my goals both on and off the field.
I'd love to share my highlight film and schedule a campus visit at your convenience.
Highlight video: [Link to video]
SportsRecruits profile: [Your profile link]
GPA: [Your GPA] | SAT/ACT: [If available]
Thank you for your time, Coach. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hallie Burns
[Phone] · [Email]
💡 Tip: Research each program before sending. Mention something specific — a coach's playing background, a recent championship run, or a current player you admire. Personalized emails get 3× more responses than form letters.
2. SportsRecruits Bio Paragraph
Hallie Burns is a Class of 2029 midfield/attack draw specialist from Austin High School (Austin, Texas), where she plays for the Maroons lacrosse program wearing #22. A 2025 Under Armour All-American and Under Armour Top 150 honoree at 5'7", Hallie combines elite draw control with a two-way midfield game — attacking on the draw and creating transition offense at the collegiate level. She is a high-character, academically motivated student-athlete seeking a program that challenges her to compete at the highest level both on the field and in the classroom.
📝 To use: Paste into your SportsRecruits "About Me" section. Update GPA and any tournament highlights before publishing. Keep it in third person.
3. Target School Tier List — Draw Specialists, Class 2029
🥇 D1 Priority Targets — Strong Draw Tradition + Recruiting 2029
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill · Elite draw program · Top-5 perennial. Brown Bears (Ivy) also recruiting 2029.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Big Ten powerhouse · Strong academic profile + elite draw tradition
University of Maryland
College Park, MD · Big Ten · Multiple national titles · Aggressive TX recruiting
Duke University
Durham, NC · ACC · Elite academics + perennial Final Four program
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · ACC · Historic lacrosse culture · Strong alumni network
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · ACC · Strong MF/draw tradition · Outstanding academics
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · ACC · Rising program · Strong draw development
University of Texas (Big 12)
Austin, TX · Home state · Growing program · Would allow family proximity
🥈 D2 / D1 Mid-Major — Strong Programs + Playing Time
Limestone University
Gaffney, SC · D2 powerhouse · Multiple national titles · Elite D2 program
Notre Dame de Namur
Belmont, CA · D2 · Western exposure · Strong development focus
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY · D1 (NEC) · Rising program with great academic profile
Mercyhurst University
Erie, PA · D1 · Emerging program · Strong regional reputation
🥉 D3 Academic-First Programs — Strong Lacrosse + Elite Academics
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · D3 powerhouse · Perennial national title contender
Amherst College
Amherst, MA · NESCAC · Elite academics + strong program
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · NESCAC · Top academic + athletic balance
Trinity College (CT)
Hartford, CT · NESCAC · Strong lacrosse tradition + small class size
4. Recruiting Timeline — Class of 2029
Now — Summer 2026 (Grade 9–10)
Foundation Phase — Profile Building
Create SportsRecruits and NCSA profiles. Film highlight video. Begin unofficial campus visits. Email coaches to introduce yourself. Compete in high-exposure club tournaments (NLF, IWLCA events).
Fall 2026 — Spring 2027 (Grade 10)
First Contact Phase — Coach Outreach Heats Up
D1/D2 coaches can email prospects starting Sept 1 of sophomore year (9th grade for some). Attend college ID camps at target schools. Upgrade highlight reel after strong fall tournament performances. Ask coaches for honest feedback on fit.
Summer 2027 (Grade 10–11)
Evaluation Season — Be Seen
This is the peak exposure summer. Compete at national club events where college coaches attend (IWLCA, Nationals). Official visits may begin for D2/D3. D1 official visits typically start junior year. Start narrowing target list based on coach relationships and program fit.
Fall 2027 — Spring 2028 (Grade 11)
Decision Zone — Offers Come In
Most D1 verbal commitments in women's lacrosse happen during junior year. D2/D3 can commit even earlier. Official visits. Narrow to 3–5 schools. Ask coaches directly: "Is there a spot for me?" Be ready to decide quickly when the right offer comes.
Fall 2028 — Spring 2029 (Grade 12)
Commitment + NLI Signing
NLI (National Letter of Intent) signing period opens in November of senior year for fall sports. Most 2029 class athletes will be committed well before this point. Senior season at Austin HS — stay healthy, keep performing, keep communicating with coaching staff.
⚠️ Important: NCAA dead periods and contact rules change regularly. Always verify current contact rules at ncaa.org before reaching out to coaches. Early recruiting has accelerated — some D1 programs are verbally committing draw specialists in 9th and early 10th grade.
5. Highlight Video Tips for Coaches
1
Lead with Your Best 30 Seconds — Coaches Watch Fast
College coaches watch hundreds of videos. If you don't hook them in the first 30 seconds, they move on. Open with your single best draw, your fastest transition sequence, or your most dynamic play. Save mediocre clips for later or cut them entirely.
2
Draw Specialists: Show ALL 3 Skills — Win, Carry, Deny
Coaches evaluating draw specialists want to see: (1) draw control wins and immediate carrier decisions, (2) ability to carry under pressure after winning the draw, (3) disrupting opponent draws. Include examples of all three. Pure draw-win numbers don't matter as much as what you do next.
3
Keep It 3–5 Minutes Max
3–4 minutes is the sweet spot for a recruiting highlight video. Under 3 minutes risks looking like you don't have enough quality footage. Over 5 minutes and coaches stop watching. Every single clip should show athleticism, skill, or IQ — cut everything that doesn't.
4
Use a Clear Jersey Number Intro + Contact Info Outro
Open with: Name, graduation year, jersey number, position, club/high school. End with: Name, email, phone, SportsRecruits link. Coaches often download and share video files — your contact info needs to travel with the video.
5
Show Athleticism Between the Lines
Include at least 2–3 clips that show your pure athleticism: transition speed, defensive effort plays, winning ground balls at full sprint. Coaches are selling athletic scholarships — they need to see you move. A great play at half speed is less impressive than a good play at full speed.