Rockhurst Softball

Met and chatted with @RockUSoftball assistant coach @suziemuenz today—such a sweet, fun lady! A few things from our conversation deserve to be shared. 🥎 When you message a coach, show that you’ve done your research. WHY are you interested in their school and program? Give them more than an email with the school name swapped out. That includes academics! Interested in the medical field like nursing or physical therapy? Rockhurst is a school to explore. Your recruiting search should support what you want to do AFTER softball. And athletes, hear this: don’t get so focused on D1 that you miss a program that genuinely fits you. D2 and D3 coaches are recruiting players who are intentionally interested in THEIR programs. While you’re holding out for D1, they’re building relationships and filling spots. By the time you broaden your search, an opportunity you assumed would still be there may already belong to someone else. Those programs deserve more than being someone’s backup plan. A division number isn’t a talent ranking. There are talented athletes, competitive teams, and exceptional coaches across D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO. A D1 label doesn’t automatically mean a team could beat everyone in another division. Look at the actual TEAM. The coaching. The culture. The degree. The opportunity to grow and contribute. Dream big, absolutely. But keep your eyes open wide enough to recognize a great fit—even if it looks different than you originally pictured. 💙