Deck the Halls – September 1st is Coming!

Christmas in July? Many athletes would argue that the figurative analogy would be more appropriately applied to September 1^st – with college coaches assuming the role of Old St. Nick.

In 2017, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (“NFCA”) enacted a rule banning contact between coaches and players prior to the fall of their junior year, in an effort to minimize early recruiting attempts on young athletes.

Since then, September 1^st has become a day marked on calendars by players across the country, counting down the days until they can finally communicate with the coaches and staff of the programs they are interested in.

As the day approaches this year, I’ve gathered a variety of perspectives to answer the question: What does September 1^st mean to you?

First, I called up Karen Weekly, Coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. We spent some time getting to know each other—she’s a really cool lady!

“September 1st is a day we look forward to because we can finally have conversations with prospective student athletes,” shared the 2023 SEC Championship coach. “Building relationships and determining personality fit is such an important part of the recruiting process. The only way to do that is to spend time with a prospect and their family and really get to know one another.”

This perspective is consistent among the staff of every program across the nation—the first of the month will be such an incredibly special—though overwhelming, I’m sure—day filled with hopeful and meaningful conversations.

I was also able to speak with the new Head Coach of Emory University Softball, India Chiles, on the topic.

^“For the student-athletes interested in Emory, September 1^st shouldn’t mean anything, as we are a Division III university. However, because I am competing at a high level, ‘Division III’ is not what I’m focused on. I want athletes who are pushing it at their highest level and maximizing their potential,” India commented.

“In that sense, September 1^st means a lot for our recruits. I’m not only competing against Division III universities for athletes—I am competing against Division II and Division I schools. When this day arrives, these athletes want communication, and the door is wide open for everyone. This day is just as important at Emory as it is at Division I schools, because I am coming for those same recruits.”

It’s crucial, then, for athletes to realize that September 1^st is not solely anxiety-inducing for them, but that these coaches and programs are using this day to put their best foot forward in the recruitment process.

I was also lucky enough to hear from athletes who are analogous to the little kids writing their wish lists to Santa right now.

“I’m so excited for September 1st. I have been looking forward to it since I knew the date of recruitment. I know everyone in my class has been working so hard for this day and I just hope it goes in everyone’s favor. I put my trust in God in this moment because I know that he has my plan and I just have to wait for it to unfold. I’m looking forward to seeing the new opportunities and the new places I will see and people that I will meet. Thank you for reaching out to me and seeing my view on September 1st. It’s such a special date for me and it’s so unreal to know that it’s only a couple days away!”
– Addison Oberbreckling, 1B/C for Fury Platinum National-Groves from Nashville, Tennessee

“Growing up, hearing the date September 1st of your junior year was always scary because it seemed like the deadline to have things done by. However, now I’ve realized it’s just the date that Division I college coaches can start talking to you and that all the work you’ve put in before the date doesn’t just stop after the 1st. I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard and getting one year closer to reaching my dream of playing college softball. I am still nervous, but I know that I’ll end up where God wants me to be.”
– Sarah Walker, P/1B/3B for Knockouts Cole 16U from Mills River, North Carolina

Finally, to close this out in a way that hopefully brings some peace of mind to the nerves of the class of 2025, the “older-siblings” of the 2024 class shared reflections on their September 1^st experience of last year.

“Leading up to September 1st, there are so many emotions. It’s the day that you’ve dreamed of since you were a little girl. It is easy to get caught up in the noise of it all, worrying about the future and whether or not you are worthy of an opportunity at the next level. If I could do it all over again and tell myself one thing, it would be to be present. Be present in the process and understand that things might not come right away, for it is just the start of your journey. Be present on the field and don’t let the “recruitable” label change the way you play the game of softball. Trust the work that you have put in and always keep your faith. We get so distracted by the recruitment aspect that we forget how blessed we are that we even get to play the game that we love. At the end of the day, there is a home for you and it will all work out for good. But until then, work hard, be present and enjoy the process.”
– Lily O’Bryan, P/1B/OF for the Lady Dukes of Cleveland, Tennessee

From everyone at Extra Inning Softball, best of luck throughout this process! If some exciting decisions are made, please fill out our “I Committed” form so we can add you to our verbal database!

— Regan Weekly, Extra Inning Softball

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