For student athletes at Tamalpais High School, the route to college recruitment is a mix of thrill and challenge. Tam has around 1,500 students and more than 40 athletic teams, all of which are part of the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) and the North Coast Section (NCS). Despite Tam’s consistent athletic success, only a limited number of student-athletes go on to play at the college level; those with the most skill, persistence, and commitment are the ones who succeed, resulting in a highly competitive recruiting process.
The recruitment path can begin as early as freshman year, when athletes start emailing coaches, creating highlight reels, and attending showcase tournaments. Due to NCAA rules, coaches cannot reach out until June 15, after sophomore year. Many students also use various apps and websites, such as Hudl or NCSA, to increase their exposure to college coaches. Athletes spend their free time outside of club and school games at ID camps and clinics, where coaches can witness their talent in person.
This process puts pressure beyond the field. Athletes must manage complex schedules, along with their academic responsibilities, and the uncertainty of whether their hard work will pay off. Families face the costs of traveling across the country, expensive gear, and club dues.
Despite these challenges, for many Hawks, the dream of playing college sports fuels their dedication to school and their sport. Their unwavering commitment and persistence in the face of adversity are genuinely inspiring.
Lauren Willard, a junior and soccer player at Tam who has been on the varsity team since her first year, has had soccer as a passion her entire life. Willard first saw a future for herself in the sport in middle school. She was on the travel team. “I realized I could actually go somewhere with soccer, like college,” she said. Willard now navigates three club practices a week and private sessions, spending most weekends reviewing film to send to coaches as she curates the perfect highlight reel. She tries to email coaches whenever she can. And, “Since June 15, DI coaches can officially respond; even a small conversation helps me stay on their radar.”
Classmate Bridget Brat is also a junior and has been a varsity soccer star since her first year at Tam. Brat stresses the importance of persistence. “Right now it’s just emailing over and over again, making sure they know who I am,” she said. Brat says most of her emails to coaches include her position, grades, and links to game highlights. This past summer, she spent
most of it on the road. Going to ID camps both locally and up to the East Coast. She says the exposure helped her get a better feel for the kind of school she is looking for. “Players on the team showed us around, told us about their lives – it was more real than a campus tour,” Brat said.
Both Lauren Willard and Bridget Brat recognize the stress of balancing an athletic, social, and academic life. Brat said the educational expectations, especially in junior year, are intense. “Even if I’m strong on the field, a top academic school won’t take me if my grades don’t fit,” Willard says. She uses to-do lists and planners to keep her busy schedules organized.
Then come the comparisons—the tirelessness in the cohesive world of competitive sports. “It feels like a subtle competition,” Willard said about club soccer. Brat said the ambition to get recruited came into focus when a teammate in her position committed. “The comparisons are real,” she said, “but not hearing back from a school or coach can also be a sign that it’s not the right fit.”
As juniors like Lauren Willard and Bridget Brat are still in the heat of the recruitment process, senior baseball player Hank Ballard has already completed this part of the journey. Ballard has recently committed to Claremont McKenna College, a DIII school, as their pitcher. He describes the recruitment process as challenging but rewarding. “I started reaching out to schools my sophomore spring, and things really picked up in my junior year,” he said. “The biggest part is performing-when coaches show up, you have to deliver.”
Ballard says his family, especially his dad, were huge supporters, playing a significant role in the whole process. “He never missed a game and took videos of everyone- that was super important for recruiting,” he said. He also acknowledges his club team, Zoots Baseball Club, for providing him with many opportunities for exposure and high-level competition, and the Tam team for being a supportive, love-the-game team. : Tam is a ‘we’ team – it’s about winning together. Club is more of an “I” team- you’re marketing yourself.”
Ballard said his advice for athletes trying to reach the collegiate level is simple: “Believe in yourself. A lot of people will say it’s unrealistic, but if you make a plan and stick to it, it’ll pay off.”
Senior lacrosse player Quinlin Dayton has also recently committed. She has had a passion for lacrosse since she was two. And her long dedication has paid off, as she is going to the University of California, Davis —a DI school —to keep playing the sport she loves.
When talking about the process, Dayton describes it as “brutal,” saying, “It’s definitely hard to go through so young,” Dayton said. “Having to think about college at just 15 or 16 is super challenging. There were a lot of highs and lows, but in the end it worked out.”
Dayton said she often gave up free time and even delayed getting her license because of the demands of recruitment. “I had to make it a priority over fun things,” she said. “In the end, it was all worth it.” Her advice is to remember “You’ll end up where you’re meant to be.. If you take into account all that you want – academically, athletically, socially – you really do end up in the right place.”
As of now, Dayton is looking forward to what lies ahead. “I’m just super excited to get four more years to do what I love,” she said. “Not many people get that chance.”
Junior Brooklyn Hatch, also a lacrosse player and also recently committed to UC, Davis, recalls the process as, “Long and tiring, [recruitment] is almost a full year of being constantly stressed,” Hatch also mentions the “non-stop” travel that comes with recruitment. “You’re constantly playing in front of coaches, trying your hardest and giving your all day after day.” Furthermore, Hatch adds that what can make an athlete stand out, saying, “All technical skills can be developed, but your hustle, mentality, and grit are what coaches really look for.”
For these five Tam athletes, the underlying connection is their dedication and passion for what they do—not letting the fear of facing uncertainty stop the grind.
“It’s stressful,” Willard said, “But soccer helps me relax and take breaks from school work.”
“I just love to compete,” Ballard said. “Being on the mound controlling the game – there’s nothing like it.”
For student-athletes at Tam, readiness and commitment are the key factors that distinguish those who have a long shot at reaching the collegiate level from those who don’t. The grind can be intense, but the payoff is immense – a chance to pursue your passions and keep doing what you love.