ABSTRACT
It will take some time for the impact of the pandemic on intercollegiate athletics to be fully realized. Alongside the palpable complications of missed seasons and postponed championships, this pandemic immensely impacts athletic recruiting practices in ways that pose serious implications for many seasons to come. College choice represents a monumental and rather complex decision for young student-athletes. The recruiting process offers invaluable opportunities for recruits to communicate with coaches and potential team members; these communication encounters fundamentally shape the college-choice decision. With the onset of coronavirus, both recruiters and recruits were immediately challenged to rethink their means of fostering these important relationships. This piece examines three distinct areas in which the pandemic directly impacts recruiting: interpersonal relationships, assessment of fit, and authenticity. Further, it discusses creative solutions to these communication issues that are being explored by those currently engaged in recruiting.
