College Gymnastics Recruiting: What Coaches Look For Beyond Skills, Scores & Scholarships

What do college gymnastics coaches really look for when recruiting athletes? It's about more than skills, scores, and competition results. In this episode, Coach Ali Havel sits down with Kasey Crawford, head coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Sam Scherwinski, assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, to talk about the realities of college gymnastics recruiting from the coaches' perspective. They discuss how the recruiting landscape is changing, when gymnasts should start communicating with college coaches, and why consistent, personalized emails can make a difference. You'll also learn what coaches notice beyond gymnastics, including coachability, communication, how athletes respond to mistakes, and whether they fit the team's culture. The conversation also covers what to do when a coach doesn't respond, how injured gymnasts can stay connected during recovery, and why one disappointing meet doesn't have to end a recruiting opportunity. In this episode, you'll learn: How Division I and Division III recruiting timelines can differ When to start reaching out to college coaches How to write emails that help coaches remember you What coaches look for in practice, at competitions, and during campus visits Why mistakes and setbacks don't automatically ruin your chances How to communicate with coaches during an injury Why persistence, self-awareness, and coachability matter How to find schools that fit your gymnastics goals and priorities Timestamps 00:00 – Meet the college coaches 01:10 – Their journeys in college gymnastics 03:12 – Why recruiting can feel mentally overwhelming 04:22 – How the recruiting landscape is changing 06:17 – How Division III recruiting timelines have shifted 07:13 – Is it ever too late to get recruited? 08:17 – When should gymnasts contact college coaches? 09:58 – How often should you email coaches? 11:12 – What makes a recruiting email stand out? 12:37 – How to show genuine interest in a school 13:32 – Why personality and team culture matter 15:14 – What coaches notice about coachability 16:33 – What coaches look for during campus visits 17:33 – What coaches observe at competitions 18:26 – Why one bad meet doesn't ruin your chances 19:13 – How athletes can learn from mistakes 21:20 – Can confidence and resilience be developed? 21:50 – Recruiting red flags coaches notice 22:18 – What to include in your gymnastics videos 22:46 – Asking about NIL, scholarships, and team culture 24:17 – What to do when a coach doesn't respond 25:39 – How injured gymnasts can stay on coaches' radar 27:10 – Communicating your recovery plan 29:26 – Why injuries are part of an athlete's journey 31:14 – Advice for gymnasts starting recruiting 31:52 – Finding the right recruiting level and school 32:26 – GMA's Get Recruited course College recruiting can feel overwhelming, but your gymnast doesn't have to navigate every decision with self-doubt or pressure. Understanding what coaches are looking for can help her take meaningful steps toward finding the right fit. Resources Ready for support with the mental side of recruiting? Download GMA’s free https://www.gymnasticsmindsetacademy.... for mindset tools and practical strategies to help your gymnast build confidence, trust herself, and take ownership of her college gymnastics recruiting journey. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics parent navigating college recruiting.