Tommy McMenemy is entering his seventh season at Michigan. He was the assistant coach at Columbia University, for six seasons before he came to Michigan as the associate head coach. Some of Coach McMenemy's accolades include: Academic All-Ivy League honors his last two years at Columbia, He helped lead Columbia in goals and assists in his junior and senior year, team captain his senior year, NSCAA Adidas All-American 2003, two-time unanimous first-team All-Ivy League. Obtaining advice from any coach can be critical to any student-athlete who is looking to play for the college of their dreams.

2aDays: What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?

Assuming technical ability is equal among our recruits, the most important characteristics are the genuine willingness to improve and selflessness. Without either of these, I think student-athletes suffer one way or another to make an impact.

2aDays: What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?

Email us with a quality video, that is still the best way to get on my radar – unless I have identified you already playing live.

2aDays: When should an athlete contact you, what is the best way? (age, grade, time of year, email, phone or other)

Email is best, once contact has been established I prefer phone calls to develop the relationship and learn more about the person.

2aDays: What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the field, court, etc.?

Expectations are that you fulfill your individual potential in each arena, no more or no less.

2aDays: What are the do's and don'ts when being recruited?

Do not have your parent do everything for you or speak consistently on your behalf, this is a major red flag for me. Do be communicative and proactive.

2aDays: What is the best advice you can offer a recruit? (Please explain)

Focus on your own performance and development at your club and school, that's the only thing you can control.

2aDays: What really jumps out at you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?

Level of play, technical ability, and decision making.

2aDays: What are the main do's and don'ts for a recruit's highlight tape?

Coach McMenemy: Do include all elements of your game – do keep it to a manageable length (3 or 4 minutes) do include quality footage – do not do the opposite of those things.

2aDays: When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during offseason, in the middle of the season, or after each game?

Keep highlight tapes as up to date as possible, however you can manage it – certainly update at the end of each season.

2aDays: What advice do you have for recruits that get turned down by their dream schools? What are their options if they don't gain the recruiting attention they desire?

Be realistic in your research and recruit a wide variety of schools. do be open to club soccer if college isn't looking likely.

Do seek the counsel of experienced coaches in and out of college, who will give you candid feedback as to your level.

2aDays: How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?

It's big. I have stopped recruiting several players because of the manner in which they use social media, I have never started recruiting a player because of social media.

* Originally published on August 30, 2018, by Kathryn House