On Monday, September 15th, Westminster welcomed parents of student-athletes to campus for the first College Athletics Recruitment Education Night of the 2025–26 school year. This informative event was designed to provide families with insights into the college athletics recruitment process and featured NCAA coaches from three esteemed programs: the University of Georgia (Tennis), Washington University in St. Louis (Basketball), and the University of Virginia (Baseball).

The evening is part of a broader Westminster Athletics initiative to support student-athletes and their families with relevant resources as they navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics.

The session was moderated by Alex Richey, Westminster's Head of Program for Girls Basketball and Coordinator of Youth Programs. Coach Richey also leads the College Athletics Recruitment team, a group that meets weekly to review current student-athletes' progress and ensure they have the tools and guidance needed to pursue opportunities at the next level.

Panelists offered candid perspectives on what today's college coaches are looking for, how recruitment timelines can vary, and how to stand out in an increasingly competitive environment. A key theme of the night was the important role that parents play in the recruiting process. Coaches emphasized the value of parental support—not just in logistics and communication, but in helping students manage expectations, maintain balance, and stay focused on finding the right overall fit, both academically and athletically. Parents were encouraged to serve as advocates and sounding boards, while still empowering their children to lead the process with maturity and independence.

Westminster's long-standing commitment to student-athlete development is reflected in the program's outcomes:

• 400+ Westminster student-athletes have gone on to play NCAA sports, including more than 150 since 2020

• 70% of these athletes compete at the Division I level; 30% at the Division III level

• Among Division I athletes:

  • 29% matriculated to Ivy League schools

  • 42% enrolled at Power 4 programs

  • 70% of Power 4 student-athletes chose elite institutions such as Duke, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, Georgia, UNC, USC, UVA, or Vanderbilt

• 42% of Division III student-athletes compete in top-tier academic conferences like the NESCAC or UAA

• 10 student-athletes have competed at a U.S. military academy

• 25 alumni have gone on to play professionally or represent Team USA

Last year's sessions featured college coaches from programs such as Johns Hopkins, Emory, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Rhodes College, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Georgia, offering a wide lens on recruitment across sports and divisions.

The next College Athletics Recruitment Education Night will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, with registration available through the WPU. We look forward to continuing to support our student-athletes and families in every phase of their journey toward college athletics.