Hosting a beach volleyball college recruiting showcase is one of the most powerful ways to support your athletes’ journey to playing at the collegiate level. But a successful event doesn’t happen by chance—it takes early planning, strong partnerships, clear communication, and a deep understanding of what both college coaches and junior athletes need from the experience.

If you’re considering adding a beach volleyball college recruiting showcase to your club calendar, here’s how to do it right.

Start with a Strong Foundation: Timing, Format, and Budget

Showcases should be strategically timed—ideally one to four annually—to give athletes multiple opportunities throughout the year to be seen. Planning should begin well in advance, particularly when it comes to budgeting and coach outreach. Compensation for coaches, court space, staffing, and promotional materials should all be accounted for early on.

The most successful showcases feature a mix of college beach volleyball programs. Aim to bring in a few well known programs as well as a few lesser known. This variety helps attract a broader range of athletes, increasing both the event’s impact and appeal.

Many clubs opt to structure their showcase as a clinic lasting two to three hours along with a tournament. Athletes rotate through stations led by college coaches, followed by a Q&A session where players can engage directly with the coaches. If time allows, match-style play can follow the clinic. Importantly, the clinic must clearly state that it is “open to any and all entrants,” as required by NCAA recruiting rules.

Make Athlete Exposure Meaningful

One of the most critical components of a good showcase is the athlete-to-court ratio. To ensure coaches can adequately evaluate each athlete, cap court groups at 8 players during the clinic portion. This keeps the sessions efficient, allows coaches to give meaningful feedback, and ensures athletes get ample touches on the ball.

Sorting athletes by ability ahead of the event can make or break the experience. Tools like Truvolley rankings from VolleyballLife are incredibly helpful in organizing players and creating balanced, competitive court assignments. You can also reach out to attending athlete Directors to get a better idea of groupings for those you are unsure of. This preparation not only minimizes day-of chaos but also allows coaches to quickly identify potential recruits at the appropriate level. Mishaps are bound to happen when it comes to groupings, but most coaches will note how an athlete RESPONDS to their placement way more than the actual placement – remind the athletes of this and to keep their body language positive.

Prioritize Clear Communication with Families

Parents play a big role in recruiting events, and clear, early communication helps everything run more smoothly. Provide detailed information about check-in procedures, event timing, court assignments, and what to expect from the showcase. Make sure families understand what college coaches will (and won’t) be doing during the event to manage expectations.

Likewise, communicating with college coaches requires transparency and respect for their time. Reach out well in advance, clearly outline their expected role, and be upfront about any stipends, travel arrangements, or accommodations. Supplying coaches with athlete lists—including names, graduation years, and rankings—before the event allows them to come prepared, making their time more productive and enjoyable. A quick link to a player spreadsheet can go a long way for attending college coaches in staying informed while saving on paper.

Boost Attendance Through Targeted Promotion

Getting strong athlete registration starts with confirming quality college coach participation. Once coaches are committed, begin promoting their attendance to generate excitement. In some cases, it helps to flip the model: secure your top athletes first, then build the event around them by targeting their preferred college programs.

A smart promotional tactic is to guarantee each registered athlete that at least one of their top-choice schools will be represented. This builds confidence in the event’s value and drives early sign-ups.

Follow-Up

Once the event concludes, don’t let the momentum stop. Send a thank-you message to all attendees, including any updates like which colleges were present and shoutouts to standout players. This small gesture goes a long way in building trust and loyalty with families.

Finally, gather feedback from athletes, coaches, and parents. Use their input to refine your next event and reinforce your commitment to delivering valuable recruiting experiences year after year.

Running a college recruiting showcase is no small feat, but when done well, it can be the cornerstone of your club’s athlete development strategy. With thoughtful planning, intentional coach engagement, and a player-first mindset, your event can open doors—and scholarships—for the next generation of beach volleyball athletes.

View more beach volleyball education for club directors and coaches.

About the Author

TJ Staples brings over 20 years of extensive experience as a player in both beach and indoor volleyball, coupled with 16 years of coaching expertise. As a Coach and Director, TJ has helped over 55 athletes secure Division 1 Beach Volleyball scholarships to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including UCLA, USC, TCU, Arizona, Texas, Stanford, and more. During his time as a Coach and Club Director he has led teams to over 20 Open Level National Championships across AVP, BVCA, P1440, and USAV. TJ’s club was named the Best Beach Club in the Nation for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, and 2023) and in 2023, his program made history as the first Club to earn medals in every age group at a single BVCA National Event.