Do You Really Need a Recruiting Video for Track and Field or Cross Country?

September, 2025 - This quick guide breaks down when video actually matters for college track and field recruiting. Learn how highlight videos compare to your verified performances, why some events benefit more than others, and what college coaches really expect to see. We also cover smart, low-cost ways to showcase your training and competition (like Instagram) and common myths promoted by sites like NCSA and Stack Sports.

Quick Answer

You usually do not need a track and field recruiting video to get recruited. Coaches care far more about verified performances and academics. Video is occasionally useful in technical events (jumps, throws, hurdles) and can be shared simply through Instagram.

No, you do not need a highlight video to be recruited for college track and field/cross country.

You do not need a highlight video in order to be recruited for track and field. One of the beautiful aspects of our sport is that it is data-driven in nature: a 400m time of 48.46 on an official outdoor track in Texas is the same as a 48.46 clocking in Australia (or anywhere else in the world, as long as the performance is an official mark).

Why do other websites say I need a highlight video for track and field recruitment?

Websites like NCSA and Stack Sports may recommend highlight videos because they assume track and field is the same as team sports when it is not — or because they are trying to convince you that you need one in order to sell you their services.

NCSA, for example, does not specialize in track and field recruiting. Their info comes from recruiting for sports like football and basketball.

Stack Sports sells pricey video editing services, so their advice is mostly marketing.

Athletic and academic performances are more important than highlight videos.

Your athletic performances (PRs, consistency, versatility) are more important than a highlight video. Your academic standing (strong GPA) is more important than a highlight video. Even knowing your budget for college/university per semester or per year is more important than a highlight video when it comes to landing a roster spot or scholarship opportunity.

According to NCAA recruiting rules, Division I track & field coaches can’t even contact athletes until June 15 after their sophomore year.

Learn more about track and field recruiting standards in the NCAA and NAIA →

Learn why versatility matters more than ever in D-I track and field recruiting →

Here’s what former women’s track and field team captain for the University of Michigan, Aurora Rynda, says on the topic of recruiting videos for track and field/cross country:

“It’s easy to get wrapped up in figuring out how to best promote yourself and the idea of a highlight video can seem super important. But I think the most important thing is to just compete and put down fast times on paper. I think when you start to put too much effort into marketing, you lose sight of the reason why you’re doing all this. You’re competing because you love the sport and want to be the best you can be. So get some quality videos of you competing or practicing, but ultimately, your performances and academics will have a stronger pull into getting you in contact with collegiate coaches.”

Can recruiting videos be helpful for track and field athletes?

Video can still be helpful, but coaches usually ask for it only after they’ve already connected with you, meaning you don’t need to supply one up front just to start the conversation. What they really need to see first are your verified marks (official athletic performances and academic averages, both displayed on your Streamline Athletes profile). If those match what they’re recruiting for, then they might ask for more, like video.

What is the best way for recruits to share video content with college track and field coaches?

The best way to provide video to a college track and field coach is not by spending time and money on a fancy edited highlight video, but by building out a public Instagram account that showcases who you are as a person alongside photo and video content of your training and competition. Just make sure that everything you do on your Instagram account (like, comment, etc.) is something you’d want a recruiter to see.

Add your Instagram account URL to your Streamline Athletes profile to make sure every coach you connect with via Streamline Athletes can see it in one click.

If you haven’t already, create your Streamline Athletes profile to showcase your verified performances and link your Instagram directly.

What track and field events are best supported by video when it comes to recruitment?

Technical events — like throws, hurdles, jumps, and vaults — are the most common events for coaches to request video of. In these events seeing the mechanics of an athlete’s performances can illustrate a lot about their ability, training, and their development path.