Social media for track & field recruits

Quick dos

• Pick one main public account for recruiting (many athletes use Instagram, Facebook or X) and keep it clean.
• Pin your current PRs with official results links, a race or event clip and your upcoming meet schedule.
• Post real updates: new marks, meet results, film, academic honors.
• Use the same name, photo and bio everywhere, and the same details as your coach emails.

Quick don'ts

• No trash talk, complaining about officials, coaches or teammates, or profanity. Coaches also see what you like and repost.
• Don't post "offers" that weren't real written offers, or marks you can't link to an official result.
• Don't tag dozens of schools on one post.

Instagram for recruits

• Handle: your real name, e.g. @first.last[Grad Year]. Add your event if your name is common.
• Profile photo: your face, in your team uniform or warm-ups, or in action. Use the same photo on every platform.
• Link: your official results page and film. On a link page, put results first.
• Pin up to three posts: your newest PR clip, a results-link post and your upcoming meets. Story Highlights: PRs, Races/Events, Meets, Camps, School.
• Privacy: coaches can't see a private account. Instagram Teen Accounts are private by default, and under-16s need a parent's permission to change that. Decide as a family. Teen Accounts limit DMs to people you follow, so follow your target programs.
• What to post: race and event clips, PR marks with the meet, date and wind in the caption, meet results and training. Aim for 1-3 real updates a week in season.

Facebook for recruits and parents

• Few high school athletes post much on Facebook, but coaches may still look you up there, and many teams, clubs and parent groups use it for schedules and results. For most families, Facebook is the parent's platform.
• If the athlete has an account: use your real name and the same photo as your other accounts, keep it clean, and lock down old posts and tagged photos.
• For parents: your public posts about your athlete are part of their recruiting profile. Share schedules, film and real results; never criticize coaches, officials or other athletes.
• Who does what: the athlete sends coach emails and DMs; parents can help with schedules, travel and paperwork.

Sample bio

[Grad Year] | [Events]
[High School] ([City, ST])
[Event] [PR] · [Event] [PR]
[GPA] UW GPA
📧 firstname.lastname[gradyear]@gmail.com
📊 [Official results link]

You can post, tag and DM coaches anytime. Under NCAA D1 rules, cross country and track and field coaches can't send you DMs or other private messages until June 15 after sophomore year. D2, D3 and NAIA coaches can message anytime. Before you sign, coaches can follow you and like or repost public posts, but can't comment publicly about you.

Sources (checked Oct 27, 2026)

• NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27 (Bylaws 11.7.6, 13.1.1.1.9 cross country and track and field off-campus contact, adopted 10/7/26; 13.1.7.2.1; 13.12.1.5.1, PDF)
• NCAA LSDBi: social media “like/republish” exception