What D1 Coaches Really Look For: A Recruiting Conversation with Gina Oaks Garcia

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Matt Rogers is joined by Gina Oaks Garcia, Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton and 2025 Big West Coach of the Year.

With coaching experience at NAIA, D3, D2, and now D1, Gina brings a powerful perspective on what truly matters in the recruiting process. She shares what stands out in an email, why self-awareness is critical, and how recruits can separate themselves in meaningful ways—even without the biggest travel resumes.

💡 You’ll also hear her unfiltered take on multi-sport athletes—and why she believes there’s still a place at the college level for players who don’t specialize early or play year-round travel softball.

This episode is packed with insight for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to approach recruiting with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Listen now at coachmattrogers.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

📘 Grab Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
📓 Check out The Softball Recruit’s Journal
🎯 Schedule your 1-on-1 strategy session today

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📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/3M4PFDX

🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/4qMLr2S

🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/4bxljEJ

⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ

🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/4qd4PFp

📍 All resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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