Some student athletes may not play a single game this year due to COVID-19. However, senior athletes are continuing to show their skills to coaches and recruiters. 

“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” said Kolby Fujii, a senior who hopes to play baseball at the collegiate level.  

To better his chances, Fujii said he traveled to the mainland to visit colleges. 

“I got to talk to some coaches and I also got to visit some schools so I think it’s still worth it,” said Fujii.

Fujii said that upon his return to the island he followed state guidelines and self-quarantined for 14 days. 

Division II and III athletes, like Fujii, are allowed to meet with recruiters. However, hopeful Division I athletes are suspended from in person recruiting until Jan. 1, according to the NCAA  rules.

Along with Division I in-person recruiting, showcases and games also have been cancelled. 

“It has to be virtual at this point, pretty much a lot of the recruiting camps, showcases, clinics — those are all cancelled,” said Scott Wagner, Mid-Pacific athletic director.

Coaches recognize the lack of in-person recruiting, said James Miller, Seattle University director of undergraduate admissions. 

“Remember the process isn’t normally run; it would’ve depended on the showcases,” said Miller. 

Next College Student Athlete, an athletic recruiting network, reported that between March-July 2019 and March-July 2020 there has been a 20 percent increase of coaches logging into view athletes’ profiles.

Mid-Pacific athletes said they are using digital tools such as a player profile to show themselves to recruiters. 

“A quick summary of what you want to achieve,” said Dharma Dees, a senior who hopes to play soccer in college. 

Dees said she communicates with coaches through multiple channels. 

“[I] started hopping on our computers, writing emails, taking game footage and just sending it to the coaches,” said Dees.

Fujii said he uploads his baseball videos for coaches. 

“These coaches know you don’t have an opportunity to go to showcases and they want to connect with student athletes, they want to connect with people who have potential,” said Miller.  

Finding potential, senior baseball player Mackenzee Higuchi said he was able to receive a scholarship during Covid-19. 

“They [Hawaii Pacific University, HPU] gave me an offer at the beginning of August and I verbally committed mid August,” said Higuchi. 

Games may not be playing. But, recruiters are still watching.

“Keep working. Eventually, someone will notice your hard work and how much you put into what you do,” said Higuchi.