Washington and Lee University Track & Field Head Coach, Brandon Uhl, is in his seventh year as the Head Coach of the Men's Track & Field team after coaching as an assistant for the Men's and Women's programs since 2008. He also serves as an assistant coach with the Men's Cross Country program.
Uhl has led the Generals to two ODAC titles, one individual National Champion, numerous national qualifiers, and his track and field teams have won both the indoor and outdoor ODAC Championships. Uhl was named the ODAC Coach of the Meet at both the indoor and outdoor championships and broke eight school records that year.
Before taking over as the head Track & Field and Cross Country coach at Washington and Lee, Uhl coached at Misericordia University, where he coached one NCAA All-American, two NCAA qualifiers, 40 all-conference student-athletes, five conference champions, and guided athletes to 39 school records. He was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year. Uhl served as a graduate assistant Track and Field coach at Frostburg State before coaching at Misericordia.
What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
Healthy competitiveness. If a recruit is competitive, they will typically have the capacity to learn and grow as a person, student, and athlete.
What is the best way for a recruit to get on your radar?
Show genuine initiative and interest with a phone call, email, or visit. Be able to express what's important to you and follow through on communications.
When should an athlete contact you? What is the best way?
The best time to contact us is at the beginning of their Junior year by phone or email. Look to consider an unofficial campus in the spring of Junior year.
What are your expectations for incoming players in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the track?
My expectations are for incoming people to have a healthy perspective on the transition from high school to college. Taking care of personal well-being first, being the best student second, and lastly committing to the whole process of being the best Track & Field athlete. Understanding that part of their education in college is being on our team.
What are the do's and don'ts of being recruited?
Speak genuinely about your interest in the school and Track & Field. Do not be iffy on whether you want to do it or not. Respect the coaches who are recruiting you by being honest with yourself and them.
What is the best advice you can offer a recruit?
Know what's important to you in the present and consider the future when choosing a school.
What really jumps out to you when reviewing a recruit's highlight tape?
Besides the body type and technique/form, the interactions they have with teammates, coaches, competition, and officials.
When do you recommend recruits put together and share their highlight reels? Is it best to make their highlight reel during the offseason, in the middle of the season, or after each game?
I like to see a sequential highlight reel from the start of season to finish that shows as many aspects of the recruit as possible.
How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
Represent yourself in a way that is upright and honorable. It's good to get to know a recruit personally and for them to get to know you personally. However, it should be done appropriately and be an accurate assessment of the person.
* Originally published on November 24, 2017, by LRT Staff
