Professional Division 1 Athlete Cover Letter Examples for 2024

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Your Division 1 athlete cover letter must immediately highlight your top athletic achievements. Showcase the stats or records that set you apart from your peers. Demonstrate your ability to balance athletics with academic responsibilities. Let your work ethic and discipline shine through as key assets to your future endeavors.

Crafting a standout division 1 athlete cover letter can be daunting, especially when you're already deep into job applications and realize you need one that shines. It's not about echoing your resume—your cover letter should spotlight your proudest professional moment, sharing the journey behind your success. It's key to keep it formal yet fresh, avoiding cliches that dull your sparkle. And remember, brevity is your ally—make a powerful impression on one concise page.

Enhance your division 1 athlete cover letter writing experience; using our guide, you'll learn how to:

  • Create a division 1 athlete cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
  • Use industry-leading division 1 athlete cover letter templates and examples to save time;
  • Dedicate your division 1 athlete cover letter space to your best achievement;
  • Make sure your division 1 athlete cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.

Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your division 1 athlete cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.

Division 1 Athlete cover letter example

Carla Jensen

Miami, FL

+1-(234)-555-1234

help@enhancv.com


Dear Hiring Manager,

My tenure as Team Captain for the University of Miami Hurricanes not only honed my leadership abilities but also affirmed my capacity for fostering team cohesion and driving competitive success. Navigating through high-stakes environments, I spearheaded a strategic overhaul that instrumentalized a 2-year division championship win streak—a testament to my adeptness in team leadership and athletic strategy implementation.

I am poised to bring the same dedication and tactical acumen to your organization that I devoted to mentoring student athletes, achieving an 80% integration of developed time management strategies. My commitment is mirrored in the tangible uplift of their average GPA from 2.5 to 3.2, demonstrating my ability to positively influence performance and foster academic excellence.

I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how my background, skills, and certifications align with the needs of your team. Please feel free to contact me to arrange a convenient meeting time. I am keen on contributing to and growing with your esteemed organization.

Carla Jensen, Student Athlete Mentor
What makes this cover letter good:


  • Emphasizing leadership experience by mentioning the role as Team Captain and the successful outcomes such as the division championship win streak directly aligns with the leadership skills required for a role focused on team mentorship and guidance.
  • Quantifying achievements, such as the integration of developed time management strategies and the improvement of the student athletes' average GPA, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's effectiveness and the positive impact they've had on performance and academic success.
  • Explicitly stating a willingness to discuss how the candidate's background, skills, and certifications align with the needs of the team shows a proactive approach and the ability to tailor experiences to the specific requirements of the role, signaling a good understanding of the job's demands.

Structuring and formatting your division 1 athlete cover letter

Here's what the structure of your division 1 athlete cover letter should include:

  • Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
  • Salutation (or greeting);
  • Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
  • Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
  • Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
  • Signature (that is optional).

Use the same font for your division 1 athlete resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.

Your division 1 athlete cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.

When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).

On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your division 1 athlete cover letter.

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The top sections on a division 1 athlete cover letter

  • Header: This includes the athlete's name, address, email, phone number, and the date, providing essential contact information that makes it easy for the recruiter to reach out.

  • Greeting: Personalize the greeting with the recruiter's name if possible, showing that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in this specific team or program.

  • Introduction: Briefly mention your athletic background and the position or role you're applying for, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to connect your sporting career with their program.

  • Athletic Highlights: Detail key accomplishments, stats, awards, or recognitive benchmarks that showcase your talent, work ethic, and potential contributions to the team, highlighting your suitability as a Division 1 athlete.

  • Closing: Reaffirm your interest in the program, thank the recruiter for considering your application, and include a proactive statement about looking forward to discussing how you can contribute to the team's success, leaving a professional and memorable final impression.

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Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

  • Demonstrated athletic prowess: Recruiters seek evidence of performances that set the athlete apart, such as awards, recognitions, or high-level statistics that show exceptional ability and stand out performances.
  • Team leadership and sportsmanship: Qualities such as being a team captain, showing the ability to work well within a team, lead peers, and exhibiting good sportsmanship reflect an athlete's capability to fit into the team culture and potentially take on leadership roles.
  • Academic achievements and eligibility: Proof that the student-athlete can maintain the academic standards required by the institution and the governing bodies of college sports ensures eligibility to compete and indicates a well-rounded individual.
  • Work ethic and dedication: A history of consistent training, improvement, and the ability to balance a rigorous schedule showcases an athlete's commitment, resilience, and time management skills.
  • Coachability and willingness to learn: Comments from coaches or examples of adapting to new techniques or strategies demonstrate an athlete's ability to take feedback constructively and use it to improve their performance.
  • Community involvement or volunteer experience: Engagement in community service or other extracurricular activities illustrates an athlete's character and ability to contribute positively to the community and campus life.

Greeting recruiters with your division 1 athlete cover letter salutation

What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?

Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.

Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.

Address recruiters in the division 1 athlete greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").

If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".

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List of salutations you can use

  • Dear Hiring Manager,
  • Dear [Coach's Name],
  • Dear [Athletic Director's Name],
  • Dear Members of the [Department or Committee's Name],
  • Dear [University Name] Athletic Department,
  • Dear Search Committee,

Your division 1 athlete cover letter introduction and the value you bring

Moving on from the "Dear Recruiter" to your professional introduction.

Use those first two sentences of your division 1 athlete cover letter to present the biggest asset you'd bring to the organization.

Don't go into too much detail about your achievement or the skill set, but instead - go straight for the win.

That is - what is your value as a professional?

Would you be able to build stronger, professional relationships in any type of communication? Or, potentially, integrate seamlessly into the team?

Intro Paragraph
I've consistently honed my leadership and teamwork skills on the field as a Division 1 athlete, a discipline I see mirrored in [Company]'s commitment to pioneering industry standards. My background has ingrained me with a performance-oriented mindset and an appreciation for the collaborative, innovative spirit that is evident in your corporate culture.
RIGHT

Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your division 1 athlete cover letter

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your division 1 athlete cover letter?

For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).

After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.

Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.

Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:

  • you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
  • you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
  • your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.

Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.

Body Paragraph
During my final season as a collegiate soccer captain, I led our team to an unprecedented victory at the national championships. My strategic game planning and pivotal goal-scoring—contributing 12 goals in 5 games—demonstrated my exceptional leadership and perseverance under pressure, reflecting a 30% increase in team's offensive efficiency over the previous season.
RIGHT

Time to wrap up your division 1 athlete cover letter

Writing the closing paragraph of your division 1 athlete cover letter is just as important as the salutation.

You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.

Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.

Otherwise, you could also conclude your division 1 athlete cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?

Closing Paragraph
Eager to contribute as a Division 1 athlete, I look forward to discussing my fit for the role in an interview. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
RIGHT

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience division 1 athlete cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience, your division 1 athlete cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Writing your division 1 athlete cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:

  • Select a division 1 athlete cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
  • Make your division 1 athlete cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
  • Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
  • Use your division 1 athlete cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
  • If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your division 1 athlete cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
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Volen Vulkov
Volen Vulkov is a resume expert and the co-founder of Enhancv. He applies his deep knowledge and experience to write about a career change, development, and how to stand out in the job application process.
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