Recruiting for Parents

There are a ton of confusing stories and difficult to decipher information for parents and athletes about getting recruited. Everyone has seen the "Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete", but what exactly does "once between June 21 and 30th in your Junior Year" mean to coaches and athletes. Many parents spend thousands of dollars with recruiting services sending out tapes and having their kids "ranked" by some service. Having talked to hundreds of coaches and recruiting coordinators, parents and athletes need to understand a few things:

1.) You are not entitled to a scholarship, just because your kid plays on an expensive travel team. These recruiting coordinators you seem to have on speed dial are doing a JOB. They get fired for not bringing in the best players, so chances are that when you are at a tournament with your club team and see fifty recruiting coordinators in the stands, THEY ARE ALL LOOKING AT THE SAME KID!

2.) College should be a Win-Win, best fit process. If you take a scholorship offer just because it helps recoup some of the money you spent over the years, you are robbing your athlete/kid of an education and collegiate sports experience that is a good fit. Your kid might very well be able to get a scholarship at the top school in the country for their sport, but they may never see the field/court, etc. You might also get stuck with a staff that didn't recruit you. Coaches move very frequently these days, so don't go to school just for the coach. While they are an important part, they might not be there when your kid is. Make sure you keep contacts open with other coaches and don't burn your bridges! You never know who you'll end up with.

3.) If you don't have scholarship offers by your Junior year, you need to consider other options. Most recruiting coordinators know exactly who their first choice is, then their second, third and fourth. By the time your Junior year rolls around, the college coach recruiting coordinator has already talked to the high school coach, club coach, and academic office. They know whether your kid can get into their school and what their needs are.

4.) Official visits are going the way of the dinosaur for recruits. If you think you'll wait until you are offered a paid official visit, you're going to lose that scholarship. Most offers are made after the coach or recruiting coordinator asks you to come to campus for an "unofficial visit". The paid offical visits are saved for the kid who has already committed.

5.) Scholarships are NOT a 4 year comittment! Just because you get an offer, does not mean it is for full tuition OR for all 4 years. Many sports only have a limited number of scholarships and have to spread them out over their athletes. Find out what that number is (its different at each conference and each school) and how much of it you are being offered. Scholarships are renewable every season. If the grades aren't good, or your athlete isn't showing improvement or dedication, they can be released from their scholarship or have it reduced.

There are a ton of other topics that need covering here, so let me know what your questions are, and I'll try to help you navigate through the recruiting maze.