Part Four

The Recruiting Process

At this point we open up our flip chart binder and go to the first slide (right next to the flip chart is the Profile holder with the example of a profile):

SLIDE #1: NCAA PARTICIPANT SCHOOLS & MAXIMUM AWARDS

Before we start the presentation I want to explain to all our recruiter what this slide represents and what is the importance of it.

This slide lists all the NCAA sports and their corresponding divisions and the number of schools competing at their level. It is broken down by D1, D2 and D3. As you will notice there is a number in ( ) for both D1 and D2 teams. This number represents the total number of scholarships a school is allowed for their sport by the NCAA. You will see that D3 does not give out athletic scholarships. Let’s use baseball as an example: for D1 schools the NCAA allows the school to have a maximum of 11.6 scholarships. That number must be divided up among all the players. A typical program will have between 30-35 players. You can see how hard it might be to get a full scholarship at a non-revenue sport.

When I meet with a family and they say to me they want their child to get a scholarship and they play a non-revenue sport, what they are really saying “we have no clue as to how the recruiting process works and we need help.”

We start with this slide so we can show the student-athlete and the parents how many schools from D I, D II and D III compete in that sport. If you asked most people to list how many schools compete at the NCAA level (let’s say for baseball), they probable could list 30-50 schools. There’s 859 schools.

That's why we ask the student-athlete how many schools have contacted him/her to date.

If you’re meeting a baseball player you might say something like this: “the reason I show this slide is so you can see how many schools play baseball in college at the NCAA level. You can see there are 859 schools; a coach will typically bring in 8-9 players and that means there are many opportunities to play in college. Coaches need to recruit student-athletes.

You have heard from only 4 schools, that isn’t a good % if you want to play in college.

There's good news and bad news. The bad news is if you don't increase your list and exposure your dream of playing in college will not happen. The good news is we still have time and if we accept you in our program and your parents decide to enroll you, we can change that and get you choices and options. ______

SLIDE #2

STUDENT ATHLETE - “ONLY A FEW SCHOOLS”

Most student-athletes who I meet with look like this. You fall right in line with everyone. If you look like this is 2 months, 6 months, etc. your chances of being recruited and finding the right opportunity will not happen.

Your dream of playing baseball in college won't happen. ______

Slide #3

OVERLOOKED?

There are two reasons why you will not be recruited. First, you don't have the ability and no matter what anyone does or says it won't happen. Quite frankly I wouldn't be here if I didn't think you have the ability to play somewhere, that’s not an issue. There's no doubt in my mind, you can play at the next level and you should have every opportunity to do so.

The second reason you won't be recruited is college coaches don't know about you. And there are many reasons why that happen: changes in NCAA rules and regulations; you play for a small school; you can be in a rural area; and you could have limited coverage.

The key and the point I am trying to make is you can't get recruited if coaches don't know about you. ______

Slide #4

The FUNNEL

We believe the recruiting process is like being put in a giant funnel. The first thing is college coaches need to know who you are. That's why we give you a great deal of exposure and get you in front of 100's, and 100's and 100's of college coaches. The more coaches that know about you the greater the chances you will be recruited. It’s a game of numbers.

The second thing is that college coaches recruit kids based on their ability level, which is why we suggest you start early in the recruiting process. (If a coach has had the opportunity to evaluate you over a longer period of time and has seen growth, development and improvement he is more apt to see upside. On the flip side if a coach only sees you one time and may not know how far you have come over the last few years. )

I am sure you have you heard of Bill Parcells? Great football coach, great evaluator of talent. Well, years ago he was the running back coach for Florida State. One day he gets a call from a high school coach from Mississippi. The coach tells him about a running back he has who Parcells should be recruiting. Parcells tells the coach he already has three kids coming in and doesn't need another back. He never recruits the kid., the kid never gets recruited and goes to a small NAIA school in Mississippi.

Well, he plays for four years, has a great college career, gets drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round, plays for 15+ years, sets every running record and gets elected into the Football Hall of Fame. Do you know who that player was? Yes, Walter Payton.

Years later they asked Parcells why he didn't recruit Payton? He said the day he got the call his crystal ball wasn't working. Had he been able to look into the future he would have told the other three kids not to show up and would have recruited Payton.

The reason for the story the recruiting process is an imperfect science and it is the reason college coaches make mistakes recruiting and not recruiting a kid.

Coaches recruit kids based on needs. This is why we tell our kids in our program to visit the team’s web site, look at the roster and try and get a feel what needs a coach may have for your recruiting class. If you’re a 3rd basemen and you see the team already has two, you probably aren't high on a coaches list. You’re being courted and not recruited.

We believe the most misunderstood document in all of collegiate athletics is the questionnaire. We hear about some kids getting shoe boxes full and never responding to all of them. Our policy at NECP is we want our student athletes in our program to respond to every coach and let every coach know we are interested in his program. Because as soon as you don't respond and send back the questionnaire you’re telling the coach you have no interest. I will tell you his recruiting efforts stops right there. Besides you never know, it could turn out to be the best situation and best opportunity. Which is why we respond to every coach.

Phone calls – phone calls happen in your senior year and if you are not getting calls from coaches you are not being recruited. Coaches call kids they are interested in. Video tape – you will need a video tape, either game film or a highlight tape. Coaches will request video tape.

Invitations – You are allowed five official visits, that's what the NCAA allows you. ONLY FIVE.

And this is where it gets dangerous. Like in the funnel it gets very narrow at the bottom, which is why we want to get you in front of a lot of coaches, have you send out tape, go on either unofficial or official visits and give you options. Our goal is to get you 5-8 legitimate schools to choose from.

Any questions so far?

Slide #5

“ TOP 10 RECRUITS”

This next slide represents typically how a college coach recruits. If he is bringing in 10 players he probably has a list with 40-60 players on it. The problem for you is you will never know where you are on his list unless he says to you, “Jimmy what will it take to get you to come to our school”? You could be number 33 and he makes you think your one of his key guys.

I am sure you have heard of Ohio State. Well, each year the football team can sign 20 players. The coach will fly in 66 players, roll out the red carpet and make everyone feel special. The problem with that is 46 kids never hear from Ohio State and many blow off other schools who were interested in him. At this point he may not have any other options as a result.

IN OUR PROGRAM THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

Slide #6

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITIES RECRUITING “YOU'

If you’re in our program this is what you will look like. You will be on a lot of college coaches lists and you will have the opportunity in some cases to actually move up on his list. If you look like this you will get recruited.

Any questions so far.....pretty simple stuff. But if you have never been through the recruiting process it's not that simple. ______