10 things every parent should know about college...

10 Things Every Parent Should Know About College Recruiting

student-athleteshowcase.com

Free Guide for Parents of College-Bound Athletes Presented By:

Welcome Parents of College-Bound Athletes! The college recruiting process is a complicated endeavor, and while this might be your first, second or even third time through it, the odds of making costly mistakes can be extremely high. This guide is a compilation of helpful tips & insights we’ve learned over 20+ years. Our hope is that it serves as a valuable tool and that it sheds light on some of the more important steps you will need to take to ensure a successful college recruiting experience for your college-bound athlete. Enjoy, and thank you for the opportunity to educate you. Rex Grayner Zack Walz SAS President & Co-Founder SAS VP & Co-Founder [email protected] [email protected]

#1 Stop Marketing, Start Nurturing Let’s face it. People want to do business with those they trust. And it’s no different in college recruiting. Coaches recruit prospects with talent and grades, but they offer scholarships to the ones in which they’ve built confidence and trust. And trust is becoming more and more a factor nowadays. The numbers of coaches pub-licly voicing their frustrations about recruits who commit and then de-commit is likely to increase before it subsides. So as a student-athlete who dreams of landing scholarship offers, how do you build con-fidence and earn trust with college coaches? Here’s an idea: Stop marketing and start nurturing. Let’s say 20 college coaches are currently sending you mail. Your 10 “A-list schools, at the moment, are showing the most genuine interest and they seem to match up best with your athletic & academic priorities. The other 10 B- and C-list schools continue to show warm, frequent interest but aren’t as attractive, at least yet. Most student-athletes with this level of recruiting activity make the costly mistake of becoming a spectator. After all, coaches are interested and they’re going to stay interest-ed, right? Not necessarily. The fact is, coaches evaluate and court hundreds of prospects for every one “offer” they extend. So to sustain interest, you must engage coaches on a more personal level than those with whom you’re competing. And I don’t mean telling coaches how great you are or sending them newspapers articles that feature you. I’m talking about cultivating rela-tionships. I’m talking about communicating on a level that separates you from others. Think of your college recruitment as a 2-year job interview. To land your dream job, you can’t just send in a resume and expect the offer to follow. Sure, introducing yourself is an important component, but again, the competition is stiff. You must assume that eve-ryone in contention for the same opportunity is equally (or more) qualified than you;

10 Things Every Parent Should Know About College Recruiting

SAS QUICK FACTS

• Founded March 2003 by

Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz

• Active College Coach

network exceeds 40,000

• NCAA compliant &

NAIA registered partner

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

100% SAS athletes get recruited by

college coaches

94% Play their sport in college

$31,706 Avg. 1st year college savings

during 2013-2015

Less than 5% Transfer to another college

675 Avg. # of college coaches to

which the SAS athlete is

personally introduced

70 Avg. # of college coaches

the SAS athlete is contacted

by during the recruiting

process

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So to get the “job offer,” you have to take it upon yourself to earn the coach’s trust, and no amount of marketing will accomplish this. Instead, you must nurture the opportuni-ty. Here are 5 ways to start nurturing relationships with college coaches. 1. Recognize a gem when you find one. If a coach is sending you quality, personal

emails, and they seem genuinely engaged with what’s going on in your high school career, then chances are you have a gem of an opportunity. Sometimes it’s merely a connection you feel with a particular coach. Whenever you have this feeling, it’s good to recognize that this is a coach that you should focus your efforts and energies on. Go out of your way to let them know how honored and appreciative you are in their efforts to recruit you. Mention the coach and his/her school on Facebook. Tell others what a great experience you’re having with this coach. Coaches are human like the rest of us, and they are drawn to people who openly appreciate them.

2. Send handwritten thank-you notes. I know it sounds rather archaic. Taking pen to paper and writing someone a note, in this day and age, is a lost art. And that’s exactly why you should do it! A simple hand-written card can be incredibly nurtur-ing, especially because nobody bothers to take the time anymore. And it doesn’t have to be a lengthy letter either. Two or three sentences on a blank card, expressing your gratitude for taking time to speak on the phone last night, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. Sure, personal emails are great. But a thank you card in your own writing might just find its way around the entire athletic department. Make the commitment to send every coach who recruits you a thank-you card or two before you make your final college decision.

3. Stay connected with coaches using social media. Tune in on Twitter and pay attention to what coaches are posting. Create a Facebook feed that simplifies the process and creates a list of coaches. Much like with Twitter, a dedicated coach group allows you to filter out only their updates and get a quick snapshot of their activity, rather than having to visit each individual profile/page. Jump in. Comment on their latest game, event or news. Tag coaches/schools in your status updates. If appropriate, tag the coach in a status update or wall post. Tagging is extremely use-ful as it allows you to link directly to coaches’ pages or places a link to their page. For more on this, download this Free Report.

4. Take an active interest in their program. Subscribe to their blog. Bookmark their web pages and check in at least once a month. Research the schools that are showing interest in you and reach out to these coaches monthly. A simple congratu-lations email after a big win, or referencing a newsworthy topic about their school, can do wonders for a coach’s confidence and trust in you.

5. Don’t let the opportunity fade away. Be relentless in your commitment to fol-low up and stay connected with coaches. Even if you don’t receive immediate re-sponses all the time, don't allow the communication to lose momentum and don’t stop doing your part to keep the opportunity alive. Coaches are extremely busy. They travel constantly. Recruiting is a 365-day job and many things can temporarily impede a coach’s ability to communicate. Don’t get discouraged if their interest ap-pears to decline either. Set up a follow-up calendar for each school, and be persis-tent with your communication until the coach blatantly tells you s/he won’t be re-cruiting you anymore. If that happens, stay humble and show your warmest grati-tude for the chance to correspond. Just because you aren’t a good fit for one school doesn’t mean that the impression you leave won’t result in another (better) oppor-tunity elsewhere.


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



http://student-athleteshowcase.com/College%20Recruiting%202.0.pdf

#2 A serious injury does NOT mean the end of your college dreams There is nothing more frustrating than an injury that limits your ability to play the sport you love. Hundreds of hours of preparation in the off-season all of sudden feel like a complete waste of time when you’re sidelined with a serious injury. Despite the setback, the biggest mistake you can make as a parent is to assume that a blown knee, torn ligament or broken bone ends any hope of your son or daughter competing in college. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Injuries are a part of sport. Times are different. The advances in medical technology mean athletes with serious injuries often come back better than ever. In fact, injuries that require several months of rehabilitation can teach young athletes valuable life les-sons. And according to several college coaches we’ve spoken with on the subject, if a re-lationship was in progress prior to the injury, the courtship will likely continue. So if you sustain an unlucky injury, don’t automatically assume your goal of playing col-lege sports is squelched. Instead, here are some things you can do to stay focused on the athletic recruiting process even if you are sidelined. Make sure to attend practices and any team meetings. Some athletes get discon-nected because they feel they aren’t part of the team when they’re injured. While you may be unable to play, attending practices and staying in the loop are critical to your frame of mind. Don’t let your academics slip. An injury can lead to depression. As a result, grades can slide. The last thing you want to do is dig yourself an even greater hole. In fact, uti-lize this time to work even harder in the classroom. Spend more time researching schools. Your goal of finding the perfect fit hasn’t changed, so spend the time educating yourself about different schools. If your injury might derail hopes of playing Division I, then start to familiarize yourself with Division II, III and NAIA schools. Remember, there are plenty of Division I-level athletes com-peting at these levels! Gather film. If your injury occurs early in your senior year, then you may not have much film to show coaches. But your junior film, or any footage taken during the sum-mer, may be just as valuable. Be sure to get with your coaches and/or any parents who may have some film on you. Don’t stop communicating with college coaches! Again, coaches understand that injuries occur. And if you were in communication with coaches prior to your injury, then stay with it. Don’t be afraid to tell them what happened either. Coaches who are genu-inely interested you won’t abandon you because you’re hurt. Speak freely with coaches about how they’ve handled this with past recruits. Listen to your doctors. They are your greatest advisor when you’re injured. Don’t rush back before you’re ready either. You’re more valuable to college coaches when you’re healthy, and if you come back too soon and re-aggravate your injury, then college coaches may reevaluate their interest in you. Be realistic. If you have no Division I offers and have no senior film, then it may be time to become more realistic about your collegiate options. Smaller colleges may be a better fit for you, and in the end, finding the perfect fit is the most important thing.


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



#3 When will I start receiving scholarship offers? FACT: Today’s Division I coaches want to com-plete their recruiting classes by summer’s end. And in case you aren’t sure which summer I’m referring to, it’s the one before your high school senior classes begin. OK, coaches recruit early. So what? Well, how soon coaches begin offering you scholarships might actually depend on the “level” of Division I prospect they think you are. Yes, for many Division I college coaches, there are four (4) levels, or tiers, of recruits and depending on which tier you fall under just might determine your time frame for receiving scholarship offers. Here is a breakdown of the “four levels” of Division I prospects. Level 1 You have already proven that you can play your position in college. You already have the size, speed, strength & grades to play at the major Division I level. You are a nationally-ranked ‘blue-chip’ prospect, and will likely find yourself among the ESPNU 150 Watch List with a high rating on Rivals.com. Level 1 Division I prospects can expect to begin receiving offers before Christmas of their junior year in high school. And in today’s landscape, most of the elite prospects nationwide are fielding offers in their freshman and sophomore years of high school. Level 2 You aren’t a "can't-miss" D1 prospect like Level 1 recruits, but you’re close. Coaches probably need to come by the school to see you practice in the fall or spring of your junior year before making an offer. Level 2 Division I prospects can expect to begin receiving offers in April-June of their junior year in high school. Level 3 You are on many college recruiting depth charts but not at the top of anyone’s list. College coaches may want to see you in their camp and spend some time with you before offering a scholarship. Level 3 Division I prospects can expect to begin receiving offers by summer’s end following their junior year in high school. Level 4 Coaches must evaluate you in your senior year before making an offer. You may lack the size or speed or skill to play your position at the Division I level, but the potential may be there, and coaches want to see senior-year video to determine your prospects of perhaps playing another position in college. Level 4 Division I prospects can expect to begin receiving offers after coaches have evaluated them in their senior year in high school. If you are a high school junior without any scholarship offers yet, don’t panic. You might be severely under the radar, and acquiring professional help to both market you and manage your college recruitment can mean the difference. If you are a senior without any offers, still don’t panic. Contact SAS today for a free phone consultation to see if there’s still time to open college doors.


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



http://student-athleteshowcase.com/

http://student-athleteshowcase.com/

mailto:[email protected]

#4 Highlight Films Do NOT Need Music We were recently contacted by a family that was searching for some recruiting expertise, or more specifically, some answers. They just could not understand why their son hadn’t received any college replies despite sending his information out to a number of schools, and now in April of his senior year, they’re facing the possibility that his football career may soon be over. After some in-depth discussion, we learned that this particular athlete has been a 3x Varsity starter at one of the top HS teams in the state, and not only does he have great size, but he also has tremendous speed. His stats and honors are impressive and his HS coaches consider him to be one of the best players in the conference. I wasn’t 100% convinced that all the facts were straight, so I asked to see his bio so I could personally review his information. After my preliminary examination, not only did I agree with his coaches in their evaluation of him, but his grades and test scores were also well above average. On paper, he was a legitimate college prospect and one that could definitely warrant interest from the Division 1 level. Before making any final recommendations, however, I asked for a copy of his highlight film. What I discovered next was appalling, and it gave me everything I needed to know about why this athlete wasn’t being recruited by a single school in the country. As if nothing was amiss, his father enthusiastically emailed me a link to his son’s Youtube video, posted for the entire world to see. I immediately clicked the link, watched and listened with horror, as the film was accompanied by a rap song that used no less than three profanities in the first 20 seconds. It was all I needed to hear and now seeing this as often as I do, what prompted me to write this blog. As a student-athlete, you’re recruiting journey should be considered one of (if not the most) important job interviews of your young life. You’re competing against tens of thousands of other candidates for the same position, for a roster spot, and for a school and coaching staff to invest both their lives and hundreds of thousands of dollars in you to build a winning program. Your stats, speed, strength and athletic ability certainly play a role in your evaluation. But your character, personality, integrity, and moral fiber make the real difference. Would you ever use profanity on a job application? Would you ever curse in front of a supervisor during a job interview? Why then would you ever de-cide that using violent and offensive music to accompany your highlight film would create anything but the same type of reaction? I decided to send the Youtube link to several D1 football coaches to get their take on it, and this is what they had to say: Coach #1: ZW, did not even need 30 seconds to make a decision. 20 seconds was enough to make me not want to watch or recruit this young man, ever. Coach #2: Zack, I have had to start muting my computer during highlight tapes be-cause it puts a really bad taste in my mouth about the player. Coach #3: I personally would NEVER recruit that kid just based on that music. I seriously not only question the kid, but the coach, the parents, the person that made that video or anyone else involved in that. I don’t care how good the kid is, I don’t care how smart the kid is, we would never recruit that kid. His character would certainly be called into question making a decision to send that to a college football coach, it’s just totally out of line. Just as a side note, it’s a shame because watching that video he looks like a heck of a player, but again, we would never recruit him based on his decision to use that music. Next time you think about posting something online to represent yourself - a picture, a song, a conversation, a comment or remark – take notice, it will at some time be scrutinized by the very people you’re trying to impress. Carry yourself as a professional always, and you’ll be treated as one in return.


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



#5 Evaluations from college coaches are critical to your recruiting success Letters of recommendation and reference letters from your high school coaches are important, especially when it comes to making an impression on college coaches. But are you seeking evalua-tions from the college coaches themselves? One of the best ways to stay in control of your col-lege recruitment is to seek honest feedback from the coaches who are studying your highlight/game videos. Not only is their assessment vital to your collegiate opportunities, but it helps strengthen relationships with these coaches, too. Some athletes may be apprehensive about receiving evaluations from coaches because the report may not be what the athlete (or parent) wants to hear. Nevertheless, college bound athletes must be realistic about their college futures, and accepting what college coaches have to say can be critical to executing a plan that positions you for great fit col-lege options. Here is an actual evaluation that one of the country’s top Division III football coaches provided SAS on one of our prospects. Are you getting specific feedback like this from college coaches? If not, you could be missing a fantastic opportunity to really know what college programs think when they view your films.

This young man is an above average D3 football player. He would not be one of our top QB prospects for the upcoming class. I am sure he is a terrific athlete, but he appears to go down with little contact. Positives: great speed, agility (would be a great D3 WR). Negatives: under-throws most of his passes on film (has some good WR’s). Has poor feet, shot-puts the ball, and falls every time he is touched. Also does not step into his throw when he has pressure. We grade on a 0-4 scale, for how many years a player would “start” for us at our school. I would grade him as a 1 or 2.

#6 Investing in Expertise Returns Multiple Offers, Huge Savings for Athletes National Signing Period is a special time for student-athletes around the country. It marks the end of a stressful, overwhelming college recruiting experience, and their official acceptance of an athletic scholarship. For many parents, this means six-figure savings and a chance to watch their child live out a dream come true. For thousands of other prospects, many of whom approached the process with a "D1 or bust" mentality, signing day is a brutal reminder that attempting to tackle the process without professional assistance can be a costly error in judgment.

“The (SAS) program was incredibly effective and the results were astounding,” says David Waltzer, whose son Justin signed his letter of intent with Division II St. Anselm (NH) College. “Everything unfolded as SAS said it would, and they never tired of taking our calls and answering our emails to guide us along at every turn. We had college coaches coming to us in droves. Justin received a scholarship package that far exceeded our expectations. Talk about an incredible return on investment.”


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



For South Dakota State-bound Trent Mason, acquir-ing the help of college recruiting experts also proved to be a wise investment. “We ended up visiting 4 schools, had 6 great offers, all but one was a full scholarship offer,” says his father, David. “In the end, Trent chose a smaller Division I school where he loved the coaches, was offered a full scholarship and an opportunity to start for the next 4 years. He could not be happier, and we couldn’t have done this without SAS. The exposure Trent received from schools we did not even know existed would have never happened without their expertise.” Accepting an offer from small-Division I St. Peter’s in New Jersey will mean plenty of adjusting for Cortez, Colorado’s Brian Grubbs. But with a scholarship package that figures to amount to more than $150,000, his father Brett is glad he sought assis-tance. “I know for a fact that without SAS, we would not be in this position. Because of the exposure and the numerous schools interested in Brian, he was able to negotiate the best deal.”

#7 The recruiting process does NOT start Sept 1 of your junior year Did you know that most major Division I programs will have extended their scholarship offers to their top prospects before the end of the junior year? It’s also a fact that a number of the nation’s top prospects are receiving scholarship offers in their freshman or sophomore year! In truth, many look at September 1 of the junior year as the most important date of the college recruiting lifecycle. What’s critical to understand is that for many, the process should be planned well in advance. FACT: In most sports, the NCAA allows coaches to initiate unlimited phone calls to prospects after September 1 of the junior year. But parents should avoid misinterpreting this date as the beginning of the recruiting process. The truth is, coaches and athletes can have as much phone dialogue as they want as long as the athlete initiates the call. Numerous emails have been composed by both coach and player before September 1 ever arrives. Unofficial visits, social media interaction, camp evaluations… in a typical recruiting funnel, all have occurred and are occurring when September 1 rolls around. Also keep in mind that in Division II, recruiting restrictions have been eliminated after June 15 following the sophomore year. That’s right… coaches can have unlimited contact with prospects soon after the sophomore year ends. In the Division III and NAIA, there are virtually no recruiting restrictions. So the message is, get an early start. Don’t assume that things are quiet because coaches are not allowed to contact your son or daughter yet. Assume instead that nothing is happening because you are behind the 8-ball and need to become proactive today. Here’s a quick glance at PHONE calendars for Division I and II programs:


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

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Phone Call Guide For NCAA Division I Sports

Football: One call during the April 15-May 31 of the junior year, then 1 per

week after September 1 of the senior year.

Men’s Basketball: Unlimited calls beginning June 15 following the sopho-

more year.

Women’s Basketball: Unlimited calls beginning September 1 of the junior

year.

Cross Country, Track, Swimming/Diving: Beginning July 1 following the junior

year.

Men’s Ice Hockey: January 1 of the sophomore year.

All other sports: Unlimited phone calls beginning September 1 of the junior

year.

After June 15 following the sophomore year in high

school, there are NO RECRUITING RESTRICTIONS for

Division II coaches. That means UNLIMITED phone calls,

texts, in-person & off-campus visits, official (paid) visits,

and so on.

Phone Call Guide For NCAA Division II Sports

#8 The Pros & Cons of Camps It’s among the most frequently-debated topics in the world of college recruiting. Let’s start with some of your questions. “What’s the big deal with summer camps? What’s the point of going to a camp, or two, or three this summer? How do camps help me? Should I include summer camps as part of my college recruiting strategy? Will at-tending summer camps warrant scholarship offers? Do they help increase exposure? Am I required to go to a school’s camp in order to be recruited by them? How many camps should I register for? HELP ME! The truth is, as with many college recruiting-related topics, you’re bound to find several different perspectives and various answers to questions about summer camps. So depending on your individual collegiate goals, your projected Division I or II status, your availability and your budget, perhaps you should consider the pros and cons of at-tending summer camps before filling your calendar with camp dates. The Good Networking. Summer camps are great for networking with coaches and prospective athletes. You’re going to meet other student-athletes from around the country and be able to share your experiences with kids from various backgrounds. Plus, it’s NEVER a bad idea to build relationships with coaches, and camps are great face to face venues. Instruction. Camps help enhance athletic development and skill levels with advanced college-level instruction. So if you’re on the cusp of starting next season, what you learn at a camp may help give you the edge! Accurate Assessment. Gain new perspective on your abilities by performing with and against other top players your age. It’s common to overrate yourself. Camps often pro-vide a stage for helping you more precisely assess yourself. Unbiased Evaluation. College coaches usually don’t “sugar coat” things. So at camps, you’re likely to get the skinny about your true potential from credible sources that aren’t around you everyday. Fun. Camps can be a blast. Sure, you can pretty much count on working hard while you’re there, but most camps reserve plenty of time for fun activities as well. The Not-So Good Expensive. Camps aren’t cheap. In most cases, fees for overnight camps can range from $300-1,000, depending on the duration, format and amenities. So choose wisely. Crowds. It’s true… tons of kids show up to these things! You might visualize a few days of 1-on-1 instruction, only to show up with 500+ other prospects who are all expecting the same thing. So do your due diligence before registering. Know how many athletes will attend and understand the teaching format. It will spare you much disappointment. Exposure? Many camps have advertised in the past that their event was a great venue for creating national collegiate exposure. In reality, the only real exposure you should expect to receive is from the camp’s host university. In fact, NCAA recently passed rules which prohibit coaches from other colleges attending camps and combines off campus. So don’t attend a college camp this summer expecting national visibility, because it typi-cally doesn’t happen. Where? A common question among prospective campers… which camps should I at-tend? Your big name, Division I powerhouses attract the nations top prospects AND hoards of other campers every year. And it makes sense, too. Traditionally, camping at Pac 10, Big 10 and SEC-level schools were considered great resume-builders for hopeful college prospects. The problem is, most college coaches at these schools are relying on the attendance of a few key recruits. One college coach from an east coast Division I pro-gram told me recently that of the 400+ campers he is expecting to host, only about 7 or


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



8 of these athletes are on his staff’s “short list,” he called it. In fact, these were kids his staff had been corresponding with well in advance of the camp, and that the camp was a great opportunity for them to see these kids face-to-face. The other 290+ campers were sure to have fun and learn some important fundamentals, but they weren’t going to fac-tor into any future recruiting plans with this staff. Our message to high school athletes who are considering adding summer camps to their already incredibly busy schedules is this: Choose your camp locations carefully. Don’t go to a camp simply because it’s being hosted by a big-name school. Instead, camp at col-leges that have already shown genuine interest in you; where you have begun building relationships with the coaching staff long before the camp date. That way, camps aren’t just a place to spend 3 or 4 days and hundreds of dollars. Instead, they become part of your active recruiting game plan. Also, if you have your sights set on a particular college/university, and if you have the time and money to attend their camp, then do it! Go to their camp and have a blast. Hopefully, attending the camp will help solidify the coaches’ interest in you. But don’t put all your eggs in one basket, and don’t be incredibly surprised if the camp doesn’t produce a full-ride scholarship as a direct result of your attendance. For 99% of college prospects out there, several other stages of the recruiting process must occur before a scholarship offer is made. Finally, remember that college camps are opportunities for YOU to evaluate the coach-ing staff in person as well. While college coaches have the daunting task of narrowing their list of prospects from hundreds (sometimes thousands) down to just a select few, you too need to position yourself for multiple college options, and you should put in the time to thoroughly research these choices. Spending time on college campuses and spending time with college coaches is among your best research tactics.

#9 Interest Breeds Interest As long as we have been helping families navigate the college recruiting process, we estimate that 8 of 10 kids come to us with set preferences in mind and then end up going to a school completely counter to those preferences.

Bottom line, we do everything in our power to encourage our kids to keep an open mind from the onset. For one, most teenagers change their minds often and so schools they think they like at the start are typically not schools they end up liking two years down the road. Also, it's not uncommon for teenagers "preferences" to be inspired by what they hear from others, as opposed to what they actually experienced for themselves, and so their preferences are often based upon things that don't carry any real credibility toward their own personal decisions. It's been my overwhelming experience that many


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



kids really have no clue what they want or what really offers them the best "fit" for the next 4-5 years in college, and indirectly, for the next 50-70 years of their life without having drawn from their own personal experiences. The fact is, the more coaches kids can talk to, the more perspective they can personally gain towards making the right decision. They will learn not only about the process, but about themselves as well. Also, so much of recruiting is perception-based, and schools will often recruit kids they haven't even seen simply b/c other schools in their confer-ence are showing strong interest in them. Therefore, the more interest kids can get from more schools in general, the more leverage they'll ultimately have. So in our experience, getting interest from schools in different parts of the country is often the best way to gain interest from schools in your backyard. Interest breeds inter-est and the more you have, the more bona-fide prospect you become and the more op-tions you stand to gain. It's really the classic “blinders” approach that many parents/athletes take into the recruiting process. It’s fine if an athlete wants to stay relatively close to home, but it's actually counterproductive to initiate communication with coach-es in such a confined area. By expanding your options, you expand your ability to gener-ate maximum recruiting interest and that can directly improve your total number of op-tions.

#10 Game Plan + Execution = Success! For our final tip, we’re leaving parents with a small dose of reality... Going to camps, attending showcases, and receiving a few letters here and there does NOT necessarily mean your son or daughter is being recruited.

When you’re getting recruited, then you’re in regular communication with coaches. You’re getting hand-written letters and personal invites to private 1-day camps. You’re on the phone with coaches. You’re receiving multiple video requests. You’re being “followed” at showcases, and you’re connecting with coaches on Facebook. In other words, you’re building meaningful relationships with coaches and developing a deeper understanding of what your perfect fit school looks like. And so if these things aren’t happening for you, then you’re really not getting recruited yet. I know that’s a difficult reality for some athletes (and parents) to hear, but it’s important that you know the truth. The only way to make sure that you receive multiple offers is to get into as many recruit-ing funnels as possible. This is very much a numbers game. The more funnels you’re in, the more offers you’ll receive. And the more offers you have, the more choices you’ll have. And in the end, that’s what this is all about: having choices and choosing the perfect fit. So you need to ask yourself one question – where am I in the recruiting process right now… am I close to getting offers or am I far from it? If you’re in need of an effective game plan, look no further than The College Game Plan. The eight (8) components of this proven college recruiting strategy are the keys to a successful college recruitment experience. Want to get started? Call for a free strategy session today!


SAS QUICK FACTS


Rex Grayner & Zack

Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


college coaches



during 2013-2015








process



Does your college interest look like this?

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Why SAS is the #1 Solution for College-Bound Athletes

• SAS athletes build key relationships with many college coaches nationwide.

• Our students open college doors that would never have been explored. • SAS first-hand experiences & vast resources help families avoid costly

mistakes along the way. • SAS clients have their own personal college recruiting coordinator to

orchestrate the process.

• SAS athletes report college savings of tens of thousands of dollars per year.

• Parents feel the college experience is less stressful & more enjoyable with SAS in their corner.

• SAS athletes are far better positioned to secure an offer from Perfect Fit U.

• SAS is committed to helping student-athletes realize a lifelong dream.

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Walz





INSIDE THE NUMBERS


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during 2013-2015








process



https://www.facebook.com/StudentAthleteShowcase/

http://reach150.com/m/review/53049/httpstudent-athleteshowcasecom-student-athlete-showcase-scottsdale-az-college-athletic-scholarships

https://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/recruitment-services/student-athlete-showcase-llc-in-parker-co-90156475/reviews-and-complaints

10 things every parent should know about college...

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