Alright, here's a question. As the kids enter HS and start their recruiting process, is a team website for their summer/showcase/travel team important?
I have seen some programs with very expansive websites listing practice/game schedules, prior/current commitments, coaches info, and roster info. Some even have the players recruiting profile linked.
Is this just fluff, or is it helpful in the process? Thanks in advance.
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IMO its fluff. A good program will have contacts with the colleges and scouts and will be in contact with them outside of the webpage. The page is good to promote the team and bring in players but probably does not do too much in helping the kids get seen.
IMO its fluff.
Perhaps, but it's not fluff for the team. It's a lot easier to ask a parent for $500 per month when you've got a slick website featuring your D1, MILB & MLB alumni on the homepage.
The funny thing is keep checking that website...a lot of times they just stop updating and your looking at two year old info. Always cracks me up.
As JCG suggests, it seems the only pertinent info is to the program's(business) benefit.
Nothing in it for the kids benefit. IMO
And they certainly don't want to share much info with the parents
I like the team websites that list starting P schedule for a tourn.
It's marketing for the organization. And a way to communicate roster, game and practice info. And a way to remind everyone of the dues.
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
Alright, here's a question. As the kids enter HS and start their recruiting process, is a team website for their summer/showcase/travel team important?
If I had my druthers, I’d keep everything on the HS team’s website from the 1st game as a frosh to the last summer game as a graduated Sr. The reason being, if all that’s there is the summer stuff, that’s at least 6 months of info that goes unnoticed, and the same goes for the HS site because there’s nothing there other than for spring.
The good ones have minimal hype, support informed consumer choices and give a preview of how they conduct business.
Sites with updated information for current players about practice plans and travel schedules reflect well on the organization's ability to organize and communicate.
Sites with rosters for each squad at each age group give a clear idea of the level of internal competition they foster and give a context for evaluating the alumni/commitment/draft sections.
Sites with contact information and bios for the coaches of their squads let parents know the kind of qualifications and networks their coaches bring to the field.
Like everything else, read with discernment.
This entire topic is hilarious. Its 2014. The guy that cleans the lent out of my dryer has a website (had a near fire caused by the dryer few years back).
Why in the world would anyone question a youth organization having a website?
Websites are great for communication with the players, parents & oh by the way, the college coaches. At a very minimum, rosters should be there.
Of course, the teams we partner with put link directly to their players videos. Here is a nice site run by the 2014 PG Underclass Champs Virginia Cardinals... http://virginiacardinals.webs.com
They've linked to their players videos, have some news, list player commitments, and have a donate section. This, like many teams, is a 501c3 non profit organization.
Despite another post, websites are not expensive. In fact, many are free.
Concerning just utilizing a coach's rolodex, while yes I agree a coach's contact list is very important. However, for every college coach knows I'd bet there are 5 or 10 or 100 they do not know. So why not give those coaches a way to track you down? Networking is the key to placing kids. I guarantee that every year new young coaches join the profession who have no idea who you are.
Welcome to the future.
Rich
Website developer, Dot Com Owner, Master networker via social media.
PlayInSchool.com
Rich - You're absolutely right!
I applaud the programs that take them seriously.
Agree as well with social media, as I follow you on twitter.
It's a great way to network, and have and provide information with ease.
Unfortunately, my response above was a bit cynical.
On our programs website, outside of the alumni commits, all we have for info is our roster. And they don't even show what high school we attend. smh!
