I recently received an email inviting me to a prospect camp. I know these emails are used to get players to come to camps and allow the schools to make money. Unlike other emails I have received this one offered me 3 complimentary tickets to the schools men's basketball game the day before the camp. Does anyone have any experience with something like this or know what it means?
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It could just mean the basketball team sucks.
But, seriously, we need more context. Have you had any sort of prior dialog with this coaching staff? Is family coming along that they are aware of? Has there been communication between this school and your summer team coaches or HS coaches? Is it a high profile program that draws good crowds to the basketball games?
I have gotten quite a few emails from This school inviting me to camps wishing me a good thanksgiving, etc, but I I just assumed it was like a mass email until now. I'm suppose to let the recruiting coordinator know who is coming with me to the game. It mentioned in the email NCAA only allows them to give 3 tickets so I guess that's part of the letting them know thing.
This is a golden opportunity for you to start a real dialog with the RC. If you are interested in the school, pick up the phone and call him with your questions. If you aren't able to reach him by phone then email or text him as a follow up. Demonstrating interest and initiative goes a long way. Good luck.
As always, JMO.
Sounds like they consider you a prospect:
Complimentary Admissions for a Prospect on an Unofficial Visit. An institution may provide a maximum of three complimentary admissions (issued through a pass list) to a campus athletics event in which the institution’s intercollegiate team practices or competes. Such complimentary admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospect on the visit, must be issued on an individual game basis, and may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility utilized for conducting the event. Providing seating during the conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospect or those accompanying the prospect in the facility’s press box, special seating box or bench area is specifically prohibited. (Bylaw 13.8.2.1)
If you're considering this school, it sounds like they're considering you too and you should think about going. If you want to skip camp (because you're not throwing/playing right now), they may still want to see you and have you check out the facilities. Either way, the 3 free tickets to the game will still be there if they truly consider you a prospect.
Hmmm. Heard of the tix as part of a "junior days". Or as part of an unofficial visit. Sounds like a marketing thing to me, though as GHHS pointed out you are on the school's "radar", albeit likely small "r" on radar at this point.
They offered you and every other 2017 the same.
They want to impress you but probably more want to raise funds for their camp.
Not to hijack the original question as it is related. Our 2017 was recently invited to a "baseball weekend" at a high academic school. He has not been to any of their camps, but gets the invites all the time. The weekend includes tickets to a school sporting event and a required $5 charge by the NCAA for some drinks, but no other known charges but the travel/lodging. We are wondering if this is a mass marketing as well as it was not personalized (just of course the way anyone can personalize any mass email with a name).
TwoBoys: Given the context (and your son's graduation year) it sounds like a "junior day" event. My son attended two of them - one at an Ivy, the other at a High Academic (non-Ivy D1).
If the program is of interest, and son has had some contact with the school, it's worthwhile. Son was surprised when one of the two events had 100 prospects; he recognized that there were likely SEVERAL OTHERS who could not attend and were a high target for school.
Usually there is some structure and prospects are divided up into groups and given tours of school and facilities in addition to the "munchies ($5 req) and sporting event. So to answer your question, I see it as a "controlled" mass mailing, then MASS MAILING.
