Thanks Ripken and JCG. That totally helped us out.
I've talked to a lot of parents this summer and have heard some really wacky ideas about the recruiting process. I have mentioned this site numerous times, but so many parents either don't seem to want to learn or think they already have all the answers. Thanks to everyone who contributes and make this site such a wealth of information for those of us who need the guidance.
At most colleges all full time coaches other than volunteers are involved in recruiting. Just over the last year or two they changed the rules. Used to be only two coaches from a college could attend events. Now they can, and they sometimes do, send three coaches. All of them are evaluating players and involved in recruiting.
So, regarding contact if you can't figure out who the recruiting coordinator is, just contact any of the assistants. If you send a video, and someone watches it, the person watching it will know what he is looking for. Some that stand out, will end up being seen by their entire staff. Others will be filed away. And it's a waste of time and money trying to produce an award winning video. A good player in a poorly done video will get much more interest than a bad player in a masterpiece.
What exactly IS a volunteer coach?
Iowamom23 posted:What exactly IS a volunteer coach?
A coach that doesnt get paid. NCAA only allows 3 paid coaches in D1. The 4th is paid salary through the HC camp. No benefits from the school, life, health etc and cannot recruit. Many coaches begin or end careers as volunteers.
I am not sure of the other divisions but a lot has to do with economics.p
Are you guys sure on the September 1 contact period? According to this page, the contact period started Aug. 1 and September 1 is actually in a "quiet period". Am I reading this wrong?
Chris Dunn posted:Are you guys sure on the September 1 contact period? According to this page, the contact period started Aug. 1 and September 1 is actually in a "quiet period". Am I reading this wrong?
Quiet Period mainly restricts face-to-face contact not on campus. Phone, text, email, etc communication is still permitted.
MidAtlanticDad posted:Chris Dunn posted:Are you guys sure on the September 1 contact period? According to this page, the contact period started Aug. 1 and September 1 is actually in a "quiet period". Am I reading this wrong?
Quiet Period mainly restricts face-to-face contact not on campus. Phone, text, email, etc communication is still permitted.
Right, but they are saying not to expect anything until September 1 because that is when the contact period starts when it in fact starts August 1st, if I am reading that link correctly.
Chris Dunn posted:MidAtlanticDad posted:Chris Dunn posted:Are you guys sure on the September 1 contact period? According to this page, the contact period started Aug. 1 and September 1 is actually in a "quiet period". Am I reading this wrong?
Quiet Period mainly restricts face-to-face contact not on campus. Phone, text, email, etc communication is still permitted.
Right, but they are saying not to expect anything until September 1 because that is when the contact period starts when it in fact starts August 1st, if I am reading that link correctly.
This is why we need people like Rick Allen to guide us. My interpretation is that the "9/1 of junior year" restriction is part of a set of rules that are separate from the recruiting calendar. It still appears to be in effect.
I think it is important to understand that recruiting doesn't necessarily stop just because coaches have quiet and dead periods. Yes, they are limited in what they can do, but they don't just forget about recruiting during these periods. They are still gathering information, reading reports, watching video, etc. College coaches know what is going on, even if they can't go watch or have contact.
Root - Just a follow up on the 2018 arms.
PBR is reporting from their Future Games attendance (64) 87mph +, (16) of which touched 90+.
Keep in mind PG All Americans and Area Codes are going to have more, many more.
Couple those events with under the radar and players that simply weren't invited or have never attended a high profile showcase or PG event. My guess is 150-200 in the 87mph plus and likely around 50 topping 90mph across the U.S. map.
This is a great thread. Very informative. Couple of questions:
(1) In reading this thread, I sounded like some of the kids just cold-called the coaches. For those who tried that approach, was it at all effective? Did it turn into interest?
(2) Son has emailed a couple dozen schools with videos, but so far has only emailed schools that he will be in front of (or near) this summer, and has only called those coaches who have responded (through his travel coach) to his emails by requesting a phone call. For those who had a broader email campaign, did you notice a difference in responsiveness between "I'm interested in your school" emails, on the one hand, and "I'm interested in your school and I'm going to be playing at an event you are attending," on the other?
If you have something to spark the coaches interest like a subject line of ......"6'3" Left hitting Catcher" or "Lefty Pitcher" or "6'4" any position", I believe one will get a return email!
The video of no more than 2 min or ideally 1.5 min will do the job. Most coaches get 100's of email a day and need to filter them out somehow. An intro that makes you stand out right from the start will give you a better chance of the email being opened. Also it helps to know who you are marketing to. Big Time State U does not need your video. It is the schools that do not have the recruiting budget to get out and cast a wide net that will look.
Just my opinion.
JABMK posted:If you have something to spark the coaches interest like a subject line of ......"6'3" Left hitting Catcher" or "Lefty Pitcher" or "6'4" any position", I believe one will get a return email!
The video of no more than 2 min or ideally 1.5 min will do the job. Most coaches get 100's of email a day and need to filter them out somehow. An intro that makes you stand out right from the start will give you a better chance of the email being opened. Also it helps to know who you are marketing to. Big Time State U does not need your video. It is the schools that do not have the recruiting budget to get out and cast a wide net that will look.
Just my opinion.
Agree 100% JABMK. Thanks.
OTOH, if you don't have that type of hook to "sell," my theory was that the kid putting something in the subject line that details that he will be playing near them or at a camp they're attending might spark interest, and it seems to be working. But of course it limits the targets quite a bit, because he won't be playing everywhere . . .
But just sending emails without any "hook" or cold-calling coaches seems like a tough road . . . OTOH, it probably has worked for other HSBBW posters' sons . . . I'd love to hear others' experiences, good or bad.
JABMK posted:If you have something to spark the coaches interest like a subject line of ......"6'3" Left hitting Catcher" or "Lefty Pitcher" or "6'4" any position", I believe one will get a return email!
The video of no more than 2 min or ideally 1.5 min will do the job. Most coaches get 100's of email a day and need to filter them out somehow. An intro that makes you stand out right from the start will give you a better chance of the email being opened. Also it helps to know who you are marketing to. Big Time State U does not need your video. It is the schools that do not have the recruiting budget to get out and cast a wide net that will look.
Just my opinion.
Even better to include GPA in the subject line, assuming it is a plus factor.
The best situation is to be playing for a travel coach with credibility. He can contact programs on behalf of the player expressing interest. Plus he can do some selling.
RJM posted:The best situation is to be playing for a travel coach with credibility. He can contact programs on behalf of the player expressing interest. Plus he can do some selling.
From what I've seen, this has been the most effective conversation starter/interest generator.
Most coaches (not all) do not have time to sit and watch videos or read emails. Many of them get 100s a week. Often, they will give it the info to a volunteer assistant, to read in his spare time, who might pass on anyone of interest to the recruiting coach, who is paid to recruit.
RJM has given the best advice. Your HS or travel coaches, should be helping in contacting the program on your behalf. If the coach has credibility, its all the more reason to help state your case.
JMO
Thanks RJM, TPM, and Shu. My son has a well-known travel coach who has been doing this for over 15 years, so that will certainly be something we'll lean on going forward.
