Why would a questionnaire ask you to list the "top 5 other schools that are recruiting you"? I'm not comfortable disclosing that. Is there a graceful way to not answer?
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Pioneerdad
The school wants to get an idea as to who and what their competition is
Whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable in giving this info understand that they may already know who their competition is and just are looking for confirmation on your part
There are very few secrets in the recruiting process as it evolves
The school wants to get an idea as to who and what their competition is
Whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable in giving this info understand that they may already know who their competition is and just are looking for confirmation on your part
There are very few secrets in the recruiting process as it evolves
Good question. We wondered the same thing last fall. If you leave it blank, they think nobody else is calling. So we filled it in and figured they all know each other's business anyway.
Two things:
1. If they check, they know you're being pursued by other schools and that you're being candid (and honest).
2. It might make them more aggressive about you if they think other schools are interested.
The only negative we encountered was that some schools got nervous about the competition and started putting pressure on our son to choose. We just ignored that pressure, but then the college coaches started bugging our HS coach. That wasn't good.
Most coaches asked on the phone when they called, so expect that question in person, even if you don't fill it out on the questionnaire.
Not sure what the best answer to your question is, but that's how we handled it.
Two things:
1. If they check, they know you're being pursued by other schools and that you're being candid (and honest).
2. It might make them more aggressive about you if they think other schools are interested.
The only negative we encountered was that some schools got nervous about the competition and started putting pressure on our son to choose. We just ignored that pressure, but then the college coaches started bugging our HS coach. That wasn't good.
Most coaches asked on the phone when they called, so expect that question in person, even if you don't fill it out on the questionnaire.
Not sure what the best answer to your question is, but that's how we handled it.
Pioneer, how top protect your privacy & still be honest?
I'd personally think that level of detail is none of their business, however if they think it IS they should be willing to disclose to YOU all the players on THEIR on their recruiting list
sorry TR, college coaches DO NOT intentionally share recruit lists with their competition
AND . . . if the school doesn't know who their competition is, they are NOT very competent
my suggestion, would be to list the "Conferences" of some of the schools recruiting you & leave it at that
JMO
I'd personally think that level of detail is none of their business, however if they think it IS they should be willing to disclose to YOU all the players on THEIR on their recruiting list
sorry TR, college coaches DO NOT intentionally share recruit lists with their competition
AND . . . if the school doesn't know who their competition is, they are NOT very competent
my suggestion, would be to list the "Conferences" of some of the schools recruiting you & leave it at that
JMO
Chairman
I do not know who or what you are but we can agree to disagree because they do talk--
What are you Chairman of anyway?
I do not know who or what you are but we can agree to disagree because they do talk--
What are you Chairman of anyway?
TR, I agree coaches talk
heck, they'll even pass info on to other coaches regarding prospects they know but will not be recruiting (needs filled, academic fit, skill fit, etc) . .
(NOT TO COACHES IN THEIR CONFERENCE OR LIKELY TO MEET POST SEASON, aka "competition")
if you're saying they share inside info on prospects they are "actively recruiting" with their COMPETITION . .
yes I disagree, that's ridiculous
please give your examples, maybe you can change my mind
PS-when someone challenges you on an outrageous statement, what difference does it make if they are a CEO or a ditch digger? it's still ridiculous
heck, they'll even pass info on to other coaches regarding prospects they know but will not be recruiting (needs filled, academic fit, skill fit, etc) . .
(NOT TO COACHES IN THEIR CONFERENCE OR LIKELY TO MEET POST SEASON, aka "competition")
if you're saying they share inside info on prospects they are "actively recruiting" with their COMPETITION . .
yes I disagree, that's ridiculous
please give your examples, maybe you can change my mind
PS-when someone challenges you on an outrageous statement, what difference does it make if they are a CEO or a ditch digger? it's still ridiculous
I agree with TRHit on this. These questionnaires are generic and are used to get as much information as possible. Just as you would like to know how many players this coach is looking at for your son’s position, they also want to know who else is looking at your son. You can leave it blank and if they ask you can say you feel uncomfortable disclosing that information. We did share that information because I felt it was to our advantage to do so. Had I felt my "references" were weak I would have left it blank.
Fungo
Fungo
Don't think there is a graceful way not to disclose it....leave it blank and it seems you are saying....none of your business.....or there is no other interest in my son.....wouldn't want either of those messages sent to a Coach. Additionally as KCBaseball pointed out....every Coach that called....asked the question...so...you have to own up at some point in the recruitment process....why not up front?
Chairman
Your ID says EGO--- I like to know the background of people I debate with-- you have not given that to anyone here
I still say there are no secrets
Your ID says EGO--- I like to know the background of people I debate with-- you have not given that to anyone here
I still say there are no secrets
I can tell you that many of the coaches who called, even before they sent questionnaires, knew who else we were talking to. They all saw my son at the same event and attended the same cocktail hour for coaches and scouts. Maybe loose lips?
Somehow, someone is talking to someone else!
Somehow, someone is talking to someone else!
TR, you made me spill coke classic all over my keyboard 
re: "secrets" . . . you're back-tracking
it's one thing to observe that many "similar level" schools are after the same prospects
(no secret there),
but quite another to suggest they share detailed recruiting info on active prospects
with their competition
re: "secrets" . . . you're back-tracking
it's one thing to observe that many "similar level" schools are after the same prospects
(no secret there),
but quite another to suggest they share detailed recruiting info on active prospects
with their competition
good comments
a few more -
I do remember that question coming up, tho briefly/rarely on phone calls. I can't see why it would be suitable on a questionaire, as questionaire time was soph & jr yr -
if player is still a Jr the answer must be -NONE-
since multiple calls, multiple contacts, or an official visit offer(s) define being "recruited"
so anyway, I gotta assume PioneerSon is an unsigned Sr, and the questionaire school is "late in the mix" gathering info for late signing - has NOT seen the player, and is trying to get a frame of reference by inquiring who else has seen & is interested in the player
if you are NOT being recruited by others, rather than leave it blank, I'd think a good way to go would be note schools who expressed interest (letters),
OR as C-man suggested reference a conference - something like:
"several from the MAC, OVC, and Big South have expressed interest"
same as above if you rejected offers but don't want to name the schools
they'll understand what that means & appreciate you still were honest and also creative enough not to leave it blank
hope that helps
.
a few more -
I do remember that question coming up, tho briefly/rarely on phone calls. I can't see why it would be suitable on a questionaire, as questionaire time was soph & jr yr -
if player is still a Jr the answer must be -NONE-
since multiple calls, multiple contacts, or an official visit offer(s) define being "recruited"
so anyway, I gotta assume PioneerSon is an unsigned Sr, and the questionaire school is "late in the mix" gathering info for late signing - has NOT seen the player, and is trying to get a frame of reference by inquiring who else has seen & is interested in the player
if you are NOT being recruited by others, rather than leave it blank, I'd think a good way to go would be note schools who expressed interest (letters),
OR as C-man suggested reference a conference - something like:
"several from the MAC, OVC, and Big South have expressed interest"
same as above if you rejected offers but don't want to name the schools
they'll understand what that means & appreciate you still were honest and also creative enough not to leave it blank
hope that helps
.
I have to agree with TR on this one..
The baseball world is very small, all the same coaches are vying (is that a word?) for the same players and they do talk. During Jr's recruitment, everyone knew....the mail carrier seemed to know.
The baseball world is very small, all the same coaches are vying (is that a word?) for the same players and they do talk. During Jr's recruitment, everyone knew....the mail carrier seemed to know.
Interesting how much the mail carriers know about you from the mail!!
We always filled in the request and often listed schools in the same conference or one up that we had gotten letters from. With regard to the question during a phone call "who else is recruiting you?" at times my son turned it back to them with an immediate, "who else are you recruiting at my position?" or who and how many.
I would be as honest and upfront as possible. A more reasonable question for the college coaches to ask on a questionnaire would be to "list the three to five schools YOU are interested in attending." The college coach / coaches are surely going to speak w/ the high school coach and will find out via the HS coach or elsewhere who is recruiting said prospect. The High School coach (most of them any way) will probably be proud that Johnny Prospect is being recruited by Joe Blow Univ and will probably be more than willing to let other college coaches know when they inquire. Kind of tooting his own horn so to speak.
The question "Who else are you being recruited by?" may also be used by Large Univs that recruit nationally and whom have never seen your son play. It is a way to find out if they are barking up the right tree, if you will. It is also a way for smaller schools to do the same thing. They send a questionnaire from middle of the road D-II school and find out that you are being recruited by U of Nebraska, So. Miss U and U of Florida, it can help them not waste your time or theirs.
If you leave it blank.....they eventually offer you 50%......then you pop on them that another school offered a little more.....now you appear dishonest if all the while they did not you were being recruited by that school....do they want to deal w/ that person in their program? Maybe they do...but maybe they don't and pull their offer......
I just suggest you answer honestly.....They know you are going to shop them....Heck you want your kid to be in situation where he has an opportunity to play as soon as possible.....where he enjoys the school (he has to LIVE there for possibly five years).....where he likes the coaching staff.....and puts as little a finacial burden on you (parents). They know ALL of these things....
Also by answering honestly it may help you get a little more money from them....they think "wow i really want to sign this kid and so does my in-conference rival, I can't let them get him so I will offer more than they do."
It is also possible for a university to offer a kid they do not expect to sign, but offer only to make the school they know the prospect wants to attend up their offer......does that make sense..???/ I hope so.....
If you keep it secret I feel you are doing you and your son a disservice.....It could cost your son an opportunity(s) and you some money.......It will be no secret to the college coach who HAS seen your son play the caliber of school / baseball program that will recruit him.......
BE HONEST....And I am aware that they are always not....but most are....They are, as you know, limited in their ability to hand out full rides and must make sure they get the most bang for their buck, just as you will surely try and do.
I think it should be considered an honor that someone shows interest in your son.....and this may seem harsh...I don't mean it to be .....but when you had your son nobody promised to pay for his school.....I like to think it is something to be earned..
The question "Who else are you being recruited by?" may also be used by Large Univs that recruit nationally and whom have never seen your son play. It is a way to find out if they are barking up the right tree, if you will. It is also a way for smaller schools to do the same thing. They send a questionnaire from middle of the road D-II school and find out that you are being recruited by U of Nebraska, So. Miss U and U of Florida, it can help them not waste your time or theirs.
If you leave it blank.....they eventually offer you 50%......then you pop on them that another school offered a little more.....now you appear dishonest if all the while they did not you were being recruited by that school....do they want to deal w/ that person in their program? Maybe they do...but maybe they don't and pull their offer......
I just suggest you answer honestly.....They know you are going to shop them....Heck you want your kid to be in situation where he has an opportunity to play as soon as possible.....where he enjoys the school (he has to LIVE there for possibly five years).....where he likes the coaching staff.....and puts as little a finacial burden on you (parents). They know ALL of these things....
Also by answering honestly it may help you get a little more money from them....they think "wow i really want to sign this kid and so does my in-conference rival, I can't let them get him so I will offer more than they do."
It is also possible for a university to offer a kid they do not expect to sign, but offer only to make the school they know the prospect wants to attend up their offer......does that make sense..???/ I hope so.....
If you keep it secret I feel you are doing you and your son a disservice.....It could cost your son an opportunity(s) and you some money.......It will be no secret to the college coach who HAS seen your son play the caliber of school / baseball program that will recruit him.......
BE HONEST....And I am aware that they are always not....but most are....They are, as you know, limited in their ability to hand out full rides and must make sure they get the most bang for their buck, just as you will surely try and do.
I think it should be considered an honor that someone shows interest in your son.....and this may seem harsh...I don't mean it to be .....but when you had your son nobody promised to pay for his school.....I like to think it is something to be earned..