The team approach during the college athletics recruiting process is suggested to maximize efficiency and minimize individual pressure and stress as families navigate a potentially daunting effort. Forming a trustworthy group of individuals who play specific roles during the recruiting cycle will increase your chances of reaching predetermined goals.
Suggested Team Players:
· Prospect
· Parents
· HS coach
· Club Coach
· Guidance counselor/College advisor
· Personal mentor/advisor (if applicable)
By selecting the team approach, the responsibilities in effectively executing your recruiting plan is equally distributed to the area experts. All assignments should be clearly spelled out and communication between team members should be often and consistent. This will help streamline the complete operation of the project and assist in avoiding any confusion that could contribute to unclear thinking, misdirection and potentially poor choices.
· Financial aid/scholarships
· Admissions
· Development of target calendar
· Research (schools, majors, athletic programs, rankings)
· Video, website and profile development
· Planned communication and contact log
· Campus Visits
· Standardized test preparation
· Organizing communication “role play"
· Researching college profiles and determining potential compatibility
If a family is well organized for college recruiting and with a detailed plan of action, they will be prepared to clearly explain the “nuts and bolts" of the plan. This includes defining individual assignments, responsibility for and predetermined deadlines and available resources for the team to meet these goals.
The Team Leader
Designate a team leader who basically “runs the offense" and who is responsible in maintaining consistent communication and providing bi-weekly progress reports (using an e-blast or newsletter format can be an effective and fun way to accomplish this!). Consider using an Excel organizational chart whereby the team leader can manage the list of “things to do" with relative ease. The team leader should forward regular progress reports that are simple and easy to understand.
A “team" meeting is a great first step in developing group cohesion. Schedule the meeting approximately 1 year prior to the early signing period (mid November). Plan to meet at a location that is convenient for all team members to attend. If your team consists of players who live outside the region, schedule an online meeting. Either way, the meeting should be highly organized and include a Power Point presentation that will create a seamless explanation of the complete recruiting process. The general plan should be broken down into specific responsibility areas, with the goal that each team player should leave the meeting with a clear understanding and appreciation of their role in the process.
The college athletics recruiting process has become extremely competitive and the family who prepares proactively and carefully will have the better chance at success. Surrounding the prospect with a group of people who offer strength in designated areas of the process will only help lighten the workload of the family and increase efficiency in what has truly become an overwhelming task. Not only does the team approach create a streamlined effort, it develops confidence, especially in the prospect, who realizes, appreciates and welcomes a caring group of people who have his/her best interests in mind.
Tom Kovic is the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting." For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com. |
