Last time out I offered up my take on the similarities between the recruiting process and the efforts of those seeking political office. Quite frankly the parallels are disturbing given the general lack of integrity that commonly comes with candidates and their crusades to save the world. However, the potential is still there for a great decision if the athlete / voter takes their time, does their homework and holds their suitors accountable for their campaign promises.
http://www.bluestarmedia.org/index.php/component/k2/item/1056-recruiting-rhetoric-and-reality
With Tuesday’s elections behind us, we now get an all too brief break from the bombardment of the propaganda and undeliverable promises that have been showered upon us by winners and losers alike. As with the signing period in recruiting, the jury is now in on just whose sales pitch the voters bought and whose message got lost in the mess that defines modern day political campaigns. While the victors now have to prove that they actually “can” disperse rain clouds and deliver rainbows, those on the short end of the mid-term returns will re-load the cannons, create a new and “enhanced” version of the truth and take aim at us one more time.
In our world the “recruiting” doesn’t always come from just one side of the equation. Unlike the registered voters of any electorate who seldom offer feedback to the aspiring leaders on bumper stickers and yard signs, there are some hardwood hopefuls and their “advisors” who are beyond brazen in the exaltations they distribute while operating completely in the dark regarding their ultimate impact. Just like the political landscape, the moment has come for some “equal time” on behalf of recruiters and those of us operating under the banner of media or evaluator. So, being the shining beacon that I always strive to be (Notice I said nothing about “bright”!) I’m going to shed some light on the hype that comes our way from the well-intended parents, coaches and players in virtually every class.
First off, the issue doesn’t lie in the information itself. As a Division I recruiting coordinator for 25 years and now a seven year member of the media surrounding girl’s high school and club basketball I can tell you with confidence that schedules, results, stats, updates, etc… are all welcomed. However, always keep in mind just how it will be received and utilized. You’re not going to advance a player’s potential by way of a video clip, e-mail or tweet. Don’t waste your time, and theirs, by writing the next great American novel in an effort to promote a player. A good recruiter, writer or evaluator is always going to base their assessment of any prospect on what they see on the floor in person. A coach’s job depends on it while the media and recruiting services maintain credibility with readers and subscribers by way of first hand appraisals. A dissertation isn’t going to change the reality of her game.
Though information is appreciated, a “daily briefing” that many send just might come across as a bit of overkill. Staying in touch and keeping someone up to date is something that requires a diplomatic appreciation of the time constraints of those you want to share things with. Hit the send button too often and there’s a good chance many of your communication efforts will go unopened. Send details about the mundane or meaningless and they won’t get much attention either. Make sure what you shared this week leads them to look forward to what might come their way next time around.
Now, let’s get down to the enormous and very real pothole in the information superhighway. Call it sales. Call it marketing. Call it advocacy or even shameless self-promotion. The reality is that some of the stuff that comes our way qualifies as wishful thinking, bad fiction, false advertisement and in most circles…pure B.S. The information that has to be read with a pair of boots on is not only given minimal credibility, it also creates a challenging hill for the anointed athlete to climb. I fully understand parental bias, but if a prospect is portrayed as walking on water, anything short of a major modern miracle next time she’s in action will be judged as a disappointment or seen as not living up to the hype.
A major tendency lately from the camps of several prospects is the attempt to create the illusion of interest from various schools. Unofficial visits and phone calls initiated by the prospect and her family may open a front door but are hardly an invitation to come on in. Good recruiters take the calls of many, many prospects in all classes. Programs unofficially host more than their share of players on campus that they have yet to offer and entertain many that they would never pull the trigger on at all. Call it good politics, community relations or simply seeing a bigger picture.
No coach is going to recruit a specific athlete because they’re under the impression that another staff happens to be pursuing her nor is a player’s ranking by creditable media or the various services going to be inflated by the schools supposedly in her recruiting mix. One 2014 grad last year shared her final list of five schools of which three were unaware that they were even still recruiting her. Didn’t make her a stronger prospect and certainly did nothing to increase her standing with those actually interested in her future.
The same goes for offers. You have to love the portrayal of a huge number of offers rather than a specific listing of who put their cards on the table. When you hear that “she has 18 offers”, chances are, she doesn’t. It’s ironic that often the ones claiming an extraordinary number of scholarship invitations are not the ones you see ranked among the elite of the class. Mom, Dad, Coach…if you want to puff out your chest a bit go ahead, be proud, but don’t hide behind anonymity. No school who genuinely wants an athlete’s commitment is going to have an issue with her or her family making the offer public. Be bold and tell everyone who they are. Keep in mind that padding the list may keep some very realistic possibilities from getting involved and becoming an option.
Another trend these days seems to be the anointment of a player as the “best” or “top” whatever and the occasional inclusion in some mythical rankings that nobody can seem to find. Labeling or tagging them yourself is presumptuous and can create expectations that would lead to the bar being held higher next time she’s seen on the floor. Coaches, media and evaluators are experienced professionals (for the most part) who see an extensive line-up of players. They’re not blind either. Once again this year I’ve got another parent spouting off that he “doesn’t have to see anyone else to know she’s (his daughter) one of the best in her class”. She’s not even close. She’ll play college ball and get her education paid for but he’s not helping her situation by putting her on a pedestal higher than her skill set will ever take her. Top players don’t have to be “sold” to anyone; their game does that for them.
While recruiting videos are not likely to go viral, they have become a lot more tolerable to watch than in the recent past. The message seems to have gotten out that the editing had to stop. Hollywood quality highlight films have never been an asset in the evaluation of a player. The five minute clip that shows only made shots or dramatic passes was always taken with a grain of salt. Stick with unedited game video. Save the graphics, effects, music and slow motion replays for social media and the relatives. If you want to send something, send one full quarter against four separate opponents. Few people are going to watch much more than that and they’ll want to see that her play is consistent each time out. Coaches and evaluators know that she’ll miss shots and turn the ball over at times. They’re interested not just in what she does well but how she reacts when things don’t go her way.
By the way, speaking for myself and several coaching friends, videos of a player working out simply do not carry much weight. If performing well in skills, drills and unguarded shooting were an indication of talented play the Hall of Fame would have to expand to the size of the Mall of America. The proof is on the floor at game time against quality competition. I had one mother recently claim that a workout video showed just how hard her daughter worked. I would hope so since she knew the camera was on. Hate to think Mom would send a clip of the next All-American going through the motions and not even breaking a sweat. The belief that you’re more committed than the rest is a dangerous concept. The smart player assumes everyone else is working harder and uses that as motivation to go the extra mile and tap into that potential that will take them deeper into the possibilities that lie within. Working hard should be viewed as a given, not a selling point.
Recruiting is a two way street, particularly if you’re trying to generate interest or create a deeper pool of options. However, for it to be effective there has to be honesty, restraint and none of the insecurity that often emanates from the well-intended people surrounding an athlete. Legitimate top tier players don’t have to market themselves or convince coaches, evaluators and media of the stature of their play. Scholarship offers, media coverage and rankings are the result of potential, persistence and productivity. We live in an age of unlimited and multifaceted communication, and like our friends in the political arena, the validity and integrity of the message we share says as much about us as the words themselves. Choose your approach carefully.
