I guess in this season of political campaigns and inflated rhetoric we shouldn’t be surprised that recruiters are ratcheting up the “spin” machines in an effort to self-promote their programs. While the approach is understandable, at least to a small degree, it’s embarrassing to see some of the stretched truths and distorted perspectives being painted for upcoming prospects and their families. Eventually you hope reality will prevail and recruits will see through the smoke and mirrors before putting any stock in the creative claims of college coaches.

A prime example is the just recently announced list of nominees for the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game. Recruiters, high school and club coaches and parents have literally gushed over the pseudo validation they take from their favorites being in the Golden Arches mix and having a certificate to hang on the wall.

The reality with McDonalds is the legitimate honor lies solely in actually being named one of the 24 All-Americans selected to participate in the March 30 game in Chicago. The nomination itself doesn’t remotely have as much wind in its sails as some would have you think. Over 400 girls made up the 2016 pool of potential selections thus watering down the “elite” perspective portrayed in the recruiting efforts and social media of some of our finer institutions of higher learning.

Further tempering the magnitude of a hopeful McDonald’s campaign is the fact that the genesis of a nomination can come from any of four sources. Three of those entities in a position to throw an athlete’s name into the ring are…here it is…her own principal, athletic director and coach. Think there might be just a slight modicum of bias in that particular arrangement? The other source for nominations is the selection committee themselves who, in theory, should be objective and ethical. With three quarters of the potential to nominate lying within a player’s “circle of trust” you have to take the chest beating and flag waving with a grain…and more accurately a shaker…of salt.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not minimizing a McDonald’s nomination. It’s just important that parents, future recruits, fans of college programs, media and the athletes themselves keep what it actually means in rational perspective. A nomination is not in any way a validation of elite status. It doesn’t even mean an athlete is among the top 400 in their class. It’s doesn’t come with a guarantee of collegiate success nor does it make a statement about the strength of any collegiate signing class…regardless of how coaches might try to promote it.

The avalanche of social media and dramatic magnification of this year’s nominations is an issue in several ways. First off, the expectations that come with the word McDonalds attached to a player’s resume set many up for a challenging battle. If there is no understanding of the dramatic difference between a nominee and an actual All-American selection there’s going to be some head scratching and potential disappointment. Overhyped nominations unfairly frame how genuinely successful and accomplished athletes are viewed. They deserve better.

In the recruiting realm, younger prospects and their families need to view the number of McDonald’s nominees in the signing classes of programs they are considering with tremendous caution and skepticism. While college coaches sell this point hard and tell you all about the talent of your potential “future teammates”, you have to always keep in mind where the actual nominations came from. It’s hard to imagine too many athletes who don’t have their own coaches and administrators in their corner. There are even college coaches who help steer the high school coaches and high school administrators through the actual process just so that they can add a little fuel to their recruiting fires.

The other nomination misrepresentation is that of the individual states. Because of the nature of the process the number of nominees from any one particular state is in no way a representation of the strength of basketball in comparison to any other. It’s more likely an indication of size and population. Of course, that in turn may produce more elite players but the number of McDonald’s nominees isn’t a calling card or bragging right.

Being a McDonald’s All-American is perceived to be the Gold Standard of scholastic basketball achievement and rightfully so. The players selected are the elite in the class. Is there room for debate? Always. As with any selection process the last few in and the last few left out can always be deliberated to some degree. It would be impossible to speculate why this high profile player or that big name athlete does not get selected. If a player is that caliber of player and puts themselves on the appropriate big stages of high school and club basketball…they will be able to make their case.

Detouring for just a moment, let’s clear up a tremendous misnomer. In defense of committee members accused of promoting, blackballing or unduly influencing players of preference…it’s not possible. Sure, they’re free to nominate as they see fit but nobody can ultimately make someone an All-American nor can they keep anyone off the final teams. The size of the committee and the private ballot process prohibit anyone from having that kind of influence. Individuals peddling the illusion of McDonald’s influence should run for political office because that’s the landscape where lies and dishonesty are a way of life.

Protecting the integrity of the process, McDonald’s makes just two announcements. The first is the complete list of nominees and the second being the actual 24 players chosen as All-Americans. With 430 girls nominated this year, 404 will have come equally close to the ultimate honor in the public eye when the announcement is made Sunday night (01/17/16). Nobody can claim to have been a finalist or to have made it to any particular point in the process. There is no second team or honorable mention.

While the nomination process is essentially open to any player in the good graces of their own coach, principal or A.D., the reality is that there is a tremendous difference between being a nominee and actually being a McDonald’s All-American. That’s not a put down of those who don’t make it; it’s a compliment to those who do. Though the extent of talent in this country continues to reach new heights and younger players are offering an exciting and advanced level of play for the future, the elite in each class are still just that…elite.

So, while it’s nice for all these schools to brag, boast and promote their signees and parents to beam with pride over their nominated daughters…let’s tone it down a bit. Keep nominations in perspective in terms of what they actually are. Be proud of something more tangible and carrying more legitimacy than a recommendation from someone already in their corner. A signed letter of intent or a scholarship offer is a much greater affirmation and endorsement than any certificate or consideration for an athletic honor. Someone believes enough in who she is and what she’s done to invest in her athletic and academic future with their job on the line. That’s worthy of a Happy Meal every day of the week.