Marketing scholarship offers during the athletic recruiting process

We recently had a comment from a parent who sits in a very desirable situation.  Even though his son is just entering his junior year of high school, he already holds two early scholarship offers.  What that means is his son has already gotten off to a great start in the recruiting process.  But with the offers in hand, now is a great time to capitalize on them.

I have always mentioned that making your offers public is important during the recruiting process.  Some feel differently, but I strongly feel that if schools see other programs recruiting you, they are going to take a closer look at you because of that interest.  Never lie about the amount of interest that you actually have but part of marketing yourself is letting other colleges and media outlets know that the scholarship offers are on the table.

While I don’t know all that much about the situation with the offers, the hope is that on September 1st these scholarships will become offers on paper instead of just a verbal offer.  I have heard many stories about coaches offering verbal scholarships and never coming through.  But for the sake of this article, lets say that the hard copies of the offers will be coming early next month.

If there have been other schools outside of the two recruiting this athlete, make sure to let the coaches know that there are two offers on the table.  As a parent, you can send an email update to the coach who you have had the most contact with.  Tell them about how the preseason practices/early games are going for your son, their updated height/weight, and about the recruiting interest.  The more coaches that know, the better for you.

The offers may also help you open more doors to schools that an athlete has grown up dreaming to play for.  In the third step of the Five Steps to a Scholarship Offer, I stress to market your child or yourself to college coaches.  When you pick new schools to contact and send your recruiting profile to, make sure to include that these two have offered early scholarship offers.  Make sure to include the date as well because you really have to be an excellent recruit to get offers so early in the recruiting process.

Once those are done, the third and final step is contact media outlets.  If it was me, the first place I would go is to check Rivals.com and see if the schools that have offered have a website on their network.  If it is updated frequently and people actually seem to care about it, then email the publisher and introduce yourself with mention of the offer.  If the site is poorly run (Most of the major BCS schools have the best sites), then email the recruiting experts at Rivals in your area (Click here for a full list of contact information).  Also, make sure to check out the high school site in your state and judge if it is worth contacting them about the information.  With these prep sites, only a few are done well so think hard if it is worth it.

After you have tried Rivals.com, do the exact same steps with Scout.  Look for sites at the schools that have offered and then try contacting their recruiting experts (Click here for the full list of contact information).  Last but not least, try the high school site in your state as well.  After that, the third place I would contact is ESPN.  I have tried searching for their contact information but it is definitely tricky.  Click here for what I found.  Also don’t forget about 247Sports.

The last place I would contact would be your local newspaper.  Find out who the prep writer is for your area (Most should already know this) and email them about the offers.  While it does not mean they are going to drop everything and do an article, it is good to let them know for future articles.

The reason that you tell college coaches about this is that offers breed more offers.  I really believe that.  Contacting Rivals, Scout, and ESPN is the next step to get the word out about the offers.  College coaches love checking out those sites so they will likely see it and move on from there.

Again, having scholarships before your junior year is a great thing.  It says a lot about the athlete and their ability on the field and you are in a very good position at this point.

 

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Sending out highlight videos without prior contact is not the way to go in football recruiting

Last week I put together an article that talked about ways to save money throughout the athletic recruiting process and even specifically for the football recruiting process.  One of the ten that drew a lot of attention was related to this.  Do not send out tape unless a coach requests it:  It makes me sick when recruits tell me that they send out game tape and don’t get a response. The reason is because it is not a smart thing to do and it wastes time. College coaches have a hard enough time viewing all of the tape that they request. If you are sending tape without making prior contact, you might as well do something else with your time. That is likely what happens anyways when you do this.

I received some very interesting responses to this and some more questions.  If I don’t send out the game tape, then how exactly are college coaches going to watch my highlight video?  Let me tell you that sending out tape prior to hearing from the coaches will not get you a ton of interest.  One athlete emailed me about doing this and you would be surprised about the lack of responses:

I will keep the name of the athlete out of the picture but what he said was very important to this article.

“I’ve submitted film to over 40 schools over the summer, film from my season. I got letters back from about eight or nine saying that they would review it and then get in touch with me. I haven’t heard directly back from any of those schools that replied with letters.

Let me first state that what this athlete did is the exact same thing that a lot of athletes do.  They think that the best way to draw interest from college coaches throughout the the country is by what I call “cold sending” a highlight video link.  What I mean by this is that it is when you have zero contact with the coaches at the school and think that if your highlight tape is good enough, they will start being interested and hopefully extend a scholarship offer your way.

You may have a highlight tape as good as the top recruit in the country but in the majority of cases, if you are cold send the link, the highest person on the coaching staff that may watch it is a graduate assistant.  That is likely the very most.  Outside of that, most emails end up in the garbage not responded to.

What I need athletes out there to think about is I am sure most players would love to get a scholarship offer from the likes of LSU or USC.  Lets say hypothetically that 1,000 kids in 25 different states have that same dream and try to send their highlight tapes to those schools.  Each of these top tier programs would have at least 25,000 highlight tapes sent to them.  Do you really think they have the time to spend watching each and every highlight video?  Then ask yourself, why are you sending it out as well?

If you have a pipedream to play at one of those schools, instead of making a tape and sending it, why not email them and get the conversation started?  If they hate it, all that it took you was the ten minutes or so tracking down their email address and then writing why you would love to play for the Trojans or the Tigers.

But again, before going out after the season and sending out fifty highlight video links, think about what the recruit above said about what happened to him.  He sent out 40 tapes and let’s say nine schools contacted him back.  That is a 22.5% chance of even hearing from the schools that you sent the tape to.  These schools are likely the nicer ones with the time to actually consider reviewing them.  Since then, 0% of the schools have contacted him directly about the tape afterwards.  Is that really worth the time and effort to follow a similar path?

 

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2018 Ford Mustang GT breaks the 4-second 0-60 barrier

The now-quicker Ford Mustang GT gets a power bump and a new transmission.

It’s easy to get bogged down in comparing the ‘5-0 V8 in the new Ford Mustang GT with Chevy’s 350 V8—they belong in museums, not modern cars, some might say—but it’s equally easy to shunt those remarks. The new ‘stang will get to 60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds in a new “Drag Strip” mode and a new 10-speed automatic transmission. In common terms, the new mode is Ford’s label for “launch control”. The tuned and fettled V8 gets a bump from model year 2017’s ‘paltry’ 435bhp and 400 ft-lbs of torque while managing to get improved fuel economy, though no hard-and-fast numbers yet are available from Ford.

It’s pretty hard to get around how far the ponycar has come in its most recent generation:

• This is blinding acceleration from a car that goes for the average transaction price in the US at just a shade over $33,000.
• The EcoBoost 4-cylinder model gets a 30-ft-lb torque increase.
• The car now pulls 0.96 g on the skidpad and (finally) has independent rear suspension.
• On one hand, the GT and lower variants are plain-vanilla cars available at a car rental agency near you, on the other, something that does all of the above is available for a relatively small outlay per day.

FoMoCo has only just released this luscious tidbit of information, so it’s likely we will learn in the coming days what the conditions are of this recent conquest in acceleration statistics (temperature, tires used etc.).

For more information, check out the press release below:

“DEARBORN, Mich., July 24, 2017 – Ford’s most advanced and powerful Mustang GT is also the fastest ever, achieving 0-to-60-mph in less than four seconds in Drag Strip mode.

The new Mustang is also faster than a $94,000 Porsche 911 Carrera, which Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer, attributes to five factors:

• Improved horsepower and torque output of the redesigned 5.0-liter V8
• Maximum acceleration of available Drag Strip mode
• Quicker, smoother shifting of the available 10-speed SelectShift^® transmission
• Optimized traction courtesy of the available custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires on new Performance Pack

“Typically, when you shift gears, you give up time,” said Widmann. “In Drag Strip mode, the engine torque doesn’t drop when you’re shifting. You get peak engine torque and horsepower straight through thanks to our new Ford-built 10-speed transmission.”

The car’s 5.0-liter V8 now features dual-fuel, high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure port fuel injection technology for increased power and efficiency. The engine’s 460 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque represent improvements over the current model’s 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. The result is an engine that delivers robust low-end torque, high-rpm power and improved fuel efficiency.

Drivers of EcoBoost^®-equipped Mustang also will feel increased power on the strip. The retuned EcoBoost four-cylinder generates 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque – a 30 lb.-ft. gain over the current model. In Drag Strip mode with Performance Package and the 10-speed automatic, the 2018 EcoBoost-powered Mustang posts an impressive 0-to-60-mph time of under five seconds.

Drag Strip mode – one of five driver-selectable modes available for 2018 – has been designed to provide maximum acceleration and performance for straight-line driving. Drag Strip mode is primarily controlled by the transmission and delivers a significant acceleration boost, eliminating the lost time usually associated with automatic shifting.

The new 10-speed transmission, with a wide-ratio span and optimized gear spacing, helps deliver higher average power for acceleration – resulting in improved responsiveness and performance. The 10-speed architecture features Ford-patented power-flow and Ford-patented direct-acting hydraulic controls. It’s designed for optimum ratio progression and efficiency, and provides more accurate, quicker upshift and downshift capability.

In addition, an all-new electronic control system features real-time adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms engineered to help ensure the right gear is engaged at the right time, including skip-shift and direct downshift capability.

Compared to the outgoing six-speed, the new 10-speed automatic has quicker shift times and better low-speed tip-in response. It’s uniquely tuned for all five drive modes – normal, sport, track, Drag Strip and snow/wet. Steering wheel-mounted shift paddles allow drivers maximum manual control.

“Gearing matters, and in Drag Strip mode, this car launches better than ever off the line,” said Widmann.

Fans will be able to build and price their very own 2018 Mustang from July 25 by visiting http://ift.tt/2tOyWK4. New Mustang is due to reach showrooms this fall.”

-By: Sawyer Sutton

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3 Sunscreen Mistakes to Avoid

This post first appeared on Beautiful Canadian Laser & Skin Care Clinic.

If you’re fond of visiting a skincare clinic or reading beauty tips, you may already be tired of being reminded how important it is to apply sunscreen every day. What you may not know is that even if you comply with this rule, you may still be in danger from sun exposure due to the […]

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Vegan Chocolate Walnut Brownies

These were our Saturday night in. Vegan Chocolate Walnut Brownies are always a good idea. They bake up swiftly and pack a big chocolate punch. They also pair perfectly with a scoop of vanilla vegan ice cream or even some sliced strawberries and coconut whip. Or drizzle some warmed peanut butter on top. Or just spoon dive right into the dish! These brownies are rich and chewy and fluffy and just what you need when a chocolate craving hits. I also love that they keep very well in the fridge for a few days. You can even wrap the brownies and store in the freezer. I plan on chopping up my leftovers and folding them into some chocolate ice cream for some DIY Brownie Fudge ice cream! Get today's brownie recipe!...Read more »

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Ivy League Athletic Recruiting Q&A – Part 2

We may spend the majority of time on Recruiting-101 focusing on football recruiting (and basketball recruiting to an extent) but that doesn’t mean all of our readers have children who are star football players.  I have had an opportunity to email with a mother who has a son that plays water polo.  She followed the advice of this site and focused on doing everything she could to help her son get the best education possible while also continuing his career athletically.

When everything was said and done, what their entire family did helped open the door for him to play water polo at an Ivy League school.  Since the Ivy League is such a sought after conference to get your son or daughter into, we thought it would make a good Q&A about what she went through and how the family did it.

How much do you feel getting an Ivy League education will benefit your son years down the line?
I think (his eventual choice), the students who go there, and the combination of sports and academics are a perfect fit for my son who is serious, a great student and a great athlete. I believe he will thrive in the Ivy environment and be part of a great tradition and network of alumni.

However, I always say it isn’t where you go it’s what you do with where you go. You can get a great education, discover the perfect major and find a career anywhere and on the contrary, we know lots of Southern California kids who graduate from Stanford and the UCs who end up surfing and hanging out, living at home after college.

Your son plays a sport that we have never written an article on Recruiting-101 about. How did you use the site if the article was related to football? 
I think about 80% of the Recruiting-101 articles are applicable to any sport, including water polo which my son plays, and cross country/track and field which my daughter is now being recruited for. I tell all my sports parents about your site – that daily e-mail kept me on track!

What was the hardest part of the recruiting process? And were all coaches honest with you during the process? 
I think the hardest part was not knowing where my son stood in the list at each college, and not knowing if he was being “led on”. Now, in retrospect, and as I go through this process with my daughter in another sport, I think we were being told the truth by everyone – even the coaches who encouraged my son, met with him, but never told him they were recruiting him. They weren’t! I’m actually a big believer in this system, and I understand it is different for each school, but we’ve had a great experience.

Did any coaches use negative recruiting? 
Not only did they NOT use negative recruiting, I found the coaches my son talked to and the (larger) set of coaches that my daughter is talking to try to avoid talking about other schools. I told my husband that it reminds me of the old saying when I worked for IBM “Never disparage the competition”. We have taken that lead, and we don’t talk about other schools with coaches either.

Were you surprised about what schools were recruiting him and which ones were not?
I would say that the schools that he was most interested in (tip top academic schools) and best qualified to attend and play for, recruited him, and the others lost interest which worked out fine.

How much did Recruiting 101 help you in the process? 
I quote you all the time – still!! I told my daughter the other day to enjoy the process “you may never be this popular again” as you said in one article! I also use Recruiting 101 to answer questions from other parents – I tell them to go on and subscribe to your e-mail blast!

With your daughter starting the recruiting process in yet another sport, are you going to change anything that you did to help her in the eyes of college coaches?
Well that is a very current question because we just passed the July 1 date with my daughter who is very highly ranked Track and Field runner. She is also a great student, looking at the tip top academic/athletic combination schools. She is in the lucky position of being heavily recruited by about 25 schools. I recently said, “this must be what Recruiting 101 means when they talk about heavy recruiting attention!”. She has had to confine her phone calls to mostly Sunday afternoons like you suggested in an article!

We have taken your advice and just went on unofficial visits to meet with coaches at 4 east coast schools, and 2 on the west coast. Those visits helped my daughter narrow her list to her top 3. Now, because of the experience we had with my son, she is beginning to work on completing the Common Application and the supplements at her top 3 so she will be ready to submit applications when she needs to.

What specific advice do you have for families hoping to get their son or daughter into an Ivy League school? 
#1 Keep grades and SAT scores in mind as your son or daughter builds their academic credentials. Those numbers have to be very high for admission to an Ivy and coaches have very little control or leeway in the process.

#2 If you think your child is a candidate you must head up the effort to contact the schools, send regular updates, and enroll your child in the appropriate sports camps. Your student/athlete is too busy with school and sports to do the paperwork required so this has to be a parent/student team project.

#3 I always say my job is to keep “wind under their wings” with encouragement, support and cheering from the sidelines! Be positive, keep working toward the goal, and something good will happen!

A special thanks to this mother for her help in the Q&A.

 

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Vegan Meal Plan Sundays: Week 3, Smoothie + Salad Challenge

Hey guys, it is late Sunday and I am about to pop on Game of Thrones, but I am feeling awful because I haven't posted this week's plan yet! This weekend just seemed to zoom by in a mix of sunshine, tennis, cat naps and cooking projects and playing. But it hasn't all been rainbows and sunshine, I can assure you! But I like to focus on all the good stuff. And there was a whole lot of good stuff this weekend just like any week, if I look closely. I mean, looking to my right there is the fuzziest kitten muffin ever curled up on my leg and off to my left, my awesome husband finishing dinner. Good stuff. The Plan: Smoothie + Salad Challenge. This week I am doing something a bit different, as I told you I would. Instead of a straight up plan I am challenging you! For each day I have...

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