When am I really in the recruiting process?

Information and Questionnaires

So, now you have received information from a College and the coach has sent you a questionnaire. Most HS players and their families immediately believe they are now in the recruiting process. Unfortunately the truth is, nothing could be further from the truth! When a school sends information and a coach sends a questionnaire it simply means you (your son or daughter) have been identified. Congrats, you are now at least a spec on the radar of that school and coaching staff. All University recruiting offices have access to the information of HS students across the country and those offices (College recruiting and Financial Aid) also have quotas and numbers to make. It is important to realize the reality of being a commodity. The entire system is geared to fill student bodies (put students in seats). Athletes are just a part of this overall system.
This experience now denotes that you have made the big funnel and are now in the early elimination process. There is a long way to go before you reach the first real step in the recruiting process (EVALUATION). It is amazing how many HS players and their families have mis-identified information and questionnaires for deep interest from a school or coaching staff. By the way many coaching staffs have used questionnaires as a marketing tool for their sport specific camps. While camps do serve as a potential evaluation tool, they are really a marketing game that helps Head Coaches create the salary subsidy necessary for their assistants. Please remember that information and questionnaires are simply the beginning part of the IDENTIFICATION step. A player is not truly in the recruitment process until they have reached the EVALUATION phase of the process.
To learn what every HS player and their Family must know please click on the link and register for the webinar of your choice.

Mon 6/29 7pm – 7:45 pm https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/220000257
Wed 7/1 7pm – 7:45 pm https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/737610264
www.karlschilling.net

Identification and its importance!

The common mistake made by many HS players and their families is the belief that College Coaches FIND players. College Coaches have a process to weed out players. There is a BIG difference between finding players and eliminating players. This elimination process begins with Coaches identifying potential players for their program. This identification is simply filling up a funnel with all the players that might be identified in a variety of places. This includes national publications, some well known HS coaches, personal observation and scouting, former alumni, and newspaper articles. The emergence of the internet and highly respected scouting companies has stepped in to fill the void created by budgets slashing and coaching staffs being reduced. Make no mistake though, the identification process requires a hopeful athlete to get as much universal exposure as possible. In fact identification probably encompasses 70% of the overall effort in getting recruited. Identification is not really part of the recruiting process, it is simply the entry to the process. The real process begins with the evaluation stage. It is impossible to enter into the evaluation stage unless you (or your son or daughter) is FIRST IDENTIFIED! The key concept to remember here is that College Coaches IDENTIFY and ELIMINATE, they do not FIND players.

As long as you continue to hold on to the myth that College Coaches FIND players you (your son or daughter) will be doomed to failing in the College Recruiting and Eligibility Process. The proactive athlete will get into the Coaches identification funnell well before the athlete who is waiting for the College Coaches to find them!

IDENTIFY and ELIMINATE! Remember this key concept.

College Recruiting and Eligibility Process

College Recruiting and Eligibility Process

10 Most common Myths and Mistakes

As it is with any process, it is important to know what you don’t know! The majority of High School athletes and their families miss the mark on the COLLEGE RECRUITING AND ELIGIBILITY PROCESS. While there are many reasons for this, the simple truth is that players and families FAIL from a simple lack of knowledge.
Most people put trust in their family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances. This is generally fine when it comes to baking a cake, buying a car, getting a book reading list and other simple daily decisions. Getting an athletic scholarship and finding the perfect program and University for you (your child) to attend is a LIFE-ALTERING decision. The foundation of your (your child’s) future lies in this decision.
So Uncle Mike, neighbor Bob, the former PTA president and all the other well intentioned amateurs who voice their opinion are not the best option for a LIFE-ALTERING decision.
For this type of decision you want to rely upon a professional advocate who knows the system and can hold your hand and walk you and your family successfully through this process.
My name is Karl Schilling and I have over 25 years experience as a former NCAA, NAIA and JuCo coach. My experience includes coaching, scouting and recruiting. I formerly served as a MLB scout, professional coach and instructor. As a former college World Series coach I understand what college coaching staffs are looking for and how they use the process to their advantage. If you want to win this process, you need an expert on your side!
Please understand the first rule is this is not about friendship or niceties. This is a process and there are certain steps that will allow you to succeed throughout the process.
Before we discuss those steps let’s take a look at the 10 Most Common Myths and Mistakes in this process. One thing before we start, the MOST pressing reason for failure is that players and families are UNAWARE of this PROCESS!