College Prospects?

[default]

Can anyone give me any info on this. My DD was contacted yesterday by someone from this organization, they want to meet with us about helping with getting her a chance to play at next level. They told her that they seen her play and that she is good enough to play at next level and was shocked she hadn't been contacted by any colleges up to this point. Thanks for any info...I am sure there is a cost but nothing was mentioned. Is it legal to do this? Will it jeopordize her college career in anyway by meeting with this person or allowing her to help with recruiting? Thanks again.

 

[default]

I think it's unusual for them to contact you. Normally you contact them. It is not illegal or against NCAA rules to use a company that helps you promote your daughter. Depending on the package you purchase, you could pay anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. They still have you do your own skills tape and provide information. They basically send the information out to colleges via mail and email, something you can do yourself. If your daughter has great grades, a decent ACT score (25 to 29) and has played softball at a high level and excelled you can promote your daughter yourself. Get online, find the colleges that have the academic program she is interested in, a college level that she could realistically play at, and send an information sheet with the skills DVD. Continue to contact those schools and let them know your accomplishments, your summer schedule, etc. You should start the process around the end of a sophomore year, pour it on during the junior year, and you should be getting feedback from coaches early summer between her junior and senior year. The big date is July 1st when coaches can actually call you. They can email prior to that. In my opinion, your daughter should promote herself, with a little help from her parents, not from a recruiting agency.

 

[default]

Well stated Copper! Save the money and do it herself... The coaches want to hear from her and not Mom or Dad. Also send a real letter once in a while vs. an email, which is more personal.

 

[default]

I have to disagree with copper and hilliard. Speaking from actual experience with college prospects(CP). Twenty years ago I was looking at whcih division III school I might want to go a try to play football/baseball. Then my high scool athletic director mentioned CP and my parents gave it a shot. Within weeks I was getting letters from some 'Big Time' schools for baseball and many letters from decent division I football schools. I went from looking for the most affordable D III school to deciding whether I wanted to play football or baseball and what climate I wanted to do it in, and I owed all of that to college prospects. Unfortunately, I chose football, played some my freshman year, and then shattered my elbow in spring practice, losing my scholarship the next year. However, I never would have had the opportunities that I did without this org. IMO, It is worth it.

 

[default]

With travel and fees and hotels, aren't you paying enought money already? $1000-2500 and it doesn't even put you infront of a coach... Do this: pick 5 colleges she is interested in. Use the $1000 to pay for some camps and clinics at those colleges. Have your daughter write them first and tell them you are interested. Send them your profile. Have her email or write them after she is done as a follow up and get them her summer schedule.

I will guarentee you this. You will have 5 coaches and assitiant coaches see you and know who your daughter is, quality time. And she'll be more comfortable and less nervous, when they come to watch her play this summer. You will have opened a communication line. You will know their coaching styles and see their campus' and know whether ot not you are even interested in attending there. and you mighteven have a few bucks left over to take her out to dinner when gets asked to sign.

 

[default]

And I have to disagree with fastpitchrox - for some reason, I smell a "connection". I do agree with copper & Hilliard.

I compare these "services" to hiring someone to go purchase a car for you. Well, I guess it's OK - IF you have that kind of money at your disposal. You have to ask yourself a few questions before signing a contract (some are legit, and some are bogus scams).

1. Will this actually help my daughter's chances of getting an athletic scholarship? Can the service GUARANTEE THIS?

2. Can you get a clear cost analysis UP FRONT? If not, I'd be very skeptical.

3. Have you read Cathi Aradi's book "Preparing to Play Softball at the Collegiate Level"?

4. Is this "service" going to do anything better or more cost effective than what Cathi suggests?

5. Would my daughter possibly be better off skipping the "service" and applying the money directly towards tuition?

Every college coach wants to talk to your daughter - one-on-one. Sure, college coaches have their trusted "contacts" (Curt Whiteside, Bill Lilley, and various top Ohio travel ball coaches to name a few) that have earned a reputation for referring quality players. Those individuals have the girl's best interest at heart. But in the end, the coaches STILL want to sit down with your daughter and talk. How do you know for a fact that using a "broker" won't sour a relationship with a coach your daughter likes? We were told by SEVERAL college coaches that they actually dislike dealing with "brokers", and that they are unnecessary in the recruiting process. Why didn't the girl contact the coach directly??

I think it may give you a false sense of security. The tools are readily available for any average family to get into the recruiting process. What better way to have control over your destiny than to do it yourself?

 

[default]

I don't know of that company in particular, but of other recruiting services. They often pickup a girl's name from the newspaper - if she made an all-something team, she may get a call. Unless someone can show that a college coach will listen to this company more than they will listen to your own email/profile, I'd take the others' advice and use the money to participate in camps.

And just another recommendation fro Cathy's book. Also, the E. Norriton (PA) Heartbreakers coach has setup a site to gather information on how to get yourself through the recruiting process: http://www.eteamz.com/RECRUITINGTIPS/

 

[default]

Thank you all so much for the info you have provided. My DD is a senior and this lady seen her play in a fall league a couple weeks ago.(that is what she told me) I have never been through this before so I am completely lost when it comes to helping her find a place to play at the next level. She has played 2 years of travel but both times wasn't given much chance to pitch which is what she wants to do. Coaches favored others in most cases. She has been told by many that she shoudln't have any problems playing at next level but just not sure how to get her there. Probably waited too late for her to have a chance. We are from southeastern Ohio and you don't get many looks down here unless your team is deep in tournaments. She has not had much help behind her, the 3 years she has pitched varsity ball. Thanks again for your input to my problem or question, whichever it is...lol

 

[default]

" If you would not consider the college, taking softball out of the equation, then do NOT consider it because of it."

Sounds like you are a little behind the eight ball if your DD is a Senior, and your just geting started. I would encourage her to do as the others have stated above and move quickly at contacting and seeking out colleges of interest. If she doesn't, no big deal! Find a school that offers what she is intersted in, and go to school. Once she is on campus, most schools offer open tryouts for walk-ons. Have her go and tryout, and see what happens. She could quite possibly walk on and never have to lift a finger to be recruited. Never give up the dream!! Good Luck!!

 

[default]

definately behind the 8 ball so you don't have time to waste.
I'd have your daughter start contacting these coaches now.
send a video. I was going to suggest getting into the queen
of diamonds but its probably to late to get into the one in
January. That would have been a big help.

 

[default]

Great advice from others to handle it yourself. That is what we did in a different sport and it worked out well. Have known others who used the service and was very disappointed.

Knights is correct you are behind the curve if she is a senior, but not out of the race. You need to be working VERY fast and making many personal phone calls to the coaches before their main season gets into gear. Also like Knights said, find the school that has what she wants and get the education.

Best of Luck.

 

[default]

I have come across several girls I know who are seniors now who are only now getting info out to college coaches. They are very talented but the well is going dry fast as most coaches have looked at their main choices for several years now with the exception of lower divisions who are always looking for what Division 1 & 2 have missed. It isn't hopeless but their options are not now what they could have been.

 

[default]

Never too late, It doesn't matter what division they play as long as they play somewhere if that's what they want. The schooling is more important and they will get more dollars for grades anyway.

 

[default]

I agree, it's not too late. I know of a few players that didn't get heavily recruited last year, then when a few schools didn't get their first picks were looking after the early signing period (November) to sign their needs in April. I know of one player that did not sign until after she graduated. Don't delay and get busy with your promotion, like this weekend. Don't wait until you have a skills video. Start the letter/profile information first. Schools will request more information or a skills tape if they are interested later, but don't delay in getting a tape done either. Also, there are many winter camps at various colleges and universities coming up which is a good chance to be seen. Get busy!

 

[default]

A favorite of mine is one of DD's former travel team mates picked her college based on her major - a smart choice. She was limited to a handful of schools by her choice of major, and was convinced she could NEVER make this school's team, so she never even contacted the coach. Her original idea was to go to a school where she could play ball, but then she would have had to sacrifice her major.

Funny thing is, she decided to try out as a walk-on, and MADE THE TEAM! She traveled with the team to Hawaii over her first winter of college! Now that's a dream come true, AND quite an accomplishment

DON'T EVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR ABILITIES.

 

[default]

I know of four who didn't sign until the summer after their senior yar - one missed registration by deciding so late. There was no shortage of (DII and DIII) coaches looking for players. It's not too late.

 

[default]

Dont waste your money

easy to do your self- some good advice on here.

 

[default]

definately behind the 8 ball so you don't have time to waste.
I'd have your daughter start contacting these coaches now.
send a video. I was going to suggest getting into the queen
of diamonds but its probably to late to get into the one in
January. That would have been a big help.

Behind the 8 ball yes, but contacting the coaches is great start...keep in mind it is all about the education she will be receiving and not neccisarily about the team she plays on. Queen of Diamonds in January may not totally be out of the question, some girls do get picked up at the last minute and you can still apply to the camp that Kent offers...the college coaches are at the camp as well as the games. If you do get in the camp or the tournament make sure the coaches know she will be there.

 

[default]

You can always have coaches notice you at events but established dialoge and maintained communication with those whose programs you are interested in is invaluable for you when you will be at the same events as those coaches. If you have their interest ahead of time they generally will make an effort to watch at least one of your games.

 

[default]

So what kind of info do you send out to the colleges? Thank you all for your advice, I appreciate your input. Her education will come first and foremost. I am sure that she could play intermural(SP?) ball if she doesn't make the team at any of the places she is looking into. She just loves the sport and she hates to see it come to an end. If she hadn't been told by many coaches over the years that she does an awesome job, I don't think she would be looking into playing at the next level. Softball is her life and has always been since 3rd or 4th grade. Thanks again for any info.