How did the Must Attend College Combine event go in Cincy?

[longball00]

Haven't seen anything about it since it was posted every where. Did anyone attend? How did it go? What Colleges were there? Not trying to bash anyone, I am genuinely interested to know how it turned out.

 

[Strohbro]

I am guessing not too well. Especially when all you hear are crickets.

 

[Static_97_North]

I heard not very well either but I did not go so just saying what I heard.

 

[maddball44]

^^^^^^^^ ditto ^^^^^^^

 

[jjoseforsky]

I am the person who ran the combine. Please call me or email me if you have questions. My softball email is cincyslammers27@yahoo.com and my mobile phone number is 630-742-2800. I do not monitor this chat room every day. I work, coach 2 softball teams, an AAU basketball team, and volunteer my time for the betterment of this sport like the combine while also serving as our club's treasurer. Thus, why I do not monitor this chat room every day. One of my fellow coaches saw the comments below and called me. Despite what you had heard, it was a successful event, especially for it being the first one. We had about 50 players attend (players ranging from 8th grade to current seniors). We had a dozen of them get contacted by a college coach. I will paraphrase what one of the college coaches said to all the players and parents at the end of the 2nd day. "Trust in this process. I have already been in contact with other coaches from our conference letting them know about this event for next year. It was one of the best combines I have been to." The girls were individually showcased in their primary and secondary position and then played 3 ten inning games. We will run this event again next summer, but move it to the middle of June to avoid conflicts with fall high school sport tryouts and coaches who were at the PGF championships. We had several girls who arrived late or had to leave early to get to their tryouts. This was a lesson learned. So, if you would like to learn more, please call me. I am doing this to help players in OH and neighboring states get additional exposure to college coaches. As a former two sport, collegiate athlete, I understand the process, having been through it myself, and I am willing to help other players who desire to play in college. Hope that helps. Thanks

 

[spartansd]

I am saying this as someone who has gone and is going through this process right now with our second daughter.

I only have so much time and money. So I am first very wary of something that is new. So the questions and comments are asked because if I can not get good data on an event I am not going. And for my daughter she has targeted 8-10 schools. She has already decided where is willing to go to school. So if the softball does not work out she just will not play. Conversely we are very keen to attend events that those colleges and coaches will be attending.

If Alabama offered her a full ride she would pass. She will not going anywhere more than 2-3 hours from home. So it pointless to even get the look. Additionally she feels that if a program of that caliber would want her then a college closer to home would also. Just to head off the "what if" question.

So with that rather lengthy explanation. I want to know what colleges are going to be present. So for me that is crucial. We are laying out the college camps now but if I could hit a combine that had 2 or more of our target colleges then I would likely go.

There are sooooo many options out there. And everyone tells us (the softball community) that they have been there, done that, so "TRUST ME" this is the place to be, that I have become very gun shy. We are actually in a very good place now but the point I wanted to make is that people need data. List the colleges that were there. And I agree your idea of changing the dates is a very good one.

Additionally, I do not remember if it was during the week. But if you are doing it in June I would suggest it NOT be on a weekend.

 

[Static_97_North]

I am glad you are doing what your doing for the sport. I think what you are trying to do is great. I was not being negative in any way, just saying what I heard, thats all. I hope it becomes a huge event and helps the girls out.

 

[mogsoftball]

I agree with spartan knowing what coaches will be there is big.

 

[shummel]

I could be wrong? I believe the coaches that committed to attend, requested that their attendance not be advertised. I see the points (and agree) that it would help families out to attend or not, but if the coaches don't want their name listed as attending, that limits (selling) the event.

 

[flygirlsdad]

It was on a Monday and Tuesday. I say kudos for working hard to put this together. As they say Rome wasn't built in a day. Heck, Stingrays with all the success their showcase has still makes changes. I could see this becoming a nice event if more college coaches buy in.

 

[CARDS]

It was on a Monday and Tuesday. I say kudos for working hard to put this together. As they say Rome wasn't built in a day. Heck, Stingrays with all the success their showcase has still makes changes. I could see this becoming a nice event if more college coaches buy in.

I did not attend the event but it would be nice if something formatted like a QDS or a NFCA event was put on here in Cincinnati.

I could see event organizers not being able to produce college coach attendance information for the inaugural event but as they grow the event I would think future information for interested players would include past college coach attendance and a college coach invite list. Coaches not wanting their name listed for a recruiting event most likely means they are not committed to it. (Yet).

The player forums such as The Softball Zone are a great tool to market events like this to players and parents. not so much to attract college coaches.
If organizers want to grow the event this is better done using and building connections through coachbook, linked in and other professional networking sites to get coach buy in as stated above.

Event organizers becoming members of NFCA and attending clinics, camps and conferences etc also can improve attendance from players and college coaches especially if the event becomes backed or sponsored. This can also help in picking the right days and area to hold the event. Even organizers could also use local chamber of commerce to help with marketing and attracting coaches to the event.

If the event is looking to attract PGF caliber players the above needs to be addressed to give the player and parent a level of comfort if not, these ladies/families will attend other events to spend their money on.

 

[longball00]

The issue of knowing what Colleges in attendance is big for us considering it is close to a 4.5 hour drive each way for us to attend this particular combine. That's a long day to take the "chance" that one of DD's colleges of interest would be there. I do hope this takes off, as it's a great tool for all of the girls.

 

[Softball04]

I am the person who ran the combine. Please call me or email me if you have questions. My softball email is cincyslammers27@yahoo.com and my mobile phone number is 630-742-2800. I do not monitor this chat room every day. I work, coach 2 softball teams, an AAU basketball team, and volunteer my time for the betterment of this sport like the combine while also serving as our club's treasurer. Thus, why I do not monitor this chat room every day. One of my fellow coaches saw the comments below and called me. Despite what you had heard, it was a successful event, especially for it being the first one. We had about 50 players attend (players ranging from 8th grade to current seniors). We had a dozen of them get contacted by a college coach. I will paraphrase what one of the college coaches said to all the players and parents at the end of the 2nd day. "Trust in this process. I have already been in contact with other coaches from our conference letting them know about this event for next year. It was one of the best combines I have been to." The girls were individually showcased in their primary and secondary position and then played 3 ten inning games. We will run this event again next summer, but move it to the middle of June to avoid conflicts with fall high school sport tryouts and coaches who were at the PGF championships. We had several girls who arrived late or had to leave early to get to their tryouts. This was a lesson learned. So, if you would like to learn more, please call me. I am doing this to help players in OH and neighboring states get additional exposure to college coaches. As a former two sport, collegiate athlete, I understand the process, having been through it myself, and I am willing to help other players who desire to play in college. Hope that helps. Thanks

Thanks for what you do Julie!

 

[Louuuuu]

Maybe I'm over-simplifying this, but if the players are doing their leg-work and visiting colleges, attending camps, contacting coaches, etc., they will have the ability to ask the coaches that they want to be seen by if they will be attending this "combine".

The chances of being "discovered" by a college coach who has never heard of you, as always, is slim.

 

[larrybowman]

Good point Louuuuu.....