I do not know the inner workings on what TD's do in bringing colleges to showcases, especially at the SCT level and the amount of teams being hosted. But most of the colleges listed are there to see a girl or a group of girls. Not because the TD asked them to but because the young ladies reached out to them either by email, hand written letters, and/or called them. The young ladies attended the camps they're interested in and rose to the top drawing interest from said college coaches. Then a follow up was done by the young ladies, but not just by them but their coach and/or recruiting coordinator. Then add the piece Warren stated about being on a nationally recognized team, getting placed in the right venues, etc. After all of that is said and done, the young lady must still perform in a game.
Sadly, most don't realize the work that must be done. Those that do, only a few get chosen.
So true. The girls themselves draw the college coaches. When we put together the Recruiting books for the college coaches, we can see just how much each girl is marketing herself. A lot of the players stop by the College Coach tent to check and see which colleges have signed-in. It is great to see their face and excitement when they see that one or more of the colleges that they have been communicating with is "in the house."
There is an unwritten agreement between the player/team, the college coaches, and the tournament. The player does her part of communicating with the college coaches and she performs her best at the tournament. The college coach will come and watch. The tournament will offer the teams/players and the college coaches a very competitive field of teams, a great playing environment, and a good schedule where the coaches and teams can get from game to game and maximize the viewing/playing time.
College coaches are there to watch their prospect perform in a very competitive environment. The teams that have those college coaches following their girls know this. They will look for those very competitive/selective tournaments. So, tournaments have to offer a competitive environment which means that they cannot have an open enrollment. They have to be very selective. It is a very hard process. Sometimes, the tournament will have a "dud" team or two. And at the same time, we strike out by missing a competitive team. Sorry, it does happen. We just try to not make the same mistake the next year.
Now that you have the college coaches at your tournament, you want them to have an enjoyable experience. You want them to come back next year, even if they don't have a list of girls to follow. At the minimum, provide free drinks. Free food and cart rides is also nice. Providing an area at each ball field for them to watch the game without having to squeeze in between spectators is also a must. If there is a long line at the concession stand, get their order through the "back-door" so they don't waste time.
Having multiple playing sites presents an issue. Try keeping like age groups at the same facility allows the coaches more time to watch the girls. If they have to travel between sites, then they are wasting time and they will see this tournament as not worth their time.
I want teams and coaches to have an enjoyable time at our tournament. Those that know me see me checking in the coaches and also talking with the different teams. As a TD or Site Manager, you have to be available to the college coaches and the teams. You cannot hide in the admin tent. Yes, you will get some upset travel coaches/parents and it is always a challenge settling those issues.
But if you are friendly and out there meeting the masses, you will also meet some great families and college coaches who will give you some great feedback on how to make your event improve for the next year.
Just a few things that we have seen and learned over the years.
