Softball Recruiting Advice...

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I posted this in another thread and wanted to put it here as well:

It all boils down to a cost/benefit analysis with recruiting- EXAMPLE: say a college is looking to recruit a SS for the class of 2015. They have a list of 20-25 players that they are looking at for that position. Then what they do is look at other factors such as:

GPA/Test Scores (academic scholarships/grants)
Parental Income (need based aid- this is where the middle class gets SCREWED)
Diversity Status (diversity/affirmative action $$)
In State Status or Reciprocity
Major declared (yes, lots of schools have specific scholarships for certain majors)
Other factors (other grants available)

From this, they assign a value to each kid as far as how much they will cost the program....(and most coaches know what the kid will qualify)

I've said it before, RECRUITING is NOT fair. DO your homework when it comes to financial aide/ scholarships. Realize that if Notre Dame and Northwestern are your dream schools, Grades will likely NOT get you any money because EVERYONE is smart....

I know a girl that was very smart and Notre Dame was her DREAM School. She was also a GREAT athlete. Her parents were not rich (combined made about 80k). Notre Dame had been looking at this kid for over a year. On a visit, they were asked to fill out a FAFSA. This was summer before her junior year. Kid had an ACT of 31 and a GPA of 3.9. Very smart. HOWEVER, Notre Dame could only offer her 30% athletic- NOTHING academic or athletic (parents made too much money to qualify for need based money)- no other grants or scholarships available. Long story short, she passed on this school because the COST of attending Notre Dame and getting only 30% they could not swing it. She went to a State School instead on a FULL Ride tuition scholarship based on Academic. Athletic $$$ paid for her room/board and a GRANT covered her books.

 

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This should probably a thred unto its self but you hit on some pretty important issues.And it started me thinking. Alot of thought is given to getting to college and even some thought of what the kid has to do to stay and be successful in college but little has ever been said about the effect that the dd leaving has on her family.

When you drive away and see her in the rear view with her stuff on the curb. The wife is in a state of utter depression and panic and( you almost are tempted to put her on the suicide watch list ) you have mixed feelings about leaving your daughter to go it alone. Just remember its college she diddnt join the French Foreign Legion. You can see her as much as time will permit. Make sure you do that . Talk on the phone or text daily. Go to see her even when its not softball related. Go and take her out to dinner. ( just be prepared for a few of her softball buddies that may tag along ).

Keep her supplied in snacks water and the little things that make her feel at home. You will never stop missing your dd but you will soon come to realize shes made new friends, and as time goes on a new life. The crying time on the phone will be replaced with laughter. And the memories she makes away from her family as an adult living on her own are hers.

Then before you know it ball season will start, then finals and shes home for 3 months and you will once again see that lump in her bed or a butt sticking out of the fridge complaining theres nothing to eat in this house. ( and trust me she will eat you out of house and home )

Time will start to fly at a faster pace and before you know it shes now a junior in college, loads her own car up and drives herself back to school. And you start to enjoy that empty nester feel, and the freedom of just having to show up and watch a game.

You then realize as she calls you to let you know she got back to school safely that you did a pretty good job all in all of raising her and letting her grow up and be an adult.......

Tim

Been thru all this, you and i always talked about it, now youre living it.





Now, just wait till she gets married........

 

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This should probably a thred unto its self but you hit on some pretty important issues.And it started me thinking. Alot of thought is given to getting to college and even some thought of what the kid has to do to stay and be successful in college but little has ever been said about the effect that the dd leaving has on her family.

When you drive away and see her in the rear view with her stuff on the curb. The wife is in a state of utter depression and panic and( you almost are tempted to put her on the suicide watch list ) you have mixed feelings about leaving your daughter to go it alone. Just remember its college she diddnt join the French Foreign Legion. You can see her as much as time will permit. Make sure you do that . Talk on the phone or text daily. Go to see her even when its not softball related. Go and take her out to dinner. ( just be prepared for a few of her softball buddies that may tag along ).

Keep her supplied in snacks water and the little things that make her feel at home. You will never stop missing your dd but you will soon come to realize shes made new friends, and as time goes on a new life. The crying time on the phone will be replaced with laughter. And the memories she makes away from her family as an adult living on her own are hers.

Then before you know it ball season will start, then finals and shes home for 3 months and you will once again see that lump in her bed or a butt sticking out of the fridge complaining theres nothing to eat in this house. ( and trust me she will eat you out of house and home )

Time will start to fly at a faster pace and before you know it shes now a junior in college, loads her own car up and drives herself back to school. And you start to enjoy that empty nester feel, and the freedom of just having to show up and watch a game.

You then realize as she calls you to let you know she got back to school safely that you did a pretty good job all in all of raising her and letting her grow up and be an adult.......

Tim

Yup, we are living this too...hard to believe they are Juniors now...but hey, this weekend her 2nd littlest sister is playing in an 8u tournament this weekend...!!!!

 

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I just had a great conversation with a parent on here in a PM. One thing that might not be so obvious to many players in the age 12-15 group is that you should NOT rush to get exposure (attend camps, exposure tournaments, scouting services) before you are ready! Parents need to realize that the girl at age 13 that ran a H to 1st in 3.3 might actually run a 2.9 at age 15 (due to growth/girls thinning out/muscle gained). This is especially true for pitchers and catchers. 99% of kids in 8th and 9th grade DO NOT have the muscle build/ strength that comes as the girls age/mature. I think it is counterintuitive to go to, for example, a pitching camp for "exposure" as an 8th grader when your speed is 48-50 mph (like MOST 8th graders). Same with catchers- why would a freshman catcher who hasn't developed a great pop time and arm strength go to a showcase event? Look how much your daughters have "grown" as players in the course of a year- don't rush it. If it comes, then showcase it. If it doesn't come, you saved some $$$. VERY FEW kids in the 8th and 9th grade age bracket verbal- those are the elite of the elite and if you are asking yourself if your daughter is one of them, then she is likely not.....those kids stick out to everyone and are recruited to play on the national level early on.

 

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Great advice so far! If anyone has questions or needs help along the way please feel free to contact me anytime.

I understand how challenging and stressful the collegiate process can be for a family. If you have an effective strategy though, then this can be one of the most fun & exciting experiences of a lifetime!

Yours in Collegiate Success,
Angela Long
College Recruiting Manager
Student-Athlete Showcase
Email: along@student-athleteshowcase.com
student-athleteshowcase.com