How big of an effect do parents have on the recruiting process? This topic is something exciting and new for me to discuss. I was able to sit and speak with a highly trained and long term recruiter on what’s more important than just athletic ability that they look for in an athlete. I was shocked by what I learned. Here are some significant things that recruiters do that you may not know.
Most recruiters do not announce that they are recruiters. They find themselves in the stands at a game or on the field looking for different things, for example; attitude, personality, leadership, ability to work with a team, or relationships with their parents. Recruiters often make themselves unnoticed to get a genuine consideration of how a person acts in their natural state. They start by finding out where the person of interest is playing, and they may locate their family to sit next to them for the game. This way they can see how the parents/family act during the game. Are they misbehaving by cursing the coaches, or referees? They want to look at how the family and the athlete interacts with each other before and after the game. Are they loving and caring with them or do they even speak to them before or after the game? Do they wait for them after the game whether the game went good or bad?
Off the field, they also check social media accounts of the athlete as well as their parents. I was beyond shocked that all of this is considered in the recruitment of a collegiate or professional athlete. They don’t want anything to make their “business” look anything less than perfect. Then not to mention, pursuing a career in sports is very demanding and has a rigorous schedule, and they want to see how much support, if any, that you have from your immediate circle. Now does that mean that if you don’t have it, you won’t get recruited? No, but they do want to see how you can cope with different obstacles in your life.
So, what can you do as a parent? Clean up your social media accounts if you need to. Post positive, uplifting things online. YOU are a reflection on your child and can affect his/her future. Instill hard work, dedication and give positive support to your child to help with them getting recruited. Don’t be the reason why your child is not recruited!