It is so hard to believe that it has been 15 years since my old boss Tim Ryerson at Student Athlete World and I got together to put me on the road to college athletic recruiting. I have 36 years experience as a coach sending, and as a coach recruiting talent, to my schools. I think it takes a special kind of person to be a truly great Recruiting Consultant. I run my own Better Business Bureau Accredited Nationwide Athletic Recruiting/Consultation Business. I know from talking to people that they think it is a ton of work (which it is) and has to be hard dealing with so many different people from all over the United States. I handle International Students, all over the world, as well. Days fly by because I am constantly doing something, or thinking up ways to better serve, and different avenues of approach to each individual I represent. I cannot think of a better way of spending my days then to serve and represent young men and ladies who have the ability to play collegiately, who are looking for the challenge of a nationwide approach and to all of the advantages it can bring.
Let's be real. This job is not for every person. My background has come from being a teacher, principal, athletic director and also an internet sales manager for one of the best people i have ever worked for. Bill Baierl was a legend in the auto business in Pittsburgh and I found out, upon his death, just what a real estate tycoon he was as well. Mr Baierl was, to put it bluntly, a "People Person". He was so sharp, and so smart, and a joy to work for. He knew every employee and their family members by name, and always stopped to talk and see how your life was going. I am not patting myself on th back, but I feel, and people who know me will confirm, that I am a person of the people also. I have coached, and been involved, with 10's of thousands of athletes, I can share something special about every one of them.
So, let's talk about my job and qualifications reqyured to pull it off. First, and foremost, is honesty. This is the top quality a recruiting consultant or advisor must have. If they do not, then it will be a short lived job expedition. When looking at potential clients, I have worked with, and get referrals, from across the nation. Believe me, I would like to take on everyone, but in order to take a player as a client, I set up an initial call with mostly just the parents. They want to know everything about what I do and how it will benefit them. I love doing this right away so people can see that I am honest and evaluating their player accordingly. Not all people will agree with my assessment, but that is how the business goes. What people do not understand coming into the conversation is that in order to send their information to a school to which they think he or she can play, I have to feel the same way. I think you can see where this is going. Yes, sometimes parents have an inflated view on where their kids can play at the collegiate level. I will not relent, but will hear their words for why. I will then break down some numbers on why I feel the way I do. I have kids that are MLB All Stars, Pro Football HOF's all the way down through NAIA and JUCO. Every Level has the top tier teams, but after that it is where you can see the difference in the levels.
After the initial consultation, I want to speak to the athlete I will be working with. This occurs after I research to see if I believe they can play at the collegiate level. I then ask them questions to see their commitment to the approach we are going to undertake. Most at this time have it, but there are a few that say I am not up to doing everything you think is necessary to play. At that time we part ways. As for the players who are, we then build an in depth profile and game plan strategy for what we are looking to accomplish in our goals. I always ask them for their 10 wishlist schools to contact, then their safety 10 and then let them know that I will be promoting and sending out personal recommendations across the nation to schools that I believe are "Right Fit" schools for their athletic and academic skillset.
After that, there is unlimited consultation and communication between college coaches, the player, and me. All the while, I keep the player and family updated. The family has unlimited consultation with me, and I want them to ask all questions as the process goes its way.
This is usually the process to get it going, get the contacts, get the interest and start the list to funnel it down to kid interest and family interest. I always take kid interest in this part because the school is recruiting them, and they have to be happy where they are going.
My next Blog will follow up on the breaking everything down to the decision.
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