This is as big an issue as there is in college athletic recruiting. It is on players, families, coaches and often is played out in social media platforms. Jealousy, or conflict of why one recruit got something they think is better than another. Lets delve into this subject.
Often I see on social media that this athlete got recruited to this school and how did that happen or that is not deserved. Mostly, in comparison to their own son or daughter. Collegiate Athletic Recruiting is far from an exact science. If all you had to do was check off a few boxes and then you could achieve that goal is far from how this major business is run.
College Coaches are all different and looking at different things in the school and sports program that is their responsibility. In recruiting, each coach and program has their own philosophy of what they are looking for in the athletes they recruit. Some are basically numbers or skill oriented. Some are more interested in just intangibles, size, speed etc...
Most are a combination of qualities such as intangibles, skill set, hustle, attitude, work ethic, academics, personality and much more.
So... Much as kids may have a somewhat equal skill set. Their differences would come out in the characteristics listed earlier. In my business I have a certain way I recruit for Penn State Greater Allegheny Baseball. I have a certain way I coach with Rawlings Tigers Pittsburgh Baseball and I really get in depth with all these qualities when dealing with my recruiting service clients who I am promoting to all levels D1 D2 D3 NAIA and JUCO. Every kid is uniquely different. I say it in my initial consultation with my clients. We are going to make up an individual game plan based on skill set, academic choices, qualities, personality and local, regional or national interest.
Getting into the equal skill set should mean the same opportunity for everyone. It is just not that way. Kids are unique and so are their character makeup. Each school looks for kids that fir the TOTAL MOLD they are looking for. So while the skill set may be the same, the work ethic or attitude may not. In talking to both kids the kid that was assertive and asked questions, looked interested got the offer. The kid that was silent, made no eye contact or let their parents do the talking is wondering now what happened.
When thinking about checking all the boxes that a college may be looking for it is important to know exactly what they are and do an honest assessment of if you fit that mold. This is usually what does not happen and where the jealousy or misunderstanding of how THE PROCESS is done.
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