Could your social media profiles be holding you back from landing that NIL deal?

Since we celebrated the two-year anniversary of NIL (Name, Images & Likeness) earlier this month on July 1st, young athletes have the ability to capitalize on their personal brand through endorsements and sponsorships. This is a significant milestone for NCAA Student Athletes and has taken the world by storm.

However, most brands have become selective with who is representing their brand and do not want to work with immature or unprofessional athletes. We all know that our social media profiles are a direct reflection of our character and brands want to work with athletes whose values align with the company’s and will represent them in a positive light. If your content consistently portrays you as immature and unprofessional, most brands will not want to associate with you which will limit your ability to secure NIL deals. 

3 tips on what you should be posting to increase exposure for NIL:

1) Highlights and “behind the scenes” footage:

The most popular content that athletes post on social media is highlight reels of performances. There is no doubt that posting your impressive moments will attract the attention of potential sponsors. Posting more than your game-day performance such as your workout sessions, recovery techniques, wellness tips, and general lifestyle content will provide a deeper glimpse into your life and give potential sponsors a better idea of who you are.

2) Personal stories & inspirational messages:

In addition to sports content, you can use social media to share your personal stories such as your journey, challenges and overall dedication to your sport. By sharing inspiring messages and insights into your life, you can better connect with your audiences and portray yourself as a role model, ultimately making yourself more attractive to sponsors. 

3) Community involvement & family:

Another popular choice of content among athletes to post is advocacy. Sharing content regarding social change, charity events/fundraisers and volunteer work can highlight your commitment to making a positive impact beyond your sport. Most brands like to see social responsibility and philanthropy, so they may be more interested if you show that you are actively involved in your community. Also, family vacations, birthdays, accomplishments, etc., are a great add-on to your posts and overall view of your life.

For young athletes, social media can be a stepping stone for successful NIL deals. Posting responsible content online, showcasing that you align with their brand values, and actively managing your online presence can help aspiring collegiate athletes maximize their NIL opportunities. 

About LifeBrand

LifeBrand offers a simple solution for young athletes looking to build or maintain a strong online reputation. Our AI-powered software privately scans your social media accounts and once complete, flags any questionable content posted from their very first post. YOU then have the opportunity to keep, edit or delete the content in a matter of minutes. Additionally, every flagged post comes with an explanation, which helps young social media users understand why the technology chose to flag the content and ensure they don’t post similar content in the future. 

Student athletes work incredibly hard year-round on their sport to catch the attention of not only coaches, but now NIL recruiters. Don’t let social media be the reason you can’t capitalize on your name.

Where to Put Sports Experience

Being a student-athlete is akin to working a full-time job. If you find yourself lacking in work experience, don’t worry. You can build a behavioral resume, which highlights more about who you are as a person, and your skills and qualities, rather than your work experience.

You can list your sports experience under Leadership Experience, Related Experience, or Activities headings on your resume.

Transferrable Skills

The list of transferrable skills between sports and work is long. It’s important to clearly show how your experience as an athlete will make you a better employee. Here are some key skills to make sure you have on your resume and how to include them.

Time management

As an athlete, you know how to be on time to practice, get your schoolwork done, and organize your schedule. This means employers can trust you to show up on time and get your work done. You can include this skill on your resume like this:

• Committed 30+ hours per week to games, practices, and meetings while also maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Coachability

The ability to take constructive criticism is important for finding success in a new position. As an athlete, you are coachable and take direction well, so employers will easily train you. You can include this quality on your resume like this:

• Received Most Improved Award for the 2020 season
• Worked individually with a shooting coach and improved my shooting percent from 32 to 57 percent

Teamwork and Collaboration

As part of a team, you learn to work with others to a common goal despite any differences. This is huge for finding success both on and off the court. Include this on your resume like this:

• Organized monthly team movie nights to integrate first-year students into the group

Leadership qualities

Regardless if you were or weren’t a team captain, demonstrate how you showed leadership. Being a leader means you have skills, including communication and respect. Include it on your resume like this:

• Team Captain for the 2020-2021 season
• Organized meetings to promote good team communication and mentored new players

Other Components of Sports

Sports also provide opportunities to receive awards, coach camps, and attend seminars. Make sure to include all of these on your resume as well. An example could look like this:

• Women’s Basketball Captain
• Four-time Varsity Letter recipient
• Conference Scholar-Athlete First Team 2019
• Coached 25 young athletes in player-run summer camp
• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member

Other Tips

When you’re writing a resume, always remember to use strong verbs, typically written in the past tense, including:

• Achieved
• Led
• Created
• Designed
• Collaborated
• Produced

Craft your resume for the job. Most companies use computers to check the resume before it reaches an actual human, so include the keywords mentioned in the job listing.

Have another person read over your resume to check for any spelling errors or punctuation mistakes. Even better if they know you well and can add to the list of awesome things to put on your resume.

Resume Examples:

Related Experience

Women’s Basketball Team, WS High School 2012-2015

• Elected Team Captain 2015
• League Champions 2015 | Division Champions 2013, 2014, 2015
• Managed 15+ hours per week of practice and competition, as well as a full class schedule
• Coached camps of 45 young athletes to help develop basketball and leadership skills
• Devoted time to facilitate team-building activities outside of scheduled practice hours

Activities

Women’s Basketball Team, P. University, Portland 2015-2019

• 4-year starting player
• Leading Conference Offensive Rebounder 2018
• All-Conference Team – Honorable Mention 2018

Overall, your experience as an athlete will speak for itself, but you want to do your best to promote yourself to future employers. Your resume is your opportunity to list all your accolades and awards, so don’t hold back.

Enhanced Perspectives

High school is the foundation that prepares you for this challenge at the next level. Think of it much like when you started high school from lower school. After a few years of high school, you found your groove. You adapted and adjusted well to your comfort zone in your senior year. That comfort zone you created to love and know will evolve and change because the challenges are different and more intense. Your existing skills will become enhanced, and new ones will emerge and interconnect with the old ones.

This new environment presents unique challenges and opportunities that transition into more extraordinary perspectives and perceptions.

Embrace, Don’t Avoid Adversity and Challenge

What you need to know is that transition creates adversity and challenge. You don’t need to let it. All you must do is accept these situations and react appropriately. Reacting appropriately will form qualities like perseverance, resilience, and leadership. But if you don’t accept and respond with emotion, it will be difficult to develop these qualities.

If you avoid adversity, you will never develop the qualities you want and need in school and life when working in your career.

Look at challenges and adversity not as a stressor but as an obstacle. Embrace it with positivity and not emotion. Emotion leads to illogical thoughts. Like the playing field, you must have an excellent offense to get around the defense to score. To do it, you need to be relaxed, not tense. Life is a game and is played in similar ways as sports.

Challenges in the Transition

Here are some challenges that will present themselves through transition. Just remember to think of challenges like hurdles. They don’t block you; you just need to figure out how to jump over them.

Increased Competition Intensity: High school athletes often perform best on local or regional teams. However, in college, they face a pool of athletes who are also at the top in their respective high schools. The level of play is considerably higher, and the margin for error is smaller. The intensity of competition necessitates not only physical preparedness but also mental strength.

Time Management: College athletes must learn to manage a rigorous schedule that includes training, classes, study sessions, and competitions, often in different locales. Unlike high school, where schedules can be more flexible, college athletes must balance their time without compromising their academic performance or athletic development.

Academic Rigor: The academic demands in college are typically more intense than in high school. Athletes must adapt to the increased workload and the depth of study required. They also must learn to navigate the resources available at college, like tutoring centers and academic advisors, which can be quite different from what they’re used to.

Physical Demands: The physical intensity of college sports can shock the system. Athletes must adapt to more demanding training regimens, longer seasons, and faster, stronger opponents—the risk of injury increases, making conditioning and proper self-care critical.

Mental Health: The pressure to perform athletically while maintaining academic eligibility can take a toll on mental health. Many athletes face stress, anxiety, and other psychological challenges as they navigate their new environment.

Social Adjustments: Leaving behind the familiarity of high school, athletes must forge new social networks, social skills, and attitudes. Balancing friendships, team dynamics, and integration into the broader college community requires adept social skills.

Independence and Self-Care: Student-athletes must learn to be independent from the structured support system of home and high school. Self-care, including nutrition, rest, and mental health, becomes entirely their responsibility, which can be daunting for many.

Accountability: College athletes must often manage their schedules and responsibilities without the hands-on guidance they may have received in high school. This newfound independence requires a high degree of personal accountability and discipline.

Eligibility Standards: Students must meet eligibility standards set by governing bodies like the NCAA to participate in collegiate athletics. These often include maintaining a certain GPA and enrolling in a minimum number of credit hours, which can add pressure to the already busy life of a student-athlete.

Remember, challenge and adversity are not about fear. Abandon this idea. Fear creates avoidance. And when you avoid challenges and adversity, you will not adapt nor learn essential qualities like perseverance, resilience, strong mindset, adaptability, courage, empathy, and optimism. You cannot avoid the challenges of learning, developing, and creating a process. This will be the foundation of life after college.

Adversity is not meant for you to go around. It is intended for you to go through to unlock and develop the unconscious strength and power from within.

Opportunities in the Transition

Amidst the whirlwind of change, opportunity arises from transition. Unique opportunities are waiting to be seized. The canvas of personal growth unfurls as you navigate uncharted territories, confront, and react to new experiences and situations on campus, in the class, and on the field.

Your first year will be hectic mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But in the latter years to come, the process you instill to adapt makes it easier.

Scholarships and Financial Support: Receiving a scholarship and financial aid provides you more time to practice, play, and learn instead of working to pay the bills.

Advanced Coaching and Training: College athletics provides access to superior coaching, training facilities, and resources. You can significantly improve your skills, conditioning, and overall performance.

Broader Exposure and Career Prospects: Collegiate-level performance can open doors to professional sports careers. The exposure athletes receive from college competitions, media coverage, and networking can be invaluable for future opportunities.

Academic Enrichment: The college environment offers a broader academic experience. Athletes can explore subjects and engage in learning that goes beyond what high school can offer, aiding in personal and intellectual development.

Life Skills Development: Balancing athletics and academics cultivate skills such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, and time management. These skills are transferable to all areas of life and can be beneficial long after college.

Community and Belonging: Being part of a college sports team can foster a strong sense of community and belonging. This can be a profound and enriching experience, contributing to personal growth and lifelong friendships.

Broader Social Connections: The transition to college allows student-athletes to connect with a diverse group of peers, coaches, and mentors. These relationships can become valuable networks that assist personal and professional development during and beyond college.

Your college life will discover and develop your untapped strengths and skills within. Constant development becomes an inherent part of the journey. Adapting to new environments necessitates acquiring and honing new abilities and skills. All positive and emotional transitions act as windows to expansive perspectives and ways of thinking that contribute to a broader worldview.

Strategies for a Successful Transition

These strategies can leverage challenges into opportunities and provide smooth transitions to diminish emotional intensity. These strategies will help make the leap from high school to college successful.

Reflect during Transitions: Reflection will prompt intentional goal setting, aligning your thoughts with actions to create a vision that is purposeful, productive, and enriching for your life.

Embrace a Growth Mindset: Student-athletes should view the transition as an opportunity for growth, just like sports have. A growth mindset will help to meet challenges with resilience and learn from experiences.

Develop Time Management Skills: Proactive time management can alleviate many transitional stresses. Using planners, setting priorities, and learning to avoid non-essential activities are crucial skills.

Utilize Support Systems: Colleges offer various support systems, including academic advisors, athletic tutors, and mental health services. Athletes should take advantage of these resources. Get involved in study groups to help you catch up and understand information you may have missed.

Stay Proactive in Academics: Prioritizing academics from the start can help prevent eligibility issues and undue stress later. Keeping in constant communication with professors and academic advisors is vital.

Focus on Self-Care: Maintaining a routine that includes proper nutrition, sleep, and stress management techniques is essential for the dual demands of academics and athletics.

Young athletes must navigate increased competition, academic pressures, and a new level of independence. The times will be tough, so how you react will make or break the experience. React with positivity and calm and learn to solve and make decisions. Staying positive will forge resilience, and practicing resilience will bring about adaptability, a prized trait essential in life.

In times of change, it imparts valuable lessons contributing to emotional intelligence, refined decision-making, innovation, and creativity. These experiences will reinvent you, redefine you, and evolve your aspirations. Within chaos are transitions to new beginnings. But you must accept to take on the challenges that will create the opportunities waiting to be discovered and embraced.

For healthy nutrition information, check out the book Eat to Win. It has months of nutritious meals for you to prepare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Well, you’ve done the hard work, but there is still more that you can do to hold the attention of the recruiters, and it might not be what you’re thinking.

Character Counts

If you are being recruited, your social media is being watched. So be yourself but also think twice, or three times, before you post. Think about how your post might impact your future.

Many colleges outsource monitoring of social media. These services can even find those Snapchat posts that you think that no one will see. The services gather all of your social media information for the college to get a glimpse at your character.

Remember, what you post online can affect your recruiting process, and more importantly, it can affect you in many ways for the rest of your life. So it’s worth repeating: think before you post.

What do you want your social media to say about you?

What Coaches See

When a college coach comes to watch you in your sport, they already know what you can do in your sport. They want to know more about your character, if you are a team player, and if you’ll fit in with their program.

Before The Game

As a high school coach, I always reminded my recruited players that when a college coach came to watch them play, they would be watching them when they stepped into the gym. They would watch how they carried themselves and how they interacted with their coaches and teammates to feel their overall demeanor.

A college coach will often be there earlier so they can watch a recruit before game time. To watch them in the stands or sidelines where they show what they are really made of. Of course, every athlete has their own personality. Some players keep to themselves a bit before the game, while others are more chatty with their teammates. But whatever it is that you do, a coach will get a vibe by how you present yourself.

Think about what you do while you are waiting for your game to start. Are you nice to your teammates? Do you make sure you clean up anything you may have left in your area, like a Gatorade bottle or food wrappers? Think about the impression you will be making right from the moment you hit the gym, field, or ballpark.

Be the best possible version of yourself.

During The Game

Don’t overstress about your game just because a coach is watching. I know that’s easy to say, but the coach already knows that you can play, or they wouldn’t be there. So think about the team game plan and go the extra mile to work with your teammates to make it happen.

If you focus on the team and not yourself, you will shine as a team player. If you are playing basketball, I don’t mean that you shouldn’t shoot; I mean do what is expected of you and more. A college recruiter sees all aspects of the game. They will see the hustle and the team play, as well as the stats.

And if you make a mistake, that’s okay. College coaches understand that mistakes happen. They want to see what happens after you make a mistake. How you react. Do you throw a fit or move on? A recruiter won’t care if you miss a lay-in or strike-out, but they will mind if you hang your head and don’t hustle back on defense or stay positive as you head out to shortstop to start the next inning.

A college coach will also see how you treat your coach. They will notice if you roll your eyes at them or spend your time looking into the crowd during a timeout. A college coach wants to know that you will listen to what they have to say when you come to play for them.

They want to know that you are coachable.

A college coach will notice if you support your teammates. Suppose you thank them for passes and congratulate them on their successes. College coaches notice the little things, the highs 5’s, the points, and the back slaps. All the things that tell them, this athlete is a team player. They have what is needed athletically, but they also care about their teammates. If you work to raise the level of your teammate’s game, your team will be more successful.

A college coach wants a player who cares about the team.

After The Game

Again, be aware of how you represent yourself. If your team lost, don’t pout or be a bad sport. You can be disappointed, upset even, but a college coach will want to know how you handle failure because it is a part of sports and part of life. Losses and failures help you grow as a player and a person and, in the end, make the team stronger.

Communication

When a coach contacts you, be professional. Please get back to them promptly and use appropriate language. How you respond to them will give that coach a good idea of your interest level and how you might communicate with your teammates.

Meeting A Coach

NCAA rules vary depending on sport as to when you can talk with college coaches in person, but if you do have the opportunity, make eye contact with the coach, be gracious, be yourself, and always remember, character counts.

Read More:

• College Recruiting Simplified
• How an Injured Athlete Can Still Manage the College Recruiting Process Successfully

Second thing you should know: You can’t possibly know all of the people who are following you. This is especially true if you’re an athlete who’s even remotely noteworthy; and given the norms of college recruiting today—when fans lobby teenagers to attend their favorite schools through online messages—you’re probably more noteworthy than you think.

So though it’s not totally fair to say this, the reality is that if you’re on social media, you need to play it smart and start thinking of yourself as a brand. The things you say and do online will affect the health of your brand—i.e., your options at the next level.

Here are five tips to make sure your social media is helping—not hampering—your personal “brand” reputation.

1. Don’t Post (or even RT) Anything You Wouldn’t Want a Coach to See

Want proof that you’re under a microscope? Check out this tweet from SMU defensive coordinator Van Malone:

We have a team of people who monitor what recruits are putting on social media. Watch what you tweet and retweet. pic.twitter.com/MNjrwSbuEd

— SMU Coach Van Malone (@SMUCoachMalone) September 16, 2015

As you can see, his team doesn’t look only at what athletes are saying. SMU’s media monitors also read the content you retweet or share.

If you don’t want college coaches to read or see it, don’t post or RT it. Even if your account is locked, followers can (and will) screenshot the things you think you’re keeping private. Post something controversial, and some hater somewhere will gleefully share your regrettable words with the world.

This is not to say you can’t have fun. Feel free to crack jokes or make fire memes. There’s nothing wrong with showing your personality. Just err on the side of positivity rather than negativity.

2. Don’t Lose Like a Loser

Everyone loses games from time to time. Coaches know that. If your team ends up on the wrong end of the score, they want to see how you handle it. What they won’t want to see is you firing off an expletive-filled message attempting to belittle your opponent.

When you lose, do one of two things: 1) say nothing, or 2) give the other team credit and move on.

Maturity goes a long way toward showing college coaches that you’re ready for the responsibility of playing at the next level.

3. Interact with Your Teammates

Congratulate your teammates when they get a college offer or have a big game. This will not only foster better chemistry within your own team, but it will show college coaches that you’re the type of teammate others will like having in the locker room.

4. Share Your Life Outside Sports

Don’t think that just because college coaches are monitoring your social media that you can’t share your life outside sports. Did you get a good grade on that math test? Don’t be afraid to do a little bragging on Twitter. Are you in the school band or do you participate in any clubs? Let’s hear about that, too. There’s nothing wrong with being well-rounded.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Show Off

Did you have a big game last week? Share your highlights. Pull off a new PR in the weight room? Throw that clip up on Instagram. Social media can be a great way to increase your exposure to college coaches, so don’t be afraid to show off a little. It’s also a good idea to publicize any camps or showcases you’ll be attending so coaches can keep tabs on you.

Bonus Q: What Can College Coaches Do on Social Media?

With the explosion of social media, the NCAA has been forced to get involved with how coaches and recruits interact with each other on these platforms. Coaches cannot tweet directly at you, but they can follow and private message (or DM) you.

And thanks to a new rule passed this off-season, coaches can now also like, favorite, tag, retweet or republish posts from high school athletes.

While this might sound like big fun (“Hey look! Charlie Strong RT’d me!”), it can have surprising results. (“Why am I getting all of these threats from people in Oklahoma?”)

If you ever feel harassed by a member of a certain fan base, use the block button liberally.

Elite 11: Nurturing Quarterback Excellence

Since its inception in 1999, Elite 11, powered by Stack Sports, has been at the forefront of quarterback development, helping shape the careers of some of the most successful quarterbacks in college and professional football. The program goes beyond on-field drills and competitions; it emphasizes holistic growth by offering classroom instruction, mentorship, and invaluable networking opportunities.

This year, the Elite 11 Finals brought together a select group of exceptional young quarterbacks, each displaying outstanding talent, leadership, and potential. These rising stars have engaged in intense training sessions, received personalized coaching, and participated in competitive drills designed to push their abilities to new heights.

Gatorade: Fueling Performance and Empowering Athletes

One integral aspect of the Elite 11 Finals is the continued partnership with Gatorade, a leading sports beverage brand renowned for its commitment to athlete excellence. Gatorade has a long-standing history of supporting athletes at all levels, providing them with the hydration and nutrition they need to perform at their best.

At the Elite 11 Finals, Gatorade’s involvement goes beyond refreshment. The brand plays a pivotal role in fueling the athletes throughout their demanding training sessions, ensuring they stay hydrated and energized to perform at their peak. Gatorade’s cutting-edge sports science and expertise integrated into the event, providing the young quarterbacks with invaluable knowledge and insights into optimizing their performance.

Moreover, Gatorade’s commitment to empowering athletes extends beyond the playing field. Through various initiatives, such as the Gatorade Player of the Year program, the brand recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of high school athletes across the nation. By supporting athletes at every stage of their journey, Gatorade inspires the next generation to strive for greatness and reach their full potential.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Quarterbacks

The event represents a crucial milestone in the journey of these talented young quarterbacks as they aim to make their mark in the world of football. The combination of Elite 11’s renowned training methodology and Gatorade’s unwavering support creates a powerful synergy that sets the stage for success

The Elite 11 Finals not only provide an opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills, but they also offer an immersive experience that fosters personal growth, character development, and lasting connections. This week-long event will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on these rising stars, propelling them toward their goals and fueling their passion for the game.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Elite 11 Finals and recognizing the dedication and talent of these remarkable young quarterbacks. As they take the field and embrace the challenges that lie ahead, Elite 11 and Gatorade stand shoulder to shoulder, united in their mission to empower athletes and shape the future of football.

For more information about Elite 11 and Gatorade, please visit their respective websites at elite11.com and gatorade.com.

This prestigious event serves as the culmination of a rigorous selection process, bringing together the top high school quarterbacks in the nation for a thrilling display of talent, determination, and sportsmanship. This year’s finals is a spectacular meeting of two of the top prospects in the country, Dylan Raiola, the #1 QB recruit in the class committed to Georgia and Jadyn Davis the #2 QB recruit in the class committed to Michigan.

During the Elite 11 Finals, these exceptional young athletes will participate in a series of challenging drills, situational exercises, and competitive sessions designed to showcase their skills under the guidance of renowned coaches and mentors. The event offers a unique platform for these rising stars to demonstrate their abilities and compete among their peers, all with the goal of securing recognition and potential opportunities at the collegiate and professional levels.

Panini America, as the exclusive trading card and collectibles partner for Elite 11, will be actively involved in capturing the excitement and significance of the finals. Through their expertise in creating high-quality collectibles, Panini will create exclusive trading cards and other commemorative items featuring the participating quarterbacks. These collectibles will allow fans to connect with the journey of these athletes, relive their standout moments, and build a lasting connection with the next generation of football stars.

“Elite 11 is thrilled to continue our partnership with Panini America, especially as we host the highly anticipated 2023 Elite 11 Finals,” expressed Brian Stumpf, Senior Vice President of Elite 11. “This event represents the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication by these young athletes. We are excited to collaborate with Panini to create memorable experiences for the participants and offer fans a unique way to engage with their favorite quarterbacks.”

Panini America’s involvement in the Elite 11 Finals reflects its commitment to showcasing the talents and accomplishments of these exceptional athletes. By producing exclusive collectibles, Panini ensures that the achievements and journeys of these quarterbacks are captured in a tangible and cherished form, serving as a testament to their hard work and future potential.

“We are proud to be a part of the Elite 11 Finals, a momentous event that celebrates the very best high school quarterbacks in the nation,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. “Through our exclusive collectibles, we aim to create lasting memories and provide fans with an opportunity to engage with the future stars of football. We look forward to witnessing the incredible talent on display during the Elite 11 Finals.”

The collaboration between Elite 11 and Panini America not only highlights the dedication to the development of young athletes but also underscores the importance of preserving their legacies through collectibles that will be cherished by fans and sports enthusiasts for years to come.

For more information on Elite 11 and Panini America, please visit their respective websites at https://www.elite11.com/ and https://www.paniniamerica.net/.

About Panini America:

The Panini Group, established 60 years ago in Modena, Italy, has subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America, and the United States.  Panini is the world leader in officially licensed collectibles and is the most significant publisher of collectibles in the U.S., with official licenses for NFL, NFLPA, NBA, NBPA, FIFA, UFC, NASCAR, College, Disney, and other key properties from many other licensors. Panini is also the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

About Elite 11:

Founded in 1999, the Elite 11 is the premier quarterback event in the nation, that identifies and develops the top high school quarterbacks in the country. Elite 11 has a rich history of producing some of the most successful quarterbacks in college and professional football. The program combines on-field drills and competitions with classroom instruction and mentorship to provide young athletes with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed on and off the field. Elite 11 is a part of the Stack Sports ecosystem, a leading sports technology company that provides a range of products and services to youth sports organizations. Elite 11 event alumni include 26 of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks, and 14 of the past 16 quarterbacks who have won the Heisman Trophy. For additional information on Elite 11, please visit: https://www.elite11.com/.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations, including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars, rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations.

Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars — Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://www.stacksports.com/.

Parents play a significant role in the recruiting process that should be supportive, enthusiastic, but “indirect,” especially when it comes to communicating with college coaches.

Clarity

Begin by establishing clear recruiting goals, objectives, and timelines. Identify the final college goal and work backward to the starting point of your plan.

You will notice “checkpoints” along the way that will eventually resurface as you navigate the college quest. Whether it is the signing of the national letter of intent, the official visit, or the first phone call placed to the coach, you will begin to develop a checklist of “things to do.”

The responsibilities parents play in college recruiting should be simple but impactful. Parents can help their children envision the process and understand their role. Half the battle in reaching any goal is understanding the mission. Create an educational yet fun approach to the process.

The more parents encourage their children to take an active role in controlling their destiny and executing the plan, the higher the chance they have in reaching their goals.

Team

Develop a group of contributing players who offer significant strength in specific areas of the recruiting process. Prospective student-athletes will likely embrace the team approach. It demonstrates helpful assistance while distributing recruiting assignments out to the area experts.

Parents who have identified and cultivated strong relationships with team members (college advisor, high school, and club coach, etc.) will heighten their role in college recruiting. It lays the groundwork to specific roles that will be played out by each team member.

Parents should organize occasional team meetings where the group can review regular progress in the college search and offer suggestions to keep the momentum moving forward.

Encourage Independence

College coaches will contact high school and club coaches to gather information about the prospects they recruit. In addition, they need to act as a resource for families. They want to be able to field questions from mom and dad. More importantly, college coaches want to see the prospect for who he or she truly is.

Specifically, parents should encourage their children to be active and independent in their college quest. It drives proactive preparation, and the development of communication skills, and fosters a will to step up and own the college recruiting process.

Remember, college coaches are looking for 3 key ingredients in a prospect: Strong students, impact athletes, and a personal character that demonstrates self-confidence and leadership. A crucial role of parents in college recruiting is to empower their children and encourage them to control their communication playing field.

Communication with College Coaches

Prospects should assume direct responsibility for most of the interaction with college coaches. Parents should be actively involved as well. Whether it is negotiating financial aid, requesting a preliminary evaluation in admissions, or asking questions concerning campus safety, parents should not hesitate to inquire on behalf of their children respectfully.

However, parents should yield in some areas of the college recruiting process, especially when their kids appear to stumble. At times prospects will struggle with recruiting. However, college coaches are not looking at the stumble as much as they are looking at the recovery. Parents need to believe their kids will regroup and realign. Subsequently, allowing them to experience the “good struggle” will give prospects a greater appreciation of the role of parents in the recruiting process.

Red Flags

There are several red flags parents should avoid:

• In
  face-to-face interviews with college coaches, avoid answering questions
  that college coaches ask your children.
• Refrain
  from responding to phone and e-mail messages left by college coaches and
  directed to the prospect.
• Parents
  should review e-mails for proper grammar and sentence structure before
  being sent to college coaches.
• “Tough
  questions” should be timed appropriately. You do not want to approach the
  first meeting with a college coach asking for a scholarship! Develop
  sincere relationships with college coaches. Executing a slow and steady plan
  will win the race.

Parents play an important role in college recruiting and many parents try to control the recruiting process. Consequently, the best gift we can offer our children is the freedom to control their playing field. Focus on everything positive and fun in the college search. When our children seem doubtful or frustrated, have faith in their resiliency to rebound and advance the quest with confidence and self-reliance.

Select, non-athletic scholarship awarding institutions can, in many cases, offer significant assistance in Admissions and Financial Aid that can potentially lend strong support for prospective student-athletes. It is important that prospects, families, and high school advisors clearly understand the role the college coach plays in this process and make every effort to develop a sincere and strong working relationship throughout the college search.

Accelerating The Recruting Process

College recruiting is accelerating at a terrific pace, especially with scholarship athletes. Verbal commitments have become more popular with “blue chip” prospects. College coaches are aggressively recruiting a larger number of prospects on a highly accelerated timetable. Consequently, this accelerated recruiting effort is growing equally popular with the non-scholarship colleges and universities as well.

Prospects are required to meet the minimum academic eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA. At the same time, prospects who are considering non-athletic scholarship institutions need to meet even higher academic standards to reach their admission goals. Coaches from these institutions use different recruiting tactics. Recruit and retain prospects that bring a strong, well-balanced true student-athlete profile to the table.

College Admissions Pre-Reads

Early academic evaluations are effective tools college coaches use to determine the potential admissibility of a candidate. Furthermore, coaches work with an athletic department “Admissions Liaison” that can assist them in requesting an “early admissions read” for potential “impact prospects.” As the recruiting process has accelerated, so too has the need for prospects to “get their academic house in order.”

Depending on the institution, coaches who want to get an early academic read on a prospect will require specific information.

1. An updated high school transcript through the sophomore year (and in some cases through the 5th semester)
2. Standardized test results (SAT/ACT)
3. Updated high school profile. The admissions pre-read is a powerful tool that college coaches use in the recruiting process. It adds pieces to the puzzle that creates clarity to where a prospect truly stands.

Likely Letter

The likely letter is a tremendous tool coaches use to offer prospects “near guarantees” of admissions. These letters are generated from the admissions office and sent to prospective student-athletes well before the regular population of applicants is reviewed. This becomes a tremendous bargaining chip for college coaches competing with scholarship institutions for the same prospect. Institutions that use likely letters will require updated high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and the school profile before the letters can be generated.

Financial Aid

A financial aid pre-read will provide prospects and families with a “ballpark” figure for the family contribution in the first year. Financial aid pre-reads must be requested prior to applying. Pre-reads are handled directly by the financial aid office and take approximately 7-10 days to complete.

Be advised that college coaches can be “stingy” in determining which prospects and families receive financial aid pre-reads. You give yourself the best chance to cross this hurdle by convincing Coach that you 1) have the academic and athletic credentials to successfully impact the institution and 2) show sincerity in your interest in the program.

The non-scholarship option for prospects may appear daunting, but the long-term benefits can be viable. Although identified in Admissions as having a special talent, athletes are treated like any other candidate. They will be expected to maintain excellence in the classroom. In addition, college coaches can do a lot of the heavy lifting with financial aid pre-reads, but only with potential impact prospects and that demonstrate sincere interest. Consequently, the families who embrace the big picture in the college search give themselves the best chance in finding the right college choice.

Club coaches are not only wizards in the gym and on the field; they have an uncanny ability to read core personalities of every boy and girl they teach. A successful coach is a great educator first. They know their student’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential leadership capabilities.

Testimonials

College coaches will do a thorough academic and athletic evaluation of a prospect to determine where they fit in their recruit priority chart. Moving forward, a diligent college recruiter will reach out to the club coach to learn about the inner makeup of the prospect.

Given a choice between a blue-chip prospect who may be a potential “loose cannon” on the inside of the team and a solidly skilled prospect who brings a strong character component to the table, college coaches will likely lean toward the latter. Consequently, a strong testimonial from the candidate’s current coach can go a long way in closing the loop in the college evaluation. Below is an example of an impact coach testimonial:

Coach Testimonial: “Rarely in my time at PDA have we added a player directly from a tryout onto our top team, but I was so impressed with Ian during our tryout process that we immediately offered him a place on our top team that plays in the MLSNEXT league. As a player, Ian is most comfortable in central midfield but can also play wide. His best qualities are his comfort with the ball, his passing ability, and his creativity. As a person, Ian would be an outstanding addition to any locker room, university, or team culture. He has been a pleasure to coach, has taken instruction very well, and applied it during matches, and his training habits are exemplary. Ian is an excellent, positive, and supportive teammate. I have no hesitations at all in recommending Ian to any college program and would be happy to discuss him further at any time.” –Tyler S.

The Coach Testimonial should touch on 3 critical areas. 1) Athletic ability, 2) Ability to coach and teach the prospect and 3) The potential leadership qualities he or she brings to a program.

Player Profile

Prospects should create a starting point for their college search by defining themselves. Creating and sharing a 1-page player profile with college coaches is an excellent first step. Not only should the profile let college coaches know who you are, but it should also include a powerful coach testimonial.

The testimonial serves as a soft recommendation where a coach can identify the skill of an athlete but also convey their core character and inherent leadership qualities. In addition, club coaches can utilize powerful networking skills and cultivate robust relationships with college coaches.

Leadership

College coaches are grounded, common-sense individuals who rely on their gut when making most of their program decisions, including recruiting. Whether you are the captain of your team or a member of the student government, embrace these leadership roles to build your character foundation.

College coaches have an uncanny ability to size up prospects quickly. They can pinpoint a real leader as opposed to a “resume leader” in a heartbeat. And who better than your private coach to convey your leadership skills to college coaches?

The coach testimonial, as part of the player profile, forms the recruiting foundation. Picking up the phone and calling college coaches gives club coaches the opportunity to convey personal information about the prospect further. This drives the recruiting process to the next level.

The club coach can be many things to prospective student-athletes, A mentor, sounding board, and even a sport psychologist! In addition, he or she can be a powerful ally who can offer valuable information to college coaches. Perhaps just enough to tip the scales for the prospect in the right direction.