High school athletic recruiting is heating up

Never mind the fact that college coaches from throughout the country have been working hard trying to find the most talented players to play for their school.  What has seemed to really heat up as of late has been athletic recruiting at the high school level.  While I am sure it has always gone on, things are making it even worse in the last few years.

The reason that I decided to put together this article was because of what one prep basketball coach and an athletic director pulled recently.  The high school coach in the situation has been accused many times of illegally recruiting players and giving them benefits above and beyond what they would normally get.  But when the allegations were investigated, nothing came up.

This is just an interesting story (Click here for the entire article) simply because it is becoming common place all throughout the country.  Even a small state like Iowa saw their largest class win a State title composed of athletes that were “recruited” to go to school there.  In the end, that stacked team won it all so it must have paid off.

Even if the coach did recruit, it would be nearly impossible to catch them.  First off, the players are likely not going to say anything really dumb to get themselves and the coach into trouble.  Unless they are not very bright to begin with, then it is easy for the coach to tell them to say no comment if they are asked.

And second, the coach is obviously not going to implicate himself into the recruiting mess.  How many coaches do you see stepping forward, even if they are found guilty, and taking the responsibilities for their actions?  Many of these coaches win a lot of games and get out in a hurry.  Chances are their goals are to boast their resume and get to the college level.

While most situations do not resort to a lawsuit, there are a lot of reasons why prep athletes decide to change schools.  The main two reasons center around each other.  They are winning and recruiting.  When your team is able to win ball games and make it to State (It doesn’t matter the sport), there is a much greater chance that college coaches may be able to see you along the way.

Winning does help recruiting but it is rather obvious which schools have the most talent going to college.  If you live in a city where you have four options to play high school football and you are a potential Division I recruit (Which may be hard to tell early on), you will likely take a look at all of the schools available.  In the end, the program that gives you the best chance to improve and be recruited is likely where you will go.

One school usually stands out in the end because they may have the most aggressive coach in the recruiting process.  This coach may have ins with a number of college coaches after having sent player after player to that level years prior.  And that can only help your chances.  Obviously your other option is go to a school that is less known and make a name for yourself.

So do you think high school coaches recruit?  Or is it success and possible Division I scholarships that bring athletes to transfer from one school to another?

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