Q&A with a parent who has gone though and is going through the football recruiting process – Part One

One of my favorite features to bring readers is question and answers from parents who have been through the athletic recruiting process themselves.  They have done everything they can to help their kid get a chance to play college athletics.  Afterwards, they are kind enough to share their story with the readers of Recruiting-101.

In this look, we had a chance to ask some questions to a parent who just went through the football recruiting process.  His son is in the Class of 2010 but has already verbally committed to a college program that is close to home.  Find out what this parent went through and their advice for readers out there now!  This is part one of a two part article.

What was your experience with the recruiting process before this?
Minimal, maybe a little more than the average Joe, I did play college football and my father played college basketball.

Talk about your decision to be proactive in the recruiting process and do what you could to help your son get his name out to college coaches?
I think every parent worth their salt would want what is best for their children. I feel like it is my job to lead them into adult hood with the tools they need to survive and do well for themselves. The decision was a no brainer.

What do you feel were some of the best steps that you took to help get your son attention?
Making contacts at every turn. Reading and getting all the info you can, and getting your name out whatever it takes. There is no doubt that The Five Steps to a Scholarship by Recruiting-101 has outlined are probably the best I have seen; whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it (note: I did not pay him to say that).

Were there any steps that you took that you would have avoided when looking back now?
I don’t know if we would have made as many visits, but they were all a learning experience. I guess it depends on your time and money.

As a parent, how stressful was the recruiting process?
It was stressful as a parent only because you are watching your children go through the stress. You want what is best for them always. Most people would think this is the best spot in the world to be in, and in some ways of course it is. You are a popular guy and who doesn’t love the attention, but none the less, it is a stressful time. I think most people’s biggest fear is the fear of rejection.

Did you ever expect a major Division I program to end up offering your son a football scholarship?
I think deep down, I knew it was coming, just when and where.

Why did your son decide to end the process early and make a commitment?
For him this was the most fortunate thing that could have happened to him. In our state, you are either a State University #2 fan or a State University #1fan. We happen to be State University #1 fans. This was “his school”. They offered and he took it.

Is your son still considering other schools?
We talk about it, but I would be very surprised if he entertained anything further. Unless something drastic happened. But I can’t think of any reason. He has told other schools that his decision is solid.

What was the process as a family to narrow down the recruiting process?
We let him make his own decision and tried not to interfere too much. Of course I would not have let him do something totally crazy, but he has a good head on his shoulders. The big thing in the end was he wanted to stay in state.

Did you use a recruiting service/recruiting agent during the recruiting process? If so, why? If not, why did you go that route?
No. I just did not see any that I thought would benefit us. I am sure there are good ones out there for people who do not want to be too much hands on. The cost of the ones I saw was pretty much way out of line I thought.

Do you feel that college coaches were honest with you the entire time in the process?
I did not run across any one who I thought was not honest. You have to understand that this is their livelihood and they have to do what it takes to win and feed their families. You may not get all the truth, but we never got lied to.

Estimate how many unofficial visits you took and how worth while they were during the process?
We took 7 or 8. They are invaluable especially if you can go during a game. Nothing compares to big time college football. Also you get a drift of what campus life may be like.

What would you say was the most difficult part of the recruiting process?
Just wondering in the back of your mind what is really going on with the process. What are coaches thinking, what are they going to do. Should you continue to keep them in mind or move on?

Do you have any other words of wisdom for families out there reading this?
Try to get a handle on where you really fit. Where can you play? Shoot for the stars, but be ready to back off. Do not burn any bridges. Just figure what it is your child wants and go get it. Don’t let anything stop you.

With your younger son, do you think you would change any steps that were done in recruiting?
I don’t think I would change anything. It is just that I know what to do and when. I think the process would be more streamlined. I wish there was a way to get better film. Outside of hiring someone the only other option would be do it yourself and I don’t think my filming would be any better than the team’s film.

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