Show Me The Money - Reprinted from Inside Lacrosse

The days spent watching and traveling with my children on the recruiting circuit, were some of the most memorable days of my life. Care free days on the sidelines, eating out as a family, spending free time at a hotel pool, all are priceless memories, (excluding THE TRAFFIC on I -95.!!)

 

Much has changed in the years since I attended my daughter's and son's last tournament. Not only have the number of venues increased dramatically, but the costs associated with facilitating recruiting have sky rocketed. These expenses are no longer just incidental.

 

The recent prolonged economic downturn has SIGNIFICANTLY affected millions of families throughout the country. The gutting of the middle class has put tremendous pressure on discretionary spending. 

 

Yet, when you pull up to any tournament or showcase. you are still likely to see the Range Rover Sports, the BMW's and the Escalades. But, for every M&A Banker or every person employed by a hedge fund, venture capital firm or private equity fund, there are multiple families at these events who are struggling to meet the expenses associated with these recruiting venues. And this is not to say that those who are successful spend their money in a cavalier manner. They just as well may wonder what they get for all the money they apply towards "recruiting" events."

 

One of the biggest expenses a family is likely to incur is those associated with being part of a club team. Take the club registration fee and add in four to five tournaments and you are looking at close to $3,000. Then add in hotels, gas, tolls, restaurants, and a family could be out of pocket close to $ 5,000. Club teams undeniably play an important role in facilitating exposure. 

 

The problem many families now face is deciding which tournaments on a club schedule are worth their money. The tournament circuit has been watered down much over the last few years. At some of the tournaments you have a better chance of running into a cow on the sidelines than a college coach.

 

Additionally the growth of showcase events has made the decision where to spend your time and money even more confusing, yet no less critical to the process. There are a tremendous number of showcase events that are invaluable means of exposure for your son (Jake Reed- Nike Blue Chip, Blue Chip 225, Maverick, Peak 200, N.E. 150, Top 205, NIT 175, Amherst- Good to Great, Yale-Whiz Kids). All well organized and well run by dedicated lax afficionados. Add to this mix a somewhat new venue - the school specific combine. 

 

This recent addition to the recruiting schedule is also a great way for your son to be seen up close on the campus of a school he has on his list. I actually believe these on site venues might be the best way for a player to gain clarity as to whether he is on the recruiting grid for the school. These events should take priority over all others if you are being recruited by a particular school. A great performance at these events is likely to create stickiness with a coach and his staff. They may be even more inclined to follow you with your club team for additional looks if you make a great impression at their venue.

 

Not attending a school sponsored combine potentially sends a mixed message to a coach who you have been communicating with. Talk to any coach who runs these events on campus and they will tell you that part of their recruiting class is made up of a percentage of kids who they either discovered at the combine or re-affirmed the top tier status of a recruit they saw previously. And guess what?  They are relatively inexpensive.

 

Back to the club expense. First of all, you need to ascertain what coaches were at an event in previous years that your club is planning on attending. In many cases you can email coaches to find out what tournaments they or their staff plan on attending. If you find that the vast majority of your wish list schools are not attending an event, then you need to decide if this event is worth the cost. I tell my players just give me enough advance notice if they are not doing a tournament with us. I tell parents to do what's best for their son relative to specific school or conference exposure. Our club will survive without them.

 

As parents you also need to be cognizant of not burning your son out. Chasing the recruiting dream can literally wear a player down. Again, with all the showcase events popping up, players can end up playing from early June to the end of August. This is a lot of lacrosse especially given that many of these summer tournaments are held in 90 degree heat with oppressive humidity. You better give much thought to each venue and the yield on your dollar and the effect it has on your son. Sending him to a tournament or showcase when he is less than at full strength can have an irreversible negative impact on his recruiting grid status. 

 

As a means to avoid burn out and wasted money  have your son plot out his recruiting venues well in advance considering all the possible events, combine, club and showcase.  Work alongside him in determining the best use of his time and your hard earned money. Plan for breaks where he can recuperate and spend time communicating with coaches to ensure they are aware of his ongoing interest in their school. Check in with coaches to make sure they are still attending certain events. Coaches are like nomads in the summer; however, there is no excuse for lack of communication on your son`s part. Get some use out of that new IPAD he just had to have. Keep transcripts and updated standardized test scores on your device. Out of sight, out of mind.

 

If done correctly, you potentially can put your son in the enviable position of attending an elite academic institution because of his lax skills. But more so now than ever, it takes laser like focus and a discerning eye when writing out all those checks!!