As November comes to a close and the deadline for submitting applications to Concordia is 3 months away, I will start to get an increase in contact from prospective student-athletes looking to be considered for fall 2018. Reality is that for top recruits, they have probably been in contact for a while and I myself have been talking to a few for almost a year,
Come January, we will hold our annual Recruit Day bring in mostly 2018 recruits but a few top 2019 grads that we hope to initiate an early discussion with. During the next few months, I will get quite a few inquiries from potential players asking questions about what kind of players are we looking for, how many spots do I have on the team next fall, what their chances of making the team might be etc. One guiding principle of my recruiting is that I am not looking for the best players but rather the best individuals that I feel can both make our soccer team better on the field, but just as importantly fit in with the culture and environment that I trying to create around the soccer program. Remember, we are talking about student-athletes, who must do well in school to keep playing. I am also looking to create a rewarding student-athlete experience which hopefully will provide all the athletes with a skill set that will make them successful long after their playing careers are done. A lot of athletes assume that coaches are solely focused on the talent of an individual when recruiting players. They will reach out, listing all their athletic accomplishments. While it is easy to get caught up in the sheer technical talent and abilities of athletes, as the coaching in a student-athlete environment, I'm looking for more than just what is quickly seen in competition. Talent has become exponentially important when it comes to recruitment, there’s no doubt about that, but to say this is all that matters, is well, incorrect. Talent is a minor attribute in the wide array of characteristics that I am looking for in athletes who I feel should be given the privilege of calling themselves Concordia Stingers. This might of course change if and when, a new and different coach takes over. So specifically, what do I look for ?
Becoming a student-athlete, is making a lifestyle choice. It is accepting that for 3, 4 or even 5 years, as an individual you are committing to making good decisions that will allow you to succeed on and off the field ( and the off the field being the priority when you think big picture.) The obligations of a student-athlete become an integral part of their lives and I want individuals to accept all of the responsibilities that go with that, not just the ones that that are fun, beneficial or convenient. Do I get my assessment right every time, absolutely not. In addition, the reality is that in talking to an 18 or 18 year old, their plans and objectives, even their commitment level might chance over time as they proceed through university and discover other passions. Being a student-athlete is not for everyone, and my role as a coach is to provide each potential athlete with an honest, frank picture of what they are getting themselves into and to be very upfront of what will be expected. How they interact with me during these discussions will often serve as a good measure of whether or not, they are the right fit for the soccer program I envision building.
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AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
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