Expert: Thom Brooks - 2/19/2009

Question
I have participated on the JV team at a FBS School for four years and plan to attend a graduate program at an FCS school in the Fall. I have contacted compliance staff at several FCS schools and have confirmed that I have one year of eligibility remaining and each of them has obtained a release from my athletic office to contact me.

I have attempted to contact the recruiting coordinator at a particular school of interest but have been unsuccessful. I have called and left two voicemails over the past two weeks explaining my situtation/goals but have received no reply. I remember some aspects of recruiting from high school, but this situation seems somewhat different. How would you approach the coaching staff? Would you call, email, or possibly mail them a letter or some sort of package (video, etc.)? If so, in what order?

I appreciate your time and consideration.

Answer
B,  Hello.


I would send them a certified letter.  If they do not respond, it would mean that they have no interest in you and that you need to move on to another choice.  It would be unprofessional and a bit low class if they ignored you on purpose.  But, before over-reacting, remember the schools have been heavy into recruiting season.  They may have been traveling and literally swamped by 500 phone calls of prospects/families/scouts.  So, maybe they've been cherry picking.
Their secretary should have responded.

No need to send a video to a school that will not return a phone call.  It would appear they wouldn't look at the video.  So, the first step is to communicate with someone by telephone, email or certified mail.  

If you have any connections with the school, contact the current playeers, students or faculty.  Someone will get you the audience needed.  Telephone the local Sports people from your TV, newspaper and radio outlets.  They have connections, too.  If you know of any Alumni from your school of choice, you need to get them to help.


Hopefully, some of the websites I attached below will give you some avenues to run.  


Keep working hard and someone will be grateful for your talents.

Pursue that degree that will help your success after football.


Thom Brooks





Please review the following websites. The first one is my youngest son's band!

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