The lessons of the Recruiting Process

n an incredibly sad attempt to find my college diplomas for my office, I dusted off an old box that I just can’t seem to let go of. My college recruiting letters from 2011-2013. The good ole days. College recruiting was a bit different when I was in high school than it is today. No transfer portal. No social media. Just handwritten letters & scheduled phone conversations with coaches each night after school. No texting. Just calls. I look back & am really thankful I went through recruiting during this time because it taught me a lot of valuable lessons about life, that I still use today.

First & foremost: it taught me that a handwritten letter went ALOT further than an email or a printout that was being sent to 100 different recruits. It was the differentiator. It was the handwritten letters that usually caused me to schedule the next phone call.

It taught me how to speak on the phone. How to make a total stranger a friend. How to hold a conversation for 30-45 minutes on a weekly basis and not run out of stuff to talk about.

It taught me that the best answer is yes, and the NEXT best answer is no (something I wish some of the ppl I work with would understand). I learned that it was MORE respectful for all parties to let them know you were NOT interested, so they can move on. And so can you. AND, you’d allow for other people (who wanted the opportunity) to have a chance at it. Yes is better than no. But no is way better than maybe, or not right now, or simply not answering.

It taught me to have hard conversations. There were coaches I LOVED. they became friends. They became a conversation I looked forward to every single week. Problem is, you could only choose one school. Thankfully, (I wasn’t thankful then but….) my parents made me pick up the phone and call each coach that had recruited me to let them know I chose Southern Miss. that was about 20 phone calls and every single one of them were really, really hard. But ultimately, it was the right thing to do. And I am really glad that I learned early that having the hard conversation is better than none at all.

It taught me that business and personal are separate. Just because you work with someone doesn’t mean you have to be friends. And just because you’re friends, doesn’t mean you have to work with someone. But it’s also ok to have both. And I was thankful for the coaches who remained fiends after recruiting was over.

It taught me not to burn bridges. Although a lot of coaches were upset I didn’t choose their program, & I was (honestly) upset I had to make a final decision, we were still able to stop the process and remain respectful of one another. That respect actually led to a ton of opportunities for me after my transfer & into my coaching career. Always, always, have respect.

It taught me not to waste time. Opportunities come and go. Some scholarships were offered and the rescinded because I didn’t make a decision in time. Some other people chose quicker than I did. But I had to be quick to make a decision, without rushing. A very hard balance to find.

It reminded me that, it’s a business. These coaches have to recruit. And you have to find somewhere to play. No time to get upset, offended, or regret. When God closes one door, He always opens another.

It taught me that relationships matter. Ultimately, you make a decision based on a relationship. Of course, the school helps. The history of the program helps. But it was relationships that kept the process going. & It’s relationship that keep the world spinning. So make great ones!

Lastly, it taught me to be thankful. My parents told me over and over how lucky I was to have a phone call with a college coach every day for almost 3 years. They kept telling me, you don’t know how lucky you are. Truth is, I didn’t. I know now, that wherever you are in life, there is probably someone who would give a lot for what you have right now. I look back in awe of how lucky I really was. (And how I probably didn’t cherish it like I should’ve) but it just reminds me to seek areas of your life you may be overlooking in gratitude. You might just look back and think, it was hard then, but I didn’t know how lucky I was.

Happy Saturday, friends. And no, I didn’t find my diplomas.

~APC