WSJ: The Do-It-Yourself Athletic Scholarship Guide
I welcome all stories from bloggers who happen to run into good reads, even if it's not from our site ;-) This read comes from The Wall Street Journal, the link sent via e-mail from a fellow blogger New York. It's a good read for parents and students struggling to get the attention of recruiters.
Above: Alisha Eckberg's family followed a Web guidebook to attract recruiters. (Michael Justice for The Wall Street Journal)
From The Wall Street Journal
Kirsten Bladek had a problem.
Three weeks into her senior season on the Monarch High School volleyball team in Colorado, the 5-feet, 10-inch setter found herself warming the bench. Her dream of an athletic scholarship seemed dead -- especially since her family couldn't afford the $1,000 or so that many parents pay these days to hire a private athletic-recruiting counselor.
But then in September, Ms. Bladek spent $39.99 to post her athletic résumé and pictures of her playing on the Web site beRecruited.com. The shots, combined with videos posted later, highlighted her ability to set the ball from in front of her forehead, with arms thrust out like Superman in flight. That display, combined with some telephone campaigning by Kirsten and her mother, got college coaches to start paying attention.
"I've been getting so many calls from random numbers, half of them I'm scared to pick up," says Kirsten, who recently took an all-expenses-paid visit to New Mexico Highlands University, where she was offered a scholarship.
Ms. Bladek's experience highlights the changing landscape of athletic scholarships. Coaches and recruiters easily notice top-tier talent in big-name sports. But mid-level high-school athletes or those in lesser-known sports often pay high-priced private consultants to connect them with coaches. With fees ranging from $700 to $5,000, the system has been expensive for students and inefficient for coaches -- who get scouting recommendations only on kids who can afford to pay the consultants.
Now, do-it-yourself services have emerged that allow student athletes to showcase their abilities for a fraction of the price. Aside from beRecruited.com, other sites include Prepchamps.com, TRUpreps.com (owned by CBS Corp.'s MaxPreps unit), ActiveRecruting.com, Collegecoaches.net and SportsWorx.com. There are also numerous sport-specific sites.
Click here to read the rest of the story on The Wall Street Journal's Website.
51 Comments
Leave a comment
About this blog
 |
|
Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Have you considered adding some videos to your article? I think it will really enhance everyone's understanding.
whats this non sense about Michelle Obama being pregnant? any truth to that?
Intellitechs Computer Repair 4200 south Valley View, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (702) 582-6767
Ive been meaning to read this and just never received a chance. Its an issue that Im quite interested in, I just started reading and Im glad I did. Youre a terrific blogger, 1 of the greatest that Ive seen. This weblog unquestionably has some information and facts on subject that I just wasnt aware of. Thanks for bringing this stuff to light.
Linton & Hirshman LLC
Hoyt Block Suite 300
700 W. St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113-1274
800.960.3247
Lets write history! you are challenged to make this painting worlds most exclusive. Forget van Gogh, Rembrandt because here youll truly find worlds most expensive painting. Good luck bidders and thank you press and world for your attention.
I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often! He said that he had seen more students have that moment of confirmation that they had chosen the right major in that class than in any other he had ever taught.
"I am impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both"
I gotta bookmark this website it seems invaluable handy
Thank you for the smart critique. Me & my neighbour were preparing to do some research about that. We got a very good book on that matter from our local library and most books exactly where not as influensive as your data. I'm really glad to see these information which I was searching for a long time.
How is it that just anybody can create a weblog and get as popular as this? Its not like youve said something incredibly impressive --more like youve painted a fairly picture around an issue that you know nothing about! I dont want to sound mean, here. But do you genuinely think that you can get away with adding some quite pictures and not seriously say anything?
I must say, as substantially as I enjoyed reading what you had to say, I couldnt help but lose interest after a while. Its as if you had a fantastic grasp to the subject matter, but you forgot to include your readers. Perhaps you should think about this from far more than 1 angle. Or maybe you shouldnt generalise so considerably. Its better if you think about what others may have to say instead of just heading for a gut reaction to the topic. Think about adjusting your own thought process and giving others who may read this the benefit of the doubt.
The federal government is shouldn't be chargeable for furnishing us health care.
I thought it was heading to become some dull previous post, however it seriously compensated for my time. I will publish a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my guests will find that pretty useful.
I admire the beneficial data you provide inside your articles or blog posts. I will bookmark your blog and have my children verify up here generally. I'm fairly certain they'll learn a lot of new things here than anybody else!
Very good written post. It will be useful to everyone who usess it, including yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing - can'r wait to read more posts.
I actually experience unwelcome per from the inadequate souls all around who usually do not decide for Christ Christ as their lord and savior
Pretty decent post. I learn a new generation on different blogs everyday. It is usually stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from them. I want to apply certain on this content on my blog if you don't mind. Natually I'll give you a link back up in your blog post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for providing such useful information. I really appreciate your professional approach.
Thank you for another excellent post. Where else could anyone get that type of facts in such a perfect way of writing? I've a presentation next week, and I'm on the appear for this kind of details.
Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
I'm still learning from you, as I'm improving myself. I absolutely liked reading all that is written on your website.Keep the aarticles coming. I loved it!
I would wish to thank you for the efforts you might have produced in writing this post. I am hoping the same finest do the job from you inside the long term too. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to begin my own BlogEngine weblog now.
Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out
Congratulations on having 1 of the most sophisticated blogs Ive come throughout in some time! Its just incredible how very much you can take away from some thing simply because of how visually beautiful it's. Youve put collectively a excellent weblog space --great graphics, videos, layout. This is surely a must-see blog!
Keep working ,splendid job!
This website is awesome. I constantly come across something new & different right here. Thank you for that data.
There is apparently a bundle to know about this. I suppose you made some good points in features also.
What a helpful info buddy. Thanks However I’m having issue with ur RSS . Don't know why Fail to subscribe. So anybody facing similar RSS feed problem? Anybody who can help kindly reply. Thank you.
What a great blog. I spend days on the internet reading blogs, about tons of different subjects. I have to first of all give kudos to whoever created your website and second of all to you for writing what i can only describe as an amazing post. I honestly believe there is a skill to writing articles that only a few posses and frankly you have it. The combination of informative and quality content is definitely extremely rare with the large amount of blogs on the internet.
Amazing.
I found your weblog on google and check several of the early posts. Preserve up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading through additional from you later on!…
How do you make this blog look this cool! Email me if you want and share your wisdom. I'd be thankful!
You are not the common blog author, man. You certainly have something important to contribute to the web. Such a outstanding blog. I will be back for more.
This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
It is unusual for me to find something on the web that's as entertaining and fascinating as what you have got here. Your page is lovely, your graphics are great, and what's more, you use source that are relevant to what you are saying. You are definitely one in a million, great job!
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)……
You are not the general blog author, man. You certainly have something powerful to contribute to the web. Such a good blog. I will be back for more.
I would like to thankx for the time you have put in composing this article. I am hoping the same best blogpost from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing skill has inspired me to begin my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a fine model of it.
Thank you so much for this! I havent been this moved by a blog for a long period of time! You've got it, whatever that means in blogging. Well, Youre certainly somebody that has something to say that people should hear. Keep up the great job. Keep on inspiring the people!
I am not sure what are you doing but my browser said that your blog is a source of fishing attack.
Thanks guys for the input, we needed that....
Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned :)
Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here :)
This domain seems to get a great deal of visitors. How do you advertise it? It gives a nice unique twist on things. I guess having something useful or substantial to post about is the most important factor.
Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It's people like you that make my day :)
Greetings, You write some good blogs. I check back here often to find out if you have kept up to date. I thought you may want to know, once I click your RSS feed it re-directs me to another website.
Thank you for a great post
Getting your child recruited is hard work and if you don't know someone who has been through it, it might be worthwhile to get professional help. Every situation is different.
A friend of mine just went through the process with his daughter and she was heavily recruited by several schools - because she is a great athlete and a great student - but also because they were very organized and methodical in their approach.
I am just starting the process with my daughter and have received some great advice from him on how to go about the process. She is playing in her first showcase Softball tournament the first weekend in January and so we will get some flavor for how things go.
From everything I have read, heard, etc. the first thing you have to start with is Grades. If your child is not doing well in High School it is going to be very difficult to get recruited (except maybe by USC (just kidding)). Most of the College athletic sites have information and questionnaires to fill out to get the process started. You should start by looking at the questions that are being asked, and see how you would answer them.
Of course, your child also has to want to play sports in College - it really has to be their dream and desire - or it is probably never going to happen.
So I'm curioius, lda, are you praising the story or against it?
I'm happy for her. Those so-called recruting companies dont do anything for you.
I signed up with CSA-Prepstar and all my son got was some letters from random schools in Maine and Pennsylvania.
I made my own higlight film and sent it out..now my son is getting the calls he wants.
Keep your money. Do it yourself!