MCLA's Rules on Recruiting

[Adam Gamradt]

Greetings,

Things are changing at Minnesota. Previously we were banned from any and all activities associated with "recruiting". We were prohibited from initiating any contact with potential players. In essence, once they express interest, we can then inform them of our clubs rules, benefits, and associated costs.

With a new group of leaders in place, both for our team, and for the Rec Sports Department, we are now allowed to advertise our program to perspective players. We are not allowed to offer any extra benefits, such as lower dues, or airfare for a visit, but we are allowed to initiate contact and advertise our program.

One caveat we discussed was the rules of our national governing body, the MCLA. We have a pretty good size group of new players committed to the 08 season, so this discussion primarily applies to the 09 season. Is there anyplace online this information is documented?

Perhaps some of the veteran coaches could provide some insight on how to go about recruiting, ethically and rationally? I am just about finished reading Dean Smith's book, and was really impressed by his approach to recruiting. In essence, he looked for team players, and was not interested in over recruiting. For example, he would not promise playing time, only the opportunity to earn playing time. He choose not recruit a star freshman point guard, since that position was already held by an upper classmen.

I believe it's appropriate to ask these questions publicly, but I realize that some of the local coaches may not be interested in participating in the discussion, due to our competition for local talent. Hopefully, we can put our rivalries aside for the purposes of this discussion, as the growth of lacrosse in the Midwest has certainly helped all of us.

Thanks kindly in advance for any advice or insight you are able to provide.

[Dulax31]

Greetings,
With a new group of leaders in place, both for our team, and for the Rec Sports Department, we are now allowed to advertise our program to perspective players. We are not allowed to offer any extra benefits, such as lower dues, or airfare for a visit, but we are allowed to initiate contact and advertise our program.

Finally!

[mholtz]

Go to your admissions director. Tell them what you are doing. Ask them for advice. They will most likely be very helpful. Afterall, you are helping them do their job (recruiting) and you aren't costing them a penny. MSU's admissions director explained why we couldn't get preferential treatment for admissions, but then also explained how to structure an application to get as many "points" as possible.

Thats a good place to start. Recruiting is basically like being a salesman. You are "selling" the school to kids. Some products are easier to sell than others. Make sure you know as much about your school as possible.

[Phantanimal]

Thats a good place to start. Recruiting is basically like being a salesman. You are "selling" the school to kids. Some products are easier to sell than others. Make sure you know as much about your school as possible.

Our team held a team/skill camp for HS'ers (Fr-Sr) this past Spring. During the lunch break we spilt the group (about 100) in half bringing in a recruiter from the University to talk to the Jrs/Srs for about a half hour. We contacted admissions and they were more than willing to send one of their reps down to give the lowdown on University stats and admission information.
My point is that you can get admissions to give you information/people/resources quite easily... they want students. Their job is to glad-hand any new or prospective student by highlighting all the great things your school has to offer. I was impressed by the recruiters ability to shoot down inaccuracies that the students had acquired. A fair amount of kids, especially juniors weren't ready to think about school but that sort of candid QandA gets them going and puts the initial school that talks to them on their mind.