Athletic Recruitment

anon2021

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Messages
114
Hi all,
I know there are plenty of posts regarding athletic recruitment to all of the service academies, but I need to ask - How do I know?

Over the summer, the USMA coach for my sport opened up my portal early, allowing me to finish everything effectively. I also received an email from the Athletic Recruitment Officer a while back about finishing my application, so I assumed that maybe I was a recruited athlete. I know that I am not a blue chip, but I expressed a lot of interest in attending WP. In July, the coach said he would keep me updated, and that he is interested in me; however, he said that he wanted me to try and get into the school by myself, because recruitment slots for the sport are slim. He also said that he would contact me in August/September about an official visit in October/November, but that has yet to happen. Yesterday, a couple kids committed to play for the school, and so i sent a polite email to the coach asking about my chances and I also gave him an update on my applications and improvements. I hope that my email was appropriate, but I am FREAKING OUT. SENIOR YEAR IS STRESSFUL.


Thanks for all your help
 
hummm, interesting. Have you started on your applications for a nomination source? Are you prepared for an offer to attend USMAPS? In other words, this option could be presented to you, and what would you do?

Still continue to work hard at school and keep your nose clean. Work on Plan B!

I don't know what your ACT/SAT test school results are and this could be a delay.

I understand waiting can be stressful. Welcome to life! As you wait continue to work had and other doors of opportunity will open.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Oh, I should have said - sorry. ACT Composite is a 32, and SAT is a 1400/1600.
I finished all of my applications to nomination sources a couple months ago, and had my first interview at the end of September. Now I am waiting for the remaining two interviews! I would honestly love to go to USMAPS, just because I feel that an additional year of mathematics courses, etc, will benefit me in the long run. I did ask the coach about this, but he said my scores were too high to attend the prep school. At the same skill level in the sport, the coach is willing to help an athlete with struggling grades, but wants me to get in by myself. I just question how that is fair because who knows if I will get in. I know I'm just rambling though. No one knows!

I know most of my peers are also struggling with the waiting and the processes right now, but I just want to know if I am being recruited or not, and if I should still pursue to play my sport there (I will pursue the school regardless). I am waiting on the first board review for ROTC, and have all of my civilian college apps done as well. Ah.....
 
Your FFR, if you have one, can tell you if your a recruited athlete or not.
 
MemberLG has an excellent point. If an FFR is not available in your area make contact with your RC.

Push Hard, Press Foreard
 
Wow okay, thanks!
What would be an appropriate email to send to the FFR? I didn't know I could just come right out and ask about the recruited player tabs.
 
Im surprised a FFR has not reached out to you by now. There may not be one available in your area. Do reach out to your RC.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Wow okay, thanks!
What would be an appropriate email to send to the FFR? I didn't know I could just come right out and ask about the recruited player tabs.

If you have an FFR, his or her job is to help you. For me, I don't try to second guess what candidates do or ask. So if a candidate ask me a question I answer it, if I can.

Something like, "According to the admissions website, you are my FFR. I have a question - does the admissions database show me as a recruited athlete?" is very reasonable email. Could also ask for evaluation of your candidacy and advice on what you should do.
 
FFR's are not allowed to contact recruited athletes due to NCAA recruiting rules. The candidate must initiate contact. That may be why you have not heard from your FFR. I would follow the advice above and ask - it will relieve the stress of not knowing.
 
It is important you keep the whole recruitment issue in perspective when applying to an SA. No ones pays tuition, so the incentive of being recruited to a civilian university with a full/partial scholarship isn't there. You indicated you are not a 'blue chip' athlete, so at most the pull of the coach even if you were recruited, is probably small. Even if you get an appointment, there is no obligation to continue with your sport and you will have plenty of other demands on your time. I would not worry so much about being recruited and instead focus on those things that are within you control.
 
If you are an applicant and have started a file, your local FFR or RC can contact you regarding your competitiveness and NOM source assistance at any time. They are not part of the athletic department. NCAA rules will allow coaches to make contact with you during your senior year and offer recruitment trips to visit college campuses. You can receive as many as you want put you are limited to four paid visits.

Push Hard, Press Forward

FFRs can not talk to recruited athletes. If the FFRs profile of a candidate shows that the candidate is a recruited athlete, then from that time forward, we are not allowed to make any contact with the candidate. We are not allowed to even talk to them.
 
FFRs can not talk to recruited athletes. If the FFRs profile of a candidate shows that the candidate is a recruited athlete, then from that time forward, we are not allowed to make any contact with the candidate. We are not allowed to even talk to them.

Well......thats confusing.......not doubting you at all buff81. I know of FFRs in the west coast area that do talk with recruited athletes. I do know they mentor them on their file but don't cross the line into athletics and leave that portion to WP. But then the FFR thing is not very consistent on coverage from coast to coast. If this is true, then the FFRs here need to attend the updates at WP more often to be current. And thank you Buff81 for keeping us up to date!!

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Buff81, can the RC talk with a recruited athlete?

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
The Athletic Dept would have a stroke if they knew FFRs were talking to official recruited athletes.
Reason being - we do not know all the rules surrounding recruited athletes. The Athletic Dept does. FFRs are risking violating those rules by talking to the recruited athletes. That is why it is in everyones best interest to let the athletic department handle recruited athletes.
A candidate can always contact their RC. If a recruited athlete contacts their RC, that RC will know what they can discuss and what needs to be handled by the Athletic Dept.
 
Well......thats confusing.......not doubting you at all buff81. I know of FFRs in the west coast area that do talk with recruited athletes. I do know they mentor them on their file but don't cross the line into athletics and leave that portion to WP. But then the FFR thing is not very consistent on coverage from coast to coast. If this is true, then the FFRs here need to attend the updates at WP more often to be current. And thank you Buff81 for keeping us up to date!!

The instruction I was given by my RC is that FFRs can have interaction with recruited athletes as long as they are treated no differently; and the admissions office prefer FFRs to stay away for recruited athletes to not hamper the recruiting process or possible commit recruiting violations.

Some examples are

Question: If a recruited athlete contacts a FFR to ask question about the application can the FFR answer it.
Answer: Yes, if the FFR always answer questions from applicants

Question: Can FFR invite a recruited athlete to an information session held by the FFR
Answer: Yes, if the FFR invites all applicants. Something like if the FFR covers Congressional District Y and each year he invites every applicant in his Congressional district to his information session and the recruited athlete is that Congressional district. However, if the recruited athlete is another Congressional district, the FFR should not invite the recruited athlete to his information session.
 
The Athletic Dept would have a stroke if they knew FFRs were talking to official recruited athletes.
Reason being - we do not know all the rules surrounding recruited athletes. The Athletic Dept does.

Or they are afraid that FFRs might tell the whole story . . .

I recall a story about football recruits being accompanied by female cadets to a bowling alley/shopping mall/underage drinking occurring a few years ago.

FFR is more likely to tell recruits about getting up 5:30 in the morning, academic load, drill, military service, and etc.
 
I recall a story about football recruits being accompanied by female cadets to a bowling alley/shopping mall/underage drinking occurring a few years ago.

I couldn't believe it when I read it a couple of years ago...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...d-football-players-with-booze-women/17910497/

http://abc7news.com/sports/west-point-rocked-by-football-recruiting-scandal/368623/

Here's LTG Caslen's statement on the matter: http://www.usma.edu/news/Shared Documents/Superintendent's Statement to Colorado Gazette Article.pdf
 
The instruction I was given by my RC is that FFRs can have interaction with recruited athletes as long as they are treated no differently; and the admissions office prefer FFRs to stay away for recruited athletes to not hamper the recruiting process or possible commit recruiting violations.

Some examples are

Question: If a recruited athlete contacts a FFR to ask question about the application can the FFR answer it.
Answer: Yes, if the FFR always answer questions from applicants

Question: Can FFR invite a recruited athlete to an information session held by the FFR
Answer: Yes, if the FFR invites all applicants. Something like if the FFR covers Congressional District Y and each year he invites every applicant in his Congressional district to his information session and the recruited athlete is that Congressional district. However, if the recruited athlete is another Congressional district, the FFR should not invite the recruited athlete to his information session.

This is what I thought the method of mentoring all those who are completing a file. Because recruited athletes, academics and URMs all fill out the same file and may need help or have questions. I know many athletic departments have no clue about the application process and scratch their heads about the complexities.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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