<p>And we can expect that the cost of these roster "packets" will eventually get passed along to students and parents. But, like Vanderbilt's basketball coach Kevin Stallings, I think it's the principle--not the packets--that's the key issue here. </p>
<p>Here's a companion piece on Stallings, who refused to pay on principle:</p>
<p>I’m a college basketball coach (small Junior College) and this stuff happens even at our & DIII levels (not nearly at that price). They have “exposure camps” which are one day events that they charge the students $75 (or more) to attend and the college coaches $20 for a packet of info sheets (contact info, etc.) on each kid. They get 100 kids and make $8,000 in one day!</p>
<p>Do you find that some (perhaps even many) of the players who are paying these “exposure camp” fees are not strong enough for college programs? I seem to encounter a lot of kids (and parents, too, of course) who don’t seem to recognize that it can take a quantum leap to move from being a good high school player to making a college team, even at the D3 level (and, especially, in basketball). I hate to think of folks shelling out these fees for the camps if they are being misled into believing that their hoop prospects are better than they really are.</p>
<p>My son plays lacrosse, and the kids who go to recruiting tournaments pay to play. I have no idea if the college coaches pay to attend as well. Sally, in my little world, it is my impression that there are a lot of lower-level D-3 schools who will take even very average lacrosse players.</p>
<p>How about soccer, football, baseball, and other team sports? How many other sports have this practice described in the NYT article about bball?</p>
<p>I’m no expert on lacrosse, but I did used to observe in years past that–because many high schools (and communities) didn’t offer lacrosse at all–it was indeed sometimes easier for a so-so player to catch a college coach’s eye. Now, however, lacrosse programs are burgeoning, although the sport has not yet caught up with basketball, football, soccer et al when it comes to access.</p>
<p>At some colleges, it’s probably still easier to make the team in lacrosse than in the most popular sports, but that really depends on the college and its program. Many programs are highly visible and cut-throat competitive, and–no matter where your son might apply–there are more contenders for lacrosse teams than ever before. But I’m definitely not the best person to advise you on this (even though I was high scorer on my own high school girls’ lacrosse team in my senior year in 1969 … which definitely does prove that, back then, an average player could indeed make a mark )</p>
<p>The NYT article I cited, above focuses only on basketball, but in just about any sport these days, kids who hope to play at the highest levels need to be on guard. It’s easy to be victimized by those who want to exploit their talents and aspirations.</p>
<p>You are right on the mark! Of the 100 or so kids at these exposure days, probably 10 or less ended up playing college basketball at any level. They used to hold one in our gym so I had to attend. Year after year 60 of the kids would be clones, 5’10" to 6’1", average players who may be able to make your team in a given year but not time or cost effective to actively recruit because you’ll have players walk-on who are just as good. Now I imagine must different in lacrosse where you need numbers and not as many hgih school have the sport. I run into parents all the time who have no idea how much of a jump there is from high school to college even at the lowest levels of competition.</p>
<p>csdad–My husband was captain of his basketball team at Amherst College (Class of '73) but now, when he and his old Amherst hoop buddies get together, talk often turns to how many of them wouldn’t even be warming the bench, if they were at Amherst today. (Of course, many of 'em wouldn’t even get into Amherst in the first place–another common topic of conversation at homecoming and reunions!)</p>
<p>On the other hand, they also muse about how their own pre-college sports days were different, too: few of them ran and lifted weights in the off-season, few attended summer camps or played AAU basketball, etc. My husband only started organized basketball at age 10, not in kindergarten, like so many of today’s kids.</p>
<p>So perhaps if these erstwhile athletes had pursued the same level of preparation that current college contenders do, then they might have stayed in the running for spots on the roster.</p>
<p>But, even so, most recognize how hard it is to make that jump from high school teams to college teams, no matter how much you prepare–nor how many dollars you spend on it.</p>
<p>Absolutely happens in baseball - and has for years. Kids pay to play in showcases, coaches pay to attend and get a packet with the contact details. I would say that the gouging in the article above does not appear to be happening in baseball - but there is still definitely money coming to the organizer from both sides.</p>
<p>The NYT did a whole series on athletic recruiting at the D3 level several years ago. As I recall, a number of sports were included, but I particularly remember an interesting segment on baseball. I’ll try to dig it up.</p>
<p>There was a really good series on the life of an athlete at a D3 college that focused on Haverford. I’ll see if I can dig it up - but I often have trouble with the times…</p>
<p>Wiggle – in boys soccer I think it is different: for college showcase tournaments the teams pay between $500 and $1,000 or more to play. The college coaches register a few weeks before the event so players know which schools will be represented (Many coaches do so at last minute). Players email coaches their soccer profile and game schedule when posted and invite coaches to watch them play. The event organizers give coaches binders of the teams’ profiles and refreshments at no charge. No registration fee for coaches at events I know of. This system has worked out well for my S. His club plans which showcases will be attended a year in advance, as many require early application, and the cost of attending is factored into annual team fees, divided among 21 players.</p>
<p>Our experience is the same as royal73 for women’s soccer. The team (parents) pay for tournament fees and coaches are invited and not charged. Has worked out very well for years. You can even be a guest player for a team that doesn’t have enough players if your team doesn’t attend showcase tournies.</p>
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