photo courtesy of bucky5thquarter.com
On November 13, the University of Wisconsin Madison released an article on their school website that discusses the new challenges that come with recruiting student-athletes. The article shares multiple perspectives, all from different coaches on how COVID-19 had impacted their recruiting process.
The article explains that the biggest change that coaches have had to deal with is not being able to meet with athletes and their families in person. Madison states that the National Collegiate Athletic Association, also known as the NCAA, has put in new restrictions on recruiting. The article states:
Most prominent is a dead period that's currently set to run through Jan. 1, 2021. Division I coaches in all sports are prohibited from recruiting prospects in-person, both on and off campus. Coaches cannot have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, nor can coaches watch a prospective student-athlete compete or visit their high school. Coaches may write and phone prospects and their parents.
These measures have been put in place in order to protect the coaches and athletes from the vicious virus that has swept the world off its feet.
Brittany Dildine, the recruiting coordinator for the Wisconsin volleyball team, explains that not being able to see an athlete in person is the hardest part behind their new recruiting process.
"That alone really sets a level of difficulty that's hard to (measure), because there's a lot of value when you're watching a prospect in a match and you're seeing them interact and you can hear what's being said to that prospect by the coach and how they respond to that feedback," Dildine explained.
One of the biggest factors in recruiting in previous years has been the personal interaction between the player and their team, their parents, their coaches, their teachers, etc. However, coaches will have to rely on a different tactic now that the NCAA has implemented these safety measures.
Dildine also explained the "value of Zoom calls" in her recruiting process. Zoom calls have allowed her to converse with the athlete of interest and their family and coaches.
"There's a lot of positive, transformative practices that I think I'm going to take away with me and continue to use even after the pandemic is over," she said.
Another issue that the coaches are coming to terms with is the fact that these student-athletes, in some cases, have not played in several months. Coaches are watching and relying on film from these athletes sophomore year to aid them in their recruiting process. The article explains that so much can happen to a player's ability in a couple of months.
However, these new limitations have not stopped the Badgers from signing new recruits. Some athletes have committed without even seeing the campus or meeting the team. This says a lot about UW's reputation.
Tony Granato, the men's hockey coach, explained it perfectly, stating "There's some other great schools. There's some other great programs. But I don't think anybody can say they're better and have more to offer than we do."
The full article from UW Madison can be read here.
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