LEONARD ANDREW CONSULTING - College Prep and Athletic Recruiting Blog

Utilizing X in Your Recruiting and Coach Communications

9/19/2023

A number of student-athletes have asked about X (Twitter) usage, which is a growing platform for recruiting (in many ways even moreso than Instagram and TikTok these days). We’ve pulled together some tips for you (and your students/children) to consider as you utilize that platform moving forward… follow these and you’ll optimize the connections with coaches and programs on the platform!

1) Much like student-athletes should be sending introductory emails (and prospective student-athlete recruiting questionnaires) to coaches of teams you’re interested in, be sure to follow and connect with the coaches (head coaches, assistant coaches, recruiting coordinators, etc) of those same programs on X. Go even a step further by following the admissions account that the school has.

2) Set your X profile much like you'd do with a HUDL account. Have your town, school/team, class year, GPA and position(s) listed. You can also include a link to any highlights (be in on HUDL, YouTube, other).

3) Tweet and post about your achievements (and goals!) on the field, your achievements (and goals!) off of it.

4) Tweet your highlights, clips that coaches/organizations/camps post, etc. Then as you begin communicating more and more with college coaches - much like a snowball effect - you can begin tagging them on these clips. Do not do that right out of the gate, or until you've built a relationship of sorts... otherwise it looks like you're spamming them (and no one is a fan of that).

5) Reply to coaches/recruiters on their tweets with positive feedback ("Great game, coach!" "Good luck this season!" "Awesome to see the way your players do THIS, I've been taught the same!")

6) Announce as you're heading to showcases, camps, clinics, tournaments. If possible, tag the organization in your content.

7) Send direct messages to coaches. **I will always prefer email first. So, send along an introductory email. Then (1) if they reply to that email, you can have informal-conversations and check-ins on the DMs; (2) if they haven't responded to your intro email, go ahead and send that same exact messaging (copy and paste!) as a direct message via Twitter(X).

8) Post proudly, post positively, post regularly. And, while it should go without saying: post nothing silly, nothing inappropriate (even 'liking' something inappropriate will populate on a coaches feed!).

Student-athletes can utilize X to drive attention, supplement your connections and elevate your communication with coaches. Even though it’s gone through some changes, it’s still very much a viable place to connect with coaches and recruiting coordinators!

Questions? Send us an email!

'Brand Up' - Guest Contribution

8/30/2023

Was so honored to have had a small part in the book "Brand Up” by Stacey Ross Cohen and it’s awesome to have the finished product in my hands!

This book touches on personal branding, social media (where my contribution speaks to athletic recruiting & college admissions), relationship building, interviewing and more! This book is sure to be an amazing resource for many — go pick it up for yourself or you child now (especially as we’re nearing the return of school!)

Get it here (via Amazon)

From Amazon: "Brand Up is the modern playbook that equips teens with strategies and tools to succeed in high school, college, and their first job. It’s packed with sage advice, practical tips and templates, and in-depth skill-building guidance for networking, interviewing, entrepreneurship, and social media."

NIL Advice for Student-Athletes

6/27/2023

Three baseline things student-athletes need to do for their own public relations especially as the NIL landscape continues to grow and develop!

(1) own YOUR story (don’t fit into the box another sets out for you);

(2) establish your ‘brand’ ie. define YOUR image (what aligns with your interests, passions, who you really are?)

(3) be ready/reactive! (Be on the offensive, not back on your heels)

Do your high school or college student-athletes have questions on what potential NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals mean for their futures?

Do they need marketing, branding, or PR guidance and understanding on how to best optimize this new landscape? Contact us today!

College Admits 2023

4/26/2023

We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the schools that our students and student-athletes have been accepted to and have decided to go to for their future!

We're proud to announce that our hard-working students are going to:
Lehigh
Indiana
Michigan State
Kentucky
Valparaiso
Butler
Ball State
Purdue
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Georgia
Penn State
Texas A&M
Maryland
Virginia Tech
Florida
Concordia
Union
Northeastern
Elon
Boston U.
Miami of Ohio
Muhlenberg
Texas

Huge congratulations to these students and student-athletes! The future is very bright!

Questions on how our team can help you to find and gain admittance to your college best fit? Contact us today!

Prep School Decision Day!

3/15/2023

Last week was Prep School Decision Day (3/10) and we are SO proud of our students for all of their hard work during not only this admissions process, but with all of their academics and athletics -- they are gaining acceptance into some terrific schools!

A few admits shared with us thus far are below. We're excited to see where these clients land in the end, we know that they'll be successful at any and all of these institutions!

Baylor School
Blair Academy
Cheshire Academy
Frederick Gunn School
George School
Mercersburg Academy
Northfield Mount Hermon
The Hill School
Williston Northampton
*check back as this list will be updated as we hear from more clients!

Can we help you get into the prep or boarding school that fits you best? Contact us today!

Junior Hockey Considerations

1/29/2023

For those male student-athletes that are ice hockey players, there is an added layer of stress and confusion when they get to be sophomores and juniors in high school -- am I going to be recruited for college? What division? Should I go for a PG year? Prep school? What about junior hockey?

The last consideration, junior hockey (be it the NAHL, USHL, and others), is the avenue that is (1) seeing an influx of players, especially as college coaches look to it increasingly more for developmental purposes, and (2) the option that seemingly comes with the most questions and the least understanding.

The best thing players can do if they are considering junior hockey (or...are asked to consider it from a coach), is to ask a lot of questions, arm themselves with as much information and understanding as possible, and look to generate open lines of communication between coaches (past and future), agents, mentors, and parents. You want to start your junior hockey path with a plan (Who am I connected with? What college is recruiting me? What are my specific next steps?) as opposed to going in with no plan, staying on your heels, and thinking/assuming "Someone will find me." (*those days are going by the wayside).

A starter set of questions that you (or your athletes) can consider asking the junior hockey coaches are below -- this will help you (and your family) get increasingly more comfortable with the team, the steps to college, etc. In turn, the coaches and staff will get insight and understanding of you as well. *I'm using the NAHL as my example, these can be reframed to various leagues and opportunities.

> While the NAHL is 'tuition free', you want to get an understanding of just what costs ARE involved. This is a straight-forward inquiry.
> What will your in-season routine look like?
> Ask about living arrangements, etc.
> Ask about recent players who have gone on to college - where are they now? What separated them from the rest?
> What is your coaching philosophy? (Asking this will have the coach explaining the foundation of his team, and any expectations he may have for athletes both in practice and at games.)
> What are expectations both in and out of season? (Are there team workouts? Team meetings? Determine timing, regularity).
> How do you see me potentially fitting into your plans? (Very straightforward question to get a very straightforward answer.)
> What happens before, during, and after signing (tender) periods? When are those?
> Have them explain the 'NCAA Pathway Seminar'.
While not an exhaustive list, this will certainly get the conversation started (and will provide more confidence than you may have had at the outset of the process!).

Any questions? For hockey players in high school, prep/boarding school, college and beyond, do not hesitate to reach out and contact us!

YMH Project: What to Ask When Choosing a College from a Mental Health Perspective (Part 1 of 2)

11/8/2022

In this Youth Mental Health Project webinar from a few weeks back, Gregg Pauletti, MS, of RCHI Education Group and I sat down to discuss the college process with mental health and wellbeing at the forefront.

In Part One of this two-part series, we discussed navigating your choices as well as key questions to ask when sorting out your education options. Parents are always looking for assistance, understanding and resources to help make the tough decisions, especially when it comes to determining the best mental health programming and accompanying support system for future college students.

Click to watch on YMH's YouTube! >> Past Webinars - The Youth Mental Health Project (ymhproject.org)

Part Two is being shared live on December 12th, so stay tuned!

Teen Entrepreneurs: Starting a Business with an Eye on College

8/8/2022

by Jenna Sherman and the LAC Team

Starting a business as a teen comes with a lot of responsibility, but it can also open up a lot of doors and provide benefits that will stay with you for years to come. Becoming an entrepreneur isn’t just a path for established professionals anymore; these days, there are tons of resources available for young people who have a great plan and a little ambition. Whether you want to create a business that sells handmade products or one that delivers services to others, you’ll need to come up with a solid business plan and find the right tools for your needs.

It is important to recognize that you can utilize this business to begin honing in on your future – consider whether you might want to make this business your career path down the road. And yes, you can absolutely look to leverage this business in your college application and major curriculum.

Beginning a business while in high school allows you to follow a passion, demonstrates discipline and creativity and – especially when the business lines up with your studies – allows you to gain valuable experience. This business can be absolutely useful when it comes to writing your essay or going through the interview process – you’ll have plenty to proudly talk about and it will surely separate you from the other candidates! Of course, simply starting a business with the singular goal of getting into a certain college should NOT be the reason for the effort and attempt. Putting ‘Founder’ on any resume – for college or otherwise – should not be the deciding factor. Start the business because you love the work it entails, you want to challenge yourself, and you understand that, with both successes and failures, you will learn a ton about business, life and yourself that you may not have otherwise learned.

From student-athletes (and their NIL aspirations) to young entrepreneurs with big dreams, our team can help you set some goals for you, your work, and your college career when you’re ready.

Want to get a business off the ground by the time you graduate? Here are some helpful tips:

Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

When it comes to starting a business of your own, it’s imperative to do some research on possible competition - both locally and online - and find out what they’re doing right and what they could improve upon. Take the initiative to visit their store or shop online, because viewing their practices as a customer can only help you in the long run. Once you’ve done that, you can start researching the average costs associated with a startup of your size and figure out a budget; you can also seek out potential funding resources, such as grants, crowdfunding, or loans. All of this information will go into your business plan, along with details on the products or services you’ll be selling and whether you’ll have employees.

Consider How Much Time You Can Commit

As a student, you probably have a pretty full schedule that will require some careful thought when you’re ready to start putting your ideas together. Once you have your business plan worked out, consider how much time you’ll be able to commit to your business and think about how you can navigate it all smoothly. This will require getting organized, so you might look for apps and other tech that will help you stay on track and keep up with deadlines, meetings, and other essential tasks.

Make a List of Helpful Resources

Even with the best planning tactics, no one can build a business all on their own. In fact, you shouldn’t try to do everything yourself, as this can lead to burnout and shut down your motivation to proceed with your goals. Instead, look for resources that can help you along the way, such as professional graphic designers who can bring your branding ideas to life. Don’t forget to utilize the right tools to keep communication with them streamlined; for instance, you can use a free online PDF editor to add text, highlights, and sticky notes to a file with several images, making it easier to notate changes when you’re sending a project back and forth.

Put Some Thought Into Your Branding

When you’re ready to get help from a designer to create a website and other branding ideas, it’s essential to put careful thought and research time into the process. Coming up with a logo and slogan that are simple yet eye-catching is harder than it sounds, and all of these elements will play a big role in your success. Take a look at the designs other businesses have used and take some time to play with a few templates online in order to brainstorm. Don’t forget to make sure that the business name and logo you want to use aren’t already being used.

Secure Money Management Tools

You’ve got a solid plan, a few helpful resources, and creative branding figured out. However, before you can open up for business, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to handle the financial end of things. Even with the simplest cash-only business, it’s crucial to have accounting software that will help you manage your income and figure out your tax responsibilities. Look at reviews online of different options to see which ones make the most sense for your needs. If necessary, take an online course on business finance to learn more about the ins and outs of the process.

Look for a Mentor

It’s also a good idea to look for a mentor before you start taking on customers. You might network with fellow entrepreneurs in your area by heading to local events like conventions, joining an online program, or talking to family members who have started their own businesses. This is a great way to get advice from someone who has already been through many of the same things you’re experiencing, and it can also help you spread the word about your business as you get started.

Find Your Customer Base

Ready to open up shop? Your competitor research should have given you some insight on how to find the right audience for your business and what they’re looking for, but now is the time to launch a marketing strategy that will help you attract those customers. Social media is a great place to start your campaign since it will give you a wide reach no matter what your budget is, but you can also utilize traditional methods such as distributing signage or even hanging flyers in local stores and cafes.

Plan for the Negatives

Once your business is available to the public and the sales start rolling in, you’ll need to have a plan in place for any negative results. For instance, what will you do if a customer’s package is lost during shipping? How will you handle a dissatisfied customer? No business owner wants to think about the downside of entrepreneurship but having a plan in place will both help you cope with the disappointment and allow you to ensure great customer service–a cornerstone of any successful business.

Starting a business of your own can be overwhelming if you don’t have a good plan, so take your time and don’t rush the process. Staying organized can also help immensely, as can getting advice from other business owners who have been in your shoes.

**Jenna Sherman is a mom of three (two girls and a boy), who created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults. By providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources, she hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders.

Photo via Pexels

Introducing: College Aid Pro

5/3/2022

Proud to connect and collaborate with College Aid Pro! An easy to use, intuitive app, College Aid Pro is a valuable resource allowing you to compare schools, financial aid packages, and understand the hidden costs of college.

Click here to learn more about the connection and download the app!

'Grayshirt' 101

4/14/2022

We've had conversations with a few student-athletes who are hearing from colleges about the potential to ‘grayshirt’ for their team, and we wanted to share some info with the larger audience (inclusive of parents, IECs). We hope to provide student-athletes with necessary insight as to what that means (admittedly, the programs should be explaining – or have explained – this to student-athletes as well).

You’ve presumably heard of a ‘redshirt’ – in summary: a player who is on scholarship, cannot play in games, but can practice. That student-athlete sits out of competition for that athletic year only, saving that eligibility to be used in the future.

A ‘grayshirt’, using the same breakdown – a player who is not on scholarship, cannot play in games, and cannot practice. The athlete must wait a semester (in many cases the fall) prior to becoming a full-time student.

This is becoming increasingly more popular with coaches and teams (especially as the Transfer Portal plays a larger role in recruiting). Once a student-athlete sits out the sports season (say fall 2022), the player then has five years to play four seasons – and the school would have the ability to redshirt you at some point.

As a ‘grayshirt’, a student would go to class the first semester as a part-time student. In our example, this student would start as a full-time student in the spring 2023 semester. Double check this with each college that makes any ‘grayshirt’ offer! This – of course – leaves student-athletes with two ‘wrinkles’: one, you need to absolutely crush your grades. If you will use this to potentially leave for another program in time, as a springboard to a D1 for example, you need to have the absolute best grades possible. The athletic wrinkle becomes quite obvious – you will need to find ways to stay sharp, to practice, to play (without the team!)

Get a full response from the school on why they are looking at you as a ‘grayshirt’ – and get it in writing, as an email.
‘Grayshirts’ are often used by teams that may oversign, ending up with more student-athletes than they have roster spots (which is their ‘error’ but they spread it to the players). While we're hopeful that any school considering such a step is upfront with this potential, you need to know WHY – and what they anticipate your next steps to be.

In some cases, a ‘grayshirt’ status can be altered, say if another position player gets injured during the season you are sitting out. If that – or another roster move – happens, then you could be added to the roster as a typical signee.

If you are a student-athlete that is pumped about this next step, that’s fantastic! The key though = you and your family need to be completely in the know on these steps that the college is taking (the how and why, from their perspective) of your ‘grayshirting’. These notes provide you with a solid baseline to work from, now just get clear understanding from the school!

Questions on being a 'grayshirt'? On athletic recruiting? Contact us today!