Three things student-athletes need for PR (especially as the NIL takes hold)!

>> own your story;
>> establish your ‘brand’ ie define your image;
>> be ready/reactive!

In short, don’t let others get out in front of you when the “news” is about YOU! Be who you are and who you are comfortable being, don’t let opinions dictate your image. And finally, when put into any limelight you become an influencer of sorts with something to lose, you need to be ready to react/address every day events when you inevitably will be asked.
Are you prepared for your next steps in the NIL landscape? For insight, advice, PR guidance and branding, do not hesitate to contact us!

Many thanks to those that voted for Leonard Andrew Consulting in the Zip06/Shoreline Publishing ‘Best on the Shoreline 2021’!

While there is no category for athletic recruiting or college prep (yet… next year perhaps?!) we are so honored to take 2nd place in the Tutoring category for educational services for the entire Connecticut shoreline!

We're proud to have helped so many students and families in Connecticut and beyond! How can we help you? Contact us today!

The core of college applications process is, obviously, the application itself. While keeping lines of communication open with admissions officers and maintaining strong performance in both the classroom and extracurriculars is certainly important, the application itself is the way in which prospective college applicants are able to summarize all of their achievements and accolades during their high school career and present it to colleges. In this way, the college application really is all about marketing and branding yourself to these institutions, so that you can showcase you best self to the admissions team. Here are some highlights to consider in marketing yourself effectively to colleges, so that you are demonstrating the best aspects of yourself, the elements of you that will provide value to a college for the next four years and beyond;

• Social Media; in this day and age, there are few parts of self-representation more important than your online entity. Social media accounts are often a way for people to put themselves out there and provide exposure, to show who they are to the world. As such, it is incredibly important to demonstrate through your social media platforms that you are the type of person that an admissions officer (or coach) would want at their school. When applying, make sure that your social media is the best representation of you. At LAC, we endorse the “Grandma Rule” for social media; in other words, if there is anything on your social media account that you wouldn’t want your grandma to see, it is probably best for it to not be published on a social platform.
• For athletes, keep in mind that you can utilize your social media accounts to demonstrate your athletic performances and achievements. This would include Hudl reels, training videos, and posts of accolades and honors you’ve received. Your social media is a living resume. Be sure to treat it as such.
• Highlighting Achievements; when applying to colleges, it is especially important to consider an intended major and accompanying curriculum path. Colleges will be all the more impressed by an applicant who is driven and, quite simply, knows the path in life they wish to pursue. Accordingly, use your application to highlight your high school achievements! Look at your application as a method of telling your story; where you’ve been, who you are, and where you want to go with the help of that college. Highlighting achievements, especially those that pertain to your desired career path and activities that you wish to pursue in college, is a great way of demonstrating what you can authentically provide to the fabric of a college’s community and ecosystem. Be proud to share what makes you tick. You’d be surprised to learn how that may connect with the representatives at a college.
• Know Your Audience; Just like any marketing campaign, you need to know your audience. Instead of just applying to a college, locate your admissions representative’s contact information online and reach out. Introduce yourself, make a connection, and communicate who you are and the person you want that college to help you become. Remember; this is one of the most important individuals at a college you are applying to. Forming a relationship with that person will be critical in making a name for yourself among the thousands of others who will also be applying. Think of it this way; if you and seven other students are on the fence, with similar GPAs, mirrored test scores, extracurriculars cut from the same cloth, you want to have the one thing that will push you into the positive. Students often forget that by creating a line of communication and relationship with the admissions office, they can create that separation.

There are many other parts of the whole college admissions process that are equally as important as these three tips above, yet following these steps and truly marketing yourself to colleges can and will go a long way towards boosting your application. Remember; you are your own secret weapon. Thousands of people apply to college every year. By differentiating yourself from the pack and demonstrating what you have achieved in your high school career, you can truly show admissions representatives that you are the type of person who can contribute to their school. 

Questions on the college application process? Need help with 'marketing and branding' yourself? Do not hesitate to contact us today!

On July 1st, 2021, a new era began in the world of college sports. With the new laws on college athletes profiting off of their NIL in many states coming into effect, the NCAA instituted an interim policy allowing college athletes nationwide to take advantage of this previously unthinkable opportunity. Sports media giants such as ESPN and Sports Illustrated ran articles about these changes. Various major college athletes filled social media with posts about new endorsement deals. Even Barstool Sports jumped into the fray and presented student athletes with the opportunity to become “Barstool Athletes.” All signs pointed to the game being changed.

And now? More than a month has passed since the beginning of this new era. We’re only weeks away from the start of the 2021 NCAA fall season. Yet, despite our own previous predictions that the NIL hype would increase with the dawn of the first athletic season under these new rules, the NIL has seemed to drift away from the public eye. With the exception of an occasional article about a major college athletic star signing a major endorsement deal, or the most recent signing of Florida State to ‘cash in on crypto’, the sports media has become awfully quiet about what was thought to be such a paradigmatic shift in the world of college athletics, and indeed, athletics in general.

This is not to say, of course, that there has been no major NIL news in the last month. On the contrary, many athletes continue to ink major NIL deals that would have been previously unthinkable. University of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King recently signed an endorsement deal with the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei announced a deal with Dr. Pepper, one of the NCAA’s biggest sponsors. And new Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is allegedly making almost $1 million in NIL deals, according to reports. All of this is major news of course. And yet, the general public has mainly avoided reporting on the implications beneath the surface of what these deals signify; that money talks in college sports, and now it does for athletes also.

In the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in NCAA v. Alston this past June, the Court essentially ruled that the NCAA’s business model, if it was applied to any other business in the country, would be unacceptable to federal antitrust laws. While this case did not directly concern NIL rules, it did symbolize a major change that the NCAA would be unable to constantly emphasize the presumed amateurism of college sports anymore. More importantly, this decline of amateurism in college sports has begun to play itself out in the world of college athletics with the start of the NIL era. Student-athletes were once treated as if they were almost indebted to the universities they represented on the playing field, given very little rights despite what their roles essentially were for these college athletic programs: employees.

As a result of the business model the NCAA practiced with regards to collegiate athletes, these athletes were given very little opportunity to receive anything - other than an education and (for some) scholarships - for the work they provided to their university’s athletic program. With the Supreme Court’s rejection of this business model, combined with the dawn of the NIL era, college athletes are finally welcome to receive compensation of sorts for their work. Yet this does not apply to all athletes. Many, if not all, of the reports about collegiate athletes signing NIL deals concern major collegiate athletes, blue chip prospects that play at top programs and are in contention for national honors. This brings many questions to the forefront. First, where does this leave minor collegiate-athletes, like the senior benchwarmer small forward for a mid-major program who cannot make thousands of dollars in NIL endorsements and is not on a scholarship? And how will this dynamic affect team chemistry? Just as important is a question we’ve been asking for months now; how will NIL endorsements affect college athletics midseason? For decades, if a college running back rushed for 250 yards in primetime, the conversation the next day would be “How did this player’s performance affect their campaign for the Heisman Trophy?” Now, the conversation after such a fantastic game may be “Will this performance result in an NIL endorsement deal with Dr. Pepper?” We continue to be curious as to what the rules will be about signing NIL deals midseason.

The reports about NIL deals in the media have died down in the almost month-and-a-half since the NIL era started in college sports. But rest assured, the effects of NIL on college athletes continues to be incredibly important in the world of college sports. From the massive NIL deals of 5-star athletes to the potential effects of NIL on college sports as a business, the dawn of the NIL era will continue to cast a large shadow on college athletics as the upcoming NCAA fall season begins. 

How can LAC help you to determine your next steps not only as it pertains to the NIL, but to your college admissions experience as a whole? Do not hesitate to contact us today!

Here are some quick notes (and items to focus on) for self-guided college tours -- note that these can apply for regularly set tours as well!

It is a big plus to check in, if possible.  Letting the Admissions Team know that you're there to visit and see the campus as 'self-guided' - is a plus in their book.  *After the tour, you can determine the names of the admissions rep for your area -- work to connect with them after the tour(s) with a 'thank you' note and to ask any questions that you may have (even if it's simply, "What are next steps?".

If self-guided, be sure to pick up a map of the campus and focus on the places that mean the most to you and your future -- where will you spend your time? What shouldn't you miss?  Those places will primarily be:

Library
A dining hall
A freshman dorm (if you can gain access)
Buildings of Anticipated Major/Minor(s)
Athletic/fitness facilities

And then see places that are more fun/entertaining in nature -- common areas, student center, etc.

We stress that while you're walking - be it self-guided or formal - to (1) earnestly see if you can picture yourself in that spot for four years, and (2) come up with questions that you may have to then follow up on.

Questions on campus tours? The college process as a whole? Do not hesitate to reach out to us!

In this day and age, with the omnipresence of college athletics in our media and culture, it has become almost natural to look upon college athletes in way similar to how we look at professional athletes. That is to say that – at times - the “student” part of the phrase “student-athlete” has become drowned out among the boisterous cheers heard in college sports arenas and the vocal opinions on ESPN and FS1 about collegiate sports, making it easy to forget about how these athletes are representing the colleges they attend.

Yet we must not be so quick to forget about the first word in the phrase “student-athlete”, the very reason the vast majority of these individuals are in college in the first place. These prospective athletes, especially during the recruiting process in high school, are still students -- their performance in the classroom and in their extracurriculars and endeavors off the field is very much as important as their athletic performance (if not more!). As we detailed in our blog about “Giving Yourself the Opportunity to be an Academic All-Star” you cannot rely on stellar athletic performance to carry you through the recruiting process. It is not enough to simply dedicate all your energy towards your athletic career without focusing on your work in the classroom.

Nowhere is this more evident than in a significant, though often-forgotten part of the recruiting process, the pre-read.

The pre-read is a task performed by a member of the admissions department who serves as a liaison between the admissions and athletics departments. When a student-athlete is being recruited, this individual will conduct the pre-read. Usually occurring in the summer before senior year, the pre-read involves the liaison reviewing the then up-to-date transcript of a prospective recruit, including the candidate’s grades, classes, planned senior year classes, and applicable standardized test scores. The liaison will examine this transcript as a means of evaluating how the recruiting candidate would compare to the rest of the school’s applicant pool if they were to apply. The liaison will attempt to determine whether the candidate would indeed be a “competitive” applicant amongst the school’s predicted applicant pool. This helps coaches evaluate the type of candidate a potential recruit is, and whether or not the candidate is worth recruiting given their talents and performance across the board, not just in athletics.  (Will the student fit into our community and culture academically? Will there be challenges?) If the liaison does not view your transcript in your pre-read as being competitive with a traditional applicant pool at a particular school, it may hinder or altogether terminate your recruitment interactions with that school. However, if your pre-read is judged favorably, you may very well be on the right track towards a potential collegiate athletic career with that school.

Accordingly, the pre-read is a critical part of the recruiting process. A prospective recruit’s evaluation in a pre-read can very well determine whether a school (or schools) chooses to actively recruit – or continue recruiting - the candidate. Perhaps more importantly, the pre-read dispels the all-too-common notion that a potential college athlete can cruise through high school with a lackluster academic record provided what athlete has accomplished on the stat sheet.
There is a reason that the word “student” is the first word in the phrase “student-athlete.” As a potential college athlete, you must value your academic performance as much as your athletic performance. Remember; in the world of recruiting and college applications, you are always trying to put your best self forward for admissions directors – think of this as an exercise in personal marketing and branding. The stronger your record is both on and off the field, the better chance you have of taking your athletic career to the collegiate level! 

Can LAC help you make sense of the athletic recruiting pre-read? Looking for guidance on the entire college process? Do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

Have you connected with an athletic program via email? Over the phone? Have you gone on a campus tour and met with the coaching staff or the individual who specifically recruits your position or area?

As we move into the summer, you’ll want to keep up communications and connections with them! By emailing them and staying in touch, you’ll provide value in two ways: (1) you will continue to demonstrate your interest in their program and (2) you will update them on pertinent items that they – and the school, admissions – should be informed of!

Aim to be politely forthright and ‘aggressive’ – not passive.  Get yourself into a rhythm where you are sending coaches updates BEFORE the coaches are reaching out to you to request anything. You want to leave no question – this is a school at the top of your list, a place that you’d cherish the opportunity to be admitted to and playing for.
As you go through your summer and then into the start of your school year in the fall, update schools with information like:

> Updated stats, highlights, awards you may receive.
> New test scores (ACT/SAT), update grades, GPA.
> When/if you are to do a summer camp, clinic, showcase of theirs.
> When/if you are to do a summer camp, clinic, showcase that is not hosted by them.
> Ask if they have any advice for which camps to consider attending.
> Share an event/game schedule for the summer.
> Let them know when you plan to apply to their school (or…if you have).
> Inform them of when you are coming to the school (to tour or watch a game/event)
> Have a new coach? Or a summer coach? Update their reference list for you.
> If you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center this summer, let them know your ID number.
 
You'll also be able to get value from the coaches, by:
> Asking when they want updated transcripts and records.
> Inquiring as to any school specific and/or program specific advice.
> Setting up additional interviews and visits.
> Learning what training to do in the summer months
> Getting an understanding as to where you rank in their recruiting class.

Have questions on athletic recruiting? Do not hesitate to contact us today!

Just over two weeks after the July 1st deadline that opened the NIL floodgates in college athletics, numerous student-athletes have already taken measures in signing major endorsement deals to fully take advantage of this new opportunity to profit off of their names, images, and likenesses. These major changes have continued to occur despite the absence of a federal NIL bill, which has yet to be passed by Congress. Various reports over the course of the spring suggested that a federal NIL bill would be passed, with many hoping that such a bill would be passed before the July 1st deadline. As of now, though, no such bill has been approved, and the debate appears to have stalled for now.

Here in mid-July, however, a wide variety of athletes push on, having reached deals with organizations for profit. The Gainesville Sun reported that more than 40 athletes at the University of Florida have reached endorsement deals. According to 247 Sports, Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz has already created and trademarked his own logo, with the intent to profit by selling apparel with this logo. Clearly, college athletes have wasted little time in taking advantage of these new regulations.

That said, there is still very much about the effects of NIL rules on college athletics that remain uncertain. As mentioned above, Congress has still not passed a federal NIL bill, and the NCAA’s policy to allow all athletes to profit from their NIL, including those not in states with NIL laws, has been announced as an interim policy and not a long-term solution. In addition, the uncertainty of the effects of NIL laws on college athletics during the athletic season will undoubtedly play a role in how the upcoming fall athletic season goes.

Most notably, there is still much uncertainty as to how these new NIL laws will affect the college recruiting process as well. Indeed - college recruiting - especially from the potential athlete’s perspective, will definitely become a significant business decision in addition to being an athletic one. Suddenly, recruiting will involve the question of how a student-athlete may profit at different colleges, based on the marketability of the college and its location, in addition to existing wrinkles about scholarship opportunities and strength (and/or tradition) of the athletic program. Indeed, of all the collegiate aspects impacted, the world of recruiting may very well be the one most affected by NIL legislation. As we at LAC continue to keep a watchful eye on the NIL, its updates, and its developments, we maintain our work with high school students, now inclusive of an understanding of the vast NIL ecosystem: working to determine what schools and locations may best benefit them, providing insight into the legal aspects behind these decisions, connecting them with marketing and branding knowledge, and a reminder that college as a whole is still about an education, an experience, and a valuable step towards building a bright future.

How can LAC help you to determine your next steps not only as it pertains to the NIL, but to your college admissions experience as a whole? Do not hesitate to contact us today!

The date finally arrived.

On Thursday, July 1st, the new name, image, and likeness (NIL) laws for college athletes in various states went into effect, signaling a massive paradigm shift in the world of college athletics in America. Earlier last week, news broke that in wake of Congress’s failure to pass a federal NIL law, the NCAA implemented rules that allowed student-athletes in states without NIL legislation to profit off of their NIL (Hess, “Here’s How College Athletes Can Now Make Money, According to the NCAA’s New Policy”). The NCAA’s change of their rules regarding NIL for student-athletes occurs simultaneously with the long-awaited July 1st date, in which the NIL laws of 16 states, including Georgia, Florida, and Texas, officially went into effect (Goldman, “A New Era Dawns in College Sports, as the NCAA Scrambles to Keep Up”).
           
Despite being only a day removed from the July 1st date, numerous college athletes had already jumped at the chance to reach endorsement deals. Two SEC quarterbacks, Auburn’s Bo Nix and LSU’s Miles Brennan, reached their own endorsement deals with Milo’s Sweet Tea and Smoothie King, respectively (Cobb, “As NIL Rules Go Into Effect, These NCAA Athletes Moved Quickly to Profit from Name, Image, and Likeness”). Two star women’s basketball players, the twin sisters Haley and Hanna Cavinder, reached endorsement deals with Boost Mobile (Cobb, “As NIL Rules Go Into Effect, These NCAA Athletes Moved Quickly to Profit from Name, Image, and Likeness”). 
           
Yet it is not merely student-athletes who are taking advantage of the new opportunities provided by the recent NIL rule changes. Dave Portnoy, the president of Barstool Sports, the popular yet controversial media organization popular among college students, announced last week that his organization was going to start sponsoring college-athletes, including providing them with free Barstool apparel, and according to Axios, have already signed notable athletes such as Villanova men’s basketball star Collin Gillespie (Baker, “College Athletes Cash in on Day 1 of NIL Era”). Despite these seismic events, the full effects of these changes remains to be seen.

The NCAA’s rule change is not a long term solution, as they have already suggested that their adjustments are meant to serve as a temporary solution while the organization waits for a federal NIL bill (Hess, “Here’s How College Athletes Can Now Make Money, According to the NCAA’s New Policy”). In addition, it should be very interesting to observe how these rule changes play out come August and September, when the first semester and season of college athletics under the new NIL laws will take place, most notably with regards to the college football season, long one of the NCAA’s most profitable sports. Nevertheless, only one day into this new period of college sports, student-athletes appear to be all in.
 
Sources Used:

• Hess, Abigail Johnson. “Here's How College Athletes Can Now Make Money, According to the NCAA's New Policy.” CNBC, CNBC, 1 July 2021, www.cnbc.com/2021/07/01/how-college-athletes-can-make-money-according-to-new-ncaa-nil-policy.html.
• Goldman, Tom. “A New Era Dawns In College Sports, As The NCAA Scrambles To Keep Up.” NPR, NPR, 28 June 2021, www.npr.org/2021/06/28/1010129443/a-new-era-dawns-in-college-sports-as-the-ncaa-scrambles-to-keep-up.
• Cobb Jul 1, David. “As NIL Rules Go into Effect, These NCAA Athletes Moved Quickly to Profit from Name, Image and Likeness.” CBSSports.com, 1 July 2021, www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/as-nil-rules-go-into-effect-these-ncaa-athletes-moved-quickly-to-profit-from-name-image-and-likeness/.
• Baker, Kendall. “NIL Era of College Sports Gets off to Roaring Start as Athletes Cash in on Day 1.” Axios, 2 July 2021, www.axios.com/nil-deals-college-sports-92d1993c-982b-45dc-8e5f-cd3c04d94499.html.