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Post by tjackson on Jul 4, 2006 15:30:13 GMT -6
My company HMG sports is holding recruitng combines in strategic areas across the US. From NY to CA we will be conduciting highschool and junior college combines and putting these players in our database. From there we will go to the coaching covention in SAn Antonio, TX and setup an exibit. Tis will be free for all college coaches to browse into. For more info e-mail me at tjackson@hmgsports.net or visit www.hmgsports.net. The full site will be up in two weeks. Below is a letter from me. Thanks for your support. HMG Sports (HMG) is in the business of assisting young athletes reach their goals. Whether those goals are from getting into college, to reaching the professional level, we have the necessary resources to make it happen for them. HMG believes in athlete development. We feel that we can make a difference in a young person’s life by giving them the necessary tools and resources they will need for success through athletics. We are currently in the process of conducting a series of athletic evaluations and tests in major cities all across the country. We will conduct these tests using SPARQ Training, which is developed and endorsed by NIKE Sports Worldwide. We are conducting these tests on the premise that we would like to see more of our kids nationwide be given a level playing field when it comes to college recruiting. Our system will also make college recruiting a lot easier on coaches, both at the high school and college level. New NCAA regulation now prohibits college coaches from attending any form of combines or independent football camps, and the independent camps will no longer be able to use college facilities. The new ruling, according to the AFCA, preserves the quality of life of college coaches. No longer will they be forced to feel as though they must attend all of these combines and the sort in order to not miss out on the best talent in the market. Not only will the new regulation save coaches and colleges thousands of dollars annually, but will also give coaches control of the recruiting process and not to the entrepreneurs that have developed these combines and charge the coaches fees for attendance and access to the data on their websites. What HMG is bringing to the market, is a process that will allow more athletes to be evaluated, a national standardized testing method and rating, and accessibility for all college coaches. We will have the ability to test more than 10,000 athletes per year in cities all across North America to include Canada and Mexico. The best thing about the system is that, every coach, school, or program, will have access to the database and athlete ratings and rankings for absolutely no cost. The system will be totally free to coaches, therefore giving them the ability to recruit from all across the country right from their office. This is what we feel is a win-win situation. The athlete wins by getting national exposure to every athletic program in the country. The AFCA, and its coaches, win because they can use the HMG system as their primary recruiting tool with the ease and comfort of knowing that they are using a system that was developed and endorsed by coaches. I hope that you will see the vision that we have for our young men and women. Not only will we provide testing and promotional services for the athletes, but will also provide financial-aid and curriculum counseling for the student-athlete as well. These kids all need a level and fair playing field, and our mission is to make life easier on all of the parties involved. If our goals and purposes fit your mission and the like, then I hope that we can work as partners in this truly worthy endeavor. Thank you. Sincerely, Tremaine Jackson VP, HMG Sports 210.455.8139 210.618.5189 |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2006 19:06:10 GMT -6
Can you tell me what happens with kids that either can't afford to do this and/or live far from where these are held?
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Post by tjackson on Jul 4, 2006 21:31:18 GMT -6
We have developed corporate relationships with different comapanies that are willing to sponsor kids with financial need. Also we are going to every major city. High school coaches can load kids up and bring them. Mine did, and as a result I got a scholarship. If a coach can go to a clinic, he can take kids to a combine. Aren't we supposed to help our own kids??
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2006 7:41:49 GMT -6
All I'm saying is that if a kid lives 500 miles away from the nearest combine and that one date conflicts with any other thing in his life (including work or family obligations) then he's going to have to miss it. What does a kid have to do to get sponsorship to attend one of these combines? Does a kid just have to show need?
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Post by tog on Jul 5, 2006 7:55:57 GMT -6
the THSCA coaching convention is in Austin this year.
If the coaches at the high school care, then they will find a spot for the kid somewhere. All it takes is a little emailing and phone calls. Burn a highlight tape and send it off. Any coach worth calling himself a coach would do this for his kids.
If the kids and their parents (and parents are usually the ones that buy into recruiting services) want to use a "recruiting service" on top of what the coaches should already be doing, then great. Capitalism at work. Caveat emptor and all that.
I suppose there are some slappy coaches out there that don't help their kids get to the next level, and in those cases it boils down to
1. how good the kid really is
2. how much the kid really wants to play at the next level
1.if the kid is that good- they will find him
2. if the kid is marginal-then he needs to work his butt off on his own-despite the slappy "coach" and hustle up a spot in college somewhere.
Not every kid is going D1.
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Post by brophy on Jul 5, 2006 8:11:17 GMT -6
Not every kid is going D1. SSSSSSHHHHH!!!  |
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Post by cqmiller on Jul 5, 2006 8:34:09 GMT -6
Not every kid is going D1. SSSSSSHHHHH!!! I'm with Brophy. Better keep that down...You CANNOT tell their parents that! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2006 8:37:12 GMT -6
I agree tog. I don't have editing software nor digital film (we will this fall) so every tape I make for a kid comes with a lot of work, and still we do it because we care. I've never told a kid "no" when it comes to making cutups for him though I will discuss where he wants to send it. We log phone calls to schools, send emails, and a lot of other things to get our kids a chance to play. I would like to think that the good ones get found wherever they are--case in point: Will Derting of Wash. State--a 3-time All-Conference LB for the Cougars who wasn't highly recruited in high school--partly because he was a poor farm kid in the south whose family didn't even have a telephone. Tough to recruit a kid you can't call. Somehow the Wash. State coaches found him.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2006 8:39:06 GMT -6
I agree tog. I don't have editing software nor digital film (we will this fall) so every tape I make for a kid comes with a lot of work, and still we do it because we care. I've never told a kid "no" when it comes to making cutups for him though I will discuss where he wants to send it. We log phone calls to schools, send emails, and a lot of other things to get our kids a chance to play. I would like to think that the good ones get found wherever they are--case in point: Will Derting of Wash. State--a 3-time All-Conference LB for the Cougars who wasn't highly recruited in high school--partly because he was a poor farm kid in the south (a considerable distance from Pullman, Wash) whose family didn't even have a telephone. Tough to recruit a kid you can't call. Somehow the Wash. State coaches found him.
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 8:39:55 GMT -6
That's where we come in. We are not a recruiting service. We want to put recruitng services out of business. I don't believe that someone should charge a parent $1135 to tell then what a simple phone call to the NCAA can tell them. True. Every kid is not D1 material, but there are some kids that the D! don't find because they don't have a D! season until the last year. I will be in Austin July 31 at the coaching school talking to both high school and college coaches about what we are doing. Also, yes, a kid would just have to show us that he is in need. Some of our sponsors just want to know if he gets free lunch, he can qualify. While we can't sponsor everyone we are still giving everyone a chance.
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Post by wildcat on Jul 5, 2006 8:42:05 GMT -6
I feel really bad for kids who shell out anywhere from $50-$150 to go to these combines and even more for "recruiting" services, which are basically nothing more than a moneymaker for the company that puts them on.
With that being said, the combines are effective in bringing parents with unrealistic expectations back to reality. We had a kid a few years ago...decent football player for a small high school, but nothing really to write home about. However, his parents were determined that he was Big Ten material. Well, we took him down to a combine with his parents and he was basically embarrassed by all of the other kids at his position. His parents realized the hard way that their son did not have the talent, skill, and physical ability to play D-I.
When parents ask me about the combines, I usually tell them to stay FAR away.
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 8:52:14 GMT -6
Why?? Combines are great for kids and the sport. Now everyone can see who the most athletic kids are in the state, and not just listen to some coach who really doesn't know how to time a forty or a shuttle. If the pros do it, then why can't high school players do it?? We imitate everything else the NFL does. We pay $100's of dollars to go and listen to a DC from St Louis speak and steal his defense. Combines are good and I think you should rethink your theory.
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Post by tog on Jul 5, 2006 9:06:40 GMT -6
Why?? Combines are great for kids and the sport. Now everyone can see who the most athletic kids are in the state, and not just listen to some coach who really doesn't know how to time a forty or a shuttle. If the pros do it, then why can't high school players do it?? We imitate everything else the NFL does. We pay $100's of dollars to go and listen to a DC from St Louis speak and steal his defense. Combines are good and I think you should rethink your theory. i think you should rethink that some coach doesn't know how to time a 40 or a shuttle. From all the college guys I have ever come across when talking about a kid, if the head coach tells them they should look at him, and he gives them a tape and sells them on the kid, the kid will get picked up by someone, even if it is not that school. tjackson, I might live in some kind of fairyland world here in Texas, but 99.9% of the coaches I have ever even heard of can and do get their kids that deserve a shot, a shot. |
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Post by wildcat on Jul 5, 2006 9:07:03 GMT -6
Why?? Combines are great for kids and the sport. Now everyone can see who the most athletic kids are in the state, and not just listen to some coach who really doesn't know how to time a forty or a shuttle. If the pros do it, then why can't high school players do it?? We imitate everything else the NFL does. We pay $100's of dollars to go and listen to a DC from St Louis speak and steal his defense. Combines are good and I think you should rethink your theory. Combines and recruiting services are a waste of time for the VAST majority of kids who attend or use them. Please share with us (and provide some documentation) the percentage of your clients who have received football scholarships after using your service. My guess is that the percentage is probably not very high. MOST of the recruiting services and combines are put on by con men who manipulate parents and kids into believing that their efforts and money will result in a football scholarship. That is seldom, if ever, the case! 99% of the time, if a kid is good enough, then the scholarship schools will find him. My guess is that MOST of your clients end up at D-III schools, right? Well, considering that D-III doesn't offer athletic scholarships, those parents could have saved an awful lot of money by simply contacting the schools by themselves. |
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Post by wingtol on Jul 5, 2006 10:15:03 GMT -6
Some of the combines are worth it when they are held during the open evaluation period. I know rivals did one at PSU during that time that was free and Scout.com did one for free at Pitt. I wouldn't advise a kid to pay to goto one of these things. It's better for them to goto a coll. camp if they are intrested in/being recruited by that school so they can get a look there. These combines where there are no coll. coaches are a waste.
I also read somewhere that the NCAA is trying to put restrictions on these combines and not allow coaches to goto them. If they do that then they are a true waste of time.
Oops gues that was said in the orginal post about the NCAA didn't see that sorry.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2006 10:21:17 GMT -6
I believe that college coaches cannot attend any of these combines anymore.
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herky
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Post by herky on Jul 5, 2006 10:31:34 GMT -6
Good post, Wildcat. I agree with your assessment.
Can you share any data, tjackson?
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Post by phantom on Jul 5, 2006 10:33:20 GMT -6
I believe that college coaches cannot attend any of these combines anymore. I can't speak about the big combines like Nike but we had a local combine just about a month ago and it was like coaches' convention. |
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Post by blb on Jul 5, 2006 10:45:02 GMT -6
herky, is that tog's high school picture in your signature line?  |
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 10:14:34 GMT -6
We just started our company, so now I don't have any data. I am a guy that has played college football. My head coach in high school did not know what he was doing. I knew that early. I did not have a breakout year untill my senior year. By then all of the big schools had received their commitments. I was still able to go D on scholarship because my position coach not my HFC, put me on film during the same drills that we will do at our events and took it to the AFCA Convention and showed to some guys. That's what we will do. College coaches don't hit every high school that's a myth.
Tog, you are in a fairy tale world. I am from Texas as well. My coach did not, and I know you heard of him. Once the season was over he had nothing to say to me. Let's not me crazy to think Texas High School Coaches are great and they all help their kids. My coach has been at the same school for 18 years and only has 7 D1 players. Only 1 in the new Millenium. Me class of 2001. And I was the only one that graduated from college.
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 10:23:23 GMT -6
We know that, but don't they deserve a fair chance??
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Post by tog on Jul 5, 2006 10:46:35 GMT -6
herky, is that tog's high school picture in your signature line? that's some real funny stuff right there blb real funny  i did laugh |
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Post by tog on Jul 5, 2006 10:47:47 GMT -6
We know that, but don't they deserve a fair chance?? What is this "fair" stuff? Life isn't fair. Football is the best sport in the world because it teaches you this like no other sport around. If the kid is good enough, and his coach cares, it isn't an issue. |
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 10:53:31 GMT -6
I toally disagree and I hope you're not a head coach. And the cycle continues.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2006 10:59:13 GMT -6
They deserve a fair chance, but what is fair? I live about 650 from what I would consider one major US city and 980 from another. Why are you going to the major cities? Because that's where you find more talent, that's simple. But with $3.00/gallon gas, I can't tell a kid and his parents that they need to drive that far in the pickup for what may not amount to anything for the kid. To them it's not fair that they have to pay that much to get a look.
I'm sure some kids pay to get to the combines and then figure out that they aren't as good as they thought they were. They find out that there are a lot of bigger, faster, stronger kids out there than them. Thus two things happen: the top kids get looks (which if they have those skills would get noticed anyway) and the other ones are back in the pool. Even if a D3 school in some small town / small state looks at the result, they aren't going to have a whole lot of interest in the 80th best kid--he's in their own backyard and those are the kids who make up a lot of rosters.
What I think happens sometimes is that some parents think their kids are better than they are and buy into the whole thing. They think the kid hasn't gotten attention because he's being overlooked. But a lot of schools go to college football camps in the summer and they get a look at by the college coaches--and they get timed, etc. And sometimes it's a lot like basketball tryouts--a kid who can't do a good layup is cut because they can see so much of his ability in that one drill.
I'm sure there are some exceptions and for those it's good.
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Post by phantom on Jul 5, 2006 11:03:41 GMT -6
I toally disagree and I hope you're not a head coach. And the cycle continues. A friendly warning- you may want to watch your tone. You're getting dangerously close to becoming argumentative and that's poor salesmanship. You REALLY don't want to get Tog's blood up because he has banning priveleges and a temper. |
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Post by brophy on Jul 5, 2006 11:04:39 GMT -6
In all fairness, you are profiteering off the hopes (fairy tales) of the vulnerable.
I have been approached by several uncertain parents who are courted by these services and the like, because, quite frankly, they don't know any better, but they want to feel like they are doing SOMETHING...and if they have to pay $1200 - $5000 to get that warm fuzzy feeling, some are willing to do it.
Coaches do not have an obligation to PIMP their athletes. If they believe some kids are legitimate athletes for DI programs, chances are those DI programs have already heard of those kids by the time they are 16, anyway (it's all genetics). It is not a HFC's job to get his "guy" a DI walk on tryout. Call a major DI program up and see how many are INVITED to their Spring walk on tryouts......there are no shortage of bodies out there. The BEST thing a parent can do is encourage GRADES, ACT scores, CAMPUS VISITS, with the intent on getting that 4 year education....because, let's be honest, THAT IS the bottom line.
If a kid REALLY wants to play football, DI level....he can prove himself on the JUCO level and pursue it....OR he can focus strictly on AFL, AFL2, European leagues, or Canadian Leagues.
SportsCenter is nice, but much of it is Hollywood. This "combine" and "scouting services" are not a whole lot different than the "modeling agencies" or "actor audtions" that are held every summer at major cities with little or no placements. Preying on the short-sited dreams of those that abhore hard work.
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Post by tjackson on Jul 5, 2006 11:15:56 GMT -6
You guys are missing the whole point. I don't believe that I asked for you to PIMP anyone. I do feel if a kid plays well for a coach for 4 years, the coach is obligated to get the kid somewhere whether it be JUCO, NAIA, DII-DIII, Or wherever. You ask a kid to risk his life playing football for you and you don't feel you should help him?? For those who don't, maybe its time for them to take off their headsets and watch from the stands.
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herky
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Post by herky on Jul 5, 2006 11:52:34 GMT -6
I toally disagree and I hope you're not a head coach. And the cycle continues. You are out of line, tjackson. Just because you had a HC that did things a certain way, don't project that thinking/behavior on coaches that question your for profit product. Coaches on this board do give a damn about their players, including their life after high school, and will do all they can to help the kids achieve their goals. And for a future tip, you might want to have a better explaination to support and sell the merits of your product. Simply ripping on posters that question the motives or value behind it is not a good business practice. It's actually quite idiotic. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 5, 2006 11:52:44 GMT -6
tjackson...I think the obvious question is...HOW IS CONTACTING YOU helping the kid? How is what YOU are doing any different than me just picking up the phone and calling a school and saying "Hey, I have a kid, he runs this fast, he jumps this high"
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