Professional Documents
Culture Documents
FOOTBALL
We must also recruit and commit 12-14 top-rated student-athletes who will not
count against us as a tip (A Band / NAF).
MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
The BOWDOIN College football program will assist every young man
in their pursuit to reach their full potential as an athlete, student and
person.
Have a Plan : “Tell” (Not Sell) the Plan : The BOWDOIN Commitment
• Our coaching staff is fully committed to developing young men and college
football players as a person first, a student second, and an athlete third.
• We will do everything in our power to help a prospective player reach his full
potential in those three areas over the course of your career here at BOWDOIN
College.
• Listen before you “tell” the BOWDOIN College story. Find your own way to relate to
each recruit and make them feel at home on our campus.
• Remember every meaningful decision is based on emotion – you must grab their
emotion and start making small commitments that lead to the big commitment.
• Treat everyone who walks through our doors as the most important person in the
world. You never know who they know.
MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
Recruit Every Day:
• “Recruiting is like shaving; if you don’t do it everyday, you will look like a bum”.
• Everyone is after the top-rated student-athlete; NEVER lose a recruit due to laziness or a lack of
effort.
Be Organized:
• The #1 key to building yourself into a great recruiter is ORGANIZATION. The earlier you are able to
organize top-rated recruits, player and coach information, summer camp schedules; the more prepared
and confident you can be with every face to face contact and phone call.
• We want to be the NESCAC staff that every high school coaching staff respects and talks about in
terms of our professionalism and recruiting efforts. Word of mouth will be our best marketing tool.
MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
Competition:
• We as a staff will welcome our NESCAC competitors and any comparison between BOWDOIN and
our opponents.
• It is not our job as a recruiter to make decisions on other schools for the recruit and his family.
Direct the prospect to recognize differences between BOWDOIN College and other NESCAC
schools. DON’T NEGATIVE RECRUIT!
• The difference and strength of BOWDOIN lies in our people, professors, staff and alumni.
• Don’t take the easy sell! Do not be the recruiter who is happy with the minimum or only looks for
quantity. A great recruiter must be able to hear the word “NO” a lot. Major successes only come
with many failures. Average players in this conference are easy to get. You have to work for the
elite.
RECRUITING PROCESS
I. Prospecting III. Presentation
• Recruiting Services • Making phone calls
• Phone calls to Area One Schools • Front Rush email’s
• Referrals colleagues, alumni, and • Summer camps
admissions • Campus Visits (Junior Day, Game
Day, Overnight)
II. Qualify
• Academically and financially IV. Close
qualified • Help them finalize and get a feeling
• Outstanding person with great that they fit in
character who wants to • Elite education
challenged academically, socially, • Elite football program, with elite
and athletically coaches
• Excellent athlete that loves to • Feeling of worth and belonging
play the game with players and community
• Get a commitment
RECRUITING CALENDAR
FEBRUARY MAY
• Begin Junior Recruiting- Spring emails to coaches Junior Day (s)
• ED II follow ups- confirm commitments and stay in Continue to call top rated prospects
contact Continue to develop summer camp list
MARCH JUNE
• Area One and Area Two distribution to recruiting Staff working summer camps
coaches Calls to top rated prospects
• Processing and distributing Junior prospects
• Recruiting Manual review JULY
• Begin film evaluations on Junior prospects Staff working summer camps
• Development of summer camp calendar Calls to top rated prospects
• Prep work for area one recruiting calls National Prospect Day (s)
APRIL AUGUST
• Area one recruiting calls to high school coaches Summer recruiting day
• Calls to top rated prospects Updates of top rated prospects
• Film evaluations Review of Recruiting Manual
• Start developing master camp list Protocol for in-season phone calls / letter
• Staff distribution of summer camp writing campaign
• Junior Day (s) Twitter / Facebook Updates
RECRUITING CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
• Game day visits DECEMBER
• In-Season calls begin • Calls to top rated prospects
• Letter writing campaign begins • Campus visits
• Twitter / Facebook Updates • Letter writing to top rated prospects
• ED I follow ups with confirmation of
OCTOBER commitments
• In-Season calls • ED II Priority Meeting
• ED I Priority Meeting • ED II push
• Twitter / Facebook Updates
JANUARY
NOVEMBER • Campus visits
• In-Season calls • Finalize ED II commitments
• Campus visits (post-season)
• ED I push
ADMISSIONS RECRUITING CALENDAR
MAY
• Third week of May – Director of Athletics informs coaches of
band allocation DECEMBER
• First week of December – Liaisons
JUNE/JULY inform AD and coaches of EDI decisions
• June 15 – Coaches begin to submit PAR materials: high school and • December 15 – EDI decisions released
college transcripts, ACT, SAT and SAT Subject test scores, school • December 22 – Admitted EDI reply
profile, and official class rank provided by the school deadline
• July 1 – Admissions begins to release PAR information to coaches
JANUARY
NOVEMBER • January 1 – EDII and RD admissions and
• November 1 – Transfer Spring admissions and financial aid financial aid applications deadline
application deadline • First week of January – Coaches update
• November 15 – EDI admissions and financial aid application priority list and preferred EDII tips
deadline • January 31 – EDII conversion deadline
• Second week of November – Coaches update priority list and • Last week of January – Coaches update
preferred EDI tips priority list and preferred EDII tips
• November 30 – EDI conversion deadline
• Last week of November – Coaches update priority list and
preferred EDI tips
ADMISSIONS RECRUITING CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
• February 1 – RD financial aid deadline
• First week of February – Liaisons inform AD and APRIL
coaches of EDII decisions • First week of April – Liaisons inform the AD
• February 15 – EDII decisions released and coaches of Transfer Fall decisions
• Second week of February – Coaches update • April 15 – Transfer Fall decisions released
priority list and referred RD tips • April TBD – Admitted Students Program and
• Last week of February – Liaisons inform the AD regional yield events
and coaches of RD decisions
• February 28 – Admitted EDII candidate reply MAY
deadline • May 1 – Admitted RD and Transfer Fall
candidate reply deadline
MARCH • Rest of May – Coaches update priority list,
• March 1 – Liaisons confirm RD tips with coaches liaisons notify coaches of WL students
• First week of March – Transfer Fall admissions
and financial aid app. deadline
• March 31 – RD decisions posted on or before this
date, coaches notified of WL
E-MAIL CYCLE
1. Welcome To BOWDOIN 6. BOWDOIN Football Tradition and
a. Mission of the school Family
b. Statement about the people a. Include the game day experience video
2. Transcripts / Film / Visit b. Possible tradition film
a. Reminder about receiving 7. Test Dates
copies of what we require a. Standardized testing dates and
3. BOWDOIN’s New Ranking reminders
a. Continue to monitor this 8. ED1 and ED2 Deadlines
4. David Greene a. Financial aid information
a. Article about the President b. FAFSA, CSS
5. Facilities 9. Commitment To Excellence
a. When anything becomes public a. Community, Campus, Football
about a new facility 10. Future of BOWDOIN
a. Athletic Complex
b. Downtown expansion
RECRUITING EVALUATIONS
1. CHARACTER 4. EVALUATIONS
• Know and understand the warning signs that • Continually update evaluations throughout the recruiting process
may lead to difficulties through the recruiting • Junior and Senior film
• Partner watch as much as possible
process with a prospect and family (prospect • Recruiting Coach and Position Coach should have a final input on a
doesn’t communicate well, overbearing parents, grade
etc.) • Recruiting Coach and or evaluator will be responsible for film
evaluation on server and saving it to Front Rush with all information
2. FINANCIAL SITUATIONS • Full coaching staff will make final determination on supporting an
• It is important to have a general understanding athlete
of the financial background of a potential
5. STI (Speed – Toughness – Instinct)
student-athlete without getting too involved. • This rating could ultimately provide a great final push for a prospect.
• Investment on the front end is worth the reward • If a recruit has a high STI score, it may push them over the edge into
on the back end. being someone we want to support.
EVALUATION PROCESS
1. A Google Doc will be shared with the staff. 4. Accessing film evaluations sheet
• Staff will populate doc with recruits that at least one staff • Access the server
member has been in contact with. • Choose the ‘0 RECRUITING’ folder, then the ‘2018 Recruiting’ folder.
2. Coaches will be divided into two or three groups based on position • Choose the ‘3 Film Evaluations’ folder.
or to avoid having a coach grade his own recruit. • Open a blank excel evaluation.
3. Grading and Watching • Fill out all necessary information (name, HS, etc.) and grade.
• Four potential areas to watch: 5. Entering information into Front Rush
• Big Room • Login to Front Rush (if needed, UN: coachdugan, PW: rangers)
• Coach Michaeles’ Office • Enter the film grade (i.e. 6.08) into the field ‘Film Grade’
• Coach Dexter’s Office • Upload the film evaluation sheet into the field ‘Film Evaluation’
• Coach Dunn’s Office 6. Entering information into the Google Doc
• Each group should use two computers. • Record the film grade and STI of each recruit in the Google Doc.
• One for viewing the film • This allows the Big Board to be updated.
• One for grading the recruit
ATHLETIC RATING
RATING
Top-Rated: A player that we want to recruit. They are a potential difference-maker and
TR will be an asset to our program. TR players grade as a 6.0 and above.
Rated Athlete: A player who can be recruited. While not our top priority, they can
RA develop into an important part of our program. Need to show improved senior film.
PR Paper Rated: A player that has no film or that we have not seen in person.
NMF Need More Film: A player that has film, but not enough to be graded.
NON Do Not Recruit: A player that we do not want to recruit based on their athletic profile.
NA Not Admissible: A player that we do not want to recruit based on the academic profile.
NLA No Longer Available: A player that has decided to attend another school.
MD
MD KW
KW
MD AK
MD KW JB
MD
AK
AK JB
JB
MD JB
MD JB
MD AK AK
DD SC
JB
AK SC
MD AK
MD SC
SC SC International - MD
SC SC
JB
CAMPUS VISITS
There are five different visit types for our recruits: 1. Recruiting coach will identify potential student
1. Day Visit athlete for a visit.
2. BTP Camp 2. Identify arrival and departure times to and from
3. Prospect Day campus.
4. Game Day Visit 3. Potential student-athlete is to go to admissions
5. Recruiting Weekend webpage and schedule a visit, information session,
and or interview (all optional).
4. Recruiting coach will put appropriate name,
We welcome recruits on our campus at nearly any school, arrival and departure time of potential
time. Once a potential student-athlete has been student-athlete into calendar on Front Rush.
identified and a visit date has been solidified, the 5. If tour is not available through admissions, then
recruiting coach must be a great communicator staff member will give campus tour.
with the recruiting coordinator and the head 6. Notify recruiting coordinator off all necessary
coach on when the recruit will be visiting. information so he can develop an itinerary to send
ALWAYS ask if the recruit has any time to potential student-athlete.
restrictions. 7. Note any special needs and if prospect will be with
parents.
CAMPUS VISITS
DAY VISIT GAME DAY VISIT
8:50 AM – Prospect and family arrive to admissions office 10:30 AM- Recruiting Itinerary / Presentation Start
(Lunder House)
10:30 AM- Staff Introductions
9:00 AM- Information session
10:45 AM- Head Football Coach
10:00 AM- Tour of campus (Admissions or Coach)
11:00 AM- Recruiting Coordinator
11:15 AM- Tour of BOWDOIN College Athletic
Facilities- Alfond Athletic Center (Coach) 11:15 AM- Campus Tour (Provided by support staff
/ IR players)
11:45 AM- Meet with Head Football Coach
12:15 PM- On Field for Warm-ups
12:15 PM- Depart Campus
1:00 PM- Kickoff
*Note that all itineraries are different depending on what staff
feels is necessary. 4:00 PM- Post Game Schedule / Tailgate
[[FIRSTNAME]],
Our staff would like to thank you again for taking the time to come and visit the BOWDOIN College campus. We hoped
that you enjoyed your visit and were able to see everything that we have to offer academically and athletically.
As we outlined during your visit, this is an exciting time in the history of BOWDOIN College. The new BOWDOIN
Athletic Complex will set the standard in Division III athletics and our new Harold Alfond Director of Athletics Jake
Olkkola has a vision to build upon BOWDOIN's already storied history and tradition. Academically, BOWDOIN continues
to broaden the horizons of what is possible with a liberal arts education through hands-on learning experiences and
intermixed disciplines.
Please update us on all of your academic and athletic progress throughout the recruiting process. We hope to see you again
soon!
If deemed necessary by the staff, hand-written letters can be sent to our top recruits. The above letter will be
sent to all recruits and it is the responsibility of the individual recruiting coach to send any additional letters.
FRONT RUSH
Front Rush is our recruiting service. We use it for every aspect of recruiting. Front Rush allows us to
keep track of recruits, alumni, and to a lesser extent, our current roster.
Calendar – The Front Rush calendar is used to mark recruit day Contacts – This section is for all of our high school
visits. By entering the recruit on the specific day and denoting coaching contacts. This section will be used heavily in the
the time, the entire staff can receive a reminder e-mail the spring when we are making our Area One phone calls.
morning of the visit.
Group Board – The Group Board section allows you to
Recruits – All of our recruits are stored in this section. Priority group recruits, alumni or current players together. This
fields can be changed by clicking on the ‘+/-‘ on the left. Priority section is useful during the summer camp season, when we
fields should be set up to the recruiting coach’s preference to can add recruits that we see at camp to that specific group
maximize efficiency. By clicking on the ‘more’ button in the board. Recruits must be in the system to be added to a
search bar, recruits can be categorized based on certain criteria Group Board. Once completed, a mass e-mail can be sent to
(recruiting coach, state, etc.) a Group Board.
Roster – Our current roster is in this section with all of their Messages – Where all e-mails and texts are sent to recruits,
necessary contact information. This section has become obsolete alumni, roster or contacts. Like all of these sections, certain
since our addition of TeamWorks. people can be sorted and categorized by a certain criteria.
Alumni – This section houses all of our alumni, alumni parents, Export – If needed, this field can create a Microsoft Excel
current parents and other friends of the program and their document that can be easier manipulated or printed for our
contact information. use.
FRONT RUSH – PHONE CALLS
All coaches who have a smartphone should download the Front Rush app to allow notes to be
written in and to have access to telephone numbers when not in the office or without access to a
computer. Having this application is beneficial, especially when traveling on the road to a Friday
game or on travel days to away games.
Without the ability to make school visits, we need to be great phone recruiters. For many of our
recruits, it is the only contact we will have we them for a few months before getting them on our
campus or meeting them at summer camps.
FRONT RUSH – PHONE CALLS
After speaking to a recruit on the phone, log all notes in their Front Rush profile. Click on the recruits name
to access their profile. Scroll down and you will find all interactions with the recruit.
At this point, log all notes into the text box. Notes
can be logged under different categories (general,
incoming call, outgoing call, etc.). Be as specific as
possible! Another coach should be able to look at the
notes and know everything about the conversation.
The note automatically enters the date and time, so
once the notes are entered, clicked ‘create’ to save.
During the season, copy and paste all notes into the
Season Call Log so that they can be reviewed on
Monday morning.
THE CALL
Coaching football aside, calling prospective recruits and high school coaches is the most important thing we do. It
is important that you are prepared and ‘armed’ for each call. Anticipate responses and be able to pull information
out of a coach and be able to get an uninterested recruit interested.
FACEBOOK
BOWDOIN College Football
Maintained by Coach Kretzschmar
Game photos, community service photos, team functions
Promotion of great things within our program (All Conference, Academics, etc.)
TWITTER
@BOWDOIN_Football
Recommend to staff to get on twitter
Maintained by Coach Dugan
Positive way to help promote campus and athletics in general at BOWDOIN
Kids seem to be more involved with Twitter now than Facebook
Be careful of who follows you and who you follow on Twitter
INSTAGRAM
@BOWDOINfootball_btp
Maintained by Coach Conerly
A great resource to post pictures and other media in regards to what is positive about
BOWDOIN football (community, academics, athletics)
LETTER BOMBS
Throughout the season our, staff will send out handwritten letters to top-rated players based on our priority
needs in our recruiting class. In the off-season, our staff and recruiting coordinator will initiate letter-writing
campaigns accordingly. As a staff, every Monday in-season we will meet on Monday at 8:00 AM and write
our letters. Below is an overview of our letter writing campaign schedule:
Beginning in the 2017-2018 recruiting season, Admissions will streamline PAR’s through Front Rush and an
online portal through the BOWDOIN website. All PAR’s will be completed with 48 hours of submittal and be
posted to the portal:
https://admissions.BOWDOIN.edu/portal/coaches
Following the completion of each PAR, the band and comments will be updated through Slate and into Front
Rush.
PAR PROTOCOL
Before completing a PAR on a prospective student-athlete, make sure that we have graded their film and had at
least one conversation with them.
Priority Read lists should only include student-athletes who have sincere interest in BOWDOIN or student-athletes that are
coming from a distance and need positive feedback to encourage a campus visit. A prospect must have a PAR completed on them
to be on the Priority Read list.
The recruiting coordinator will create a Priority Read list on an excel sheet based off the information that is provided on the
Google Doc by the rest of the staff. This list will be sent to the director of admissions and the football liaison in admissions. On
the night prior to the Priority Read, the head football coach will have access to the folders for each student-athlete on the list.
These folders will have all necessary academic information on each student-athlete. These folders will have the following labels:
Understand that we have a financial aid office, allow them to do their jobs, and remind potential
student-athletes that the investment on the front end is well worth the reward on the back end.
FAFSA: Stands for Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA Website)
SAR: Stands for Student Aid Report Some statistics provided through our
Upon completion of the FAFSA, the student will receive his SAR report, financial aid website
which deems his FAFSA information complete with the federal government.
This turnaround time can usually be between 4-6 days. BOWDOIN meets 100 percent of
college-calculated financial need
EFC: Stands for Estimated Family Contribution for all admitted students, with
This is where a preliminary financial aid package stems from (federal / state
aid)
grants and campus employment—
not loans
AGI: Stands for Aggregate Gross Income
Total income and assets within a family household The average financial aid package
in 2013-14 was $43,845
CSS Profile: Stands for College Scholarship Service Profile.
An application distributed by colleges to allow students to apply for financial
aid.
SUMMER CAMPS
It is imperative that in the summer, our staff is visible and attending Ivy League camps and camps
in our area one recruiting regions. Although camps can sometimes be demanding and can take its
toll physically and financially, in the end it allows us to meet, evaluate, and spend time with top-
rated prospects that we are actively recruiting, as well as target new potential top-rated athletes.
As a staff we must have exceptional communication throughout this time period and be as
organized as possible.
Overview
• Our staff will attend recruiting camps around the country to represent and reflect our college,
its’ people, and mission statement is every way, shape, and form.
• We will do everything and anything possible to make a positive and lasting impression on
prospects, families, and colleagues that we will see over the next two months.
• We will evaluate and connect with potential recruits with professionalism, insight, depth and
breadth in our conversations and time with a prospect.
SUMMER CAMPS
Blue Team Pride Mentality
• Everything is to our advantage, “Paradise is where I am.” When around recruits, competitors
within the NESCAC, or other Division III schools; BOWDOIN College Football and our
outlook could not look any better, “Own the place.”
• Listen before you “tell” the BOWDOIN College story. No statistics should be given until you
have all of their statistics.
• Build a relationship and understand human emotion.
Competition
• We as a staff welcome our NESCAC competitors and any comparison between BOWDOIN and
our opponents.
• It is not our job as a recruiter to make decisions on other schools for the recruit and his family.
Direct the prospect to recognize differences between BOWDOIN College and other NESCAC
schools.
• Do not negative recruit.
SUMMER CAMP GOALS
1. Our #1 goal is to make a lasting impression and gather necessary information.
2. We should be able to go into a camp knowing who we must be looking for. This
means we must do a great job prospecting and developing relationships in the
spring.
3. Do not allow yourself to get outworked at a camp. Do not be the recruiter who is
happy with the minimum or just looks for quantity.
4. A great recruiter must be able to hear the word “No.”
5. Major successes only come with many failures. Average players in this conference are
easy to get.
6. Do not be an admissions counselor, be a great recruiter.
SUMMER CAMP PROTOCOL
It is important to understand that sometimes you may not see a recruit at the end of camp. In the few
moments you have it is imperative to get points one and two (listed below) and follow up. Information that
needs to be gathered:
1. Name
2. Contact Information (Phone Number / Email Address)
3. Academic Information
4. Parents Information
• Have a notebook and something to write with. Plan to track and diagnose as many recruits as you’ve been
able to work with and evaluate throughout a particular camp that you are attending and able to evaluate.
• Understand that you are at a camp to WORK within the structure and calendar set forth within our
recruiting calendar.
• You cannot go back in time - make each camp worthwhile with great enthusiasm and organization.
SUMMER CAMP PROTOCOL
• Talk with as many people within the camp structure as possible without wasting time or
creating unwanted or needed attention. Each contact should be positive publicity for
BOWDOIN College and our football program
1. Be on time
2. Be prepared
3. Be engaged
4. Be excited
• Hamilton Rule: Do not interrupt drills collecting information from kids, going up and down
lines asking who is academically qualified. If you are not actively involved in a coaching
situation at the camp, know when the appropriate time is to speak with a recruit. Or simple get
their number and name and ask to speak with them after or at a break / lunch. Interrupting
drills or not working within the framework of a camp gives BOWDOIN and NESCAC schools a
bad reputation. We are at the mercy of the hose institution.
SUMMER CAMP DRESS
Dress in BOWDOIN College gear. Represent our program before opening your
mouth.
Warm-up tops with khaki shorts.
Dri-Fit tops with khaki shorts.
Staff polo with khaki shorts.
• Be dressed comfortable but professional.
1. You will be held accountable and evaluated on the numbers and quality of young men you are
able to evaluate during the next two months.
2. An initial contact letter through email from Head Coach will be sent by our staff, as well as a
potential invite to our summer National Prospect Days.
3. Qualify quality over quantity. Let’s eliminate wasted time on those who are not academically
qualified or who cannot compete on our football team.
4. Schedule a visit.
At the beginning of every summer camp season, a camp list will be generated for each individual
camp through Front Rush. This list will be on the Google Doc so that all coaches will have access
to it in order to know who is at the camp that is also in our system.
OFFERS AND COMMITMENTS
As our staff begins to finalize our recruiting class and commit 25-28 top-rated student-athletes
(both tips and non-counters), we need to be 100% POSITIVE of the young men that we are supporting
to become a part of our program. Each student-athlete that we recruit and commit becomes an
extension of our staff. Furthermore, that student-athlete is an extension of the coach who recruited him.
If the recruiting coach is not willing to put his job on the line for a recruit, then that student-athlete is
not someone we want on our team. A recruiting coach must be willing to pound the table for his
recruit, willing to endorse him with no reservations. The recruiting coach cannot do that for a recruit
without knowing who he is as person and what he stands for. It is the responsibility of the recruiting
coach to know the recruit’s personality, injury history and toughness levels. The recruiting coach must
speak with his coach and with anybody who can provide insight on him. We need to be accountable for
our ‘misses’ in recruiting.
The following chart shows the players that have
been recruited by our current coaching staff.