Pioneer coaches adapt to new way of recruiting
Platteville, Wis.-Recruiting is a vital part of any college coaches’ duties. Recruiting prospective student-athletes is the lifeline of athletic programs. Like the students and student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville who went from face-to-face learning to alternative learning; the head and assistant coaches had to adapt from face-to face-recruiting and to virtual recruiting.
Platteville, Wis.-Recruiting is a vital part of any college coaches' duties. Recruiting prospective student-athletes is the lifeline of athletic programs. Like the students and student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville who went from face-to-face learning to alternative learning; the head and assistant coaches had to adapt from face-to face-recruiting and to virtual recruiting.
The recruiting process is an exciting time for all involved. It is exciting to be a prospective student in the recruiting process, to feel the "love" as they say these days. Coaches put countless hours researching and watching prospective students to identify whom they feel will be the best fit for their respective University and program. Coaches get excited and giddy when a prospective student pledges to attend and become part of their program.
The change in recruiting style has not slowed the Pioneer coaching staff and have used this opportunity to expand and learn new techniques in their recruiting efforts. When changes happen there will be positives and challenges. Five Pioneer coaches explained how they are continuing their recruiting efforts.
Assistant volleyball coach Nick Pinnola: "We expanded our recruiting footprint; we have had a few virtual visits with prospective student-athletes (PSAs) from outside where we normally recruit that would not have taken the important step of a visit. We are considering PSAs from Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire and Ohio, all areas we have not recruited from."
Head men's soccer coach Sam Koening: "Virtual tours have given us the ability to continue to recruit in this unpredictable time. We have had the chance to showcase our university nationwide even during a pandemic."
Head women's soccer coach Emily Ryan: "Virtual tours will help with recruiting out-of-region PSAs, they now have the opportunity to learn about our campus in another form prior to visiting in-person."
Head women's basketball coach Kelly McNiff: "I don't think we will ever go back to the way things were, but I do believe one of the positive changes will be the continuation of virtual visits and tours. There are times it is hard to get prospective student-athletes on campus due to their hectic schedules; but having the opportunity to host these visits virtually helps alleviate some of those issues."
Assistant cross country and track and field assistant coach Patti Laufenberg: "I find that I am learning much more about the PSAs now than I had before the pandemic. All athletes, high school and college, are going through a loss, a loss of a season, this has brought a different perspective to the conversation, and in my opinion a better perspective because PSAs are forced to truly decide what is most important to them in their collegiate experience."
Pinnola: "Virtual visits have less friction and require less effort on the PSAs end. We think this has led to more PSAs scheduling the visits because parents don't need to miss work and the family doesn't have to drive a few hours for a visit. We will likely offer some form of a virtual visit even when we are back on campus."
Ryan: "A positive right now is the ability to have more communication with PSAs. We have more time in our schedule and so do they. This has helped the women's soccer program to develop a stronger list of PSAs that are interested in scheduling an on campus visit as soon as possible. Typically, our PSAs are very busy with school and high school season, so it can be tough to get in touch as frequently as we are able to now. This is helping us develop a stronger relationship right now and will help get more PSAs on campus in the future."
Koenig: "We have been able to take time to innovate and grow as a program in an alternative way. These moments allow for the biggest growth and will make us grateful for when things are back to normal."
Laufenberg: "In many ways, a fire has been lit in PSAs. When the traditional ways of doing things are stripped away, there are only bare bones left and that structure needs to be so strong. Track and field athletes worldwide have been stripped of a season, but what is left are bare bones; athletes, coaches, hard work ethic, sense of humor, hope and the determination to return to the track remain."
Ryan: "PSAs have enjoyed the information but really miss the on campus feel they get while they are here at UW-Platteville."
Pinnola: "Fortunate, we have only had a few minor scheduling conflicts and some connectivity errors with Zoom, but nothing drastic."
Ryan: "Our biggest challenge is losing the opportunity to watch PSAs in their high school games. Spring is high school season for Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri, so we are typically traveling many nights of the week to watch games. Now we schedule more video chats with PSAs to replace the time we would have talking with them after contest."
McNiff: "Luckily we are set regarding our 2020 recruiting class. The challenges now reside with the 2021 class. We have gotten a lot of names and have had a number of PSAs reach out. However, with spring recruiting canceled and summer recruiting up in the air, we have to rely on highlight and game film. There is nothing that matches being able to see these players live and in person."
Koening: "With virtual tours, student-athletes truly miss out on the 'feel' for campus, but PSAs are appreciative of the opportunity to learn more about our campus in a way other than browsing our webpage."
Pinnola: "The PSAs have been excited to connect with our current players and learn about the program through dialogue and asking questions."
McNiff: "There have been a few PSAs make comments regarding campus, our facilities and our university. The feeling is that prior to taking a virtual tour, they had not realized everything UW-Platteville has to offer.
Laufenberg: "The feedback we are getting from PSAs has been nothing but positive. They are experiencing something previous PSAs have not experienced; the opportunity to partake in a virtual tour. In many ways these potential PSAs are becoming pioneers already, making the absolute most out of the fact they can access WiFi and find connection to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
UW-Platteville offers virtual visits Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:15 p.m. Evening virtual visits are available Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register for your virtual visit please visit https://www.uwplatt.edu/visit. To find contact information in the athletic department, follow this link.