The Perfect Time to start in the recruiting process and the Expectation Theory

The Perfect Time and the Expectation Theory
Rhetorical commentary on personal beliefs
Mike Bucci -GetU National Director


I recently had the opportunity to respond to a rebuke made about a video post of a great GetU kid we'd chosen to promote on our GetUrecruited facebook fanpage. 
The comment was not made in malice, but, they were poking fun at our team, and it did have sarcastic undertones...because we were promoting an eighth grader as going places.    In doing so, they opened up a great discussion.

It is truly amazing to me how large the misconceptions are, that people have these days about when to start doing anything to put their kids in position to be successful.  That's what we're talking about here...positioning, not guarantees.  I believe there's no such thing as LUCK...and so should you.  We're not talking about the lotto here, or winning a free sandwich.

We're talking about scholarships...and in that arena, there is a such thing as putting yourself in position to be lucky (thanks Teddy G).  So, while I'm not saying your kids should apply early decision right after they graduate the 8th grade...I am saying that you can capture home footage of them doing extraordinary things...at a young age, and that there's nothing wrong with that. 

Just have realistic expectations about everything.

Let me give you an analogy.  If your kid was 12 or 13 years old....and all of a sudden started showing a propensity for cooking, would that be too early to start promoting his or her talents?  Do they have to wait to a certain age before they should start cooking in competitions?  If the cooking talent was there, you'd notice right? 

Then would it be bad, or too much pressure to help them get even better?  Would you ever think of yourself as a bad parent for entering them  into a cooking class (if they wanted to)?  As snooty for taping them compete? 

Is there anything wrong with losing?  Is there anything wrong with winning?  With being good?  Even at a young age?  Are they too young to be considered good enough to one day vie to go to Culinary School?  Should you wait until their peers catch up so they don't feel different?

Would you even consider caring what anybody thought about you for videotaping your child in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade --- preparing and plating the most delicious and elegant dish of Eggs Benedict, EVER, for mom and dad...in the hopes that one day it could help them either have the confidence it takes to move forward or help in a video resume  for college or culinary application?  If you put that on YouTube....Would that cross your mind?  What people would think?  

Why do you tape record their recitals...besides for personal enjoyment?  If they were only 10 years old in the recital, would you never even consider playing it for a music program application in the future...deeming the child in the footage too young to appreciate or perform good music. 

Therein lay the mental hurdle...perception.  Many of you don't actually want to know when the right time is.  You just want to know what others perception of the right time is.  True or not true?

Why are sports different?  It's not so black and white folks.  There's a LOT of gray.  If I could get financial aid to play lacrosse, after being the single least talented player on my Lacrosse team...in my JUNIOR year...I'm telling you, most anybody could make a compelling argument that they could deserve a shot too.

So, when is the perfect age to start?  Um...well...I don't know.  I'll get back to you on that...and while we're on it...when's the perfect time to have children?  Buy a house?

The time is now.  Now.  This is the only time.  Capture now.  Enjoy it now.  Having your kids play or prepare for a future and fleeting moment will only create a future centered player...and that attitude will reflect itself in their training, their studies...and their life.  Now is the only time you and they will ever have, and this is about both of you...because most can't do it without you.

College coaches aren't going to waste their time watching video or taking an eighth grader seriously...unless he/she is an exceptional talent.  What's exceptional?  It all depends on the sport, but...let's meet Mr. Thomas Miller, eighth grader from Somers, NY.

Thomas Miller is 14 years old, was voted Team Captain, won the Team Most Valuable Player Award, received the League Academic Achievement Award, was voted to the League All-Star Team, and was nominated to the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl ....and is currently a Finalist.  That means that there is a group of people that have nominated this incredibly talented kid as one of the "Best 100 youth football players in the country".

I don't blame them either...Thomas statistically outperforms any player in any league he plays in. He carries the ball 9.9 yards per carry, averages almost 21 yards per reception and is a true leader on and off the field. 

Genetically he's got it...Grades are there...his family is solid, he's got the character, work ethic...so, he's a lock for a scholarship right?  Well...Not really.

Nobody's a lock.  He's the exception though...right?  And if he was MY kid...I'd promote the heck-outta-him!

Would you?

That's the point...and they get it.  NOBODY is a lock.  Ever.  So, do you know what the Millers are doing?  They're putting themselves in a position to win, to get noticed...to get LUCKY.  Expecting great things from their son, and there's nothing wrong with that.  I doubt they're applying pressure...it's calculated high expectation, and Thomas is living up to it.

From eighth grade, they're preparing themselves for college and for life...and you know what, there's nothing wrong with that.  Next, they hired a highlight video production company.  Some footage I believe was captured professionally (as we recommend), and some was home footage...and you know what, it looks great.

Check this highlight video out for yourself of Thomas Miller

They're crazy right?  The Millers.  Nuts.  Promoting their son's talent and grades at such a young age.  Reprehensible.

I would never do that to my kid
(I could never do that for my kid)

Make them do all this stuff 
(let them do all of that stuff)

Put all that pressure on them
(guide them through all the pressure that's on them)...

You CAN do it...and your kids will, more than likely, rise to the level of expectation that you have for them.  So be their rock.  Expect great things...and who knows, one day they might surprise you.





Thank you,

MB