Today we're talking to André Lennox, recruiting coordinator at Los Angeles Volleyball Academy (@lavacademy), or LAVA for short. Recruiting is a complex topic, and I know a lot of listeners are extremely motivated, extremely serious people - if you're a club staffer, you want to make sure your club is setting your players up for success, if you're a parent, you want to know what works, if you're an athlete, you want to DO what works.
I've known André for about a year, and I've wanted to get him on this podcast for a while now, because more than anyone I've talked to, he's a guy who has figured out the recruiting process. He's cracked it.
In this episode, we talk about how LAVA uses gamification to get players to take ownership over their own recruiting processes, we talk about the small things clubs can be doing to help their athletes get to the next level, how LAVA believes in empowering their players to succeed by giving them the tools to control their own destinies. We talk about why video is transforming the recruiting landscape, making it possible for players on the west coast to get recruited and play for colleges all the way on the other side of the country. And let me tell you, none of this is conjecture, it's all been tested and refined at LAVA and it's backed by real world success.
Today we're talking to Jared Spires, the Chief Operating Officer for the soccer club Real Colorado.
And wow, what a guest he is. Let me just read a snippet of his resume to give you an idea. Jared began coaching at the age of 19 and became the Director of the Competitive Program for then Douglas County Blast, later renamed Real Colorado. He holds a USSF A license, the highest achievement in the US in coaching criteria, which he earned at the age of 26. He spent some time at Vanderbilt University as the women's assistant soccer coach, and here's something youth soccer fans everywhere can get excited about. You've probably heard of a young phenom by the name of Mallory Pugh, the 2015 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, who this January became the youngest female player to be selected and play for the U.S. national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament. Jared coached her at Real Colorado when she was a U-11 and U-12 and has been front and center watching her develop into the player she is today. Currently, Jared is the Chief Operating Officer at Real Colorado, where his duties are accountability for managing the operating budget, implementing policy, and operationally leading Real Colorado in the direction determined by himself, the Executive Director of Coaching/President, and the Board of Directors.
We talk about all of this and more in this 30 minute interview. We talk about what it was like coaching Mallory Pugh, how she compared to other players at her age and how Jared thinks young players can and need to emulate about her development, as well as what players can't or shouldn't emulate. We talk about the recruiting process, what Jared views as the proper role of the club staff in the process. We also get into the thorny issues surrounding the ECNL and the Development Academy, what ECNL clubs like his are doing to prepare for the GDA in the next 6, 12, 18 months, how he thinks the situations is going to play out in that time and into the future. It’s a great conversation, I really hope you enjoy it, so without further ado, here’s my conversation with Jared Spires.
At FLG Lacrosse Club, CEO Mike Winkoff and his son, Program Director Corey Winkoff, have a unique approach toward the youth lacrosse. Their mission is to develop well-rounded "studletes" who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities.
In Episode Two, we sit down with Mike and Corey Winkoff from FLG Lacrosse. The Winkoff’s have a ton of experience in the lacrosse space as players, coaches and administrators. In the podcast, they provide poignant commentary on a variety of topics including the early recruiting phenomenon, and provide salient advice for club owners, parents and student-athletes.
Through lacrosse, FLG teaches its members valuable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, friendship and a good work ethic, that are important in every aspect of life. Off the field, FLG players are taught the importance of giving back, partaking in various charities, mentoring and community service events. Since its inception in 2007, the FLG organization has successfully used lacrosse as a foundation to build more than just athletes.
An In-Depth Discussion about the athletic recruiting process with Patty Costlow, Recruiting Coordinator at Munciana Volleyball Club.
Patty has over 25 years of experience in club sports space, and she has some choice words for clubs: “I would challenge club directors. You have to take a look at what you can offer your club participants much more seriously. It is our duty as owners of clubs, as staff of clubs, as coaches of clubs to be a part of the process. It takes being all in.”
In Episode I, we sit down with Patty to discuss what it takes for student-athletes, families, and clubs for successful collegiate recruiting. In this discussion, Patty touches on why communication is so vital to the recruiting process, why relationships are paramount and much more.
Show Notes
Selected Links from the Episode | For Club Staff
Selected Links from the Episode | For Players and Families
Selected Quotes from Patty Costlow