1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

What is the Blaze About?
• Core level
◦ helping advance the state of female athletics thru softball
◦ helping young ladies gain opportunities for higher education thru softball
◦ finally, cultivating an atmosphere to help young ladies develop life skills and
loyalty to one of the best sports ever.
• We want
◦ to be the premier organization in the state from a player development,
competitive and recruiting standpoint.
◦ be recognized for helping young ladies develop the life skills and character
necessary for success in all areas of life to include education, sport, family &
friends.
Thursday, September 12, 13
Texas Blaze Workshop Series 2013
Recruiting 101
Strategies For Success
Thursday, September 12, 13
Texas Blaze Workshop Series
State of the Blaze
•250+ players - 21 teams (10u-18u)
•College Recruits & Alumnae
•The Big Picture
Thursday, September 12, 13
175+ Players ages 10u-18u
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YOUTH - 10u & 12u OBJECTIVES
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Player development
Prepare for high school
Transition to HS Program & recruit education
Strong emphasis on player development
HIGH SCHOOL - 16u & 18u
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Thursday, September 12, 13
Build loyalty to the Blaze
MIDDLE SCHOOL - 14u OBJECTIVES
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Create love, passion, and respect for the game
Prepare for success in high school
Strong emphasis on player development and production
Prepare for success in recruiting
Prepare for success at collegiate level
80 BLAZE COLLEGE COMMITMENTS TO DATE
2016
Chelsea Seggern - Tennessee
Malory Schattle - Texas
2015
Kallen Floyd - Texas State
Charlene Castro - Southeastern Louisiana
Faith Talley - Stephen F. Austin
2014
Shelby Friudenberg - Baylor
Ashley Walters - Texas A&M
Emily Kirk - Indiana
Alyssa Angel - University of Texas
Izzy Barnes - Florida International
Kayla Donaldson - UT Arlington
Taylor Simmonds - UT Arlington
Haley Henson - UT Arlington
Holly Vanckhoven - Abilene Christian University
Hailee Alaniz - Incarnate Word
Lilly Dupert - Rhodes College
2013
Kaleigh Singleton - Central Florida
Nicole Merrill - UTSA
Stephanie Wong - University of Texas
Callie Gerdes - West Texas A&M
Jordan Banta - Mary Hardin Baylor
Mackinzee Griebel - Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Taylor Williams - South Carolina
Ryanne Gipson - UTSA
Brittany Castro - Southeastern Louisiana
Claire Fritsch - Iowa
Mikaela Flores - Incarnate Word
Lacy Butler - Incarnate Word
Lauren McLeod - UT Dallas
Brittany McKissick - WT A&M
Jamie Perez - East Texas Baptist
Lindsey Lacey - East Texas Baptist
Haley Clendennen - Austin College
Brynn Baca - Lamar University
2012
Alex Masek - Texas A&M University
Maddie Lionberger - Georgia Tech
Ashley Elicerio - Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Brittany Siudym - Florida Atlantic University
Tara Law - University Incarnate Word
CoCo McCoy - University Incarnate Word
Lindsey Hood - University Incarnate Word
Kathy Dzienkowski - Dartmouth
Amber Neal - Sam Houston State University
Thursday, September 12, 13
2011
Katelyn Williams - Texas Tech University
Courtney Harris - Texas State University
Jaime Edwards - University of Houston
Summer Groholski - University of Houston
Tina Cisneros - New Mexico State University
Taylor Rives - Sam Houston State University
Taylor Kelm - McLennen College
Sarah Johnson - Texas A&M International
Kris Parr - Tufts
Jonelle Fiekis - UT Dallas
2010
Taylor Thom - University of Texas - ALL-AMERICAN / TEAM USA
Diedre Outon - University of Houston - ALL-AMERICAN
Haley Outon - University of Houston
Cora Ramirez - Texas State University
Jordan Masek - Texas State University
Kaylen Vranich - Texas Womens University
Tara Eulenfeld - Texas Lutherans
2009
Blaire Luna - University of Texas - ALL-AMERICAN / NPF
Macie Hair - Texas State Univeristy
Ashley Kirk - University of North Texas
Brianna Bozon - St. Edwards university
Katie Nichols - St. Mary’s University
Lauren Griffith - Wheaton College
Tesia Krause - Concordia University
Kelsey Allmand - Northwood University
Peyton Hughes - Navarro College
Amy Baggerly - Mary Hardin Baylor
2008
Kelsi Weseman - Georgia Tech - ALL-AMERICAN / NPF
Holly Grentsch - Texas Tech
Lisa Elizondo - Alabama
Amber Price - Stephen F. Austin
Holli Bega - Alabama Birmingham
Katilyn Polk - St. Edwards University
Abi Tammen - McLennan College
College Recruits & Alumnae
4 All-Americans
Team USA National Team
NPF Pro League
•Kelsi Weseman - Blaze 2003-2008
•ACC Freshman of the Year
•4 Time ACC All-Conference
•2011 ACC Player of the Year
• All-American /NPF
•Coach at Drexler
•Blaire Luna - Blaze Gold - 2008 & 2009
•All-American
•USA Futures National Team
•NPF
•Haley Outon - Blaze •All-American
2007-2010
•Taylor Thom - Blaze Gold - 2005-2010
•All-American
•USA National Team
•Ashley Kirk- Blaze 2004-2009
•UNT Single Season K’s w 158 strikouts
•Coach for Blaze Gold
Thursday, September 12, 13
The Big Picture?
Always looking to improve the Blaze Experience
With each new season comes no ideas and an opportunity to improve
LONGEVITY
Thursday, September 12, 13
3 Keys To Success
Parents and players 100% commitment to the process.
Educate
Research
Execute
A successful environment coaches can trust
Help from the inside---Blaze recruiting coordinators
Thursday, September 12, 13
Blaze Recruiting Coordinators
Four recruiting coordinators (JB, Chris, Pat & Jim)
Every player has a rep
Academic Counseling - John Carpenter
Thursday, September 12, 13
Recruiting 101
Playing College Softball
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Developing a Target Zone
Marketing the Player
Recruiting Tools
D1,DII, DIII, JUCO, NAIA (Explanations)
Questions for College Coaches
Texas Blaze Recruiting Strategies
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Thursday, September 12, 13
3 Keys To Successful Recruiting
Roles of the Parent, Player, Coach, & Recruiting Coordinators
Blaze Recruiting Coordinators
Texas Blaze Workshop Series
Developing a Target Zone
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Thursday, September 12, 13
College Continuum Line
Realistic Expectations
Evaluations
Efficiency with Your Efforts
Develop Your Target Zone
College Continuum Line
player a
player b
D1
D1
Top
25
Majors
D1
Other
DII
DIII
Programs
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Thursday, September 12, 13
Blue Chip vs The Rest of Us
player a - high level select player, top rated hs player, very athletic or specialized
player b - high level select player, high school varsity starter
Juco
NAIA
Develop Your Target Zone
Realistic Expectations
player a
player b
??? get an education & play softball or play softball and get an education ???
Other Considerations of Priorities
•Scholarship Money
•Playing Time
REALISTIC ?
“I want a full-ride, because money is important to my parents, I want to play on last
•Academics
years SEC conference champions so I can get to College World Series, and I want to
•Softball Experience
be a starter as a freshman!”
•Division Status
Thursday, September 12, 13
Develop Your Target Zone
Efficiency With Your Efforts
Prioritize before you go to work on college search
Examples
PLAYER A
“Playing time is most important to me at the D1 level but I definitely want some athletic scholarship money as
well.”
WHERE TO START: Find schools that came in bottom three of their conference, make sure to focus on conference
that may be slightly less known.
PLAYER B
I want to play at a big-time program with a chance to get to College World Series...I wanted to be surrounded and
pushed by the best athletes. Playtime and money aren't super important initially but maybe after I prove myself.
WHERE TO START: Look for teams at tops of conferences, talk to your coaches about your ability level, get honest
evaluations and then look for walk-on opportunities.
PLAYER C
I have great grades so academics is the most important---I want to play somewhere where I have allot of time to
study because I want a 4.0 GPA. I love softball and definitely want to play at collegiate level but there are other
things that are equally important like volunteering, or school clubs that I want to pursue as well while in college.
WHERE TO START: Look for high academic DIII institutions in which the school plays a light schedule.
Thursday, September 12, 13
Develop Your Target Zone
Evaluations
Its important to get many opinions on where your potential lies as a player so you
can be realistic and efficient in your search for the right fit.
Don't take it personal if not what you want to hear.
•Travel Coach
•HS Coach
•NFCA Camps
•College Camps
Thursday, September 12, 13
Texas Blaze Workshop Series
Marketing the Player
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Thursday, September 12, 13
Introduce Yourself to Coaches
Intro Packet
Recruiting Tools
Marketing the Player
Introduce Yourself to College Coaches - Your Resume
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Thursday, September 12, 13
Intro Emails & Resume
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Profile
Video
Un-official Transcripts
Schedule
Network & Build Relationships
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Updates on your progress and tournament/game schedules
Contact Management
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Keep up with your business (spreadsheet)
Marketing the Player
Recruiting Tools
Infield, OUTFIELD
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Resume
Throws/Bats: R/L
H-1st/H-H: 2.79/11.84
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 155
Skill Videos
Camps
Postcards
Recruiting Services
Coach: Mike Prinzo
[email protected]
512-203-6515
Brittney Siudym info: www.recruitblaze.org
10924 Quarry Oaks www.texasblaze.org
Austin, Texas
78717
Schedule on back
2009 Fall Schedule
September 26th-27th
Softball with Attitude / San Marcos
October 3rd-4th
Go Gold / San Marcos
October 17th-18th
Elite Diamond Showcase / Plano
October 24th-25th
Batbuster 16u Showcase / Keller
November 6th-8th
Ronald McDonald 16u Showcase / Spring
November 21st-22nd
Thanksgiving Bash / San Marcos
Thursday, September 12, 13
Develop Your Target Zone
College Continuum Line
D2,D3,NAIA
D1
Reality
Early Recruiting?
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Early birds get all the press
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It's smart to focus on the process you
control, having fun, loving the game, staying
healthy, learning valuable life lessons and
getting a good education.
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80% of the recruiting dollars ARE NOT D1
Reality is most kids wont be recruited or
commit before the end of their junior year
Thursday, September 12, 13
25%
75%
D1,DII, DIII, JUCO, NAIA (Explanations)
with Coach Chris Gaffney
DIVISION II
• Typically smaller state run schools. Also some private schools.
• Smaller number of athletic scholarships (9.5)
• Less of a time commitment devoted to the sport when
compared to DI.
DIVISION III
• NO ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
• All money comes through academic scholarships and financial
aid
• DIII schools are typically small in enrollment and have very high
academic standards
• Less of a time commitment devoted to the game when
compared to DI and DII.
NAIA
• Association separate from NCAA
• 4 year institutions
• Athletic scholarships can be awarded. (up to 10)
• Amount of scholarships can vary from school to school.
JUCO
• 2 year institutions
• Scholarships awarded
• JUCO scholarships + low cost beginning tuition provide great
educational value
• Opportunities are numerous
• Can be a great stepping stone
Thursday, September 12, 13
Ivy League (Explanations)
with Coach Pat Lowe
Take Care of Grades
Take Standardized Tests in Sophomore Year
- Schools only look at highest scores,
- Consider taking Test Preparation Classes
No Athletic Scholarships
But Tremendous Financial Aid Packages
Being a Recruited Athlete Can Help
Blind Admissions Policy (Office of Admissions)
- You get accepted
- You receive necessary Financial Aid
- Financial Aid and Admissions Standards vary by School
Recruiting later in process than other schools
No Softball - No Problem You still get your financial aid
Academics (Explanations)
with Coach John Carpenter
•Importance of Academics
•Starting early
•Importance of a resume
•Importance of athlete to take advantage of the opportunity
Thursday, September 12, 13
Kyla Holas
•13 seasons - started the program at Houston
• 11 consecutive winning seasons
• 5 NCAA Regional appearances
• Super Regionals 2008 & 2011
• 3-time C-USA Champs
Thursday, September 12, 13
Texas Blaze Workshop Series
THE END
Thursday, September 12, 13