Fifteen of the Cen Tex area's top high school programs were on hand at Concordia University this past weekend for the D1 Nation Texas Super Showcase. I want to take the time to thank the high school coaches who are friends of mine and support the role that I play in assisting players through the D1 Nation. Coach Collier (Bowie), Coach Raigosa (Pflugerville), Coach Fossett (Killeen), Coach Bobbitt (Harker Heights), Coach Schmitt (Elgin), Coach Pritchett (Killeen Shoemaker), Coach Jones (Killeen Ellison), Coach Polchinski (Temple), Coach Brown (Cedar Park, Coach Weaver (San Antonio Warren), Coach Baty (Lake Travis), Coach Bourne (Liberty Hill, Coach Route (Round Rock Stony Point and Coach Ellis (Austin Westlake). I appreciate you supporting my event and I love covering your kids throughout the season.
Along with over 150 athletes, many parents were in the stands supporting their kids. Midway through the event, all were treated to a recruiting seminar where a wealth of knowledge was on display for everyone to soak up. Game and player recaps will follow shortly.
Coach Max Ivany publisher of http://www.d1nation.com/ and contributor to several national recruiting sites led off the seminar with an explanation of the differences between the kinds of scholarship and financial aid available to athletes dependent on whether their son is being recruited D1, D2, D3, NAIA or Junior College. The message was loud and clear. Academics and coachability are the two critical variables in addition to talent.
Concordia University (D3) Head Coach Stan Bonewitz a San Antonio scoring legend and former Texas Tech player himself explained what he looked for in his program. He was followed by St. Edward's (D2) Assistant David Martin who spoke about life at his level and about the importance of finding the "right fit" for the student-athlete's level of play. Texas (D1) Assistant Chris Ogden encouraged everyone to register for the NCAA Clearinghouse, the need to have 16 core courses and the sliding scale for standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) for D1 eligibility.
Concordia University Coach Stan Boewitz address the crowd
Ron Baxter, a former Texas Longhorn player spoke about "choices". Make good ones and life takes care of itself. Finally, Indiana Pacers scout Mark Morefield (a longtime Baylor and Valparaiso Assistant spoke to parents about doing their homework about a school and staff while trying not to be caught up in the glamour and glitz of recruiting.
Mark Morefield (Indiana Pacers Scout) and Chris Ogden (Texas Asst.) share their knowledge
If you missed this event, you missed a huge amount of information to help in the planning of your son's future! However, it's not too late. The final Texas Super Showcase for the fall of 2011 will be held on Saturday, October 15th at Boerne Champion High School in Boerne, TX. This event is for high school based teams ONLY. The cost of the event is $150 per team and will include two games, publicity for the top performers and a recruiting seminar similar to the event in Austin. See you there! Spots are limited to 16 teams ONLY. High school coaches please contact me at 512-791-5455 to participate.
