College recruiters have perfected a shortcut to get in touch with athletes during the 'no-contact' period — text messaging. And they sure are taking advantage of it
By EMILY DAVIS
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
• • • • •
"I'm getting them from people from places I've never even heard of. And I have no idea how they all got my number. I don't really ask because I don't want to know."
Michael Goodson,
Klein Collins football star
• • • • •
There's a tiny electronic device that lets Michael Goodson know he's a wanted man.
Sometimes, he tries to ignore it for a few days, but that usually backfires. Its soft blue lights greet him in the morning, winking a hello and reminding him that people are watching.
No, Goodson isn't a guinea pig for a secret government project or wearing a police-issued house arrest anklet — he's part of something bigger.
Technology.
Goodson is one of the country's highest-rated high school football players. And his cell phone has become a hot commodity among NCAA recruiters.
"As soon as I committed, I think that's when it got really crazy," Goodson said. "That's when the messages began."
Text messages, to be precise.
The electronic communication — which allows messages to be typed and sent to another person via a cell phone — has become the preferred method of contact for many college recruiters during the no-contact period. Until Sept. 1, college coaches can have no personal or voice-to-voice communication with prospective football players.
"As soon as this technology became available and we knew that most of the players had phones that were capable of texting, we started doing it," said Texas A&M recruiting coordinator John Barr. "It's basically an unlimited use of contact we can use during a time when we aren't allowed to telephone or visit with a recruit."
Coming from everywhere
It's the "unlimited" part that has Goodson and his Klein Collins coaches baffled. Since committing to Oklahoma State on July 10, the 6-1, 210-pound Goodson has become an expert on text messaging. Whether he planned to or not.
On average, Goodson gets 85 to 100 messages a day from college coaches across the country.
"I'm getting them from people from places I've never even heard of," Goodson said with a smile. "And I have no idea how they all got my number. I don't really ask because I don't want to know."
It's safe to say Goodson's life has been interrupted by coaches desperate to capture the attention of one of the best running backs in the state. He already has changed his number once. His father had to increase his cell phone plan to include free text messaging — the messages were adding more than $50 a month to his bill before the change.
He was even receiving messages as late — or early — as
2 a.m. (although he has since started turning his phone off at night).
I'd die for you
— Southern Cal assistant coach
Still, the well-mannered Goodson takes it in stride. After all, it gives him something to do during the day.
"I'll keep my phone off for a few days," Goodson said. "And when I turn it on, it says I have 300 messages. So I'll work my way through those. Some are pretty humorous. Mostly I'll go through them when I'm bored."
It's the humorous part that keeps Goodson entertained during his daily message-reading. And the day he received a message from a Southern Cal assistant is one he won't forget.
"It said, 'I'd die for you,' " he said, laughing. "No, I didn't believe him."
But the messages seem to have made an impact. The no-contact period is in effect until Sept. 1. And although Goodson donned an OSU cap on local television to give a solid verbal to the Cowboys, he may be wavering on that commitment. Goodson said Southern Cal and Texas A&M have now joined OSU as his top choices.
"I had coaches texting me up until the second I committed; they know you might not be perfectly set on your school," said A&M freshman and Alief Taylor graduate Martellus Bennett, who was front-and-center in last season's recruiting war. "It's fun."
And all perfectly legal within the recruiting guidelines set by the NCAA. According to bylaw 13.4.1.2, "electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., electronic mail, Instant Messenger, facsimiles, pages, text messaging) may be sent to a prospect."
Practice finishing up, call me ...
— LSU assistant coach
The bylaw was first proposed in February 2003 and officially adopted on June 23 of this year. But during that time, recruiters had been given permission to text recruits.
"When we first came across this technology, we made sure there was no gray area," University of Texas recruiting coordinator Bruce Chambers said. "We're not going to guess it's OK and do it. We called and made sure."
The rationale behind the bylaw states "the proposal would significantly reduce monitoring of printed materials, and technology has created other less costly means of providing information to prospective student-athletes."
Not as personal
But most recruiters say they are not cutting back on the amount of letters and packages they send to players.
"Texting comes in addition to sending letters," Chambers said. "Nothing can replace a handwritten letter checking in on a player. It's an electronic message that's not really as personal. And unless a player can really trust a program, they won't go there. And I don't think we can earn that trust by simply sending messages."
They'll try, though. Goodson said schools that had never shown an interest before his commitment began text messaging him this summer.
"It was almost as if the commitment made them gain interest," Klein Collins coach Ronny Feldman said. "And it's a long season. I just wonder if they have people that they pay to sit there and message players all day and night. It's pretty crazy the volume he is receiving."
Checking in ...
— A&M assistant coach
Goodson, however, said the late-night messages could be a result of the high volume being sent to his phone. Because hundreds of messages are trying to come through at the same time, many don't clear his phone until hours after they are sent.
"But if colleges really are sending in the middle of the night, then I'd say that's an abuse of the system," Chambers said. "And if that happens, which this is the first I've heard of it, then the NCAA will probably try to re-evaluate the regulations on texting.
"You have to respect a player and remember that he is in high school. But if people start to abuse that method of contact in some fashion and parents and players start complaining, then I'm sure the NCAA would come in and restrict it."
And since adding text messaging as an acceptable form of contacting recruits, the NCAA said it is keeping a watchful eye on the process.
"I'm told that our membership and governance continue to look at the ever-evolving technology of text messaging in regard to recruiting issues," NCAA associate public relations director Gail Dent said.
An instant connection
Regardless, coaches and recruiters know that Goodson and top players are rarely out of arm's reach of their cell phones. "Oh, he always has it with him," Feldman said.
And with technology has come an instant connection with their team's next potential star.
"The really good thing is, if you can't make the call, you can send the message right away to ask them to call you," Chambers said. "If they call me, it's OK. Same with their coach. And with the NCAA allowing that medium, it's definitely a plus."
But for those who are constantly greeted by a tiny electronic device that they never leave home without, it's not always a plus. Even the soft blue lights can wear out their welcome.
"I get tired of it sometimes," Goodson said. "But it's not that bad. I don't think I expected it to be this way. And I think recruiters think it works more than it really does. Me and guys like me just sort of laugh about it and ignore most of it. But it is a good way to keep in touch every day. If I feel like texting back, I do. Otherwise, I just delete it."
By EMILY DAVIS
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
• • • • •
"I'm getting them from people from places I've never even heard of. And I have no idea how they all got my number. I don't really ask because I don't want to know."
Michael Goodson,
Klein Collins football star
• • • • •
There's a tiny electronic device that lets Michael Goodson know he's a wanted man.
Sometimes, he tries to ignore it for a few days, but that usually backfires. Its soft blue lights greet him in the morning, winking a hello and reminding him that people are watching.
No, Goodson isn't a guinea pig for a secret government project or wearing a police-issued house arrest anklet — he's part of something bigger.
Technology.
Goodson is one of the country's highest-rated high school football players. And his cell phone has become a hot commodity among NCAA recruiters.
"As soon as I committed, I think that's when it got really crazy," Goodson said. "That's when the messages began."
Text messages, to be precise.
The electronic communication — which allows messages to be typed and sent to another person via a cell phone — has become the preferred method of contact for many college recruiters during the no-contact period. Until Sept. 1, college coaches can have no personal or voice-to-voice communication with prospective football players.
"As soon as this technology became available and we knew that most of the players had phones that were capable of texting, we started doing it," said Texas A&M recruiting coordinator John Barr. "It's basically an unlimited use of contact we can use during a time when we aren't allowed to telephone or visit with a recruit."
Coming from everywhere
It's the "unlimited" part that has Goodson and his Klein Collins coaches baffled. Since committing to Oklahoma State on July 10, the 6-1, 210-pound Goodson has become an expert on text messaging. Whether he planned to or not.
On average, Goodson gets 85 to 100 messages a day from college coaches across the country.
"I'm getting them from people from places I've never even heard of," Goodson said with a smile. "And I have no idea how they all got my number. I don't really ask because I don't want to know."
It's safe to say Goodson's life has been interrupted by coaches desperate to capture the attention of one of the best running backs in the state. He already has changed his number once. His father had to increase his cell phone plan to include free text messaging — the messages were adding more than $50 a month to his bill before the change.
He was even receiving messages as late — or early — as
2 a.m. (although he has since started turning his phone off at night).
I'd die for you
— Southern Cal assistant coach
Still, the well-mannered Goodson takes it in stride. After all, it gives him something to do during the day.
"I'll keep my phone off for a few days," Goodson said. "And when I turn it on, it says I have 300 messages. So I'll work my way through those. Some are pretty humorous. Mostly I'll go through them when I'm bored."
It's the humorous part that keeps Goodson entertained during his daily message-reading. And the day he received a message from a Southern Cal assistant is one he won't forget.
"It said, 'I'd die for you,' " he said, laughing. "No, I didn't believe him."
But the messages seem to have made an impact. The no-contact period is in effect until Sept. 1. And although Goodson donned an OSU cap on local television to give a solid verbal to the Cowboys, he may be wavering on that commitment. Goodson said Southern Cal and Texas A&M have now joined OSU as his top choices.
"I had coaches texting me up until the second I committed; they know you might not be perfectly set on your school," said A&M freshman and Alief Taylor graduate Martellus Bennett, who was front-and-center in last season's recruiting war. "It's fun."
And all perfectly legal within the recruiting guidelines set by the NCAA. According to bylaw 13.4.1.2, "electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., electronic mail, Instant Messenger, facsimiles, pages, text messaging) may be sent to a prospect."
Practice finishing up, call me ...
— LSU assistant coach
The bylaw was first proposed in February 2003 and officially adopted on June 23 of this year. But during that time, recruiters had been given permission to text recruits.
"When we first came across this technology, we made sure there was no gray area," University of Texas recruiting coordinator Bruce Chambers said. "We're not going to guess it's OK and do it. We called and made sure."
The rationale behind the bylaw states "the proposal would significantly reduce monitoring of printed materials, and technology has created other less costly means of providing information to prospective student-athletes."
Not as personal
But most recruiters say they are not cutting back on the amount of letters and packages they send to players.
"Texting comes in addition to sending letters," Chambers said. "Nothing can replace a handwritten letter checking in on a player. It's an electronic message that's not really as personal. And unless a player can really trust a program, they won't go there. And I don't think we can earn that trust by simply sending messages."
They'll try, though. Goodson said schools that had never shown an interest before his commitment began text messaging him this summer.
"It was almost as if the commitment made them gain interest," Klein Collins coach Ronny Feldman said. "And it's a long season. I just wonder if they have people that they pay to sit there and message players all day and night. It's pretty crazy the volume he is receiving."
Checking in ...
— A&M assistant coach
Goodson, however, said the late-night messages could be a result of the high volume being sent to his phone. Because hundreds of messages are trying to come through at the same time, many don't clear his phone until hours after they are sent.
"But if colleges really are sending in the middle of the night, then I'd say that's an abuse of the system," Chambers said. "And if that happens, which this is the first I've heard of it, then the NCAA will probably try to re-evaluate the regulations on texting.
"You have to respect a player and remember that he is in high school. But if people start to abuse that method of contact in some fashion and parents and players start complaining, then I'm sure the NCAA would come in and restrict it."
And since adding text messaging as an acceptable form of contacting recruits, the NCAA said it is keeping a watchful eye on the process.
"I'm told that our membership and governance continue to look at the ever-evolving technology of text messaging in regard to recruiting issues," NCAA associate public relations director Gail Dent said.
An instant connection
Regardless, coaches and recruiters know that Goodson and top players are rarely out of arm's reach of their cell phones. "Oh, he always has it with him," Feldman said.
And with technology has come an instant connection with their team's next potential star.
"The really good thing is, if you can't make the call, you can send the message right away to ask them to call you," Chambers said. "If they call me, it's OK. Same with their coach. And with the NCAA allowing that medium, it's definitely a plus."
But for those who are constantly greeted by a tiny electronic device that they never leave home without, it's not always a plus. Even the soft blue lights can wear out their welcome.
"I get tired of it sometimes," Goodson said. "But it's not that bad. I don't think I expected it to be this way. And I think recruiters think it works more than it really does. Me and guys like me just sort of laugh about it and ignore most of it. But it is a good way to keep in touch every day. If I feel like texting back, I do. Otherwise, I just delete it."
