For an NSR scout, it gets no better than this…
Ross Williams, NSR Athlete, wrote the heart-felt letter to NSR scout Frank Steele.
Hello Mr. Steele: Hopefully this e-mail finds you and your family happy and well. I know that I have not spoken with you in a long time, so I’m just making sure that I continue to communicate with you to some extent. Besides simply that, though, I’d also like to thank you. You have represented NSR so well and you have been extremely helpful and supportive to me as a student-athlete, and frankly, it’s difficult for me to describe just how appreciative I am of what you do. Unfortunately, words can only act as a gilded cloak for my thoughts to wear, so I will not be able to express everything, but please just know that I am deeply grateful for the work that you have done to help me succeed. Your encouraging phone calls and e-mails kept my drive alive at times when I felt as though I wasn’t doing well enough with regards to athletics, and made it that much easier for me to go home and focus on staying in contact with the many coaches that you, and NSR, were able to expose me to. I’m touched by the fact that, not only did you make that effort to communicate with me, but you also attended one of my races, taking time from your day to, once again, be the kind and wonderful person that you are. I’m very excited to go to Florida to make the most out of my college experience as both a student and an athlete, and I’m also grateful and pleased that through a combination of your work and mine, I was able to acquire a scholarship that relieves my family of a significant financial burden–a little over $33,000 a year. You were right when you sat at my kitchen table–100 miles from Apple Valley–and said that if I stayed dedicated to all that NSR does, that, one day, I would then be able to rededicate myself to a university through a NLI commitment. That sort of belief from you, right from the start, was something that I knew would be invaluable as I attempted to plan out my future. So, as I have continually emphasized, I thank you for what you do. It would be wonderful to hear back from you at some point in the future, but regardless of whether or not you are able to reply, I just wanted you to be aware of my gratitude. I wish you and your wife happiness and health. Ross Williams
Windy City Classic
Jason Lauren, NSR Scout
“Scouted some very talented players last weekend at the Windy City Classic girls basketball showcase in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and Waukegan, Ill. There were 34 teams from Wisconsin and 275 total, along with dozens of college coaches. It amazes me every time when I see college coaches herding around just a few games, while the other games aren’t watched by any college coaches. Why? Because…they go to showcases to watch talent THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT, not to discover talent. If a college coach doesn’t know about you before a showcase, don’t expect them to scout you. NSR prospects know this and have college coaches at showcases to specifically watch them. Got NSR?”
At National Scouting Report we actually scout. That is what we do. Jason Lauren, Southeast Wisconsin AD, and other dedicated NSR scouts do this every day. The next time a scouting service calls you, ask this simple question: “Where are your scouts?” And when they say, “Well…we don’t have scouts,” you say, “See ya!”
Krymson Lashley
Our National Scouting Report OTG scout for Northern Alabama is Bryan Black. This morning Bryan posted this Facebook note about one of his client-prospects who tossed a no-hitter. Here’s Bryan’s post: ”Congratulations to NSR athlete and Muscle Shoals High School 2013 softball pitcher Krymson Lashley on an outstanding week that included a no-hitter against Russellville High School. Great job, Krymson! Got NSR? Krymson does. http://app.nsr-inc.com/
This is a real scout communicating about his client-prospect. It demonstrates our point that NSR offers something few other services can provide — your own scout that knows you, follows you and takes notice when you excel and can then, in turn, speak of firsthand knowledge about you. That’s NSR. None better. No way. No How.
Jake Bumbuardner
Our Texas Heartland OTG (on the ground) scout, Jason Espinoza, has never been the bashful type. Like all NSR scouts, he is very proud of the prospects he works with from enrolling to signing. Check out this recent Facebook post of Jason’s about one of his prize prospects, Jake Bumguardner: “NSR BEAST! 2013 NSR Track/Football Prospect Jake Bumguardner “The Jet” (Albany HS) took gold yesterday at the Brownwood Regional Qualifiers Meet with a blazin’ 10.61 100m. Jake is also the defending Silver Medalist in the 1A 400m with a 49.63. He is also an All-State football player who sports a 3.6 GPA! Jake is currently being recruited by Stanford, Oregon, Notre Dame, Houston, LSU, Louisville, Florida State and several other D1 track programs. GOT NSR?? The “Jet” does.”
Why point this out? It’s simple. No other scouting service in America has the number of quality OTG scouts as National Scouting Report. The next time a scouting service calls you out of the blue, ask this question: “Where are your scouts located?” The answer will surprise you, especially when they respond, “Well…we don’t have scouts.”
Coach Pat Summitt
Lady Vols head coach steps aside after 38 years
While Pat Summitt’s announcement that she will hand over the head coaching duties of the women’s basketball program at the University of Tennessee was not surprising, it will remain a seminal day in the history of NCAA athletics forever. In short, the void left in her absence can never be filled.
Pat Summitt has been the consummate college athletic head coach since she took over the reins of the Lady Vols program 38 years ago. There is no one in college athletics that holds as much widespread respect as Coach Summitt. She has proven over time that a top-level program can be run completely within the rules. And, she has been a shining example to every coach in America in terms of recruiting, team preparation and individual player care and development while winning with class and losing with dignity and grace. Pat Summit never shortcut her school, her program or her players. Her legendary intensity as a basketball coach was coupled with an equally intense dedication to her former players and their families. These all are qualities and habits which many coaches have strived to emulate, but few have been successful in duplicating. Everyone in college athletics owes Pat Summit.
It is not a stretch to assert that she and the late former UCLA head men’s basketball coach John Wooden share a unique place in the annals of college sports. While their coaching styles and approach to the game exhibited stark differences over the years, they nonetheless achieved remarkably similar outcomes both as basketball coaches and as campus leaders. They both were sticklers for details and expected, if not demanded, the very best effort from their players, their staffs and themselves. From Day One, Coach Summitt and Coach Wooden each set standards so lofty that their peers and those to follow would find them unapproachable in their consistency. Further, it is not a stretch to believe their likenesses will never be seen again not only in college athletics, but also in coaching as a profession.
Coach Summitt is said to be taking on the new role of Head Coach Emeritus in Knoxville. Our ardent hope is that this will not merely be an honorary title, but that we will have the pleasure of watching her continue to have the ability to influence the University of Tennessee and its students along with anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Her knowledge and experience will be lost soon enough and we rue the day that she will be forced to submit to the disease which has gripped her life and career. We can be assured, though, that Coach will fight it with all the intensity, class and grace with which she so admirably served her school and her sport.
Kristi Wendland
The Ormond Beach Lions Club in Ormond Beach, Florida, honored National Scouting Report softball prospect, Kristi Wendland, as the Seabreeze High School Student-Athlete of the Month. Kristi excels in bowling, weightlifting and softball – and has been selected team captain for all three. She is an honorable mention selection on the All-Area weightlifting and softball teams and has been selected MVP on her bowling and weightlifting teams. Kristi has a 3.9 GPA and is in the top 15 percent of her class. She received a softball scholarship to Daytona State and plans to study business management or sports medicine. She was accompanied to the ceremony by her parents Alicia Wendland, Fred Baker and coach Tarisa Grimm who spoke of Kristi’s many accomplishments. Lion Greg Windquist presented the Student-Athlete Plaque to Kristi.
National Scouting Report scouts worldwide often have prospects that are honored with feature articles in local and regional newspapers and Web sites. Tom Sydeski, an NSR scout covering the Rochester, New York, area has yet another one of his prospects, Casey MacClaren, highlighted in the popluar Section V Fan online page. Below see the interesting interview with Casey.
Recruiting Answers with Casey MacClaren
Name: Casey MacClaren
High School: McQuaid Jesuit
Sport & Position: Baseball RHP
Favorite Athlete: Mariano Rivera
Favorite Professional Team: Yankees
College you selected: Cazenovia College
Major in College: Business/Sports Management
When did you start playing baseball? I have been playing since I was old enough to join t-ball, so 12 years.
Who or what influenced you to start? I started playing because all the other neighborhood kids were playing and my parents signed me up! I started pitching when I was around 10 and that is what made me want to continue playing.
When did you first realize, “Hey I’m pretty good at baseball, maybe I’ll try to pursue it after High School”? Did a coach, parent, or friend speak with you? When I was a Freshman, I was able to play up on the Sophomore JV Gold team. I got a starting pitching spot that year. My coach, Brian Craig, worked with me with pitching and said that he could see I had the drive and talent to continue past high school ball.
What kind of work do you put in during your off season? I play games for as long as possible into the fall. While off the field in the winter months, I condition and attend workouts two to three times a week, and attend indoor throwing/fielding practices two to three times a week. I train at Valle Sports. I see Dr. Nick Schaumberger, a chiropractor, to get rid of any knots and get my body ready for the next season.
How did you first pursue playing “at the next level”? Did you contact coaches? Attend Clinics? Or simply wait for coaches to call you? I started attending clinics on my own in 9th grade. After I met Mr. Sydeski and signed up with NSR as a sophomore, I let the program work for me. NSR’s video allowed me to be seen by coaches across the country. Mr. Sydeski helped me navigate the process so that I contacted coaches at the right times and he also reached out for me.
Can you share with us why you selected Cazenovia College? I chose Caz over my other Div III offers primarily because Coach Way is straight forward and honest. Also, I will have the opportunity to pitch as a freshman instead of sitting the bench for a year or more. Thanks to NSR, I had a number of offers to choose from, at all different levels. Caz offered me a great financial package and they have a challenging honors program that will allow me to make the most of my McQuaid education.
How has the National Scouting Report and Tom Sydeski helped you in the process of playing at the next level? If it hadn’t been for Mr. Sydeski and NSR I might never have known about the opportunity to play at Caz. Mr. Sydeski set up a time for Coach Way to attend one of my summer games for Valle Baseball. Coach Way came to see me throw and afterwards we spoke, which set the ball in motion. Mr. Sydeski also met with me frequently to answer questions about NCAA rules and the NSR process. He encouraged me to keep my grades a priority and as a result I was accepted at every university I applied to.
SVTB – Casey worked the NSR game plan to his advantage and followed up on every opportunity. He’s a studious young man who takes his academics and baseball seriously. Once he visited campus, spent time with his future teammates, and spoke with Coach Way he knew this is the college for him. Casey has a wonderful opportunity to see playing time early in his collegiate baseball career. Best of luck to you Casey as a Cazenovia College Wildcat.
Who or what influenced you to start? I started playing because all the other neighborhood kids were playing and my parents signed me up! I started pitching when I was around 10 and that is what made me want to continue playing.
When did you first realize, “Hey I’m pretty good at baseball, maybe I’ll try to pursue it after High School”? Did a coach, parent, or friend speak with you? When I was a Freshman, I was able to play up on the Sophomore JV Gold team. I got a starting pitching spot that year. My coach, Brian Craig, worked with me with pitching and said that he could see I had the drive and talent to continue past high school ball.
What kind of work do you put in during your off season? I play games for as long as possible into the fall. While off the field in the winter months, I condition and attend workouts two to three times a week, and attend indoor throwing/fielding practices two to three times a week. I train at Valle Sports. I see Dr. Nick Schaumberger, a chiropractor, to get rid of any knots and get my body ready for the next season.
How did you first pursue playing “at the next level”? Did you contact coaches? Attend Clinics? Or simply wait for coaches to call you? I started attending clinics on my own in 9th grade. After I met Mr. Sydeski and signed up with NSR as a sophomore, I let the program work for me. NSR’s video allowed me to be seen by coaches across the country. Mr. Sydeski helped me navigate the process so that I contacted coaches at the right times and he also reached out for me.
Can you share with us why you selected Cazenovia College? I chose Caz over my other Div III offers primarily because Coach Way is straight forward and honest. Also, I will have the opportunity to pitch as a freshman instead of sitting the bench for a year or more. Thanks to NSR, I had a number of offers to choose from, at all different levels. Caz offered me a great financial package and they have a challenging honors program that will allow me to make the most of my McQuaid education.
How has the National Scouting Report and Tom Sydeski helped you in the process of playing at the next level? If it hadn’t been for Mr. Sydeski and NSR I might never have known about the opportunity to play at Caz. Mr. Sydeski set up a time for Coach Way to attend one of my summer games for Valle Baseball. Coach Way came to see me throw and afterwards we spoke, which set the ball in motion. Mr. Sydeski also met with me frequently to answer questions about NCAA rules and the NSR process. He encouraged me to keep my grades a priority and as a result I was accepted at every university I applied to.
SVTB – Casey worked the NSR game plan to his advantage and followed up on every opportunity. He’s a studious young man who takes his academics and baseball seriously. Once he visited campus, spent time with his future teammates, and spoke with Coach Way he knew this is the college for him. Casey has a wonderful opportunity to see playing time early in his collegiate baseball career. Best of luck to you Casey as a Cazenovia College Wildcat.
Bri'ana Rowland
Ki'ana Rowland
NSR standout basketball prospects and twins, Bri’ana and Ki’ana Rowland, from Round Rock Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas, have both committed to continue their basketball careers at Trinity International University in Illinois next year. Bri’ana is a 5’10″ post/forward and Ki’ana plays the guard spot at 5’6″. We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside these two talented young women in their quests for college scholarships. The twins were both represented by Randy Evans, NSR of Central Texas.
Junior scholar turns competition into Texas toast
Lauren Bedrich
NSR 2013 track and softball prospect, Lauren Bedrich, recently competed in her district track meet and is named NSR’s Featured Athlete. The Rogers High (TX) junior turned in what could easily be called a stellar performance by winning the long jump, triple jump, 100 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles. She topped off an incredible day by running the anchor leg on the 1st place Rogers mile relay team. A standout in the classroom, too, Lauren carries an impressive 3.9 GPA. She also starts for her high school softball team which is currently undefeated in district play. Lauren has placed 2nd in the Texas state track meet both as a freshman and a sophomore in the 300 hurdles. She also placed 4th in the 100 hurdles last spring. In her essay to college coaches, Lauren says, “I am the person who is very self-disciplined and motivated. I like to push myself to get better because I know if I take a day off I will stay the same level I was at the day before. I do this because nothing feels better than hearing your time after a race and its better than the previous race.” Her NSR on-the-ground scout is Central Texas AD, Randy Evans.
Throwing down for a great play or for the win makes athletes shine in our eyes
Dirty is a good thing.
When our NSR scouts pan across the high school athletic landscape, they look for dirty players. You heard that right. But it may not be what you think.
NSR scouts are constantly have their eyes peeled for players that get dirty during games, tournaments and events. We look for the players that really play hard and are unafraid to hit the ground or court in an effort to make a great play. It’s true that not all athletes with dirty uniforms are qualified to play at the college level, but we have learned that college coaches love hustle in prospects and they love pursuing recruits that have no fear. When we see this in a prospect, we pay attention. Our attention is drawn to them. Yes, we want to see them look clean and sharp before an event starts because that is a clear indicator of pride and attention to detail that college coaches also love to see. But when it comes time to throw down, the athletes that will give up their bodies for the game and the team are the athletes that truly understand what competition is all about and will do their level best to produce.
Dirty? You bet we love it. And when we come to see you perform, the dirtier, the better.
