We started something here a few years ago that has become a great way to transition our 8th graders to HS football and introduce their parents to our football coaches and program. As a staff, we call it “recruit night”. We try to pattern it after a college recruiting weekend visit.
We send all of our 8th grade football and basketball kids, and any other kids that expresses an interest in football, an invitation to “Your first Friday night of HS football.” We ask them to RSVP and tell them they will get up to three tickets to the basketball game (versus a rival or high-profile opponent) that evening. We tell them we will have a light meal.
They arrive at our football facility at 5 pm. We have the highlight video playing, have them fill out a questionnaire, and have them get their plate. We have appetizers from one of the nicest restaurants in town. After they are done eating, we begin our program, which includes a tour of the facility, an overview of the equipment, information on recruiting, and position meetings with their HS position coach. We have an Under Armour contract and the kids really like seeing the gear they will be getting. Around 6:45pm, I will go over a handout that has critical information and dates that they need to know for workouts, meetings, Hudl, and our summer schedule.
By the time they leave for the 7:30 tip off, they have had their first experience as a HS football player and it has been very positive. I have great assistant coaches. Part of what made me want to do this was the belief that if I could get these kids and families around my coaches, they would want to be part of our program. It has worked well for us and it sets a very positive tone for their HS football experience.
If you have ideas that have been successful in recruiting kids to your program or transitioning your 8th graders to HS, please send those to me at david.buchanan@mason.kyschools.us.