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College coaches have always evaluated
prospective student-athletes on the golf course
and in the classroom. Attitude and mental
toughness are also factored into a coach’s
decision when recruiting a player. Recruiting
prospective student-athletes who have good
reputations is important for college coaches.
Each incoming player will greatly influence team
chemistry and the culture of the program as well
as be an ambassador for the university. Now, in
the age of the Internet and social networks, it
is important for junior golfers to pay attention
to what they include on social media sites, such
as Facebook. Your reputation and image can be
affected, both positively and negatively, by
what you post on your online profile. College
coaches may look to these sites to learn more
about you, your reputation, and your off course
behavior. There are college coaches who have
stopped recruiting players because of
inappropriate content they saw or were told
about on a recruit’s social networking site.
These sites, if used correctly, are great for
keeping in touch with friends and expressing
yourself by sharing funny stories and posting
your favorite pictures, movie lines, videos, and
music. However, you need to understand that
posting the wrong information on your profile
and communicating with people you do not know
personally could jeopardize your image and
reputation not only with your teachers and
college admissions counselors, but also with
college golf coaches as well. Just as attitude
and behavior are important to college coaches,
so too is the image you portray on these social
networking sites. The content you choose to
post on your site should be something you would
feel comfortable showing to a college coach who
is recruiting you.
Equally important is whom you accept as a
“friend” on these social networking sites.
Although these “friends” may seem cool, you
should choose them wisely. Again, sites like
Facebook are great ways to share your interests
and communicate with your friends. However, be
aware that what you think is private information
may be shared by others with other people whom
you do not know. The golf world is very small,
and although every college coach may not be on
these social media sites, someone they know will
be.
Some things to consider when posting items on
your profile:
• Do not post your personal information, such as
your address or cell phone number.
• Make sure you or your parents are the only
people who know your password.
• Think first prior to posting your photos and
opinions of other people, and always use
appropriate language (including your email
address).
• Do not reply to inappropriate comments posted
on your profile and make sure to delete any
“friends” who post these types of comments.
• Establish privacy settings for people to view
your full profile and to view your photos or
wall.
• Do not accept someone as a “friend” unless you
have personally met him or her.
• Always remember that teachers, college
coaches, and others may go online to find out
things about you from your profile. Make sure
you are comfortable with these people viewing
the content on your profile.
Continue to enjoy connecting and sharing with
your friends via social networks sites like
Facebook. Using good judgment in what you
share on your profiles and with whom you share
it is critical. This ensures that anyone viewing
your Facebook (or similar social networking
site) profile, including college coaches, will
come away with a positive impression of you and
your character.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Coach Gleason
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As a former college
golf
coach and someone who has worked with
talented junior and collegiate players for
20
years, John is well qualified to help
families navigate junior golf and manage
college placement. For this purpose, he
founded Red Numbers Golf in 2003.
Since then he has worked with over 150
dedicated families who are focused on
helping
their junior golfer realize the dream of
playing collegiate golf. His extensive
coaching experience at the NAIA, NCAA
Division II, and NCAA Division I levels has
allowed him to witness the commitment and
work ethic necessary for student-athletes to
transition successfully into
college.
Ted Gleason founded
Road To College Golf in 2006 to
assist
junior golfers and their families with the
college placement process. Formerly the Head
Golf Coach at both the University of
Southern
California and Southern Methodist
University.
Ted has 7 years of coaching experience at
the
Division I level, 5 years of experience as
a
professional golfer and 4 years of college
golf at UCLA. Over this time he has
experienced the personal and professional
commitment necessary to compete at the
collegiate and professional
level.
