SportsForce alumnus and Oral Roberts University athlete, Tyler Saladino was named the Summit League Player of the Week. Tyler is an infielder for the ORU Golden Eagles. ORU reported Tyler’s accomplishment on their site:

Saladino collects Player of the Week honors after leading the Golden Eagles to a series sweep over Western Illinois. The junior hit .688 (11-16) for the week with a 1.500 slugging percentage and .762 on-base percentage. He registered at least one run and two RBI in each game vs. WIU with nine and 11 totals for the week, respectively. He also added 11 hits, three homers, two doubles, a triple, a stolen base and three walks, while striking out just once in 16 at-bats.

Highlighting his week were a game-winning three-run homer in the opening contest of the Western Illinois series and his game-ending two-run home run in the eighth inning of the finale, which ORU won by a run-rule score of 14-4.

For the season Saladino is batting .374 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI. In Summit League play, he’s off to a .545-4-24 start over ORU’s first 12 league games.

The Golden Eagles are 22-17 overall and lead the Summit League with a 10-2 record. ORU next faces IPFW in a four-game Summit League series which opens 2 p.m. Friday in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Check out Tyler’s highlight video below or be sure to visit his full SportsForce profile here.

For the full article visit the ORU Men’s Baseball page here.

SportsForce is excited to share the announcement of La Costa Canyon and NC Starz Elite player Alex Pardieu’s commitment to Florida State to play Men’s Lacrosse.

Florida State Men’s Lacrosse shared the news in a press release:

La Costa Canyon senior midfielder Alex Pardieu will attend Florida State University in the fall. LCC High School is located in Carlsbad, California.

The 5’10”, 165 pound Pardieu was a four year varsity letterman and as a junior, was named All-County and All-Conference in the highly competitive San Diego section. Most recently, he was invited to play at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England on the U19 team.

“Alex can break down a defense and get his hands free for a shot or to get the offense moving”, said LCC Head Coach Dallas Hartley. “He plays team defense on and off the ball and is great in transition”. Added FSU Head Coach Bill Harkins, “We are excited to have Alex join the program”.

See Alex’s Full SportsForce Profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/apardieu

Headlined by a quintet of players from the two-time state champion Oceanside Pirates, Brady Hoke announced a class of 27 recruits yesterday on National Signing Day. The largest Aztecs recruiting class since 2005 is the latest sign of Hoke’s attempt to cleanse the program of its losing ways.

“All programs have a blueprint of what they want to be,” said Hoke at a Montezuma Mesa press conference (video below), “The biggest thing for us is to recruit guys who have character. We want to recruit guys who come from winning programs.”

In that case, reaching out to John Carroll and Oceanside High is a natural start. The six-time defending CIF champions and two-time state champs are coming off a 13-0 season. The late addition of speedy cornerback/slotback Jerry Whittaker (who decommited from Arizona) to a group that already included linebacker Rene Siluano, cornerback King Holder, linebacker Jake Fely, and defensive lineman Kenneth Galea’i gives Hoke his first clear win in local recruiting.

Yes, the biggest fish in what might have been the best year for prep talent in San Diego history still left the pond. There are no obvious superstars like Tony Jefferson, Ricky Seale or Thomas Molesi in Hoke’s class. But you’ve got to start somewhere, and the class of 2010 for SDSU reflects months of hard work reconnecting with local prep coaches who had backed away in the Craft/Long era.

–See more San Diego Prep News at 619Sports.net

Brandon Johnson came back from a major achilles injury to play a 5th year with the Toreros. In the process he has become USD’s all-time leading scorer, but a 9-18 season has put a sour edge to what should be a season of celebration. Brandon joined 619 Sports after USD practice at Jenny Craig Pavilion to reflect on his career and the challenges he has faced:

–Story and video courtesy 619Sports.net

SportsForce (www.sportsforceonline.com) is hosting a pre-season college baseball prospect video combine for top Southern California players looking to take ownership of their careers and maximize exposure to college coaches around the country. The SportsForce combine is a one day event held on Sunday, February 14^th beginning at 9 AM at Westview High School in San Diego, CA. The SportsForce College Baseball Prospect Video Combine is focused on assisting college level prospects, and is an ideal opportunity for unsigned seniors, top juniors looking to get nationwide college exposure, and elite sophomores and freshman who want to get on the college recruiting map early.

Here’s an example profile of top up and coming player that is getting actively recruited.

Corey Oswalt – 3B / SS – Madison High – 2012

See Corey’s full SportsForce profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/coswalt

If you have a son that is looking to maximize his exposure to college baseball coaches and need an easy, professional and affordable way to market him to colleges around the country, then the SportsForce athlete profile package and combines can help. The simple truth is that there are over 1,000 college baseball programs across the country, but most college coaches don’t have the time, – or the recruiting budget – to attend many games and evaluate many players in person. SportsForce’s custom online player profiles and professional combine skills videos – which will be offered at a discount for this event – are the solution to the lack of college recruiting exposure that even many quality high school athletes experience.

For a few hundred dollars, the SportsForce packages for 1-Position or 2-Position players include professionally shot baseball skills videos, a custom edited and labeled recruiting highlight DVD, and a one year SportsForce online profile membership.

SportsForce is NOT a recruiting service. We have assisted almost 1,000 student-athletes and families and have had an 80% success rate over the past 3 years. Our staff has over 50 years of combined college and professional baseball experience and clearly understands the needs of today’s student-athletes, sports parents and college coaches.

For more information about SportsForce athlete profile packages or upcoming combines please contact:

Event Director – Andrew Beinbrink

Phone – (858) 350-1786

Email – info@sportsforceonline.com

www.sportsforceonline.com

National Signing Day for college football marks the deadline in which the nation’s top talents must make their final decisions in regards to which prestigious college programs they will grant their services to. Possibly facing the toughest decision of their lives, these young men have wisely chosen to take it down to the wire in order to explore all of their college football options. The miscalculation of playing for the wrong coaches or system could cost them a chance to play in the NFL. Due to the significance of these decisions, we at SportsForce are honored to be heavily involved with the college recruiting goals of some of the country’s top student-athletes. Our unique relationship with student-athletes and their families allows us to assist in securing the proper college recruiting exposure for them, while ultimately seeking what is most beneficial to the student-athlete during the college sports recruiting process. So far this year we’ve had the pleasure of covering some of the nation’s most elite football players such as Dillon Baxter [USC], Brennan Clay [Oklahoma], Ricky Seale [Undecided] , Damien Williams [Arizona State] and Kenny Stills [Oklahoma] just to name a few. In a year where college football has been shaken up by a multitude of coaching changes, a little recruiting guidance could go a long way.

With four of the top ten players in the nation undecided on where they will play ball, many of the top college recruiters will be working overtime this year. Plenty of big names are still up for grabs; most recognized is the massive offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (2), who many believe is the best player in the nation and is expected to head to either Ohio State or Florida. Surely the return of Florida head coach Urban Meyer doesn’t hurt the Gators chances of landing Henderson. Keenan Allen (5), who has been compared to NFL star Ed Reed, is suspected to be a Clemson Tiger on signing day. Owamagbe Odighizuwa (8) is expected to leave Oregon in order to attend The University of Nebraska, while top ranked running back Marcus Lattimore (10) currently looks as if he’ll be staying home in South Carolina and playing for the Gamecocks. Other Notable predictions are Outside Linebacker Christian Jones (20) to stay in Florida to play for the Seminoles and Wide Receiver Markeith Ambles (24) to USC.

Wednesday February 3^rd is when all the college football recruiting speculation and uncertainty will end, but the day should not expire without a few surprises. Anything is possible since this is the last chance for many teams to improve their rosters in order to make a run at next year’s championship game. National Signing Day TV specials should be airing on local channels all across the country, so don’t forget to tune in as some of the most prestigious college football programs fight to the very end for the nation’s top remaining talent.

(#) – National ranking based from Rivals.com

I am an executive recruiter by day and High School Varsity Head Coach by afternoon. I rub elbows with top level executives nationwide in the retail world. I coach and speak to executives about their professional experience and how to effectively communicate their skill sets and successes in order to make them the best candidate for the job they are interviewing for. I have coached hundreds of professionals, critiquing their resumes, improving their interview style, preparing them with potential questions and rehearsing answers. I am a master interview preparer but when it came to preparing myself to interview for a Girls Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach role – I was terrified. Scared stiff, actually.

I counseled with my boss, college teammates, fellow High School Varsity Coaches and college coach friends and acquaintances regarding strategy and preparation. I took all of their advice and combined it with my own knowledge of executive recruiting to answer all of my questions. The result: I got the job.

Q: How does one prepare for a Head Coach interview?

Prepare a coaching book, ideally a 3 ring binder including:

-Detailed practice plans with objectives and coaching notes, draw out your drills.

-Drawn out offensive and defensive strategies

-Offensive plays drawn out

-Goals and game plan for the season including: County / State Championship, highest GPA, implement a study hall for student athletes, create a relationship with teachers to ensure grade accountability, community service project to promote teamwork off the field.

-Letters of Recommendation

-Professional resume including ALL coaching experience

Talk to your friends who are coaches and players, pick their brains, talk to parents of student athletes you have coached – ask them what concerns they have for you coaching, they will have some and stress that you want to hear them to overcome them. Create a coaching philosophy and write it down.

Q: What is the Athletic Director looking for?

An accountable, responsible, assertive individual, who is confident, articulate, strategic, plays by the rules and values sportsmanship. Always speak and think in the best interest of the school. Read the school’s mission statement and be sure your coaching philosophy is in alignment with that. The AD wants strong student-athletes and he wants a coach who will be there long-term, not one season.

Q: Who will I be going up against?

You may be going up against another Varsity Head Coach, the JV Coach, the Assistant Varsity Head Coach or a parent. Whichever the case, do your homework on the other candidates and cater your strengths to eclipse their weaknesses. Think strategically and be careful to NOT mention their names. Any advertisement is good advertisement; do not waste your precious time in front of the panel by addressing your competition. Take the high road and focus on yourself.

This past weekend, Ricky Seale broke the San Diego CIF rushing record that has been standing since Demetrius Sumler (2002-05) set it. Seale surpassed the 5,650 yard record by 161 yards. 619Sports.net writes:

“Seale electrified the boisterous home crowd in Escondido by eclipsing the section rushing record on the game’s first series, scampering 28 yards for a touchdown. That gave him 50 yards for the game and 5,651 yards for his career, one more than Demetrius Sumler of Cathedral Catholic. But while Seale kept the 5th ranked Cougars (6-1-1, 1-1-1 Avocado) close, once running 10 straight times on a drive out of the wildcat formation, eventually he wore down. After carrying 26 times for 178 yards in the first half, Seale was held to just 34 yards in the second half by the athletic “Gang Green” defense of LCC.”

Another San Diego football star who has been garnering lots of attention is La Costa Canyon wide reciver, Kenny Stills. The question now stands where Kenny will play after high school. 619Sports.net caught up with Kenny to see what schools top the list:

“I’m looking at Florida and Oklahoma, and if I can stand the cold weather, I could go to Michigan,” said Stills, who plans on making his official announcement on December 1st.

However things could change:

“If Stills delays his decision, that would be good news for two more schools who have popped up on his radar screen. Stills told 619 Sports he’s been offered a scholarship by the University of Miami, a school that has a tradition of developing NFL wide receivers.”

Stills’ Miami trip isn’t scheduled until December 11th-13th, so the Hurricanes have to hope Kenny is still undecided by that point. Stills also said the only way he will be at school for the spring semester (he’s on target to graduate in December) would be if he is trying to qualify academically for Stanford.”

Kenny is also very grounded when it comes to his recruiting decision

“’I know this body still needs to fill out, and my education is really important to me. You need something to fall back on after football is over.’”

Visit 619Sports.net for both full articles.

Part II: Questions 4-6

4. Does My Senior Year Really Matter?

Yes, yes and yes! While many student-athletes have “committed” to schools, there are plenty of scholarships up for grabs. Often athletes that have committed to colleges play their way OUT of a scholarship. Even if your dream school is done recruiting for the upcoming season, keep recruiting them. If there are changes in their signing class, you may have a chance to slide in. Senior film will make or break a scholarship offer.

5. What happens in September and how important is that month for recruiting?

September 1^st is the first day that a college can officially call a senior prospect on the phone. If you get a call at midnight on the first, then that school REALLY wants you! However don’t take it personally if you do not hear from a school immediately. Coaches all have different philosophies when it comes to the September phone call. However if September comes and goes and you have not heard from the recruiter, then it is time to drop that school because you are not part of their future plans. Don’t be shy on these calls. Write down questions that you may have for the coach. Ask him every question you can.

September also marks the beginning of official visits. Schools will begin setting weekend trips for the fall and winter. If the coach is not offering you an official visit, then he doesn’t love you as much as you thought.

6. How do I handle the pressure?

I remember standing on various sidelines watching prospects play in games. I watched how they played when the ball came in their direction, as well when they were not involved in the outcome. I studied how they spoke to teammates and coaches alike. However, nothing is more impressive than production and winning. Do not let a recruiter’s presence change they way you play or act. Recruiters can tell when an athlete is “pressing” to make a play. These coaches liked the way you played enough to come and watch in person. There is no pressure in that situation, just another face in the crowd. Continue doing what got you this far. Work hard, play fast and ALWAYS show good sportsmanship.

Part I: Questions 1-3

1. Who is Really Recruiting Me?

It is very easy to become enamored with letters, e-mails and general correspondence with colleges, but DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE! It is crucial to understand who is really recruiting you. Schools that are truly interested will have established some sort of way to personally contact you. Have you spoken to the recruiter on the phone? (This is legal as long as he arranged for you to call him) If you went to camp, did you have a chance to speak with the head coach? Are you receiving handwritten notes from coaches regularly? Have you been explicitly told where you stand on their recruiting board? If the answer is “NO” to these questions, then you are not being actively recruited.

Most colleges send hundreds of automated letters and e-mails each week. These are meant to keep prospects warm. Do not take this reality check personally, but rather as another insight into the recruiter’s mind. This brings us to question #2.

2. What should I do to make sure I am being recruited by the school that I want?

First, make sure that your top 5 schools have all of the necessary information to evaluate you: transcripts, film, contact information. Second, know who is in charge of recruiting your area or position, that person should know you and be able to contact you. Third, check recruiting websites to see who has committed to the school. Maybe they are not recruiting anyone at your position. Lastly, send updated film and information after your first few games during your senior year. Make a 10-clip highlight reel and attach two to three games afterward. Send this to your top 5 schools. This leads us to question #3.

3. Who should help me with the process?

The short answer…EVERYONE. But in reality, there are three figures that should be at the forefront of this decision. First, your head coach should have a clear idea about where you want to go and how he or she can help. The most helpful things he can do are talk to college coaches about your game, and ensure that you have an ample amount of game film. However, some coaches do not want to help as much as you’d like, or they do not believe in you. That is where your parents come in. Obviously, they know the game is important to you. They should know exactly what is on your mind regarding your athletic future. If your coach doesn’t provide film for you to give to college recruiters, beg Mom and Dad to film from the stands. (No extreme close-ups. Film the game. Provide coaches with your jersey color and number. They’ll figure the rest out.)

Lastly, the most important person in your athletic future is YOU! Do not leave it up to anyone else to decide where you will go and what you will play. Take charge of the recruiting process. Communicate to coaches and allow them every opportunity to evaluate your game. Take every opportunity to visit schools and be a part of the recruiting process. Most importantly, never lie about offers, commitments and your future. People will never forget how you handled your recruitment.