Posted by Bill Conroy on December 18, 2023, 7:20 am
two different threads going with questions regarding NIL money and coaches getting paid. I don't believe any softball travel coach is getting paid to direct players to a certain school. Not sure a travel ball coach has that type of influence. Also, in a sport with limited revenue, not sure the boosters, if they were that interested in a player attending their school, they wouldn't just pay the player directly, no need to use a middle man. I do believe softball travel ball coaches have found ways to make money, via hosting tournaments, or charging fees for franchising, or getting rebates on equipment or spirit wear, doing lessons or just increasing team fees. With that being said, I believe most put the money back into their program to scholarship athletes at the older ages or pay their coaches. I have a difficult time managing the Bandit program and certainly not enough time to monitor the finances of other programs. Do I believe that there are a handful of softball travel ball coaches making a comfortable living off of softball? The answer would be yes, but we have a hell of a lot more politicians making considerably more money and doing a hell of a lot less. Not my place to say or monitor anyone for the way they run their program.
Way back in the day my daughter was a Bandit and we felt influenced to look at specific schools that you had a strong relationship with .. I'm certainly not suggesting there was a financial relationship though. In hindsight, the offers you were personally involved in were stronger financial offers and may have been a better fit than the one she ultimately chose, but that was the only influence I've personally seen.
You have me curious as to who this is? Call me at 708.927.8193.
I'll admit that in the past, I've tried to promote schools that I trust the coaches and/or have a terrific education. I've always felt if I could get the player a good education with coaches that I know and trust, at little to no cost, then I've done my job. Over time, I've realized my influence on a player is very limited and these young ladies have a mind of their own, which is the way it should be. My thought process hasn't changed, I just realize my opinion really doesn't matter nearly as much as I think it should.