[NU Sports] Fitz recruiting pitch

[Beamsley, Jeff]

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/pat-fitzgerald-on-nus-2010-recruiting-class.html

 

	
This should be required reading for anyone who has questions about how NU recruits football players.
 
In two minutes you get to hear what Fitz tells every prospective recruit and their parents.
 
The two things stood out.
 
First, he doesn't give an inch in terms of his expectations for success on the field in college and the potential for a pro career.
 
Second, he also doesn't give an inch on his expectations for success academically and the value of graduating with a degree from Northwestern.
 
The only statistic he quotes for this group is their combined GPA of 3.5.  That sends a message loud and clear about the sorts of kids he's looking for.
 
He is also unapologetic about the fact that the qualifications to play NU football are more demanding than other programs.  That means in some seasons there are going to be a lot who qualify in the Chicago area.  Some seasons, like this one, there will only be one.  But he is going to work all his advantages including playing close to home, while realizing that he has to have a national scope in order to find the best smart football players out there.
 
The ones that fit though, want to be here as evidenced by the 12 who committed before the end of their senior year.  The other thing that he implied is by using this demanding filter, he ends up with kids who have a lot in common BEFORE they hit the field.  So he has a head start in building the sort of team character and heart that has kids believing in each other and their ability to always find a way to win.
 
Jeff
 
 

The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.