I truly wonder if this system would work. Thoughts?
The short answer, I believe, is No.
There are a lot of things that do not make it appealing from a parent/player perspective. It has the potential to cost players a lot of lost scholarship money.
Given a normal recruiting year. There are many players playing HS ball who are not finished until some time in June. That gives then 8 weeks to play in showcases trying to impress a college coach enough to offer them a scholarship. With the cost of college now days it can be worth up to $125K for some players, if not more. It's usually less. During these showcases the coaches are able to put the girls who need to be seen on the field without jeopardizing the team's position in the tournament. A lot of the rules are relaxed to give them the ability to do so.
With the NCAA shrinking the recruiting window in the fall it makes playing in front of the coachs even more important. I don't think too many programs would be interested in spending $15K to travel across the country to try and win $10K.
The REAL value to the players is the potential scholarship money. IF a coach's decision was based on trying to win $10K it could impact some players on the team. There would be a lot of unhappy campers.
Sparky, how would this effect their scholarships? The players don't win the money, the team does. It's considered "Travel expenses".
The events with $ just add to the mix of venues available.If college coaches are there to see players, a younger, non-committed player may not get a chance to be seen by a collage coach because the TB coach is trying to win the prize money. The TB coach could be playing is older and committed girls to win the cash foregoing the younger player who needs the exposure. The younger player misses out on the opportunity and a possible scholarship offer.
I know if I was a parent and my DD's #1 school choice was there to watch and the TB coach did not giver her the opportunity to show her skills due to money being a factor I'd be VERY unhappy.
Now, if you have a team full of committed players. That's a different animal altogether.
So...all that begs the question...just as is happening now in the NCAA. The athletes have been getting zilch while the coaches and colleges are getting millions. Now the athlete is finally getting their share.
If the "prize money" all goes to the TB organization and the coach....why doesn't the player get a fair share? Seems like the same archaic way it was for college athletes until Ed O Bannon and others sued for their fair share to profit on their abilities and performance.
Id be pissed if as a parent I paid all this money to a tourny and my DD team wins..and the $$ goes to the head honcho of the TB organization or coach?? Whats the kickback to the players and families?