Is it a money grab? Academic achievement games?

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Jan 24, 2013
82
0
Bolingbrook, IL
Has anyone from the Midwest heard or participated in this event in the last couple of years? Wondering if there are legit opportunities to connect with coaches or if it's a money grab?

Classic Softball Showcase

TB coach recommended DD and, of course, we got a response from the organization immediately. It doesn't look like there is any vetting of the participants and anyone can sign up for $345 whether you are recommended or not.

DD is a sophomore who started on Varsity freshman year with a 4.6/5gpa. She doesn't know if she wants to play in college or just concentrate on academics and college life.
 

Me_and_my_big_mouth

witty softball quote
Sep 11, 2014
437
18
Pacific NW
I don't personally have experience with this org. DD got an "invite," too.

Can tell you that we're happily investing in Headfirst - she's had success getting to interact with many coaches, in a beautifully organized environment. With the difficulty of getting connected early on with the academic schools (because they all want gpa and SAT/ACT), it's nice for the kids to be able to go meet those coaches, be around like-minded girls, and get a feel for the expectations of their programs without having to try to get to the individual camps or clinics, especially when we're West Coast and most of the kid's schools are Midwest or East. DD has been regularly interacting with several schools, and I think she got on their radar, at least in part, from Headfirst. Of course she invites them to her showcase games - but as you've all discussed, that is hit or miss and doesn't allow the same interaction.

I am wondering about the feedback on this one, too.

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TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
My daughter did the Headfirst Honor Roll NE Showcase twice. It's not cheap, but for her it was the perfect exposure opportunity and connected her with coaches at literally all of her target schools. Ended up at a school where Headfirst was the coach's first look at her. Of course, still had to do lots more than just Headfirst (going to school's camps, inviting coaches to her showcase tournaments, being awesome when it counted, etc.), but Headfirst was pretty instrumental.
 
Feb 17, 2015
318
18
USA
From looking at the website and listed schools it looks like a legitimate showcase/camp. Looks like the list of schools that are going to attend are mostly if not all midwest D3 schools. Those type of schools are always interested in high level academic athletes that can play because they are all private and for the most part, expensive. Since D3's only offer academic scholarships they look for the athletes with good grades and scores. The coaches can then make their schools more desirable to the athlete and their family by offering more academic aid thus reducing the total out of pocket expense. A lot of the listed schools are also a little more selective with their admissions (50% to 75% acceptance rate) so the kids with better grades and test scores are very attractive to the coaches.
 
Oct 5, 2015
91
18
This question has been asked at camps before and the response I have heard from several coaches is that they can't be bothered with attending. The reason being that there is limited vetting of academic qualifications and there is little point in them investing time in someone who may not have the qualifications to gain admission. Exactly to your point.

They want to see current transcripts and course load as well as test scores. If there are certain schools your DD is interested in, you are probably better off to target the camp of the specific school.

Of those larger type camps (On Deck Jamboree, Headfirst, Showcase based camps), my daughter was really pleased with Headfirst as there was limited down time/standing around but it is pricey. However, they are regional and you can see the coaches planning to attend which allows you to target certain schools if you may not be able to make it to a specific school's camp. Many schools are also offering their own remote camps or combined with other schools.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Headfirst by a long shot is the best camp of all. It is pricey, but where else can you talk to 50 coaches one on one for two days? It is well run, the staff is on point and they are dedicated to the players. I have gotten several follow up calls from the staff. If you go to ANY camp, you better make sure that you have communicated with these coaches and they know who your DD is before they show up. These coaches will have a list of players that they will keep their eyes on. Ultimately, you will need to decide if it's worth going to, but if there are schools that are attending the camp that are on your short list, go if it makes sense.

Working camps for college coaches is income for them. I don't have a problem with that.
 
Aug 11, 2016
126
28
DD just attended Headfirst Camp as a 2021, and it was fantastic. She was apprehensive before the camp, but by the end, she was extremely confident. She was able to interact with many coaches. The camp is designed so that the interaction comes natural. They play showcase games that are designed for maximum exposure, and the best thing is that they are coached and trained by college coaches.

From this camp, she got a D1 coach following DD at her NCSA profile, and already got an email from a D3 school head coach telling her that she noticed her and wants to talk more.

She is already making plans to return next year.

Headfirst Honor Roll Camp is a great place to start, if your DD is still not sure which college she wants to go.


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Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
Can anyone else speak to this? Thanks for pointing it out FP! I just looked at website and looks like they have one left this year in Orlando, Florida. Peaked my interest and would love to hear more more from those who have had experience.

Orange Socks, any additional thoughts on these camps as your DD was there? Anyone else? Any thoughts with new recruiting rules?

Thanks!

S3
 
Last edited:
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Something that I would add from my previous post is: Take ACT/SAT before you invest in this camp. This cannot be stressed enough. If your DD has great grades, class rank, GPA but not high enough scores that becomes a problem. Especially if your DD is thinking High Academic is her route. Coaches want to know the scores first and foremost. 28 would be the very minimum on ACT for most schools at Headfirst.

If we are talking High Academic the new recruiting rules will only affect D1's which includes the Ivies, and the Patriot League, Duke, Virginia, Boston U, etc.

Other than that, it's an awesome camp that enables coach interaction in a comfortable environment. Ultimately my DD committed to an D3 (soon to be D2) academic school in the Dallas area which does not attend Headfirst.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Can anyone else speak to this? Thanks for pointing it out FP! I just looked at website and looks like they have one left this year in Orlando, Florida. Peaked my interest and would love to hear more more from those who have had experience.

Orange Socks, any additional thoughts on these camps as your DD was there? Anyone else? Any thoughts with new recruiting rules?

Headfirst is one of the very few 'worth your money' events for recruiting for those who also have the grades. DD will be at the one in Orlando in November. The Orlando event has the normal coaches you would expect from Ivy/Patriot/NEASAC/NEWMAC etc plus some of the southeast high level schools such as Rollins & Embry-Riddle.

Coaches come from all levels and are really engaged which means there is someone there for everyone. The academic schools tend to recruit late so for Juniors and Seniors it is great. For Sophomores it is a chance to get on a teams radar and express interest in a school. I probably wouldn't send my DD if she was a freshman unless the event was local and you can avoid flights/hotels. It is after Sept 1 so the D1's there can talk to Juniors openly.

If these are the type of schools your DD wants to attend, this is well worth it.
 

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