CIS RECRUITMENT: Future optimism for competitiveness & policy changes [PART 3]

Today, CanadaFootballChat.com continues an exclusive series on CIS Recruitment.  Over the past few months, CFC Editor Ameeta Vohra interviewed several CIS Head Coaches to get their thoughts and perspectives on the current state of CIS recruitment.

PART 2: BLACKOUT PERIODS & THE EFFECT ON PLAYER/COACHING DEVELOPMENT

PART 1: QUEST FOR REGULATION CHANGES & THIRD PARTY POLICING EXPLORED

In this next installment, the future of CIS recruiting is explored as coaches predict what will happen in years to come.

THE FUTURE OF CIS RECRUITING:

Overall, the one resounding thing that CIS Coaches agree upon is that the CIS recruiting scene is becoming for fierce in the battle for teams to secure top talent on their rosters.

“In the past few years there has been an explosion in recruiting, with an enormous amount of resources being needed to remain competitive,” commented Bisons Head Coach Brian Dobie.  “Where 10 years ago most teams recruited locally we see every team being a part of the national recruiting scene in the next few years.”

With the changing signs of the recruiting times, the onus will be on teams to shift and adapt so they remain competitive in the recruitment market. McMaster Marauders is one of those teams.

“I suspect that we will continue to evolve and improve the information and support we are able to provide incoming student athletes and their families,” said Marauders Head Coach Stefan Ptazsek.  “As student athletes and their families become more informed, I think we have an opportunity to leverage the families themselves to keep all parties involved accountable to the process.”

Echoing the sentiments of both Dobie and Ptazsek is Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks Head Coach Michael Faulds.  The Golden Hawks are in the OUA conference which has the most CIS teams.  It makes things more challenging and teams are forced to find new, innovative approaches when in the recruitment game.

“It’s only going to get more competitive; you look at our province with 11 teams, it’s the most competitive,” elaborated Faulds.  “Sure we have more schools, high schools and summer football teams, but with 11 teams, you are hard pressed when you go to a game and see another university’s colours there so that’s going to continue.”

“Out of province, teams are finding ways within their budgets to go to other provinces now.  You’re seeing teams travel out to Alberta and BC quite a bit and throughout the CEGEP ranks in Quebec so it’s only going to continue to grow. Now with social media and technology, kids are making all these highlight tapes whether it’s Youtube or HUDL and their able to send it out and send it around.  It’s really accelerated how recruiting works now.  Really there’s no downtime other than the three blackouts; it’s 24-7 the rest of the year.”

It’s not just limited to the OUA conference. Teams in the AUS conference feel the same competitive recruitment battle as there are four football programs are vying for the same local talent.

“When it comes to recruiting I think that each year the bar keeps getting raised,” explained StFX X-Men Head Coach Gary Waterman.  “Teams are pushing the envelope in terms of creativity and commitment in their efforts.”

“We are all unique schools in the Maritimes so we are all working hard to educate and sell our uniqueness throughout the country.”

Carleton Ravens Head Coach Steve Sumarah agrees that it will continue to be fierce battle not just in the OUA Conference but nationally as well.

“It is very competitive and I do not see that changing I actually think it is getting more,” added Sumarah.

While many teams acknowledge the current CIS recruiting policies and procedures need to be revamped because they are outdated, there are several different areas that need to reflect positive change including blackouts and third party policing.

“I think a big one would be and there’s been a lot of talk in the coaching ranks about a yearly calendar,” offered Faulds.  “Having a yearly calendar of topic areas, what you can talk about with kids and when you can have them on campus is kind of really stating not only to recruit but to coaching staffs as well what is legal and what is not.”

“Then another thing we talked about the third party policy and having compliance and making sure there is compliance with everything.”

With the CIS Task Force leading the charge for change, coaches are cautiously optimistic. However, they know it will take time before anything is implements. Already seeing a sneak peak of the new regulations and policies, CIS coaches like the direction the task force is heading.

“Down the road, I think it’s going to take some time to put some things in place,” commented Windsor Lancers Head Coach Joe D’Amore.  “The recruiting structure, the guide – we’ve kind of seen some bits and pieces from the task force and we think they’ve done a great job.”

“They’ve got great people on that board that have been around.  Greg Marshall is obviously one that has been around a long time and I think Glen Constantin is part of that group.  These guys, though they’ve been around and as Glen said in one of our meetings he is in the back nine of his career; they feel it’s important to put these things in place for the future for the CIS to be successful. I think they are on the right path.  I’m hoping in the next five years there is some changes and we are able to hire some people and do some things.  We need to get football back on TV.  I think within five years it is going to be better than it is now.”

Spearheading the charge for change has been Western Mustangs Head Coach Greg Marshall.  He is hopeful that once the new regulations and policies come into effect that it will have a profoundly positive impact on the future of CIS recruiting.

“I think it will be good,” expressed Marshall.  “I think people might think I am naïve but I believe that coaches are pretty good when it comes to recruiting and fairness and trusting what they do.”

“I think it’s been good; I think the rules will be clear so that everyone knows what we can and can’t do but that’s a big part of it – just education.  Get these rules out, make sure everyone is clear on them and then it’s a lot easier to enforce.”

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)