Football recruiting is more than talking with coaches and reviewing high school highlights. Incoming players need to know the other aspects of playing college football, primarily the academic and social sides.
Tiger Pride, a recruiting organization made up of students, gives that extra information by staying behind the scenes to show potential players and their parents the University beyond the sports.
Megan Nichols, a mass communication sophomore and Tiger Pride member, said academics are very important to the families because they want to make sure their kids get good educations.
“The moms ask a lot of questions,” Nichols said. “We can tell them about school and living arrangements and things to do around the city.”
Nichols said one of the duties for Tiger Pride is to show recruits around on gamedays, such as giving tours of the Lawton Room, locker room, the field and even meeting with current players.
She said aside from this, the organization lets recruits see the University beyond the Lawton Room and the stadium.
“We’re important because we can give a more diverse opinion,” Nichols said. “We can give them a perspective of college that’s not football 24/7.”
Katie Roper, a mass communication senior and Tiger Pride member, said many people do not know everything involved in recruiting.
Roper said there are daily mailouts to high schools players and preparations for visits, as well as time put in on gamedays to give the recruits information and hospitality.
She said the potential players consider every part of gameday when deciding where to go.
“The recruits are not only looking at the players, they’re also checking out the atmosphere,” Roper said. “Now, when I’m at games and the fans start booing when the team is doing bad, I want to be like, ‘Do you know who’s standing right here?'”
Others feel the organization is important because it represents the University community and football program for those who are thinking of attending.
Candice Adams, an accounting junior, currently is going through the application process for Tiger Pride.
Adams said she wants to be a part of Tiger Pride because the organization would offer incoming students a look at other University organizations besides sports and help athletes to balance all sides of college life.
“They offer athletes support and help with the transition from high school to college,” Adams said.
She said being involved would benefit her as well by giving her the chance to work with different personalities.
Sharon Lewis, an Athletic Department administrator, said the organization is instrumental in recruiting because it provides important information to people making a big decision.
Lewis said many athletic departments have programs similar to Tiger Pride to have someone to answer questions and show students around.
The application process is currently underway and is open to all students, both male and female, who are interested.
To apply, go to www.lsusports.net, click on “football,” then “tiger pride” to print out an application and contract. Interviews will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Lawton Room.