Recruiting Without Borders: The Rise Of Technology In Collegiate Athletics

This study focused on the role of technology and communication in the collegiate athletic recruiting process. It examines how recruiting methods have changed due to the developing advances of technology and the new methods of recruiting resulting from these changes. Interviews were used to gather data on three research objectives: first to identify how the role of technology has increased in recruiting collegiate student-athletes over time, second to examine the differences in communication patterns in face-to-face recruiting interactions versus technological recruiting interactions, and third to determine if communication with potential student-athletes has improved or deteriorated with the rise of technology in the recruiting process. Both advantages and disadvantages of using technology for recruitment of collegiate student-athletes were found, but it is evident that the advantages predominate. Potential implications for collegiate coaches and recruiting coordinators in better defining their technological recruitment communication strategies and developing more successful communication with potential recruits are discussed.