For an elite Division I-bound high-school athlete, navigating the maze of college recruitment means choosing among the crowd of coaches lined up outside the door.
But fewer than 10% of the estimated 1.5 million young athletes seeking a spot on a college sports team find themselves in that enviable position. The rest maneuver through a chaotic and competitive process with relatively little guidance.
That’s where CaptainU comes in. Leveraging the connectivity of the Web, CaptainU demystifies the sports recruiting process for student athletes, coaches, and parents. The site features detailed information about programs around the country and tools to help students advertise their skills. Students get help finding the right program, while coaches get access to a pool of suitable prospects without crisscrossing the country.
CaptainU uses a subscription business model. Coaches receive full access for free, while athletes can build a free basic profile or upgrade to a $399-per-year premium membership for access to a suite of recruiting tools. CaptainU also plans to pick up revenue through advertising and consulting services.
“The whole philosophy is that you have to actively market yourself,” says Avi Stopper, the site’s founder and president. Stopper was the former captain of Wesleyan’s soccer team and an assistant men’s soccer coach at University of Chicago, where he earned an MBA in 2006. “It’s consistent from sport to sport. Kids have no idea how to approach the recruiting process.”
*NBT=Next Big Thing
Photo by CaptainU.