NC State’s Rather Original Football Recruiting Letter
It didn’t take Drew Wright, the new Director of Player Personnel at NC State, very long to make news. Here’s his form letter to recruits that was posted on Deadspin:
Dexter Wright posted his on Instagram, using the more staid and traditional Kentucky and Dartmouth letters as the background.
The letter appears to be a form letter too — here’s one CJ Reavis also posted to Instagram.
24 Responses to “NC State’s Rather Original Football Recruiting Letter”
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Whoa. Have to think about this one before commenting. Obviously made an impression at least.
(But if it works let’s buy the dude a buttload of sharpies and highlighters though)
He lost me at “What Up”
Looks a little high schoolish, but if it gets the kids interested…
I really don’t care what we do as long as we win. Heck I’ll even wite the letter with a sharpie marker and highlight it pink if it works.
NC STATE NEEDS = HIGHLIGHTERS
But seriously, I like it. Anything to stand out is good. The fact that people are talking about it proves it worked.
When I first saw it my first thought was “man, that looks unprofessional.” Then I remembered that the letter is going to kids in high school. You have to keep that in mind.
I guess in the world of 140 character tweets and abbreviated text messages, I’m not surprised that Ebonics is now on recruiting letters. Have our communications capabilities really sunk to this level? I hope our game plans don’t look like this.
Yea, keep in mind he isn’t trying to recruit us old white guys.
Whatever works IMO.
The whole point of any communications vehicle is to stand apart from the rest – get noticed. My only concern is that the next step is “Dude, i c u as an OMG baller & Pack want u roll our way @ NCS8.”
At what point do we draw the line between standing apart from the crowd and being true to a professional education. We are, after all, a university. Love the tone, unsure about the grammar, despite understanding it is “speaking the language.”
If the grammar bothers you, we could just take UNC’s approach: blank letter, university letterhead, and $2000 cash.
^ nice.
Sadly, anyone shocked by this probably would be shocked by 99% of what goes on in “amateur” athletics in the revenue sports.
For the most part, at the big D1 schools, the kids aren’t student athletes. Education isn’t anywhere really on the mission statement. Most of the kids would never be admitted on their own to the schools and without the extensive support structure (and setups like what has happened at UNC), would never get through.
@Lumpy, the blank letter could also double as their class schedule.
“Looks a little high schoolish”
So are the people receiving them.
Actually, as an “old white guy” (though still trying hard not to admit to the old part) I was impressed…….until I saw the 2nd one.
A hand written note speaks much more impressively than a typed form letter. Second, it certainly stands out from the others. Third, while the language is not something I would use to one of my customers, the language is perfect for their “customer”, the 18 year old wannabe football player. Now, seeing the 2nd one, are they handwritten or copied? Handwritten is still impressive. Copied is lame.
A friend of mine (UMD alum) sent a link to me and thought it was douchey. In a way it is. So is the concept of recruiting in general which I reminded him (most folks probably don’t realize this). Creepy text messages from Coach K. Roy wearing 2 fist fulls of rings. Coaches calling up and singing Happy B-Day.
Can you imagine a recruiting letter from Gary Williams…..might be printed in 12 point Times New Roman font, “I hate life. I hate you. I’m the best coach that ever walked the earth. Why should I allow you to play for me? What is your name again? Punk kids these days. Arghh.”
What that letter above did is STAND OUT and project ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM and EXCITEMENT!!! I like the overall approach and attempt to create a competitive edge. We are not Alabama.
Douchey or not, these kids might want to see what’s up with these crazy NC State coaches. Something in the water over there or what???? IDK but let’s take a trip and check it out.
Bad grammar aside – it cracks me up. I’m glad it’s getting recognition; that means it got their attention.
As much as we may not want to admit it, kids put more stock in what is tweeted / texted than what is written on a professional-looking form letter…
I think it is awesome that it is actually a form letter and not handwritten. If not for the friggin internet, nobody would’ve ever figured it out!
But…it is the age of the Internet. At least use 6-8 versions of the same form letter to obfuscate the automated aspect a wee little bit. Raises the odds of getting away with it a bit.
Man what I wouldn’t give to see a pic of Lumpy’s UNC letter Nd jonesieWolf’s clad schedule. Surely someone reading this could make one.
I agree that to a lot of the kids this will probably come across as something fresh. But I think it is going to turn off some of the more serious athletes who want their sport to be taken just as seriously. Hope it works and brings it some real talent, no thugs.
Has this been duct taped to any telephone poles. A lot of those all across the state of NC.
This made the front page of Yahoo Sports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/n-c-state-coach-personalized-recruiting-letters-both-153948791.html
After further consideration, I’m inclined to agree w/ tangogr33n.. Don’t really want to be known as “Yo bro U.” & what will the parents think? They hold a lot of sway in the final decision…
The recruits were/are clowing the NCSU coaches on Twitter. If laughter and ridicule count as recognition, then sure, people are talking about it.
I’m with Mike, (except I won’t call myself an old white guy), but hand written notes go miles further in making an impact. Sadly, these are photo copied at best (note the C on the left margin is cut off). Alas…