Coach Application

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The adidas Futures softball program exists to be the voice of the player. The players today (ages 14-18) feel an extreme pressure to commit early with regard to their college choice. Many of the players are not taking official/unofficial visits nor meeting any of their potential college teammates because they are being forced to verbally commit too early leading to many transfers and players not finishing school nor receiving the ultimate reward of a college degree.

The adidas Futures National Program has hopefully been part of the solution by only allowing uncommitted athletes to attend their events. We want to slow the process down and have the players really evaluate how important their college decision is and how it will truly impact their future beyond their playing years.

NOTE:  Athlete must be a minimum of 14 years of age by the start of the school year (September 15, 2012)

 What the coaches receive from adidas softball by being selected and by committing to the adidas Futures National Tournament:

1. An invitation to one of most unique and prestigious recruiting events.  A once-in-a-lifetime EXPERIENCE for all involved.
2. The designation of an adidas Futures Team with the goal of these teams and what they stand for becoming an aspiration for many other players in their area/region.  The all-star coaches can keep their existing summer ball team names or pick new ones for the National Tournament.
3. A generous product package from our sponsors TBD.

Each adidas Futures All-Star coach and his/her staff will make a commitment to the following:

• They will invite and select players outside of their local area and players beyond their existing team/organization for a spot on the national tournament team.   They can pick their own players but half of their roster (a minimum of 5 players) must be outside their existing summer ball teams.  All coaches are responsible for holding a mandated FREE one day open tryout.  
• All of the players on the team must remain uncommitted to be eligible for the National Tournament. Each coach will enforce this requirement. Committed athletes will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.
• They will treat this as an open tournament and will allow players between the ages of 14-18 to compete.
• They will enforce the metal cleat ruling.  All players will be permitted to play in metal for the national tournament.
• They will be responsible for all expenses to get their team to the National Tournament to include team lodging, meals, and transportation to St. George, Utah.

How can I be selected as an adidas Futures All-Star Coach?

• Submit your application (you create your own) via e-mail to manager@adidasfutures.com by October 1, 2011.  In your submission, please specify why you feel deserving of this honor and how you feel you can positively impact the sport and the players.
• Selected coaches must mention college graduation rates and college transfer rates of former travel ball players in the application.  Again, we want coaches that have the best interest of the player at heart.  Knowing how your former travel ball players are doing, whether or not they are happy at the college programs they have chosen (hence why transfer rates staying low are important), are they graduating with degrees and did they major in a field that will land them a career/job are vital.  These are important factors that need to be the focus of why it is important that a student athlete and others around them (travel ball coaches) slow down the process and really factor in the decision the athlete is making when choosing a college.   The college experience and what it stands for is extremely important to the adidas Future program.  Even more so than national championships.

How can I be selected as an adidas Futures National Tournament Player?

• Attend a tryout hosted by one of the adidas Futures coaches.  The adidas Futures All-Star Coaches will have the sole discretion for selecting players for their teams for the 2012 adidas Futures National Tournament. 
• All adidas Futures All-Star coaches will host a free one day mandated try-out in each region, however, there are no geographical restrictions to which team you play for or tryout for as a player.  Again, you must remain uncommitted (not signed nor verbally committed to a collegiate institution) in order to qualify for the adidas Futures National Tournament.