In the past, recruiting trips were designed to make a player feel like a rock star. Top college prospects were often hooked up with new gear, the hottest technology, and sometimes even cars. Those days are far gone, unless you want the NCAA investigating your program and implementing sanctions.
In the last few years, the power house basketball programs have picked up on a new recruiting tool. Instead of investing thousands of dollars into their recruits personally, they are investing millions into their basketball facilities.
John Calipari, the head coach at the University of Kentucky, posted a video on his website, coachcal.com, giving the viewers a grand tour of the schools newest investment, the Wildcat Coal Lodge.
The dorm, which took $7 million to renovate, will be the new home to the 2012 basketball team. It is conveniently located directly across from the training facility, and Coach Calipari’s office. To stay in compliance with the NCAA rules, half of the dorm will be filled with extremely lucky non-student athletes.
Calipari proudly showcased the lodge, as he should, because they really did think of everything. The players have a personal chef and 24-hour access to drinks and snacks. The lounge area is filled with plush recliner chairs, flat screen TVs, and a pool table.
Kentucky’s eight National Championship trophies are proudly on display, and former Wildcat stars cover the walls. Each player is set up in their own dorm room, which has special raised sinks and desks designed to fit a 7-footer comfortably. With all the flash also comes the security. John Calipari has full access to every room and security cameras monitor the building at all times.
The Wildcat Coal Lodge is impressive to say the least, but other power house programs have pumped up their facilities for recruiting purposes as well. In 2009, Syracuse University opened up the $19 million Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. The University of Arizona will spend $2.9 million updating their facilities at McKale Center and Richard Jefferson Gymnasium. A portion of that capital was used in 2011 to renovate their locker room. UCLA spent $136 million on Pauley Pavilion renovations, which is scheduled to reopen by the first November home game.
These programs are spending a lot of money, but it is paying off. According to CBSSports.com Kentucky, Arizona, and UCLA took the top 3 spots for the 2012 recruiting class, with Syracuse finishing in the 14th slot.
Perhaps the NCAA has the right idea. The focus should not be on making the students feel like rock stars, but instead, on insuring that all of their needs are met. According to Coach John Calipari, the focus is on how you “house, train, prepare young people”. With a number one recruiting class, you cannot argue with that.
