For many athletes, standard questions asked by collegiate recruiters include how their daily life is at home and school or what other sports they play. this interview with a recruiter is almost like the last step that will define an athlete’s future and colleges won’t just give a $60,000 scholarship to any athlete. Most of these collegiate recruiters use one of the most useful tools in the 21st century today to gain further insight about who are they trying to recruit: social media. Social media today connects people around the globe in modern civilization. Social media has also taken the sports world by storm and leaving athletes with even more pressure.

Athletes today use social media as a gateway to their future trying to put to themselves out there to try and contact colleges to look at them. Braden DeBenedictis agreed saying, “Athletes use social media to their advantage.”

However, not all athletes use social media to their advantage BJ Tuimalatu says,”If I want to get a coach to look at me I would let my action speak on the field.” Tuimalatu says, “Social media is a way to talk to coaches and recruiters, but I think seeing athletes in person is better.”

Universities and colleges use social media to see if the athlete is trustworthy and reliable as well as reflecting a positive image for their respective school. Recruiters know that a face to face confrontation may not always display an accurate example of the athlete’s character. “Athletes are pressured to meet their expectation.” Says Meki Sapiga. Which is very true. Many players have had scholarships removed because of things that have been posted on social media. Athletes are being watched by college recruiters constantly, programs like to understand the person that they are investing in. Most Taylorsville High do care about what athletes say, they don’t want an athlete that looks good on the field with good grades but likes to bring down others. Football head coach Mr. Wells says that, “Everyone in the school is our family. We teach our players to treat everyone in the school like their brother or sister.” Coaches want to see their athlete succeed, but they can only encourage young athletes to choose the right.