Ep 47: Visible, Not Vulnerable: Social Media & Volleyball Recruiting

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Ep 47: Visible, Not Vulnerable: Social Media & Volleyball Recruiting

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From recruiting DMs to viral highlight clips, today's volleyball players are building their futures in public—often without realizing what they're really sharing. In this episode of Bump, Set, Mic, Chuck takes over hosting duties while Brian and returning guest Leon Kasperski, TNT's Director of Operations, break down how athletes and families can use social media as a powerful recruiting tool without putting safety, privacy, or future opportunities at risk. Drawing on Brian's 30+ years as a middle school teacher, along with his experience as a high school and club coach, and Leon's hands-on work guiding TNT athletes through the college recruiting process, the conversation covers volleyball-specific accounts, digital citizenship, red flags in online contacts, and the long memory of your digital footprint. Whether you're a TNT family, a player hoping to play in college, or a parent trying to keep your child safe online, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on staying visible to the right people—and inaccessible to the wrong ones. Segment 1 – Social Media as a Recruiting Tool, Not a Toy (0:00 – 17:32) Chuck introduces Episode 47 and the role reversal: Chuck hosting, Brian as "color man," plus returning guest Leon KasperskiWhy TNT is "all in" on social media as a major recruiting tool for its athletesHow TNT leverages coaches' relationships and tournament exposure (e.g., AAU Nationals) to get players seenLeon's recommendation to create a separate volleyball/recruiting account (vs. mixing personal life and volleyball on one profile)What belongs on a volleyball recruiting profile: Name, position, graduation yearSimple, professional contact infoLinks to highlight video and recruiting platforms (e.g., YouTube, SportsRecruits) Brian's educator perspective on teaching teens to use technology safely and appropriately, including AI, and this episode as the club's effort towards a similar goal. Early reminder: college coaches are absolutely checking social media to learn who you are off the court, not just how you play on it Segment 2 – Legit Contacts, Scams, and Online Grooming Red Flags (17:32 – 30:20) Real-life scenarios: "Hi, I'm Coach Smith from State University; I've watched your film…""We want to pay you for your name, image, and likeness (NIL)…" Leon on how legitimate coaches actually reach out: Almost never via DMTypically via school email, through the club, or directly to coaches Verification-first approach when a player gets contacted: Look up the coach on the school's official websiteMove the conversation from DM to emailCC a parent, club coach, or recruiting coordinator Red flags to watch for: Personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail) instead of school domainsRequests to "keep this between us" or avoid involving parentsAttempts to move quickly into private chats, personal photos, or non-volleyball topics Brian's shares some research found regarding how often minors—especially teen girls—report being approached online by people trying to manipulate themA clear explanation of grooming behaviors and how they can target teenage volleyball players specificallyWhat to do if you've already shared "too much": Stop replyingTell a parent or trusted adult immediatelyIn serious cases, involve law enforcement and the club, as TNT did in a prior possible grooming situation Segment 3 – Digital Footprints, Emotional Posting, and Long-Term Consequences (31:02 – 53:00) Brian defines digital citizenship and why "private" at one point doesn't neccessary mean private long-termLeon: college coaches are not just "likely" but certain to do a deeper dive on a player's online presence once they're interestedHow posts about refs, coaches, teammates, politics, or partying can quietly knock a player off a coach's listThe permanence of a digital footprint: Screenshots, saved Snaps, and old posts can resurface years laterChanging friend groups or conflicts can turn "private" conversations into public problems Quick-hit "lightning round" on what's okay and what's risky: Cell numbers in structured recruiting systems: maybe—but with cautionHome address and always-on location sharing: noHighlight reels and volleyball clips: absolutely yes—that's what social is forEmotional venting after a loss: skip the post, cool off, and protect your future self For players: social media is step one in recruiting, not the finish line—and visibility should never come at the cost of safetyFor parents: Stay engaged with your athlete's accounts and communicationsHelp with filming, building profiles, and reviewing contactsRecognize that a complete absence of social media can also hurt recruiting in today's landscape Closing thoughts from Chuck, Brian, and Leon as both coaches and parents: They want TNT players to be seen by the right people, stay safe from the wrong ones, and carry a strong digital reputation from club to college and beyond.

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