Bedford Agency Launches New Products and Partner Program for College Sports Recruits

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News Summary:

  • Bedford Agency unveils Recruit Route and Recruit Route Elite products to help educate student-athletes in college recruiting and name, image, and likeness journey
  • Recruit Route Elite product offers premium level of service with hands-on, customized approach with CEO, Bryan Bedford
  • Bedford Agency launches Recruit Route Partner Program

Oklahoma City, OK – Bedford Agency, a college sports recruiting company, announces today the introduction of a new set of products and a partner program to help educate, inform, and guide high school student-athletes as they navigate the college sports recruiting and name, image, and likeness (NIL) journey. 

Data from the NCAA shows that out of all high school student-athletes, less than 10% go on to play a sport in college. This is not for lack of interest. There are many young and talented hopefuls that don’t have the experience or tools needed to help them stand out from the competition.

With the recent decision to allow compensation for NIL of college athletes, NIL is also growing in relevance for high school recruits and families, impacting the way they approach the recruiting process.

Bedford Agency’s new product line, Recruit Route, offers education and resources for these student athletes and their families in an easy-to-consume manner. It is a fully digital recruiting and NIL subscription model, combining digital learning and education, CRM-style tools for managing the recruiting communication process, and the ability to build out their personal micro-recruiting website. In addition, Recruit Route unlocks access to over 50,000 college coaches’ emails, a digital recruiting checklist, and expert-hosted virtual learning sessions for recruits and their parents.

For a more customized experience, Recruit Route Elite is also available to athlete’s and their parents and includes the same subscription services as Recruit Route, paired with personalized guidance from Bedford Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Bedford.  The concept of Recruit Route Elite has been in place as an advisory service at Bedford Agency for over 5 years but has been re-designed as a premium offering for those wanting or needing a more hands-on approach. A subscription to Recruit Route Elite also includes additional content, one-to-one coaching, evaluations, additional exposure, direct communication portals, and more.

Both Recruit Route and Recruit Route Elite will be sold both directly to customers and through partners nationally on www.recruit-route.com.

Today also marks the launch of the Recruit Route Partner Program. Under the program, partners of Recruit Route can position this product to different groups of youth athletes through clubs, associations, school districts, performance coaches, and rights holders who are taking various offerings to market as partners. Our initial set of partners include Heart of a Champion Sports, Maine Athletic Performance and National Amateur Sports (NAS). 

 “NAS is excited about Recruit Route because it aligns with our objectives, which is to provide best in class products and services that bring value to our students and communities,” said James Shipley, CEO, National Amateur Sports. “Recruit Route focuses on education and empowerment which gives parents and students the information they need to navigate the recruiting process and make it a rewarding experience, without any false expectations about getting your student athlete recruited.”

 “The Recruit Route and Recruit Route Elite products are a phenomenal set of products to address the needs of student-athletes and families when they reach the intersection of college sports recruiting and the name, image and likeness journey,” said Bryan Bedford, Chief Executive Officer, Bedford Agency. “Having the ability to make this process simpler and more enjoyable for student-athletes and their families is a pleasure, and we’re excited for them start taking advantage of our new products, services, and partnerships today!”

About Bedford Agency

Bedford Agency provides actionable insight and expertise for student-athletes and families navigating the College Sports Recruiting process. We are uniquely positioned to offer expertise, educational content, and technology to transform the college recruiting process like never before with our products Recruit Route and Recruit Route Elite. Bedford Agency was founded by CEO Bryan and Desiree Bedford.  Bryan has over 25-years of College Sports Recruiting Experience serving as Division I Recruiting Director at TCU and Division II Recruiting Director Southern Nazarene University as well as an executive at some of the leading sports video, recruiting evaluation and fortune 50 tech companies. 

For more information, please visit www.thebedfordagency.com or www.recruit-route.com

10 #NIL tips for College and High School Recruited Athletes to consider!

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July 2021 has introduced a whole new era with Name, Image and Likeness. We have fielded countless calls already on this topic. So to help streamline it, I wanted to create my 10 #NIL Tips for College Athletes and High School Recruited Student-Athletes to consider to help guide families and student-athletes right out of the gate!  

1.      Slow and Steady! Don’t be quick to chase a buck! Doing a mad dash for cash now, could have major implications to you in the future. For those of you not in college NIL is a piece of the puzzle but be grounded.

2.      Focus on why you are a recruit or student-athlete in the first place. School and sports.  That should continue to be your focus. If you are not producing in the classroom or on the field, no one will care about you as a brand spokesperson! Keep the priority the priority!

3.      Realize that NIL will likely be pretty-messy for a few years while details, process and more come into place.  While it’s exciting, please be careful. Ask someone you trust to help you.   In the meantime, each of the colleges have initial platforms and education to help you. Start there. Don’t do things rogue right out of the gate!

4.      Business Plan. Develop a plan that is written down that states your goals, brand vision, timing, how you will manage endorsements and sponsorships, legal and tax planning.  When you write this plan and beyond you SHOULD ASK QUESTIONS. Ask them. Nothing wrong with asking lots of questions as you enter the NIL space! #FollowThePlan

5.      Set up a true business entity, foundation, or corporation.  We would recommend you work a CPA to help you set up a business that aligns to your business plan. This can be started at any age, as the benefits could be significant for any student-athlete with a solid plan rooted in common-sense.

6.      Control your Intellectual Property! Buy your personal brand (name) website ASAP. I.e. YourName.Com   You want to control this as it’s a way to control your brand long term.   If you have a personal brand logo designed already or planning one in the future make sure you have a copyright for it! Clean and scrub all social channels to ensure credibility and to showcase you completely, not just as an athlete. Control your personal brand at all costs! 

7.      Personal Brand Vision Statement: Make sure you have planned and aligned what you personally want to represent.  Are you into fashion, farming, or whatever, then your vision statement should align to that statement? This guide will help you know what you should and shouldn’t do (can help with recruiting honestly). Having this will also align your social activities or endorsements you might consider.  

8.      Less is more. While its great to chase commercial deals, you likely won’t have time to do a bunch of these, especially balancing school, training, practices, games and whatever is left relative to a social life.  Be smart in the early stages of NIL. Remember not every deal is a good deal (short and long term). And please don’t tweet out “My DMs are open” …. because honestly just like in life, you should want to be picky with who you do business with! 

9.      Put money back! Hopefully when you do enter into a NIL agreement you do that with a true business plan in mind. If you don’t, please ensure you understand the tax implications. Holding some money back on each deal to ensure you are covered from a tax perspective is important. In addition, consider any expenses or tax write offs associated with your new ventures. 

10.  Review EVERYTHING and Be careful with agents. First and foremost, have someone read the legal terms of these agreements. These could be attorneys, agents or family business friends. These resources can be useful but their are a lot of areas to be eyes wide opened about when considering an agent or marketing representative. If presented with legal documents, make sure you have someone else review it. This could be very damaging very quickly, not to mention the implications on agent selection beyond moving into any professional sports career. Be smart, do your homework!  

We’ve served as an advisor for years in the College Sports and Recruiting Space and are fielding a variety of questions and advising families on recruiting and NIL. If we can help you, please drop me a note directly at bryanpaulbedford@gmail.com or send us a message @BedfordAgency.

Bryan Bedford

CEO

Bedford Agency 

http://www.thebedfordagency.com

Parent Recommendations, the lifeblood of our business!

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When we started this College Sports Recruiting and Name, Image and Likeness business in 2016 we knew that the pure joy we would get out of the process would be helping families and student-athletes fulfill their lifelong dream of playing athletics in college. That remains true today. We are honored so many of them have trusted us along the way. Here a just a few of the recommendations we have received along the way. We hope that in some way these recommendations will help ease your understanding of how we help athletes aspiring to be recruited, to those that are managing the Division I process to those handing Name, Image and Likeness needs, we are the perfect solutions to help you.

Bryan Bedford

CEO, the Bedford Agency

“Over a year ago our family was introduced to Bryan Bedford and the Bedford Agency.   Once we signed with the Bedford Agency things start happening for our son Aden Kelley.  He received his first D1 football offer within a few weeks, and to date has received 23 offers before his commitment to Oklahoma State University.  Bryan is a walking encyclopedia of what the college recruiting process is all about.  He knows what colleges are looking for in a recruit both academically and in their athletic ability.  Bryan was there to guide us through the whole process. 

-Martin and Jennifer Kelly, parents of Aden Kelley, Oklahoma State University Signee Class of 2021 & U.S. Army All-American

Bryan gave us a plan and advised us on steps to take in the process. We committed as a family to “follow the plan” precisely as Bryan instructed. I believe Bryan was instrumental in helping Drew achieve his goal to play college football. I highly recommend the Bedford Agency for any recruiting assistance.

–Adam & Cassi Rosko, parents of Drew Rosko, University of Central Oklahoma signee, Class of 2019.

“”Bryan possesses a deep knowledge and understanding of the college recruiting process that is second to none.  Having worked on the staff of a Power 5 D1 Football program he understands what schools at all levels are looking for in recruits both athletically and academically.  What we valued the most is his honesty about our son’s ability and his potential as a student athlete.  Navigating the process and myriad of recruiting calendars and deadlines can be overwhelming at times but Bryan worked with us throughout the entire process and was always a phone call, text, or email away for answering any questions we had.  He truly wants what is best for your son or daughter and your family.  My advice to potential college athletes and families is the sooner you use The Bedford Agency the better.“

 -Todd and Rhonda Little, parents of Cameron Little, University of Arkansas Signee Class of 2021 & U.S. Army All-American (#1 Kicker in the country according to ESPN)

His integrity and ability to reach him at anytime are factors that are of upmost importance during the process.  Each step that was taken, Bryan was honest and only a phone call away.   To get the BEST for your child you should sign with the Bedford Agency. 

 

Bedford Agency partners with Productive Recruit to improve the recruiting experience for student-athletes

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As we know the College Sports Recruiting process is going through arguably the most challenging period of time we’ve ever seen.  I am constantly getting messages from parents who are struggling to maintain contact with coaches, help with content and virtual recruiting, making informed decisions without taking visits and much more.  Honestly its exhausting for so many prospective student-athletes and families. 

During this time, while we have been supporting our current clients through a very challenging 2020 recruiting period, we have also been preparing for the future to assist well beyond. So, knowing the challenges numerous families were facing we sought out strategic partners and started discussions with several companies that we could assist with product development of a solution that would fight the needs we are seeing with our families, but also had a platform that we could easily incorporate into how we advise and assist the families across the country we support today. With that, I am pleased to announce our newest partnership with technology partner Productive Recruit a “All-In-One College Recruiting Toolkit”.  With this partnership all new families and student-athletes that join the Bedford Agency will have access to the Productive Recruit platform, which includes centralized coach search feature by sport, CRM tracking for all types of communication, and workflows for key recruiting activities.  For more information.

I love the quote from my friend Colin McAtee, CEO of Productive Recruit who describe the partnership this way: “Bryan has been doing amazing work with his athletes and we can’t wait to provide him with a platform that will accelerate his clients recruiting process”.

So this is exciting news for our families and one I am thrilled to introduce to our current families and student-athletes but also our new families who are navigating the college recruiting process and combined with our thought leadership around sport specific workflows and industry insight make this a tremendous partnership and one that will help countless families.

For more information or to get a demo of of this shared partnership and what it means to student-athletes and families, reach out to me directly, bryanpaulbedford@gmail.com

Bryan Bedford

CEO

Bedford Agency