Hans Hanson, Founder
I am a parent of two student athletes. Both graduated from terrific colleges. One played major college sports. Like you, I have seen my fair share of prep sports—games, practices, showcases and camps. Sure, high school and club teams provide tense moments and great excitement, but the thrill of the college game exceeds it all by leaps and bounds.
I know first hand how sports make a difference in the lives of our children. Sports can help them develop a sense of accomplishment and an understanding that hard work pays off.
About 10 years ago, I watched my own children, and many others, ponder the next step: “Will all of this come to an end in high school or can it be extended into college?” I quickly understood the game changed after high school — and the stakes went up. Way up.
One path leads to success on the playing field and in the classroom. The other winds its way through disappointment and frustration.
Those high stakes are the reason I created The College Sports Track. And, my promise to you is simple. We will help you turn the odds in your favor.
Guiding a student athlete to the right college is hard work. But, it’s worth it. In fact, 90 percent of successful, satisfied, student athletes graduate on time. Our motivation is for your son or daughter to be in the 90th percentile. It’s that simple.
That is why I created The College Sports Track. Now, let us help your family get the inside track towards finding college sports success.
Marla Brady, Ed.D., Career Direction Professional
Each of us possess natural abilities and traits that shape how we approach life, learning and career. I learned the importance of illuminating that special gift in each of us in more than 30 years as an educator and as a consultant working with everyone from kindergarten students to career professionals.
Just as I will work to understand your background and abilities, I wish to share the professional path responsible for who I am. My career began in the classroom.
For 12 years, I worked with students from kindergarten to grade nine before becoming an administrator. I served as a principal for 19 years: elementary, middle and high schools. During that time, I also worked as a consultant with other districts and for individuals to create strategic plans and professional development plans.
For six years I served as principal for the Alexander D. Henderson Development Research School at Florida Atlantic University. I was the educational leader for the research team that developed and opened Florida Atlantic University High School at Florida Atlantic University, a unique and fully dual enrolled high school program. During my 31 years in education, I earned a doctorate and began consulting part-time with individuals and organizations which lead me to where I am today.
In 2004, I received National Leadership recognition in Washington, D.C. and have been a presenter at local, national and international conferences. In 2008, I retired from education to work full-time as a career consultant.
I am a licensed affiliate for the Highland Company, responsible for the industry-leading tool for defining a person’s natural abilities: The Highland Ability Battery. Raised in St. Louis, I hold a B.A. in Education from William Woods University and both an M.S. and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Walter Williams, Midwest College Recruiting Specialist
As an aspiring high school athlete, with dreams of playing college sports, my family and my own determination were my best resources. The hard work paid off. I played wide-out and returned kicks for The University of Northern Iowa’s football team. In fact, we won the conference championship.
The most important lesson I learned was that nobody would give me anything. If I wanted to go after my dream, I had to work hard in the classroom and on the field. It’s a work ethic I applied before, during and after college.
I am a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the only child of my parents, Walter and Dorothy. I’ve committed myself to helping youth understand the process of college recruiting, particularly how to stand out from the crowd to become the kind of recruit college coaches desire.
The academic opportunities that came with college sports helped shape my life in so many ways, particularly understanding cultural diversity. I know the lessons I learned can help others. They did for me, and they did for my son, a recent high school graduate who landed a football roster position at a quality small college.
I have lived the life many aspiring athletes seek, and I continue to use these lessons daily. Together we will apply these real-life strategies and tools to help your child achieve their goal—the right college fit.
Pat Wong, National College Recruiting Expert
Every day for past eight to ten years, I have waken up to help student athletes make the most of their opportunities through developing their physical and mental abilities. I train middle school, high school and college athletes with my own sports performance business and fitness bootcamps.
But my job is more than attention to the physical. I love helping student athletes and their families navigate the college recruiting process, watching them grow and develop the understanding that success demands a proactive approach. Athletes cannot sit back and wait for college coaches to discover them.
I also understand that sports are personal, bringing moments of triumph and challenge that create lifetime memories. I played three sports in high school, continuing my love of sports while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. I played on Marine basketball and softball teams. I played professional fast pitch softball and I coached internationally in Japan.
My wife, Leslie Ann Wong, and I passed the love of competition along to our two sons: Andrew, who served in the Iraq war, and Tony, who played baseball for the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and played in the DIII College World Series.
I apply those years of experience to college recruiting. I understand the hard work and attitude needed to succeed in the classroom, on the field, at home and in the community.
As I work with your student, I will paint a picture of what it takes to succeed as a collegiate athlete. Athletic talent and grades will open doors, but character seals the deal.
Don Zelichowski, College Recruiting Advisor
I watch the thrills and stresses of college recruiting through the eyes of my son. Brandon, 16, is a high school baseball player who has caught the attention of college coaches. My youngest, Tyler, 12, is also a budding athlete.
We are walking the same path as many of you, and I want to share my experience and knowledge, because I understand the difficulties of navigating the world of college recruiting.
I apply the lessons of a three-sport high school athlete—wrestling, football and baseball—and those of a career manager to my daily life: a strong work ethic, an understanding of team and an overwhelming desire to succeed. Simply, the lessons from sports gave me a foundation on which I built my life.
Years as a youth baseball and football coach allow me to understand the needs of young athletes, and apply those lessons to college recruiting. In my career, I learned to deal with people from all backgrounds, and these experiences taught me patience and understanding.
My goal is to use my skills and knowledge to help parents fully understand the recruiting process—timelines, NCAA regulations and strategies for contacting college coaches—so I become the bridge between your child and college sports.
