Charles Fishbein's passion for football goes beyond the last eight years when he has developed the real formula of running a combine that colleges benefit from - in a major way.
Before he put the first stopwatch around a coaches' neck or interviewed an athlete, taking a picture to enhance the total package, Fishbein lived this football experience.
From San Francisco to Pittsburgh, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and every city in the state of Florida, Fishbein worked camps and combines with the idea that one day he would do the same.
This past Sunday, Elite Scouting Services, which has over 50 combined years of running events that send athletes and their parents away with answers and a better understanding of the process, hosted one of the spring's best outings at Cardinal Gibbons High School.
Over 275 of South Florida's emerging prospects came out to run, lift, play football and listen to the reality of this entire process is all about. They also found out that there are much more options than Division 1 football.
ESS founder and President Charles Fishbein and his quality staff have always provided an event that people talk about for years, and the South Florida stop of this combine that will head to Tampa and the Jacksonville area this spring, was easily one of the most complete events that will take place anywhere.
"First of all, we have been running these events for so long, there is a template of success that you have to follow," said Fishbein. "Anyone can host one of these combines, charge the kids a whole lot of money and send them away with very little in the way of recruiting knowledge."
What ESS accomplished on Sunday was not only bringing athletes in from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, but the opportunity to show parents and athletes that there is a whole lot more to a combine than getting a few stopwatches out and throwing the ball around.
“The first thing many of these kids, coaches and parents want to know is why we charge and how many colleges we deal with,” said Fishbein. “First of all the NCAA stipulates that any recruiting service that hosts an event must charge a processing fee in return for the camp shirt, photos, media recognition, coaching and a complete football learning experience.”
“As far colleges,” Fishbein continued. “We have over 90 with more coming aboard – every day, from D1 all the way to prep schools and junior college programs and everything in between.”
A number of BCAA players and coaches took in this event, including Hallandale quarterback Abe Coleman, St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Max Lescano along with several teammates, which included defensive end Joey Nicoletto.
Miramar offensive lineman Kevin Gonzalez and defensive lineman Willie Paisley joined a number of rising seniors that featured Boyd Anderson athlete Bruce Natson and defensive back Daniel Gray, Hollywood Hills defensive end Jean Marc-Charles, Fort Lauderdale receiver Kolby Gray, and Ely defensive back Adrian Burton.
While there were a number of elite 2012 and 2013 players on hand, one of the players who everyone seemed to fall in love with was St. Thomas 2014 defensive back Al Harris, Jr., who is learning plenty from his father. Ely quarterback Tyquan Fields made a lasting impression as well.
"How can you not be impressed with the athletes who came ready to learn and make a statement," said Fishbein. "The objective of an event like this is to have everyone leave happy and appreciate the experience."
At a time with so many different people and organizations rushing to get as many football prospects to their event, none sends athletes and their parents with a more complete understanding of the recruiting process - good and bad!
You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.
You can also follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/larryblustein |
