Got a text from Coach Lincoln saying that he needed to talk. For obvious reasons, I immediately responded and we agreed to meet at James Street Tavern within the hour.
As soon as I walk in, I see the 6'4" lanky man slumped over an already 1/2 empty tall boy of Natty Light with a red face and few salty tears running down his cheeks. Concern is my first emotion; "is everything ok" I ask.
He replied, "All this recruiting talk on DEPreps, but all the posters talk about is Middletown this and Smyrna that. They even discuss schools like St Joes Prep, DeMatha, Sparlding and Gilman. GILMAN!! They stink now; haven't recruited even a 3-star 8th grader in years!"
His sadness is turning into rage at this point. The tears are gone, but his face is now lobster red. "I RECRUIT WITH THE BEST OF THEM" he lashes out. "I get transfers from Smyrna and Woodbridge. Texting players in season with promises of better access to college programs and solid scholarship opportunities. I bring in players from Pennsylvania to play at a public school in Delaware. I go to the MOT youth league, mostly for the moms, but I know how to recruit 7th and 8th graders."
The rage is now gone, so is the rest of his Natty Light. Its replaced with a sadness felt by a broken man. Barely audible he says with a quivering tone, "They don't respect my ability to recruit high school kids."
This entire time I've just been standing there. My most pressing question remains unanswered, "Dude, how did you get my number?"
