As a highly recruited two-sport athlete from a very small school in Northwest Ohio, I thought I understood the recruiting process well. I made the decision to sign a NLI to a Mid American Conference school to play both football and baseball. I gave no other serious consideration to my selection process other than I thought I wanted to be a two-sport star. I had very little guidance and gave virtually no consideration to any other variables related to my recruitment or the college search.
My parents and advisors wanted what was best for me but we all realized too late that recruiting is a business for the college coach and their staff. We had no idea how sophisticated the recruiting process was until it was over. Looking back on it now, I would have started sooner and built an all-encompassing college search plan. Being proactive would have been a better approach.
After being cut from my scholarship in spring of my sophomore year, I was left to wonder about my future. Then my mother-in-law, Cecile Chambers, stepped in. She encouraged me to think critically about the reasons why I needed a good education. Cecile helped me through the admissions and Financial Aid process guiding me every step of the way. She was a determined mentor and dedicated advisor. After examining each school in four major decision criteria (academic strengths, environment, financial impact, and athletics/program culture), we made the decision to attend a prestigious B10 school.
I received a thorough and independent evaluation by MLB scouts and many college coaches. As a result, I had many offers from major D1 schools. It is incredibly rare to go from being released from a scholarship at a mid-major school only to sign months later with a B10 school. I later signed with the school that delivered the best overall college fit. It was the single most important decision of my life. The second time around I was prepared, mature and did the work that was needed to insure the best academic choice.
I could not have been any happier with my results. I earned a 4-year degree from a prestigious B10 university, I was drafted in the 23rd Round of the MLB draft after my senior year and I went on to start Barrett Athletic Consulting helping over 600 student-athletes in 21 years of consulting.
It is my personal experience, failures and successes that have been the foundation of my consulting career. This process is personal and incredibly important to me, Barrett Athletic Consulting exists today to ensure that the college prospect understands every facet of the recruiting process and college search. Being educated and informed in any recruitment is the fundamental key to success.
Career Highlights
- BAC has been advising student-athletes and their families for 21 years
- BAC has worked with over 600 student-athletes since 1995
- Has evaluated and advised 5 MLB draft picks
- Worked with men and women in 19 sports
- Has advised over 100 NCAA D1 athletes
- Unique sports worked with: crew, diving, and field hockey
- BAC endorsed by over 100 college coaches, high school athletic directors, and high school coaches
Work History
- Founder of Barrett Athletic Consulting, 1995-Present
- Advised over 600 student-athletes in 20 years
- Advised/Instructed 100 NCAA D1 Athletes
- Coached/Instructed/Advised 5 MLB Draft Picks
- VP of Domestic Trading/Director of Domestic Trading/Senior Trader – ProTrade Steel
- Director of Sales – Swanton Welding Company
Coaching History
- Served in a variety of assistant roles at Liberty Center (Football-Baseball-Basketball) 1995-97, 2005-2014; Rossford (Football) 1998-99; Anthony Wayne (Baseball) 1995-96
- Bowling Green Volunteer Assistant/Catching, 1996
- Clinician/Roving Camp Instructor – Purdue University, Michigan, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, 1995-2000
Directing History
- Chairman LCYF (Liberty Center Youth Football – 200 players), 2010-Present
- Co-Chair LCYS (Liberty Center Youth Softball – 137 players), 2012-Present
- Director of The Barrett Clinic Mobile Baseball Camp, 1995-1996
Playing Career
- Signed professional contracts with Detroit, Baltimore, and Boston (1995)
- Drafted in 23rd round of MLB, San Francisco Giants as a Catcher (1993)
- Purdue University – Baseball, Catcher (1991-93)
- Eastern Michigan University – Football, LB; Baseball, Catcher (1989-91)
- Liberty Center HS 4-Sport athlete: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Track (1985-1989)
Academic Credentials
- Purdue University – Graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (1993)
- Academic All-Big 10 (1993)
- Honors Student 5 out of 8 Semesters (3.5 GPA)
- Liberty Center High School (1989)