College Hoops Coaching Strategy: Unexpected Recruitment Method at Waffle House
A Fresh Take:
Skip the basketball stats, that's not Coach Scott Cross's game. Instead, he's all about Waffle House.
"You'd think I'm crazy, but I ask 'em, 'You dig Waffle House?' If they say yes, I sign 'em. No? Then forget it." This quirky hiring technique was dropped during an interview with Kentucky Sports Radio before Troy took on Kentucky in the NCAA tourney.
"On our first recruit visits, I point out Waffle House, and if they say hell no, I'm off the hook. I didn't sign neither one of those dudes," Cross shared.
Contrastingly, when Nick Stampley, a former Trojan star, rolled into town, he crawled up at the sight of Waffle House, asking excitedly, "Coach, y'all got a Waffle House here? Can we hit it up tomorrow?." Turns out, he was their very first signee and one of the most hardcore Trojans they ever coached. Stampley's now balling it up in Germany.
Cross made it clear to his staff to find out if a recruit fancies Waffle House in one of their initial chats. "You could save the program a ton of time and dough," he said.
Troy, Alabama, is small-town delight with two Waffle Houses and another on the way, making it a Waffle House for every 5000 residents. The team pops the champagne and blows out candles there, making it a Trojan tradition.
"I love those Waffle House peeps. They're my kind of folks," Cross declared.
Some say it's an outlandish approach, but it seems to work for Cross and Troy basketball.
[1]: Culture Fit and Personal Qualities: Liking Waffle House, a Southern diner chain, may indicate a potential recruit's compatibility with the team's values and their affinity for certain aspects of Southern culture.[2]: Screening Process: Coach Scott Cross uses the question of whether a player enjoys Waffle House as a screening tool during recruitment, helping him make more informed decisions about potential players.[3]: Team Bonding: Waffle House is a significant part of the Troy University basketball culture, with wins and birthdays celebrated there. It serves as a unique symbol of team bonding and camaraderie.
[1] Southern Living and Culture: Coach Scott Cross's unconventional hiring strategy revolves around a popular Southern diner chain, Waffle House, suggesting a preference for recruits who resonate with Southern culture and lifestyle.
[2] Activities and Entertainment: Waffle House has become an essential activity for Troy University's basketball team, with Coach Cross using the establishment as a screening tool during the recruitment process to identify potential players who might fit the team's dynamic.
[3] Sports: Despite the unusual approach, Coach Scott Cross's focus on Waffle House as a recruitment tool seems to contribute to the success of Troy University's basketball team.
[4] News: The news of Troy University's unique hiring strategy, centering on a preference for recruits who are fond of Waffle House, has garnered coverage in various sports and news outlets, making headlines both locally and nationally.
[5] Creditline: Given the importance of Waffle House to Troy University's basketball team, Coach Cross emphasizes that understanding a recruit's stance on the restaurant during their initial conversations could save the program valuable time and resources in the long run.
