The job of a college scout is to seek out the best athletes for school sports. Scouts spend a lot of time traveling and watching high school and club sporting events. They often attend tournaments that bring in athletes from around the state or country in order to see as many athletes as possible in a short amount of time. Scouts are often required to submit reports to coaches about players who might be good additions to their sports program.
As an athlete, being acknowledged by a scout can be more than just a self-esteem booster. Coaches put a great deal of stock into a scout's opinion, and scholarship offers can be extended as a result of a scout's praise. When a scout is present at a sporting event, a lot of pressure is put on athletes to perform to the best of their ability. Optimal performance in front of a scout can sometimes result in the scholarship offer of a lifetime.
Scouts offer an opportunity that some players might not have otherwise. For students who cannot afford to attend expensive, out-of-state schools without financial assistance, being scouted is a dream come true. Furthermore, it is always nice to have someone who can vouch for one's athletic ability. Walking into open tryouts does not offer quite as much security as being singled out by a scout and having the coach already aware of who the athlete is.
Although some scouts attend multiple matches for the same athlete, having a scout present is a often one-time chance for an athlete to prove her or his prowess. For someone who buckles under added pressure, this can be a disaster. Although an athlete can always try out for a team at a later time, having a bad day in front of a scout can ruin one's chances for an immediate scholarship offer.
Being approached by a scout is truly a compliment. But not being recognized by a scout is not the end. Scouts for large schools often attend games at community colleges. Attending open tryouts is another path. Everyone has a bad game or match once in a while, and if an athlete is unlucky enough to have a bad game in front of a scout, there are ways to redeem oneself. Sending a reel of highlights from a better game and requesting another chance might seem very forward, but if a scout neglects to see one's skill and potential at a certain time, it is always worth a try.