I didn’t want to believe it when someone told me that Tier 3 coaches in certain leagues were receiving kickbacks from NCAA D3 and ACHA programs for referring players and helping steer them into commitments.
I thought there was no way it could be true. Coaches in positions of trust and authority would never try to profit from players aging out of junior hockey.
Imagine how sick I felt when, after sending emails to a dozen NCAA D3 and ACHA programs, I received five separate offers for kickbacks if I sent them my 2005 birth year clients.
The offers ranged from $500 per player to 10% of tuition, depending on how much financial aid the player required.
When I spoke with colleagues about it, they weren’t surprised. In fact, several were already aware of a widespread kickback system operating for years within one specific league.
Can you imagine?
Imagine trusting a junior coach to provide honest guidance and accurate information, only to find out they’re using that position to profit from vulnerable families.
Imagine a family taking on four years of student loan debt because of a misleading referral, while the coach continues funneling players to the same schools year after year.
Imagine NCAA D3 and ACHA programs becoming so desperate for tuition-paying roster spots that they’re willing to pay “recruiting costs” just to secure bodies for the program. A roster of 30-plus players? No problem — as long as the checks clear.
A player gets recruited to an NCAA D3 program through this process and then suddenly:
“Sorry, we over-recruited. You can play on our ACHA team instead.”
Not ready for the ACHA D1 team?
“No problem — we can place you on D2 or D3.”
And once classes start?
“Yeah, it’s too late to find another program now. Unfortunate situation, but that’s just how it worked out. We appreciate your understanding.”
Players and parents: be careful who you trust.
What looks like a sharp suit your trying on, might just be a distortion carnival mirror your looking into.
