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Tag: Champs App

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2024 Women's Hockey Youth Hockey

Welcome to Champs 2.0

It’s been over 3 years since Champs launched.  Since then we have accomplished some amazing things:

  • Offered a free online hockey profile creation tool for players, coaches, parents and advisors/agents
  • Provided analysis, insight and opinion on a range of women’s hockey topics including recruiting, development and news.
  • Developed several tools to help players, parents and coaches navigate the world of youth hockey
  • Interviewed at least one coach from all 45 NCAA DI Women’s Hockey team

Over the past few months, we have spoken to many users and gotten their feedback as to what they like, don’t like and where they want Champs App to go in the future. The positive feedback to what we have accomplished so far has been amazing and we truly appreciate the trust we have earned from our users.

Continued Commitment to our Mission Statement

Recently I have been asked if I will continue my work on Champs App now that my daughter has committed to play college hockey. And the answer is very simple: Yes.  Not only am I still helping my son with his recruiting journey, but I am also still passionate about helping improve the recruiting and development your hockey experience for all players.  So, plan to see Champs App expand to all youth hockey, not just female hockey, over the coming months.

As a result, our team doubled-down on our commitment to our mission:

“Champs App’s mission is to empower youth athletes to reach their full potential. We serve as your trusted sports recruiting and development copilot, supporting players, parents, and coaches on their journey through youth sports. Our goal is to help you achieve your goals and excel in every aspect of your athletic and academic pursuits.”

New Design

Since our initial launch, many of our solutions have been somewhat independent of each other and somewhat confusing for folks to figure out Champs App.  Today we are launching Champs 2.0 which beings together all our offerings in a more integrated solution.

We have completely redesigned Champs App so that all offerings fit together seamlessly to dramatically improve our user experience.  Our hope is that it is much easier to find and use Champs App as your copilot. 

Changes to our User Experience

You will also see many changes to how users can access and use Champs App 2.0.  While we will continue to provide free content and tools like podcasts, articles and directories on our website, some new content will require a free Champs App account to access special analysis and information.  We have made it easy to create a free Champs App account, without the need to create an online profile.   

Free vs. Subscription Offerings – Focused on Great Value

As mentioned above, Champs App will continue to offer free tools and information, but at the same time we have also started to offer premium tools and services. By charging our community for these value-added services, we can continue to grow and deliver amazing new content, tools and services to our members.  Unlike other organizations in youth sports, you can rely on Champs App to be your trusted brand in all aspects of your recruiting and development journey.

I have been a longtime of Costco and their commitment to ensuring great value to all their members.  We are hoping to echo that same philosophy here at Champs App.  As long as I am running Champs App, our intent is to ensure that that the value our members receive from an offering is significantly greater than the price we charge. Hopefully, our community will quickly discover that Champs App premium offerings are truly great value, especially when compared to paying > $300 for a composite stick.  In addition, we will never have traditional advertising on our site. Any partnerships or sponsorships will need to be highly valuable to our community and truly help solve their unmet needs.  

Our first premium product has been the Champs App Messaging Tool – which ⁠is the fast, easy way to send error-free messages to coaches. ⁠Champs App Messaging⁠ cuts the time to send emails to coaches by over 50%. Over the coming months we will continue to offer additional premium tools and services to our community.  

Stay Tuned – More to Come

There will continue to be small updates we need to make as part of our Champs 2.0 release – so if you have feedback or find something that isn’t working properly please let us know.  We still have a long way to go achieve all the big goals we have for Champs App. You will see new offerings being released throughout the spring and summer – so look out for more announcement on social media, in your email and in the app. Please join us on our journey to be your sports recruiting and development copilot.

Ray Tenenbaum, Co-Founder of Champs App

Categories
Women's Hockey

How to use Champs App

CREATE A HOCKEY PROFILE

Champs App Team Coach Directory

Research and message NCAA DI, DIII and U Sports Coaches using the Team Coach Directory

Explore the 2024 Hockey Event Calendar

2024 Girls Hockey Event Calendar

Champs App Profiles for Advisors & Agents

Champs App Profiles for Parents

Champs App Profiles for Team Coaches

Champs App Messaging Tool

Champs App Messaging is the fast, easy way to send error-free messages to coaches. Champs App Messaging cuts the time to send emails to coaches by over 50%, ensures key information is included and reduces common errors because it has templates that automatically populate the coach’s name & email and inserts information from your Champs App profile. Try it now!

Categories
College Hockey Recruiting TOOLS Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Introducing…The Champs App Messaging Tool

Champs App Messaging is the fast, easy way to send error-free messages to coaches. 

Champs App Messaging Tool Demo (Desktop Version)

The Champs App Messaging tool ensures the coach’s name, email and school are correct without the need to look online and find each coach’s contact information. 

Email Templates

With the Champs App Messaging tool you can choose from a variety of email templates to send. For example, one template informs coaches about upcoming events or tournaments and another lets a coach know about new videos added to your Champs profile.  Each template automatically populates the message with the coach’s name and school and inserts personal information from your Champs App profile. This way you can be sure the emails does not have an errors.

Personalize Each Message

Personalize each message further to make it uniquely yours. Experience the convenience of the Champs App Messaging yourself by logging into your Champs App account. Or click here to learn more about how it works.

Introductory Pricing

For a limited time, we are offering the Champs App Messaging tool at a low introductory price for an annual subscription.  As we add more amazing features to the Messaging tool over the coming weeks and months, these new features will be included in your annual subscription. So, get started today by logging into your Champs App account to try out the new Champs App Messaging Tool and easily send error-free emails to coaches. Subscribe today  before the price goes up.

Champs App Messaging Tool Demo (Mobile Version)
Categories
2024 2024 College Hockey Recruiting Girls Hockey Team Coach Directory Women's College Hockey Youth Hockey

How the Champ App Messaging Tool Works

Available Coaches 

We currently have 3 sets of coaches that you can send emails to:

·         Division I Women’s Hockey Coaches (all coaches)

·         Division III Women’s Hockey Coaches (all head coaches and several assistants

·         U Sports (Canada) Women’s Hockey Coaches (head coaches only)

Champs App Messaging sends real emails to coaches (regardless of whether or not they have an active Champs account).  Coaches will receive the emails at their regular school email address (not within Champs App).

Send Yourself a Test Email

You have the ability to send messages by email address. So if you want to test the tool by sending an email to yourself you can. Or if you want to send an email to a non-college coach, you just need to put in their email address in the Step 1 box.

Message Templates

There are currently 4 templates that you can use to send emails to coaches.  Just pick the template that is right for your situation.  We will be adding more templates and features in the near future.

Note: The Subject line and the contents of the email can all be customized even after you select a template. This way you can ensure sending a unique message to a coach.

Make Sure Your Player Profile is Up-To-Date

Every template automatically populates with information from your Player Profile into the email. So if you want to save yourself time from entering the same information multiple times, make sure your current team, graduation year, jersey #, upcoming schedule etc. are up-to-date.

Email Details

Please note that the actual email gets sent via Champs App on a player’s behalf (with your name appearing as the Sender). Specifically, it is sent from a generic Champs email address.  BUT, the “reply-to” email address is your own email address.  In addition, your email address is included in the template by default. Most coaches probably won’t notice where it is sent from (they will focus on the name not the sender’s email address), but it is important for users to know exactly how it works.

Categories
Women's Hockey

Why Create a Champs App Profile?

Champs App lets you create a free, beautiful hockey resume and helps players, parents and coaches connect to facilitate the hockey recruiting process.

With Champs App profile you can:

· Share highlight videos, statistics and coach information

· Add a player’s playing history (teams, coaches, level of play) and upcoming games schedule

· Share personal, student and athletic profile information

· Invite and connect with coaches, players and teammates

Once you create your profile, you will have a personalized link to share with coaches and teams.

1. WHY SHOULD I CREATE A HOCKEY PROFILE?

Creating a player profile helps provide coaches most of the information they need to get on their recruiting radar. It is like an online sports resumé.

You can view sample profiles here:  Women’s: Cammie Knight  and Men’s: Wayne Crosby 

2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CREATE A PROFILE?

Most users tell us it takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete the basics of their profile. You can then come back and add more video and details whenever you like.

3. WHAT DO I NEED TO CREATE A PLAYER PROFILE?

  • Three images (profile picture, action shot and a cover photo)
  • Personal profile information (personal, academic and academic information
  • Add your team information (current and past)
  • Videos with highlights and games showing off your talents
  • Schedule – add recent and future games and events to let coaches know where to find you play

4. WHAT DO I DO NEXT

You can connect with players and coaches by sending them a link to your profile by email. Or you can also invite other coaches and players to connect by visiting their Champs App profile and tapping the “Connect” button. Here is the current list of NCAA Coaches with Champs App profiles.

Categories
Coaching College Hockey Recruiting Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

Champs App Coaches Directory

Alyssa Gagliardi – Director of Women’s Student-Athlete Advancement – Carolina Jr Hurricanes

Jim Plumer – Head Coach – Vermont Catamounts

Matt Desrosiers – Head Coach – Clarkson Golden Knights

Laura Bellamy – Associate Head Coach – Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs

John Harrington – Head Coach – Minnesota State Mavericks

David Stockdale – Head Coach – Franklin Pierce Ravens

Logan Bittle – Head Coach – Robert Morris Colonials

Tara Connolly – Assistant Coach – RPI Engineers

Chris Donovan – Head Coach – St Michael’s Purple Knights

Tara Watchorn – Head Coach – Stonehill Skyhawks

Josh Sciba – Head Coach – Union College Dutchwomen

Jim Scanlan – Head Coach – Bemidji State University Beavers

Kerstin Matthews – Associate Head Coach – Boston University Terriers

Allison Coomey – Associate Head Coach – Penn State University Nittany Lions

Gretchen Silverman – Head Coach – Post University Eagles

Bethany Brausen – Assistant Coach – St Thomas Tommies

Jenna Trubiano – Head Coach – Michigan Wolverines

Cari Coen – Assistant Coach – Bishop Kearney BK Selects Girls 19AAA

Jake Anderson – Head Coach – Bishop Kearney BK Selects Girls 16AAA

Olivia Soares -Assistant Coach – Union College Dutchwomen

Cara Morey – Head Coach – Princeton Tigers

Jackie Crum – Assistant Coach – Wisconsin Badgers

Mike Sisti – Head Coach – Mercyhurst Lakers

Katelyn Parker – Seattle Kraken Player Development Coach

Tom O’Malley – Head Coach – Sacred Heart Pioneers

Jack Sweeney – Head Coach – Assumption University

Erin Hamlen – Head Coach – Merrimack Warriors

Matt Kelly – Head Coach – Providence Friars

Chris Baudo – Head Coach – Nazareth Golden Flyers

Francesca Giammona – Assistant Coach – Sacred Heart Pioneers

Victoria Blake – Assistant Coach – Sacred Heart Pioneers

Jackie Kooistra – Head Coach – Aurora Spartans

Jennifer Wilson – Head Coach – Lake Forest Foresters

Categories
Champs Coaching Minor Hockey Parents Youth Hockey

How Champs App helped get a AAA tryout for my kid

Tryouts

Last week, I started to explore new teams for my 14-year old son to play on next season. He has played AA hockey the last four seasons, but is ready to play AAA. At the same time, as a family we are considering moving to a new city so both our kids are playing hockey in the same area (my daughter just committed to play at a hockey academy this fall). So I looked at MyHockeyRankings to see which AAA teams were nearby and found a highly rated team.

I then visited the team’s website and found the name and email of the coach for my son’s age group. I immediately cold-emailed the coach, asking if there might be spots open on the team next year. I included a link to my son’s Champs App profile which included his personal and athletic profile. And most importantly, I had 5 videos included on the page. One 2.5  minute video of his hockey highlights from the past season and 4 recent playoff games from LiveBarn which were edited down to just his shifts (so, about 16 minutes each).

Here are a couple of sample profiles to see what a Champs App profile looks like: Girl’s Profile – Boy’s Profile

I was lucky that the coach was very responsive. Later that day the coach emailed me back and said he would take a look. A couple of days later, we scheduled a phone call.

What happened next surprised me a little bit…

To start the call, I joked with the coach that he must be getting hundreds of inquiries from parents saying their kid is the next Connor McDavid and they want their player to try out for his team. He then shared that, yes indeed, he was getting many tryout requests, but none of the parents were sending him all the information and video about their kid like I did. He had even forwarded the profile link to a couple of other coaches to get their opinion. The coach had no idea that I helped build Champs App, but what mattered was that he had all the information he needed (similar to a resume for a job interview) to invite my son to come tryout.

While all the profile information was helpful in getting the coach up-to-speed, it was the videos that were critical to him seeing my son’s level of play. There was enough in the video for him to recognize my son’s strengths as a hockey player and overall skills were at least in the same ballpark as the current players on the team.

Needless to say, the coach just made my day. Not only was my son going to tryout but it was great to see how effective his Champs App profile was in helping him and could help others.

Create your Champs App Profile

We did a lot of research asking college coaches what they wanted to see in a player’s profile for Champs App and now we are seeing it pay off.  Now we are starting to spread the word – so feel free to create a Champs App Profile for your player here and share the app with coaches and teammates.

Categories
Champs Sports

Hello World!

girls-hockey-player
Spring Hockey. Photo credit: Bryan Mason

Why we started Champs

Hi! I’m Ray and I’m a hockey dad. In addition, I am a below average hockey player with an above average love of the game. Both my kids play youth hockey here in northern California. This hockey season, if there is one, my kids will be playing U14, with my daughter being a 2006 birth year and my son is a 2007. I have no expectations for where hockey will take my kids other than I know that hockey will help them develop life skills they can take anywhere.

Crazy Hockey Parent?

At the same time, like any somewhat-crazy hockey parent, over the past few years I have tried to give my kids every opportunity to be the best they can be when it comes to hockey.  This includes waking up at well-before the break of dawn multiple times a week to take them to practices and private lessons at our local rink (which is almost 20 miles away) plus travelling 300+ miles each way for regular season games in SoCal.

My daughter has only played on boys teams so far during her hockey experiences, last season playing on a slightly above-average Bantam AA team. So, we think she is probably an above average 2006 girl player, but we don’t really know how she compares. This spring we had planned for her to attend several girls recruiting showcases and go through the USA Hockey Selects process. The expectation was we could really get a good feel for where she was in her development and hopefully receive feedback from college recruiters/coaches on how she compares to her peer group. 

From Quarantine to Champs App

Well, we all know what happened in March 2020 as hockey and the world shut down due to the Corona virus. With all the showcases, tournaments and USA hockey camps cancelled, that’s when I took it upon myself to help kickstart the recruiting process for my daughter. I assumed building an online profile page for my daughter which included key information plus highlight videos would be a start. So I decided to try to build my own website using a popular website builder. 

After several days of manipulating a web template that was created for a completely different audience, I was able to get it to look pretty good. However, I couldn’t imagine other hockey parents trying to do this on their own.  I then looked at other sites that are in the “college athlete recruiting” business and while they did offer the ability to create basic profiles, they seemed more concerned with upselling you on advisory services. I asked myself why isn’t there a simple “LinkedIn”-like app for the women’s hockey community? In addition, there must be thousands of parents out there just like me trying to figure out how they can help their kids on their athletic journey.

Time to Build

Having done several startups I wanted to see if someone else thought this was a viable idea.  I contacted my friend John Lorance who is a technical genius and someone I have partnered with off-and-on for almost 15 years. Turns out he had been thinking about a similar type of platform for a completely different audience, but with many of the same characteristics. He liked the idea of building such an engine and using youth athletics as the perfect use case.

This is how the idea for Champs was born. The Champs mission is to help youth athletes be the best they can be.  Specifically, assisting them to meet their goals in both academics and athletics.

We are planning to take a slightly different approach on how to navigate these challenges and get to the next level, whether it is their next team, next level, prep school, juniors, college or pros. By focusing on creating a lifelong sports network and community, athletes can both promote themselves and find resources/opportunities via the Champs App.

Drop the Puck!

Given my personal passion, Champs will focus first on hockey and specifically Women’s Ice Hockey. The cliché I’ve heard frequently is how hockey is a small community and everyone knows everyone, so Champs will be a good test. As we grow, we hope our community pulls us into adjacent sports, especially since we know many hockey players are multi-sport athletes.

So welcome to Champs! I am sure there will be ups and downs along the way as we figure this out. Hopefully you can be part of the journey as we all try to enable youth athletes to strive to achieve our mission.

Ray

P.S. Here is a screenshot of the web page I designed back in February that spawned the creation of Champs. When the app launches, I will update this post with a link to her profile on Champs

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