Ep 47: Visible, Not Vulnerable: Social Media & Volleyball Recruiting

From recruiting DMs to viral highlight clips, today's volleyball players are building their futures in public—often without realizing what they're really sharing. In this episode of Bump, Set, Mic, Chuck takes over hosting duties while Brian and returning guest Leon Kasperski, TNT's Director of Operations, break down how athletes and families can use social media as a powerful recruiting tool without putting safety, privacy, or future opportunities at risk.

Drawing on Brian's 30+ years as a middle school teacher, along with his experience as a high school and club coach, and Leon's hands-on work guiding TNT athletes through the college recruiting process, the conversation covers volleyball-specific accounts, digital citizenship, red flags in online contacts, and the long memory of your digital footprint. Whether you're a TNT family, a player hoping to play in college, or a parent trying to keep your child safe online, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on staying visible to the right people—and inaccessible to the wrong ones.

Segment 1 – Social Media as a Recruiting Tool, Not a Toy (0:00 – 17:32)

Chuck introduces Episode 47 and the role reversal: Chuck hosting, Brian as "color man," plus returning guest Leon Kasperski Why TNT is "all in" on social media as a major recruiting tool for its athletes How TNT leverages coaches' relationships and tournament exposure (e.g., AAU Nationals) to get players seen Leon's recommendation to create a separate volleyball/recruiting account (vs. mixing personal life and volleyball on one profile) What belongs on a volleyball recruiting profile:
Name, position, graduation year Simple, professional contact info Links to highlight video and recruiting platforms (e.g., YouTube, SportsRecruits)
Brian's educator perspective on teaching teens to use technology safely and appropriately, including AI, and this episode as the club's effort towards a similar goal.  Early reminder: college coaches are absolutely checking social media to learn who you are off the court, not just how you play on it

Segment 2 – Legit Contacts, Scams, and Online Grooming Red Flags (17:32 – 30:20)

Real-life scenarios:
"Hi, I'm Coach Smith from State University; I've watched your film…" "We want to pay you for your name, image, and likeness (NIL)…"
Leon on how legitimate coaches actually reach out:
Almost never via DM Typically via school email, through the club, or directly to coaches
Verification-first approach when a player gets contacted:
Look up the coach on the school's official website Move the conversation from DM to email CC a parent, club coach, or recruiting coordinator
Red flags to watch for:
Personal email addresses (e.g., Gmail) instead of school domains Requests to "keep this between us" or avoid involving parents Attempts to move quickly into private chats, personal photos, or non-volleyball topics
Brian's shares some research found regarding how often minors—especially teen girls—report being approached online by people trying to manipulate them A clear explanation of grooming behaviors and how they can target teenage volleyball players specifically What to do if you've already shared "too much":
Stop replying Tell a parent or trusted adult immediately In serious cases, involve law enforcement and the club, as TNT did in a prior possible grooming situation

Segment 3 – Digital Footprints, Emotional Posting, and Long-Term Consequences (31:02 – 53:00)

Brian defines digital citizenship and why "private" at one point doesn't neccessary mean private long-term Leon: college coaches are not just "likely" but certain to do a deeper dive on a player's online presence once they're interested How posts about refs, coaches, teammates, politics, or partying can quietly knock a player off a coach's list The permanence of a digital footprint:
Screenshots, saved Snaps, and old posts can resurface years later Changing friend groups or conflicts can turn "private" conversations into public problems
Quick-hit "lightning round" on what's okay and what's risky:
Cell numbers in structured recruiting systems: maybe—but with caution Home address and always-on location sharing: no Highlight reels and volleyball clips: absolutely yes—that's what social is for Emotional venting after a loss: skip the post, cool off, and protect your future self
For players: social media is step one in recruiting, not the finish line—and visibility should never come at the cost of safety For parents:
Stay engaged with your athlete's accounts and communications Help with filming, building profiles, and reviewing contacts Recognize that a complete absence of social media can also hurt recruiting in today's landscape
Closing thoughts from Chuck, Brian, and Leon as both coaches and parents:
They want TNT players to be seen by the right people, stay safe from the wrong ones, and carry a strong digital reputation from club to college and beyond.